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3 Beeps on Early 2011 MacBook Pro 15

MisterKeeks

MisterKeeks

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 15, 2012
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I have an Early 2011 MacBook Pro that is giving me some issues. The logic board was replaced in February 2016 under the recall program for these laptops. Several days ago, I was using it normally (not moving it) on a table when the screen went mostly black with green visual artifacts. It then shut down. I tried restarting it, and it booted to a white screen and stayed there for several minutes before I hard shut it off. I tried booting it again, and it beeped three times. Because this indicates a memory issue, I did some troubleshooting by testing the machine in all possible memory module/slot configurations, ie module A in slot 1, module B in slot 1, etc. The problem persists in all possible configurations, suggesting an issue with the logic board.

My questions:
Is this definitely a logic board issue, or is there something that I am missing (besides the possibility that both RAM chips went bad simultaneously...)

Is this definitely unrelated to the GPU issue that plagues these laptops?

If it is the logic board, is there any warranty for the logic board, given that it was only replaced 6 months ago?

Thanks!
 
MisterKeeks said:
It's my understanding that there is a 90 day parts warranty on Apple parts. Because this was replaced 6 months ago, wouldn't it be out of warranty?
Click to expand...
As long as it's an issue related to the GPU, you can get free logic board replacement as many time as you want.
 
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MisterKeeks said:
Is this definitely unrelated to the GPU issue that plagues these laptops?

If it is the logic board, is there any warranty for the logic board, given that it was only replaced 6 months ago?
Click to expand...

I had mine replaced recently and Apple Store should be able to run a test and determine whether its GPU related. There is a possibility in your case that a faulty logic board may have corrupted other components like the memory as well if the bad logic board resulted in power surges through the circuitry. Given they're all fairly low voltage, I would suppose that the chances are fairly low but it can't be ruled out.

That said, if the RAM was corrupt, they may be able to swap in new or refurbished RAM when you send it in with the same capacity you had when you bought the MBP.

Another piece of advice, make sure you have a backup of your data and if you have anything sensitive, maybe erase the hard drive so it's clean for them to test with. They'd likely load Mac OS on it (they need to be able to boot and run some basic tests). Otherwise they usually ask you for your password and/or provide admin access which can be a little annoying from a privacy standpoint.

tubeexperience said:
As long as it's an issue related to the GPU, you can get free logic board replacement as many time as you want.
Click to expand...

This is great in many ways that Apple has gone to these lengths but it's worrisome that so many haven't had much luck with the replaced components being stable without causing issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this time it won't give way.
 
dashwin said:
This is great in many ways that Apple has gone to these lengths but it's worrisome that so many haven't had much luck with the replaced components being stable without causing issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this time it won't give way.
Click to expand...
Apple is only offering free repairs because of a class action lawsuit.

As you can imagine, Apple is using the cheapest Band-Aid to fix the problem.

I am using my 2011 as my main computer and I am worry too.
 
tubeexperience said:
Apple is only offering free repairs because of a class action lawsuit.

As you can imagine, Apple is using the cheapest Band-Aid to fix the problem.
Click to expand...

Yes, I heard about the lawsuit and just read the thread on macrumors about the repair program launch. I wonder what percentage of the MBP users have experienced this issue for it to be really considered serious.
 
Called Apple. They made an exception and will be replacing it at no cost.
 
dashwin said:
Yes, I heard about the lawsuit and just read the thread on macrumors about the repair program launch. I wonder what percentage of the MBP users have experienced this issue for it to be really considered serious.
Click to expand...

Probably the overwhelming majority.

Not a week has gone by, that nobody complained on MR that the GPUs on their 2011 MBPs failed.
 
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