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"Refurbish" them (badly IME) for usage as spares and install them in another broken Mac while relieving the customer of hundreds of dollars.

They can't make new Macs out of them, the parts are specific to a particular model/year usually.
 
Try the Unigine Valley benchmark. It's much more effective. ;)

My second board lasted 30 seconds before it started artifacting...

Before getting to the Apple shop for a diagnostic to see if I am a victim of radeongate (all symptoms are the same, except i just get blank screen forcing hard reboot), I am hoping to confirm for myself if the gpu is ganked. Would you say using the Unigine benchmark is the best way to confirm/deny? ie. if it crashes when running the benchmark gpu failure is highly likely. Or are there other ways to confirm/deny (ie. crash logs)?
 
Just had to have mine replaced earlier this year. It was a pain in the ass because I'm currently living in Thailand and there are no true Apple stores, only a handful of "authorized repair shops". Cost me about $600 to get it replaced. I spoke with Apple about 5 times and they offered ZERO help whatsoever.
 
Before getting to the Apple shop for a diagnostic to see if I am a victim of radeongate (all symptoms are the same, except i just get blank screen forcing hard reboot), I am hoping to confirm for myself if the gpu is ganked. Would you say using the Unigine benchmark is the best way to confirm/deny? ie. if it crashes when running the benchmark gpu failure is highly likely. Or are there other ways to confirm/deny (ie. crash logs)?

A blank screen while using or switching to the AMD GPU is a good indication it's failing. My 2011 then failed to boot OS X after a hard reset and got stuck at a grey screen with the fans running at full rpm. Very occaisionally it might boot into OS X at which point I could disable the dGPU and use it for a while.

Unigine is a good GPU stability test. I got artifacting (pink/green speckles all over the image) followed shortly after by a black screen.
 
Try the Unigine Valley benchmark. It's much more effective. ;)

My second board lasted 30 seconds before it started artifacting...

A blank screen while using or switching to the AMD GPU is a good indication it's failing. My 2011 then failed to boot OS X after a hard reset and got stuck at a grey screen with the fans running at full rpm. Very occaisionally it might boot into OS X at which point I could disable the dGPU and use it for a while.

Unigine is a good GPU stability test. I got artifacting (pink/green speckles all over the image) followed shortly after by a black screen.
Did you put everything on ultra and 8x anti-alianising?
 
I just clicked Run!

Haha alright. Just got my computer back after sending it in for the 3rd time. Every now and then I get this when I open up my computer after closing its lid:
IMG_5863.JPG
I just don't know how to get it to happen more frequently so that a genius can see.
 
Haha alright. Just got my computer back after sending it in for the 3rd time. Every now and then I get this when I open up my computer after closing its lid:

I just don't know how to get it to happen more frequently so that a genius can see.

Showing them that photo would be a good start.

You can try turning off automatic graphics switching in the Energy Saver settings to force the computer to use the dead GPU, and then just try any intensive task and see if you can show it to them that way (it's exactly what I did, though for me it had reached a point where simply turning off automatic graphics switching caused the issue to show up). Edit some photos or videos, if you have 3D rendering software then that's a great way to get the issue to show up - just set something to render.
 
Showing them that photo would be a good start.

You can try turning off automatic graphics switching in the Energy Saver settings to force the computer to use the dead GPU, and then just try any intensive task and see if you can show it to them that way (it's exactly what I did, though for me it had reached a point where simply turning off automatic graphics switching caused the issue to show up). Edit some photos or videos, if you have 3D rendering software then that's a great way to get the issue to show up - just set something to render.

Thing is it does things like Furmark just fine. Only weird thing that happens is on Unigine Valley and Unigine Heaven when I set anti-alianising on 8x this happens, and it happens on a 13" 2011 Macbook Pro too:
IMG_5868.JPG
But other than this the only other thing is the log in screen.
 
Thing is it does things like Furmark just fine. Only weird thing that happens is on Unigine Valley and Unigine Heaven when I set anti-alianising on 8x this happens, and it happens on a 13" 2011 Macbook Pro too:

But other than this the only other thing is the log in screen.

