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Apple Initiates Graphic Card Replacement Program for Mid-2011 27-inch iMac
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Having the same problems but mine ends in dhjv ...... still going to take it in.
I am eligible for this as my serial number matches and I haven't got it replaced yet, my iMac has been fine for a while.
Except recently now when I turn it on my iMac is getting stuck on a white screen and I have to turn it off and back on again to get it to boot up.
I did the hardware test, reinstalled OS X and still got this problem.
Is this one of the problems with this card?
Matt
Except recently now when I turn it on my iMac is getting stuck on a white screen and I have to turn it off and back on again to get it to boot up.
I did the hardware test, reinstalled OS X and still got this problem.
Is this one of the problems with this card?
Matt
I'd take it in for sure, if you're having that issue - it definitely sounds like a GPU problem.
Oh okay thanks. Do they replace the same card though? (if they do hopefully it is one with the problem fully solved..)
If by the same card you're asking if they give you the same model/size? Yes. If you have a 2GB card, you'll get a 2GB card...
The thing that I noticed on my new card is that it now has a temp sensor connected to the logic board.. So I guess the problem was overheating of the card that made them malfunction..
I finally got a work authorization to get my GPU replaced... My iMac GPU died completely on Friday, and the computer would not boot out of text mode (i.e. Single User Mode).
I took screenshots, video, etc. of my corrupted graphics, but the Apple Store would not use that as evidence. The only way to get an approval is if Apple Diagnostic's Video Test tool fails.
In anycase, the video test passed two times, and did not fail. The Genius who was helping me gave up and decided to go on his lunch break. Thankfully I presevered and decided to do a full format of OSX and prove that even with a base OS the GPU was not working.
Strangely OSX installed fine, GUI booted fine.
Luckily I didn't take it home, instead I downloaded a quick 3D test program, run it on the Mac and that cause the GPU to die craptastically again.
Another genius came by and thankfully he offered to run the Video Test again, and this time it failed and I was able to get the repair authorized.
While I'm glad Apple is doing this recall, I'm disappointed with how rigid the process is. Apple should either replace all GPUs or if the customer has sufficient proof (screenshos, materials, or other GPU related issues) the repair should be authorized.
Instead, Apple relies on their video test tool which does not fully stress a GPU and therefore does not reliably trigger a failure condition.
Yes, the Apple Video test barely stresses a GPU - it just displays a bunch of nice grpahics. However, if Apple were to run a 3D test, I'm sure there would be a lot of failures.
I took screenshots, video, etc. of my corrupted graphics, but the Apple Store would not use that as evidence. The only way to get an approval is if Apple Diagnostic's Video Test tool fails.
In anycase, the video test passed two times, and did not fail. The Genius who was helping me gave up and decided to go on his lunch break. Thankfully I presevered and decided to do a full format of OSX and prove that even with a base OS the GPU was not working.
Strangely OSX installed fine, GUI booted fine.
Luckily I didn't take it home, instead I downloaded a quick 3D test program, run it on the Mac and that cause the GPU to die craptastically again.
Another genius came by and thankfully he offered to run the Video Test again, and this time it failed and I was able to get the repair authorized.
While I'm glad Apple is doing this recall, I'm disappointed with how rigid the process is. Apple should either replace all GPUs or if the customer has sufficient proof (screenshos, materials, or other GPU related issues) the repair should be authorized.
Instead, Apple relies on their video test tool which does not fully stress a GPU and therefore does not reliably trigger a failure condition.
Yes, the Apple Video test barely stresses a GPU - it just displays a bunch of nice grpahics. However, if Apple were to run a 3D test, I'm sure there would be a lot of failures.
Coolspot18: can you tell me which 3D program you downloaded? I'm bringing my iMac to hospital tomorrow and want to come armed. This evening, while editing storyboards in XCode, the machine went white screen. Now, it won't boot past white.
Hopefully, Apple will cover it.
Hopefully, Apple will cover it.
Wtf!
I faced the same problem with my graphic card last week and when I took my iMac to official Apple Service they done several tests including stress tests and told me that there is a problem with graphics but this (mine) specific issue is not covered with this replacement policy.
