Macbook Pro 201 15" horizontal blue lines, possible AMD GPU problem? NEED HELP

[matthew_hodgson1878]

My MBP Late 2011 15" has been experiencing major graphics problems. One day I was on my MBP then it suddenly turned off and horizontal blue lines appeared all over the screen. Everytime I try to boot I only get to half way. However i did manage to get into my system 1 time and managed to wipe my MBP and install Sierra, but then you can guess what happened. The MBP would run so smooth and fast but as soon as i opened a cpu heavy programme such as (Ableton Live or Final Cut Pro) it would freeze up with glitched lines all over my screen. Sometimes even turn off then suddenly come back on. The things i have done are;

Reset my mac to factory reset.

I have changed my hard drive from a 500MB to 1TB.

Took out my 8GB of ram and tried booting but no joy.

Commands such as (cmd+s) (cmd+v) only end up freezing within a minute.

I have literally tried everything, I done some research and people have removed their logic board and cleaned their GPU and CPU then heated the chips up and applied more fresh thermal paste. However I don't have a heat gun and really don't wanna try those things if there is another way.

Could someone help me out, thanks guys!

 

[keysofanxiety]

Definitely graphics failure. Very common issue on your model. There was a repair program for it but it's now expired unfortunately: https://www.apple.com/uk/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

It's not worth repairing as they use refurb Logic Boards which'll exhibit the same problem, plus the machine is deemed vintage now anyway, so they can't even touch it.

You can possibly install gfxcardstatus to force it to use the iGPU only: http://gfx.io/downloads/gfxCardStatus-2.3.zip

Other than that, the only real alternative is a new computer I'm afraid. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[casperes1996]

You can possibly install gfxcardstatus to force it to use the iGPU only: http://gfx.io/downloads/gfxCardStatus-2.3.zip

To get it installed, if you can't get into your system, boot up the computer while holding Shift. This will force it to do CPU rendering only (i.e. not even the iGPU but everything off the CPU). It'll look ****ed when rendering animations, but should work.

 

[logicstudiouser]

@keysofanxiety is absolutely correct. Nor worth forking over any more money to fix this.
Now since the vintage list only includes up to early 2011 MBP and you have a late 2011 model, Apple will still look at it.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624
There is a very long shot possibility that they will run the graphics test and if it fails, they may cover the cost. I read someone on here mention this even after the program expired - but extremely low chance, it really depends on the staff and the current lead working that would be the one that would have to approve voiding the cost. So go to the nicest Apple Store in your area.
I believe the person on here that mentioned he got his covered was in the EU where I believe there is more consumer protection on this kind of stuff.
It would help your case more if you went into the Apple Store before the replacement program ended to mention a graphics issue and it was noted on file. If so, you can maybe use that as leverage to get them to cover it, but again, expect that it won't happen and be thankful if it does.
The GPU solution mentioned above will be the only solution left unfortunately without spending tons of money on another board which could have the same issue.