It's quite possible that the graphics card just doesn't support those settings and so displays that when it can't render it. The way to figure it out would be to disable automatic switching, run the unigine test and get it to display that distortion, and then either command tab into finder or quit the app and see if the issue still shows up. If the screen disruption goes away the second you quit the app then it probably isn't a GPU failure.
 
I have the same thing running the Unigen benchmark. If I turn aa off it goes away. I've tried aa in games and it seems to operate normally.
 
I just clicked Run!

OK, I see the point in trying to stress the GPU, hoping to fail again shortly after an Apple repair - lot's of messages say that with the third repair a new MacBook is waiting ...

But, it is as easy as to just run some 'stress testing' ?

After all, what was said to be the problem is that cracks develop b/c thermal stresses - thus, getting temperatures to fluctuate a lot.
'Stress testing' will just put the GPU/CPU to around 90ºC, but this will be rather constant.
Should one rather try to change the temperature as much as possible, thus, 'stress testing' for 10 min., then allow to sleep, then repeat again?

Anyone tested this?
 
OK, I see the point in trying to stress the GPU, hoping to fail again shortly after an Apple repair - lot's of messages say that with the third repair a new MacBook is waiting ...

But, it is as easy as to just run some 'stress testing' ?

After all, what was said to be the problem is that cracks develop b/c thermal stresses - thus, getting temperatures to fluctuate a lot.
'Stress testing' will just put the GPU/CPU to around 90ºC, but this will be rather constant.
Should one rather try to change the temperature as much as possible, thus, 'stress testing' for 10 min., then allow to sleep, then repeat again?

Anyone tested this?
I remember reading a thread somewhere here about older Macbooks that had Nvidia GPUs that broke when what you mentioned was done. People would get their GPUs to around 90ºC and then close their lids.
 
I seriously doubt you will do better for a brand new board than $310.

They're all refurbished boards at this point. Apple's repair terms indicate new and refurbished parts. The longer it has been since they stopped selling that model, the less likely they are to have new components.

Try the Unigine Valley benchmark. It's much more effective. ;)

My second board lasted 30 seconds before it started artifacting...

That isn't exactly breaking the board. It could be considered stress testing, and if the part was reconditioned properly, it shouldn't do that. I'm curious though, were the repairs through Apple? I was considering having mine repaired.

Showing them that photo would be a good start.

You can try turning off automatic graphics switching in the Energy Saver settings to force the computer to use the dead GPU, and then just try any intensive task and see if you can show it to them that way (it's exactly what I did, though for me it had reached a point where simply turning off automatic graphics switching caused the issue to show up). Edit some photos or videos, if you have 3D rendering software then that's a great way to get the issue to show up - just set something to render.

You don't need anything intense. You just need something that will load lots of data into vram. Photo editing doesn't put a lot of strain on it, but if you choose an app that uses OpenGL drawing for photos, it should crash the thing for demonstration purposes.
 
That isn't exactly breaking the board. It could be considered stress testing, and if the part was reconditioned properly, it shouldn't do that. I'm curious though, were the repairs through Apple? I was considering having mine repaired.

I agree that it's not breaking the board. It's a stress test that can help identify any that have not been properly refurbished.

In my case all repairs were through the local Apple Store. After they quoted around £500 to replace the logic board I enquired if it was a new or refurbished part, knowing it was likely to be refurbished from a previous job involving instore warranty repairs for a PC retailer. To their credit the store said it would almost certainly be refurbished. Perhaps my expectations were a little high, however £500 for a repair with 90 days warranty using a part that likely failed previously with a similar fault doesn't seem like a good deal. After a short discussion with a genius bar supervisor they agreed to a no-cost repair under UK consumer protection laws. Skipping to the end .... the refurbished boards kept failing within a few weeks, Apple replaced the machine.
 
I agree that it's not breaking the board. It's a stress test that can help identify any that have not been properly refurbished.