What should I do?
My warranty ends in june.
I faced the same problem with my graphic card last week and when I took my iMac to official Apple Service they done several tests including stress tests and told me that there is a problem with graphics but this (mine) specific issue is not covered with this replacement policy.
What should I do?
My warranty ends in june.
finally replaced
my case is
1. after saw the article last year, didn't encounter any case, so ignored.
2. this year just after my 3 year warranty over, my imac keep hanging with black, vertical line, blue screen and etc. but system still can boot up after imac is cool down.
3. seek help from apple online, they asked to send to apple for check, but I am not sure they can reproduced the problem on spot or not. so hold a while.
4. after the calling apple, keep stressing the imac, finally after one day, the system hang and can't boot any more. send it to apple.
5. apple ran a graphic test, bingo, graphic card failure. free replacement as per policy defined within 4 years purchase, even out of warranty.
6. now imac back, working, but I suspect it would have similar issue, so have to take care the temperature carefully, don't over heat it till burn.
ps: my ps3 used to burn once also due to over heat after warranty. cost me half of original price. sad.
my case is
1. after saw the article last year, didn't encounter any case, so ignored.
2. this year just after my 3 year warranty over, my imac keep hanging with black, vertical line, blue screen and etc. but system still can boot up after imac is cool down.
3. seek help from apple online, they asked to send to apple for check, but I am not sure they can reproduced the problem on spot or not. so hold a while.
4. after the calling apple, keep stressing the imac, finally after one day, the system hang and can't boot any more. send it to apple.
5. apple ran a graphic test, bingo, graphic card failure. free replacement as per policy defined within 4 years purchase, even out of warranty.
6. now imac back, working, but I suspect it would have similar issue, so have to take care the temperature carefully, don't over heat it till burn.
ps: my ps3 used to burn once also due to over heat after warranty. cost me half of original price. sad.
I opened up my late 09 iMac 27" and replaced the disc drive with a SSD
Best decision/investment I have ever made.
I didn't have a warranty though..
Well, the graphic card issue has finally caught up with my trusty iMac. There are no Apple Stores here, so I had to call the "service partners" to find out the details, and asked them whether it was possible to install 2GB card instead of original 1GB. I believe they're charging the full cost (about $500), even though upgrade at the time of purchase would only be $100. Just wondering if anyone else participating in the recall program managed to upgrade their graphic card for less.
I was having problems with my computer screen freezing. It would freeze to vertical black and white lines. I called apple and they are going to fix the problem under warranty. I am well past the three year mark for the repair. Thank you apple!! They stated it was a problem with the ram in the video card. Apparently it needs at least 2 gigs of ram not to fail. My current model only has 1gig
Which GPU do you have in there?
Also, funny that you're getting an upgrade for pure repair reasons.
Combined with that you're getting it fixed "well past" and not slight past the repair time as is usual with Apple is nice of them to do. Props to them.
Glassed Silver:mac
I know this is an old thread, BUT... I do have some good news. I have a 2011 iMac that recently started having the GPU issues. The unit actually stopped turning on.I knew they had a replacement but wasn't sure if they were still repairing them. I found the link, called Apple (Now mind you this happened last month) and told them the symptoms my iMac was having and also that my serial number fell into the numbers that were defective. The young lady kindly set up an appointment for me and told me that I was covered.... Took it to the Apple store and they ran tests on the iMac and told me that I was correct about the GPU issues. Also, as a result of the GPU failing the issue was causing my Hard Drive to fail. The Apple Employee asked me if I had everything backed up and I told him yes and I also mentioned that I had read about the GPU failing could also cause the HDD to go bad. He typed up a work order on his iPad and then told me that my repair costs would be $480.... I told him that I was told on the phone that my repair was supposed to be covered and I was not supposed to be charged anything. He said "Yes, I apologize, it does say here in the initial notes that you are not to be charged and we @ Apple will honor that". I picked my iMac up 5 days later with a new HDD and GPU. They are still replacing the units GPU and if this has caused your HDD to fail, they will replace it as well for free.... My best advice to anyone with this model is to call them instead of lugging your unit all the way inside an Apple store to be refused or told that you will have to pay out of pocket.... My only concern is they replaced the GPU with the same model... I did read that there was a factory distributing the faulty GPU's.. At any rate, I hope this gives some of you hope if you still have this unit and are frustrated about the situation. I know somewhere it says that there is only a 3 year grace period (I purchased mine in September 2011) BUT if you call them and state that you know there is a replacement program (If your serial number falls in the replacement realm) for your model, they should say "No problem! your serial number does fall within the replacement and we will be glad to repair your device free of charge!"
