MacBook Pro 17" 2011 blue or grey screen after update

[Boomish69]

My 2011 17" 2.2 i7 MacBook Pro won't boot after I did a recent safari and system security update, it's been working fine, never had problem, but decided to do the update , after the restart it goes to a blue screen with stripes after it loads to 75%, I ran a hardware test, found a faulty ram stick, I removed this, same blue screen problem, hardware test now passes, even a full extended test passes.
So I disconnected all internal drives and put in a new SSD and booted from a high Sierra flash drive installer, still goes to blue screen after 75% of loading, I tried PRAM reset, same problem although I think it was now plain blue.

I then started experimenting with an external monitor & I removed the existing HD and checked it in my Mac Pro with disk utility and put it back, then try to boot into safe mode or normal, now it loads to 75% then the screen goes grey but is blank, I couldn't get it to boot solo on the external monitor.

I am unsure what else to try , I am wondering if the security update did some kind of firmware change, I don't think the GPU happened to fail at exactly this time. Besides why the blue screen with stripes, the plain blue screen or the grey blank screen. I could the GPU disable others have mentioned but it does the same with the installer not just my boot drive and it seems weird it all started after the update.

Appreciate any help or advice.

 

[osxinu]

My 2011 17" 2.2 i7 MacBook Pro won't boot after I did a recent safari and system security update, it's been working fine, never had problem, but decided to do the update , after the restart it goes to a blue screen with stripes after it loads to 75%, I ran a hardware test, found a faulty ram stick, I removed this, same blue screen problem, hardware test now passes, even a full extended test passes.
So I disconnected all internal drives and put in a new SSD and booted from a high Sierra flash drive installer, still goes to blue screen after 75% of loading, I tried PRAM reset, same problem although I think it was now plain blue.

I then started experimenting with an external monitor & I removed the existing HD and checked it in my Mac Pro with disk utility and put it back, then try to boot into safe mode or normal, now it loads to 75% then the screen goes grey but is blank, I couldn't get it to boot solo on the external monitor.

I am unsure what else to try , I am wondering if the security update did some kind of firmware change, I don't think the GPU happened to fail at exactly this time. Besides why the blue screen with stripes, the plain blue screen or the grey blank screen. I could the GPU disable others have mentioned but it does the same with the installer not just my boot drive and it seems weird it all started after the update.

Appreciate any help or advice.

I have exactly the same problem on my 2011 17" MBP and it happened when I finally caved and decided to go with the update and I was unable to successfully reboot. I have the stripped screen. Did the SMC & PRAM reset. Won't boot into safe or recovery mode. First it went into a reboot loop after getting 50% the way booted. Then after resetting PRAM it got to 75% and reverted to hanging on a grey screen.

 

[CoastalOR]

I have exactly the same problem on my 2011 17" MBP and it happened when I finally caved and decided to go with the update and I was unable to successfully reboot. I have the stripped screen. Did the SMC & PRAM reset. Won't boot into safe or recovery mode. First it went into a reboot loop after getting 50% the way booted. Then after resetting PRAM it got to 75% and reverted to hanging on a grey screen.

I would suspect a failed/failing dGPU (AMD Radeon) = Radeongate.
Here are some threads that discuss the problem with some possible workarounds.

Force 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 with failed AMD GPU to ALWAYS use Intel integrated GPU (EFI variable fix)

If you don't have time to read my story (which also describes some interesting technical approaches) just scroll down this thread until a "100% WORKING SOLUTION" text Discrete AMD GPU of my 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 has finally failed because of the reasons mentioned here (...

forums.macrumors.com

Permanently Disable 2011 15"/17" MacBook Pro Dedicated GPU - gMux IC Bypass

UPDATE: The solution detailed below is more or less out of date at this point, as I have recently developed a custom gMux IC firmware that not only permanently disables the AMD GPU, but also retains full native software-controlled display backlight brightness. Documentation explaining the...

forums.macrumors.com

Late-2011 15" MacBook Pro not loading / White screen

Hello everyone. My wife’s MacBook Pro is not loading. When I turn the Mac on I get the grey apple and the loading bar, but then it disappears and it's just the white screen. I’ve already tried this: removed all the peripherals attached boot in Safe Mode reset the PVRAM and NVRAM boot Disk...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[osxinu]

I would suspect a failed/failing dGPU (AMD Radeon) = Radeongate.
Here are some threads that discuss the problem with some possible workarounds.

Force 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 with failed AMD GPU to ALWAYS use Intel integrated GPU (EFI variable fix)

If you don't have time to read my story (which also describes some interesting technical approaches) just scroll down this thread until a "100% WORKING SOLUTION" text Discrete AMD GPU of my 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 has finally failed because of the reasons mentioned here (...

forums.macrumors.com

Permanently Disable 2011 15"/17" MacBook Pro Dedicated GPU - gMux IC Bypass

UPDATE: The solution detailed below is more or less out of date at this point, as I have recently developed a custom gMux IC firmware that not only permanently disables the AMD GPU, but also retains full native software-controlled display backlight brightness. Documentation explaining the...

forums.macrumors.com

Late-2011 15" MacBook Pro not loading / White screen

Hello everyone. My wife’s MacBook Pro is not loading. When I turn the Mac on I get the grey apple and the loading bar, but then it disappears and it's just the white screen. I’ve already tried this: removed all the peripherals attached boot in Safe Mode reset the PVRAM and NVRAM boot Disk...

forums.macrumors.com

I'd like to extend my thanks for directing me to a solution. It worked and functions just fine on the integrated graphics!!