2011 iMac graphics issues

[Brian Y]

It's very typical of a GPU failure. I've seen the same on the 2011 MacBook Pro with the same AMD 6000 series GPU issues.

Not in this card, pretty much every time I've seen this card fail it has been either no display at all, or artifacting, not striping.

If it does the same pattern on an external display, then it is of course most likely going to be the card. The other problem is that the recall only covers a specific set of issues, namely:

• distorted display (artefacting)
• white or blue* display with thin vertical lines
• black display

The recall doesn't cover any GPU failure, it only covers that particular component failure. When the known faulty component fails, it will cause one of the issues above. Cards will/do fail with other problems that aren't covered by the recall. That said, if you get a nice genius they may just do it under the recall.

* The display above is only blue because it's booted to AHT

 

[sparkie1984]

I hate to play devils advocate here - but from the ones I've seen that doesn't look like a symptom of the GPU failure in the recall.

With the thunderbolt display, are the lines in the same place, same colour, and do they change as the on-screen content changes?

I welcome it because if it isn't the gpu I don't want to look a fool and have to argue the toss for nothing.

I want to upgrade to a retina iMac at some point so ideally want this fully working so I can sell it on.

The other screen doesn't replicate the exact same as the iMac screen but will distort when the iMac one plays up

 

[sparkie1984]

Not in this card, pretty much every time I've seen this card fail it has been either no display at all, or artifacting, not striping.

If it does the same pattern on an external display, then it is of course most likely going to be the card. The other problem is that the recall only covers a specific set of issues, namely:

• distorted display (artefacting)
• white or blue* display with thin vertical lines
• black display

The recall doesn't cover any GPU failure, it only covers that particular component failure. When the known faulty component fails, it will cause one of the issues above. Cards will/do fail with other problems that aren't covered by the recall. That said, if you get a nice genius they may just do it under the recall.

* The display above is only blue because it's booted to AHT

Ah! I thought the red lines etc were also symptoms of it. When I booked it in the genius was happy to take it but couldn't replicate the issue and it passed the AHT.

If I have to I'll just have to sell it on and see if someone wants to repair it.

It's a good machine with ssd and 1tb drive and 16gb ram. Just this (admittedly major) issue

 

[MagicBoy]

Not in this card, pretty much every time I've seen this card fail it has been either no display at all, or artifacting, not striping.

If it does the same pattern on an external display, then it is of course most likely going to be the card. The other problem is that the recall only covers a specific set of issues, namely:

• distorted display (artefacting)
• white or blue* display with thin vertical lines
• black display

The recall doesn't cover any GPU failure, it only covers that particular component failure. When the known faulty component fails, it will cause one of the issues above. Cards will/do fail with other problems that aren't covered by the recall. That said, if you get a nice genius they may just do it under the recall.

* The display above is only blue because it's booted to AHT

No need for the wall of text reply. I'm well qualified enough to make my own decision and I don't agree with your opinion.

The stripes are artefacting. It is a GPU fault.

 

[Brian Y]

No need for the wall of text reply. I'm well qualified enough to make my own decision and I don't agree with your opinion.

The stripes are artefacting. It is a GPU fault.

How is that a wall of text reply? Don't be childish. I didn't say it wasn't a GPU fault. In fact I quite clearly stated that it's most likely the GPU. What I also said was that it's most likely not the GPU issue that's covered by the REP. The REP covers a set of issues, it's not a blanket coverage of all GPU failures as people on here seem to think.

Op: The symptoms you've got on the external display would suggest that the GPU is on its way, but I'm not convinced it's the usual problem with that card. My opinion: try your luck - if it's reproducible with an external display, take that with you to an Apple store. Chances are they'll cover it (be nice to them, don't be sharp with them - make them want to help you ). If they won't cover it, you can get a new/repaired graphics card on eBay and DIY, but whether it's worth it is up to you.

 

[sparkie1984]

How is that a wall of text reply? Don't be childish. I didn't say it wasn't a GPU fault. In fact I quite clearly stated that it's most likely the GPU. What I also said was that it's most likely not the GPU issue that's covered by the REP. The REP covers a set of issues, it's not a blanket coverage of all GPU failures as people on here seem to think.

Op: The symptoms you've got on the external display would suggest that the GPU is on its way, but I'm not convinced it's the usual problem with that card. My opinion: try your luck - if it's reproducible with an external display, take that with you to an Apple store. Chances are they'll cover it (be nice to them, don't be sharp with them - make them want to help you ). If they won't cover it, you can get a new/repaired graphics card on eBay and DIY, but whether it's worth it is up to you.