In my case all repairs were through the local Apple Store. After they quoted around £500 to replace the logic board I enquired if it was a new or refurbished part, knowing it was likely to be refurbished from a previous job involving instore warranty repairs for a PC retailer. To their credit the store said it would almost certainly be refurbished. Perhaps my expectations were a little high, however £500 for a repair with 90 days warranty using a part that likely failed previously with a similar fault doesn't seem like a good deal. After a short discussion with a genius bar supervisor they agreed to a no-cost repair under UK consumer protection laws. Skipping to the end .... the refurbished boards kept failing within a few weeks, Apple replaced the machine.

Yeah.. they had replaced the battery for me not that long ago, so in my case they offered to credit the cost of battery repair toward depot service. It makes it around $120, which is why I will probably do it. I will however stress test it when I get it back. Even if I sold it to put the money toward a new one, I wouldn't want to sell something that's on the verge of failure.
 
Same saga. Thanks for the confirmation by all these posts.

Just took my late 2011 15" in for repair #2 because It won't boot- get grey screen. I was able to pull off critical school papers by having Best Buy remove the harddrive (was told warranty is invalid if not done by certified tech and Apple Store was booked for several days) and reading it with a usb drive dock from another mac. Daughter will be using Dropbox in the future.

3 weeks ago I paid the $310 for a new logic board - repair #1. (I was told it was new, not reconditioned) when the display was crazy.
It wouldn't take a charge when we first got it back, but that resolved then wouldn't boot.

Previously the screen and disk were replaced under Applecare within the last year.

I had a 6 year old 17" that I replaced because of hinge issues - I thought that was reasonable life and never had any problems. This one is 3.5 years.

I will try the Unigine Valley benchmark when I get it back so I test it within 90 days. Will the free one do or do I need the loop with the $20 version?
 
Same saga. Thanks for the confirmation by all these posts.

Just took my late 2011 15" in for repair #2 because It won't boot- get grey screen. I was able to pull off critical school papers by having Best Buy remove the harddrive (was told warranty is invalid if not done by certified tech and Apple Store was booked for several days) and reading it with a usb drive dock from another mac. Daughter will be using Dropbox in the future.

Rubbish, your hard drive in that Mac is a user serviceable part. You would have easily be able to pull it, plug it in via a USB to SATA connector and pull the data off.

3 weeks ago I paid the $310 for a new logic board - repair #1. (I was told it was new, not reconditioned) when the display was crazy.
It wouldn't take a charge when we first got it back, but that resolved then wouldn't boot.

If you have paid for an out of warranty repair with Apple you typically get 90 days of coverage guaranteeing the repair. If something goes wrong take it back to the Apple Store within that period of time and ask them to fix it.
 
OK, I see the point in trying to stress the GPU, hoping to fail again shortly after an Apple repair - lot's of messages say that with the third repair a new MacBook is waiting ...

jorgk, I wish it were like this ... mine is undergoing the FIFTH logic board replacement. Besides bringing to an authorized center, this morning I called the Apple toll free number to ask what am I supposed to do to be able to work with a computer I paid EUR 2500 just three years ago. The answer I got was: "bring it to a an authorized center". When I stressed out that it was the fifth time I did it, I got the following suggestion: "change center"!!!!

WHAT A SHAME on the company!!!!

I am thinking of buying a new computer (quitting with Apple after 20 years!). Since the logic board has a 90 days guarantee, I think I will keep my Mac running all the day anyway (looping HD videos, or running any other graphic-card hungry application) in the hope that the logic board will fail again and again (though in my experience a 20 days of normal use is more than enough to have the Mac ready for a new replacement).

... Let's see how many they are willing to replace "for free" ...
 
Another update. Board lasted 4.5 months. Running Geekbench 3 seemed to push it over the edge... Just dropped it off for a new main board. Apple is covering under the "extended warranty" program for free and refunding me the flat rate of the first repair. Supposedly it is a new design without the flaw. This is what the rep told me. I'll believe it when it last for more then 6 months. Hope it's true. My 2011 has been the most problematic computer I have ever owned.
 
