MacBook Pro 2011 17 GPU Issues!

[Richie123]

Hi guys, long time reader and user but first time commenter.

I've been having issues with the laptop and have had so many severe symptoms which point towards the faulty logic boards on these models. These issues started a hear ago and have previously replaced the logic board for similar issues. For over a year my Mac has been freezing, random restarts, hard shutdowns, grey screens, blue screens, can't boot into safe mode, green and pink horizontal lines and many other symptoms along with those. It goes through a restart loop and I've restarted over 5000 times thinking it might go through. On a few odd occasions it has and it doesn't last very long. I took it into Apple last year and the technician hardly looked at the laptop and said its fine even though I had around half of the symptoms back then. I've seen many users with the same issues and sometimes the diagnosis report says everything is fine when clearly it's not.

My main concern is my data hasn't been backed up because of these issues and the Mac not recognising my external hard drives as well because of this. My questions is, if I get the logic board replaced then it shouldn't affect my data should it, since all OS and data settings are on the hard drive? What's the chances of the new logic board not working with the hard drive or corrupting the hard drive once it gets connected onto the new logic board? My other concern was the employees maybe copying my files through target disk mode without my permission. What are he chances of these things happening?

Cheers for your responses!

 

[T5BRICK]

My main concern is my data hasn't been backed up because of these issues and the Mac not recognising my external hard drives as well because of this. My questions is, if I get the logic board replaced then it shouldn't affect my data should it, since all OS and data settings are on the hard drive?

If Apple JUST replaces the logic board, you'll be fine.

What's the chances of the new logic board not working with the hard drive or corrupting the hard drive once it gets connected onto the new logic board? My other concern was the employees maybe copying my files through target disk mode without my permission. What are he chances of these things happening?

Anything can happen! This is why it's VERY important to back up.

You do have options though. If you have another Mac, it's relatively easy to remove the HDD, place it into an external enclosure, and plug that into the other Mac. from there you can clone it or copy the files that are important to you.

 

[tubeexperience]

Big deal.

Buy a new hard drive for $50 and put it in prior to sending in for repair.

Put in the old hard drive after repair.

Return the new hard drive.

That way Apple won't find the po-- ...er... movies you have on there.

 

[Richie123]

Big deal.

Buy a new hard drive for $50 and put it in prior to sending in for repair.

Put in the old hard drive after repair.

Return the new hard drive.

That way Apple won't find the po-- ...er... movies you have on there.

Only problem is I don't have any tools and I'm not really technical with parts and such. Is replacing a logic board a 1 day process or longer, especially if they're not busy and the parts are on hand? I wonder what other users that have had the same issues go through regarding their data and such. Once replaced, does the operating system and files all pretty much take over from where it was left off? Any updates/firmware needed afterwards?

 

[tubeexperience]

Only problem is I don't have any tools and I'm not really technical with parts and such. Is replacing a logic board a 1 day process or longer, especially if they're not busy and the parts are on hand? I wonder what other users that have had the same issues go through regarding their data and such. Once replaced, does the operating system and files all pretty much take over from where it was left off? Any updates/firmware needed afterwards?

Replacing the logic board takes me ~40 minutes. A contractor working for Apple can probably do it much faster.

Most of the wait time is to wait in a queue.

After a few years of repairing computers, I've seen just about everything. (kiddie porn, bestiality, etc.)

Anyway, I doubt that Apple/contractor really cares about porn and whatever else you have on there.

 

[CoastalOR]

Only problem is I don't have any tools and I'm not really technical with parts and such. Is replacing a logic board a 1 day process or longer, especially if they're not busy and the parts are on hand? I wonder what other users that have had the same issues go through regarding their data and such. Once replaced, does the operating system and files all pretty much take over from where it was left off? Any updates/firmware needed afterwards?

If the problem can be fixed by just replacing the logic board then Apple quotes 3 - 5 business days.
I called Apple on 19 Dec. 2015 (Saturday) for a failed dGPU, I received a FedEx box to ship it back to Apple on Monday 21 Dec. 2015, I shipped it back on 22 Dec. 2015, and FedEx delivered the repaired laptop back to me on 24 Dec. 2015.

Normally the old drive and RAM are moved to the replacement logic board so no data is lost and the OS (Yosemite & Widows 7) were not affected. No firmware update was required.

Apple techs will test your system so if there are also problems with the internal drive (hardware or software) then data on your current drive could be lost if the drive is replaced and/or OS software replaced.

 

[Richie123]

Replacing the logic board takes me ~40 minutes. A contractor working for Apple can probably do it much faster.