I think I will go in armed with the iMac and the pictures/video I have and see what they say.

Don't worry I know it can make a huge difference how you speak to someone, I'm not the sort of person to be rude to someone anyway as its not their fault.

The next issue is getting an appointment, 2 weeks away!

Im not sure if id bother to repair it to be honest, I literally got a free 2009 MacPro out of a skip on a job I am working at so will probably use that for the interim and sell my 2015 MbP and sell the iMac for whatever I can get for it.

 

[ECETADave]

Hi all I'm having issues with my 2011 iMac see below:

Does anyone think this may be related to the gpu recall? From talking online with apple they said to book a genius appointment to get it repaired but I'm not sure whether it'll be costing me (if it's worth it) failing that it may be the excuse I need to upgrade to a retina iMac

Looks like a graphics card problem to me. I had one on my 2011 27inch iMac in June... just 2 weeks AFTER the Apple recall on the machine expired. Made an appointment at a genius bar, they confirmed that it was a bad graphics card, and when they ran it through their internal system Apple said they would replace it at no cost anyway. Definitely take it in asap... no idea how long Apple will keep extending the recall replacement program but it is already out of date (at least for my computer)

 

[MagicBoy]

How is that a wall of text reply? Don't be childish. I didn't say it wasn't a GPU fault. In fact I quite clearly stated that it's most likely the GPU. What I also said was that it's most likely not the GPU issue that's covered by the REP. The REP covers a set of issues, it's not a blanket coverage of all GPU failures as people on here seem to think.

Op: The symptoms you've got on the external display would suggest that the GPU is on its way, but I'm not convinced it's the usual problem with that card. My opinion: try your luck - if it's reproducible with an external display, take that with you to an Apple store. Chances are they'll cover it (be nice to them, don't be sharp with them - make them want to help you ). If they won't cover it, you can get a new/repaired graphics card on eBay and DIY, but whether it's worth it is up to you.

From the REP notice :

Apple has determined that some AMD Radeon HD 6970M video cards used in 27-inch iMac computers with 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 or 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processors may fail, causing the computer’s display to appear distorted, white or blue with vertical lines, or to turn black. iMac computers with affected video cards were sold between May 2011 and October 2012.

I added the bold.

As per the OP image :
Blue - Check
Vertical Lines - Check.

As per the Yosemite wallpaper image in post 27:
Distorted - Check.
Reproducible with an external display - Check.

Exact same problem with wraparound image that my final replacement 2011 MBP logic board had, before Apple replaced the machine for yet another GPU failure.

OP - Politeness will go along way. I negotiated a no-cost repair on the MacBook Pro even though it was out of warranty and there was no repair extension at that time. It's a high value item so it's not unreasonable to expect a long lifespan out of a premium computer. For a non-mechanical part to fail indicates a design or manufacturing issue present from when the computer was new.

 

[Brian Y]

As per the OP image :
Blue - Check
Vertical Lines - Check.

The ops image is blue because it's booted to AHT. If you'd have looked at the image you would have seen that (In fact, I even pointed this out)

As per the Yosemite wallpaper image in post 27:
Distorted - Check.
Reproducible with an external display - Check.

Exact same problem with wraparound image that my final replacement 2011 MBP logic board had, before Apple replaced the machine for yet another GPU failure.

And here's the difference. We're not talking about the MBP GPU. We're talking about a particular REP, for a particular failure on a particular GPU, and I can tell you that the GPU failure shown here isn't typical of the common 2011 failure. It may be a GPU failure, but it's not the GPU failure that would be covered. I have no doubt you'll argue, but that's just how it is.

It's like saying that a car manufacturer announces a repair program for a turbocharger that suffers a prematurely worn bearing which causes excessive noise. If the turbocharger fails an unrelated way, it probably won't be covered. It's the same here - GPUs are complicated things which can fail in multiple ways.

 

[MagicBoy]

Nah, not going to waste my keypresses any further. We disagree. Simple as that.

Apple will fix it for the OP, he's entitled to claim under UK Consumer Law if his location is remotely correct.

 

[sparkie1984]

Let's not turn this into an argument guys.

I appreciate both your inputs and I think the consensus is to give it a try and see what they say.

Failing that if I really want I have the SOGA to fall back on.