Just got my MBP back. New board (605-2699) installed. Same item number as the old repair. :( I'm going for my own personal record. So far what has been replaced is 2 motherboards, screen, hard drive, charger, optical drive / cable, mic, keyboard, battery, charger, and magsafe board. Only out of pocket has been the battery and charger. Not much else to replace... lol

My real question is with the new recall program is the motherboard actually revised and had the real problem been addressed? The item number is the same between my two repairs. My Apple senior adviser says the part has been revised but I don't know if that is the truth. They could not tell me if there was any difference between the part used 4.5 months ago or the one used yesterday. Only time will tell.

Anyone else have their motherboards replaced under the new program? Any comments or concerns?
 
Just got my MBP back. New board (605-2699) installed. Same item number as the old repair. :( I'm going for my own personal record. So far what has been replaced is 2 motherboards, screen, hard drive, charger, optical drive / cable, mic, keyboard, battery, charger, and magsafe board. Only out of pocket has been the battery and charger. Not much else to replace... lol

My real question is with the new recall program is the motherboard actually revised and had the real problem been addressed? The item number is the same between my two repairs. My Apple senior adviser says the part has been revised but I don't know if that is the truth. They could not tell me if there was any difference between the part used 4.5 months ago or the one used yesterday. Only time will tell.

Anyone else have their motherboards replaced under the new program? Any comments or concerns?

No. It is the same and it will fail. The exact same thing happened with some models of iBooks. They had Radeongate too. They failed just like the 2011 MBPs. There was a replacement program but after a while the GPUs failed again. I have one. Logic board was replaced. GPU dead again.

I suggest you sell that thing as soon as possible and get a new or used MBP. It's just a ticking timebomb and it's going to fail sooner or later again. Soon the replacement program will end and you're screwed. It's pretty obvious that your MBP has been nothing but bad luck. Sell it and get another one. Clean it up, do a fresh install, package it nicely, sell it away. Include some "freebies" to lure a sale (like an external hard drive or some other accessory. Maybe a case or sleeve). Make the listing look really nice to maximize profits. Then use that money to buy a new/used MBP. You can get a 2009 or 2010 or 2012. All these are still well supported (they all are about the same) and safe. Don't get 2011. Anything older than 2009 (2008 and older) is a different era and not as supported.

Or, if you don't want to sell and buy, you can keep your 2011 MBP... Use it until the GPU dies again. If the replacement program is still available, replace it again. Keep on doing this until the replacement program is over. Then when the GPU dies after the program is over, do a "re-ball". This is where they replace the solder balls with new ones. They remove the chip, remove the old solder, apply new beads of solder, and reattach. This will be the permanent fix, but it is not guaranteed. Re-balls may not always work and they probably won't last as long as a good GPU, but it should last long enough (much longer than with the old defective solder though).
 
No. It is the same and it will fail. The exact same thing happened with some models of iBooks. They had Radeongate too. They failed just like the 2011 MBPs. There was a replacement program but after a while the GPUs failed again. I have one. Logic board was replaced. GPU dead again.

I suggest you sell that thing as soon as possible and get a new or used MBP. It's just a ticking timebomb and it's going to fail sooner or later again. Soon the replacement program will end and you're screwed. It's pretty obvious that your MBP has been nothing but bad luck. Sell it and get another one. Clean it up, do a fresh install, package it nicely, sell it away. Include some "freebies" to lure a sale (like an external hard drive or some other accessory. Maybe a case or sleeve). Make the listing look really nice to maximize profits. Then use that money to buy a new/used MBP. You can get a 2009 or 2010 or 2012. All these are still well supported (they all are about the same) and safe. Don't get 2011. Anything older than 2009 (2008 and older) is a different era and not as supported.

Or, if you don't want to sell and buy, you can keep your 2011 MBP... Use it until the GPU dies again. If the replacement program is still available, replace it again. Keep on doing this until the replacement program is over. Then when the GPU dies after the program is over, do a "re-ball". This is where they replace the solder balls with new ones. They remove the chip, remove the old solder, apply new beads of solder, and reattach. This will be the permanent fix, but it is not guaranteed. Re-balls may not always work and they probably won't last as long as a good GPU, but it should last long enough (much longer than with the old defective solder though).