Most of the wait time is to wait in a queue.

After a few years of repairing computers, I've seen just about everything. (kiddie porn, bestiality, etc.)

Anyway, I doubt that Apple/contractor really cares about porn and whatever else you have on there.

Replacing the logic board takes me ~40 minutes. A contractor working for Apple can probably do it much faster.

Most of the wait time is to wait in a queue.

After a few years of repairing computers, I've seen just about everything. (kiddie porn, bestiality, etc.)

Anyway, I doubt that Apple/contractor really cares about porn and whatever else you have on there.

Dude, why are you even thinking along those lines. My files are all work, music, personal photos and videos. Im only concerned for my personal information and files. It's ok if you have those files for yourself, well actually it's not!
[doublepost=1466363938][/doublepost]

If the problem can be fixed by just replacing the logic board then Apple quotes 3 - 5 business days.
I called Apple on 19 Dec. 2015 (Saturday) for a failed dGPU, I received a FedEx box to ship it back to Apple on Monday 21 Dec. 2015, I shipped it back on 22 Dec. 2015, and FedEx delivered the repaired laptop back to me on 24 Dec. 2015.

Normally the old drive and RAM are moved to the replacement logic board so no data is lost and the OS (Yosemite & Widows 7) were not affected. No firmware update was required.

Apple techs will test your system so if there are also problems with the internal drive (hardware or software) then data on your current drive could be lost if the drive is replaced and/or OS software replaced.

Because of my symptoms and seeing others with the same experiences, I'm thinking it has to be the GPU. What was wrong with yours when your one failed?

I won't need to send it off I don't think. I have an Apple Store 10 mins away and I'm sure they will repair it in the back end of the shop. I might tell the technician to take out my hard drive and replace the logic board and when I pick it up I might be able to get him to connect it back on that same day.

 

[ron1004]

That does sound like the GPU issue, and I doubt that they'll do the repair in the shop - they most often send it to an off site repair facility with a turn-around of 3 to 5 days.

I left my SSD and RAM installed and it came back just as I had left it - I'll not do that again, and suggest that you pull the drive just to keep your personal files personal.

 

[tubeexperience]

Dude, why are you even thinking along those lines. My files are all work, music, personal photos and videos. Im only concerned for my personal information and files. It's ok if you have those files for yourself, well actually it's not!
[doublepost=1466363938][/doublepost]

Because of my symptoms and seeing others with the same experiences, I'm thinking it has to be the GPU. What was wrong with yours when your one failed?

I won't need to send it off I don't think. I have an Apple Store 10 mins away and I'm sure they will repair it in the back end of the shop. I might tell the technician to take out my hard drive and replace the logic board and when I pick it up I might be able to get him to connect it back on that same day.

I have done many repairs over the years and that's why I am "even thinking along those lines".

Anyway, as I have said, swap out the hard drive with an empty one. You can swap it back after the repair.

 

[CoastalOR]

Because of my symptoms and seeing others with the same experiences, I'm thinking it has to be the GPU. What was wrong with yours when your one failed?

Color changes and lines followed by kernel panics. It eventually would not restart. This all happened within a 24 hour period. I live 3 hours away from the nearest Apple store so mail in repair was better for me.

 

[Richie123]

Color changes and lines followed by kernel panics. It eventually would not restart. This all happened within a 24 hour period. I live 3 hours away from the nearest Apple store so mail in repair was better for me.

Since you had your repairs have you had any issues since? Did they use a new or refurbished board?

 

[CoastalOR]

Since you had your repairs have you had any issues since?

No problems so far.

Did they use a new or refurbished board?

Apple does not provide that information. The general consensus is that they are installing refurbished logic boards which makes sense to me since it a 5 year old design with no new parts being manufactured.

 

[Richie123]

Does anyone else actually think that newer buggy operating systems could also be at fault in wearing down the GPU? Comparing say Mountain Lion to El Capitan in terms of pushing the performance and the GPU not being able to handle the talks as much as before? Or is it strictly down to the dodgy GPU giving way?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Does anyone else actually think that newer buggy operating systems could also be at fault in wearing down the GPU? Comparing say Mountain Lion to El Capitan in terms of pushing the performance and the GPU not being able to handle the talks as much as before? Or is it strictly down to the dodgy GPU giving way?

The problem on the 2011 is the use of unleaded solder due to environmental restrictions. You can get it reballed with leaded solder and it should be fine, but this can only be by third parties.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If you have an Apple Store only 10 minutes away, why haven't you taken the MPB in for the free logic board replacement?