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I would call Apple! Thats what I did and they took care of the issue without any problems....
That's what I tried 4 years ago with my iMac late-06 (oh, the times when they actually refreshed Macs often enough to warrant for "early", "mid" or "late"... Nowadays...)
Anyways, no luck back then. Mind you, this is in Germany, we're known for bad customer support and possibly this may be something where Apple finally managed to regionalize properly.
Well, got a new Mac of course, still rocking it and so far it's holding up. Had to get this GPU replaced too though. So I have one broken and one working, newer, Mac.
Needless to say I'd rather go with a Mac Pro next time around, but I'm not so sure about that anymore. I wanted to in 2011 as well, but all they had were the dated models, apparently the Mac Pro laziness set in again. Meanwhile Microsoft and others are doing all they can to recapture some marketshare and with Apple treating their own pro software like an orphan I don't think they have too bad chances.
Wow, what a long ramble.
Glassed Silver:mac
I just went through this with the same result. I'm in BC Canada and was quoted $800 to replace my 6970m 2gb video card. When I originally booked my appointment they said over the phone that I would be covered based on my serial number but after they ran diagnostics I called them back for an update and was told I fall outside of the 4 year replacement program by about 6 months and it would cost $800. I gave them the go ahead to order the card and proceed with the work but ended up calling the store back the next day and speaking with the manager. Basically I said that this is absolutely ridiculous that there even is a 4 yr limit on a video card that is known to be defective this should be a recall, she could not help me and basically said its wear and tear. I ended up calling Apple Customer Relations 1-877-388-0879 and explaining to them I was originally told it would be covered and then at the store they said otherwise. They called me back within 30mins and apologized for the conflicting information I was given and that Apple does care about their customers and there was a bad batch of video cards around 2011 and even though I fall outside of the 4 years they are going to take care of the cost and make an exception. Don't be afraid to call their customer line and explain your disappointment of how this is being handled.
I took mine in to an authorized repair center and they wouldn't do a replacement because it was not malfunctioning.
Hi, I have been most impressed with the amount of information on this even in 2017 and want to thank everyone for the comments, posts etc... I experienced a graphics card failure on Friday last week. When it happened as everyone can imagine I wanted to cry a little. First thing Saturday I rang Apple and made a Genius appointment for yesterday (Tuesday 4th July). I then did a lot more research. I went into Apple armed with everything I thought I needed to try and take them on. When I arrived they did a diagnostic and found my HDD and GPU to be faulty. They offered to replace the GPU free of charge (including labour) and at the same time do the HDD and only charge for the part. I am in the UK so our consumer law covers an item for up to a 6 year period and I think this is only happening due to apple admitting their is a fault with the computer themselves, taking the onus away from me to prove the item was defective at time of purchase. I hope this helps anyone else that as long as you aren't over the 6 years in the UK you can still have it replaced. my total bill would of been £800 but is now only £100. Much better than the £1600 I was expecting for a new iMac. Thanks all!
I wish the basic EU consumer protection laws were as good as UK's in this regard.
Glassed Silver:ios
They wouldn't cover it, so I had to replace the GPU myself. I bought a bare used from Ebay for about $220. The install was a major pain, but everything works again, and it saved me from having to buy a new iMac.
Thanks for the info. We have a 2011 iMac deep in a hospital that is now exhibiting the video card issue in 2017. I was looking to see if it was worth carrying it a mile + out of the hospital to the car and schlep it to Apple. But now we will purchase a new one.