I have a feeling you are right. Below is a good article. Right now I would rather wait for the Skylake MBP but I don't know how long that is going to be. Program is going till Feb 27, 2016. Honestly, the computer has not been a lemon besides everything recently. The only thing that failed under the 1 year warranty was a key on the keyboard. Everything else replaced was me or when the first board failed. Admittedly, it has not been as reliable as my 2006 17". That computer is still going strong today.

This week Apple has announced that they are initiating a new repair extension program for the MacBook Pro, in order to address video corruption and stability problems with certain models. The program offers extended repair service for the 15” and 17” 2011 MacBook Pros, along with the 2012 and Early 2013 15” Retina MacBook Pros.

Under the terms of the program, covered laptops that are experiencing video issues such as display corruption, system crashes, or other glitches will be eligible for free repairs through Apple. Furthermore all affected systems are eligible regardless of warranty status, making this a true extension in every sense of the word as the bulk of the systems this program covers are past their extended warranty expiration dates. Meanwhile in order to compensate any users who have already suffered from the issue, Apple is also offering reimbursements to those customers who have already paid for repairs.

The MacBook Pro repair program comes less than 2 years after Apple’s last repair program, which in 2013 saw Apple offering free video card replacements and repairs for the mid-2011 27” iMac. And given the similarities between the problems in the MacBook Pro and the iMac, this has raised a few eyebrows. While the 2011 iMac and MacBook Pros use different GPUs, both systems use GPUs from AMD’s Radeon HD 6000M series, with the iMac using the higher-end 6970M while the MacBook Pros used the 6490M, 6750M, and 6770M GPUs.

However throwing a wrench into any common thread between these systems, the last of the MacBook Pros covered by the repair program, the first generation 15” Retina MacBook Pros, used NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 650M instead. There is also the matter of differences in construction – iMacs used MXM cards, MacBook Pros use GPUs soldered on to the logic board – and even differences in operation. Namely, while the iMac used its dGPU exclusively the MacBook Pros all used switchable graphics, which means that the MacBook Pros are often being driven by their iGPU rather than their dGPU.

Consequently while we first suspected that this is a common issue revolving around the Radeon HD 6000M series – and certainly we can’t rule that out – there seems to be more that’s going on here than a common failure in one line of GPUs. This could include Apple opting to address multiple modes of failure under a single repair program, or even just pure coincidence. At the same time we haven’t seen a widespread repair program issued by other OEMs for any of these GPUs, which may mean that Apple is the only OEM being seriously affected, unlike NVIDIA’s bumpgate which saw repair programs from a number of OEMs.

For that reason I find myself wondering whether another factor such as cooling has been playing a role here. Although these Apple devices all use different coolers, one common element in Apple’s iMac and Retina MacBook Pro designs has been the comapny's aggressiveness in controlling the thickness of those devices, leading to them pushing the envelope on cooling relatively high TDP processors in tight spaces.

In any case, the full details of the program, including the affected models and repair instructions, are available over at Apple’s website.
 
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I have a feeling you are right. Below is a good article. Right now I would rather wait for the Skylake MBP but I don't know how long that is going to be. Program is going till Feb 27, 2016. Honestly, the computer has not been a lemon besides everything recently. The only thing that failed under the 1 year warranty was a key on the keyboard. Everything else replaced was me or when the first board failed.

Hmm... the article mentions that heat may have something to do with it. Yes, heat likely accelerates failure. So if you want your 2011 machine's GPU to last as long as possible, I'd recommend setting the fans to the max, constantly. This will keep things as cool as possible. Two minor problems with this though: 1. It may be quite annoying; 2. It would drain your battery faster.

#2 can be solved easily. smcFanControl has a feature that you can use to apply different profiles to different power sources. So when you are connected to the power supply, smcFanControl would set the fans to the max, and when you are on battery, smcFanControl sets it to default.

Alternatively, there's MacsFanControl.
 
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I have been under full load rendering some 1920x1080 footage under Premier CS6 for the last hour and I am at 78c with the fans flat out. That's not too bad. I'm hoping for the best. I don't do a ton of editing but Premier is what usually taxes the computer the most. Going from 8gb 1333 to 16gb 1600 is helping too.
 
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