2011 MacBook Pro GPU issue or RAM problem?

[Keesmcqueen]

A couple of days ago my early 2011 17-inch MacBook Pro started freezing up and wouldn't unfreeze until I held the power button. About a year ago I upgraded the ram to a pair of 4GB Corsair CMSX8GX3M2A1600C9 sticks. These have worked perfectly (so far).

Then while booting up after the freezes, it was sometimes stuck on a white screen without the Apple Logo, or when it did boot up had graphical artefacts just above the Apple logo. This made me think of the now-famous 2011 MacBook GPU issue, but just to be sure I put memtest on a USB key and ran it for a few hours, it didn't come up with any errors. Then I switched back the original RAM that came with the machine and it's working fine so far.

So now I'm left with the question if it is a broken GPU (because of the artefacts) or did my (seemingly) errorless RAM suddenly become incompatible with my laptop? (Which would seem odd after a year of working without a hitch)

 

[yukari]

I had my upgraded RAM go bad after 2 years of use. So it's not unheard of. Also by corsair btw.
Since your computer is working fine with the original RAM, I suspect it's the RAM problem.

 

[CoastalOR]

Your symptoms sounds like it could be a dGPU (AMD Radeon HD 6750M) problem, if your MBP has it. Apple has an extended repair program here for that problem. The repair program ends Feb. 27, 2016.

 

[Keesmcqueen]

I had my upgraded RAM go bad after 2 years of use. So it's not unheard of. Also by corsair btw.
Since your computer is working fine with the original RAM, I suspect it's the RAM problem.

Thanks for sharing your experience with upgraded RAM, so far it has been working flawlessly with the old memory, so that must've been the issue. I'll return the memory and see what happens next.

Your symptoms sounds like it could be a dGPU (AMD Radeon HD 6750M) problem, if your MBP has it. Apple has an extended repair program here for that problem. The repair program ends Feb. 27, 2016.

Thanks for linking that program, I'll keep an eye out for any issues now I put the original RAM, but so far so good.

 

[thermodynamic]

A couple of days ago my early 2011 17-inch MacBook Pro started freezing up and wouldn't unfreeze until I held the power button. About a year ago I upgraded the ram to a pair of 4GB Corsair CMSX8GX3M2A1600C9 sticks. These have worked perfectly (so far).

Then while booting up after the freezes, it was sometimes stuck on a white screen without the Apple Logo, or when it did boot up had graphical artefacts just above the Apple logo. This made me think of the now-famous 2011 MacBook GPU issue, but just to be sure I put memtest on a USB key and ran it for a few hours, it didn't come up with any errors. Then I switched back the original RAM that came with the machine and it's working fine so far.

So now I'm left with the question if it is a broken GPU (because of the artefacts) or did my (seemingly) errorless RAM suddenly become incompatible with my laptop? (Which would seem odd after a year of working without a hitch)

RAM can be tricky - passing numerous iterations of benchmark testing but then hiccup after a reboot. From what you describe, I'd say it's the RAM -- maybe reseating the replacement RAM will fix the situation? You put back the original RAM and all is well, so it's worth trying. Component reseating, even by a slight amount (1mm or less) can cause interesting and inconsistent problems.

 

[Keesmcqueen]

It all worked fine for a day or so, but now it shows this during boot before shutting down, pretty sure those kinds of weird colours are gpu-related, so I just made an appointment with the geniuses. Let's hope they'll be able to fix it

 

[ron1004]

That sure looks like a GPU issue - mine did much the same, and although it would not boot, it still passed the test that they ran in the Apple store.
They denied that there was a known issue, so I paid the flat rate repair, and a few months later got reimbursed when they announced the program.