You can either hem and haw here online and it will never be fixed, or you can take it in and get it repaired.

Your choice!

 

[Richie123]

I'm going to most likely remove the hard drive before sending off for repair. I've never removed a hard drive before, but what are the chances of losing data and it failing once removed and reconnected onto a new logic board?

 

[tubeexperience]

I'm going to most likely remove the hard drive before sending off for repair. I've never removed a hard drive before, but what are the chances of losing data and it failing once removed and reconnected onto a new logic board?

What are the chances that the hard drive would impact a hard surface and as a result, one of the platters become loose?

That's a rhetorical question. No one knows.

I have already told you what to do 4 days ago. What are you waiting for?

You could keep talking on here and never get anything done.

 

[Richie123]

I already booked it in 2 weeks ago and am taking it in tomorrow. I was asking these questions to know everything I needed to beforehand. I've asked to take out the hard drive and put it back once I change the logic board, hopefully that being the case. Does any hard drive need to be in there at all or can it the board be replaced then mine put back in after the repairs? Apple on the phone said something about having all parts together while doing a repair or something?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I already booked it in 2 weeks ago and am taking it in tomorrow. I was asking these questions to know everything I needed to beforehand. I've asked to take out the hard drive and put it back once I change the logic board, hopefully that being the case. Does any hard drive need to be in there at all or can it the board be replaced then mine put back in after the repairs? Apple on the phone said something about having all parts together while doing a repair or something?

Unfortunately Apple will probably not fix it without all the parts, however they also will not guarantee your data which is why they reccomend you back it up before it goes in for repair, you could be stuck taking the gamble it comes back ok here.

 

[tubeexperience]

I already booked it in 2 weeks ago and am taking it in tomorrow. I was asking these questions to know everything I needed to beforehand. I've asked to take out the hard drive and put it back once I change the logic board, hopefully that being the case. Does any hard drive need to be in there at all or can it the board be replaced then mine put back in after the repairs? Apple on the phone said something about having all parts together while doing a repair or something?

Apple requires that there be a hard drive while repairing.

I've already said since my first comment that you may take out your hard drive and replace it with an empty hard drive.

 

[Richie123]

Why is that the case though? I don't have another hard drive to replace it with. What happens if there is no hard drive while being repaired? After being fixed, I was going to bring back the hard drive and get it put back in and turn it on to see if it boots anyway.

 

[JTToft]

Unfortunately Apple will probably not fix it without all the parts

Apple requires that there be a hard drive while repairing.

What happens if there is no hard drive while being repaired?

- When I had my machine in for the graphics issue, I had taken out my SSD beforehand. They didn't mind at all.
Though this was at an AASP, not Apple itself.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Why is that the case though? I don't have another hard drive to replace it with. What happens if there is no hard drive while being repaired? After being fixed, I was going to bring back the hard drive and get it put back in and turn it on to see if it boots anyway.

Well they just won't do it unless you supply a machine with all the parts as far as I can tell.

 

[definitive]

Might want to have a look at this:
https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

 

[chmodme]

Hi guys, long time reader and user but first time commenter.

It breaks down like this per Apple repair policy...if you question one of the Genius folks, they will verify...

Your computer fails the video diagnostic, it is identified as one of the nearly 100% failure rate GPUs, as noted by everyone. The Apple store sends it to the nearest depot. They install a refurb logic board which includes the video board.

The repair depot runs diagnostics. They pull up the original (at build time) configuration of the machine to compare configs. If the machine passes the tests it is shipped back. Simple. Win. A commendable free repair.

If you have a non-Apple hard drive you are entering a dangerous space, but not because Apple doesn't realize the drive is user replaceable. The issue is if the diagnostics fail post repair Apple has the discretionary right to pull the non-Apple hard drive and replace it with an Apple hard drive of the original build size. This is a completely rational response to repairing a product. It is not their problem to fiddle with third party items, disk or RAM.

This seems not to happen as much lately as it did a few years ago, but it still can happen and you have no recourse. If they pull your user replaced hard drive, it is gone - poof.

If, for example, you upgraded from a spinning drive to an SSD, you might get it back with a spinning drive. If your original config had a 256 SSD, and you dropped a 1TB SSD in, you might get it back with a 256, etc. When they replace, and this includes RAM and hard drive, they can and do revert to original build specs.

SAFEST bet: keep your original drive and reinstall it. HAVE A BACK UP (Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner)

SECOND SAFEST bet: install a drive you are OK losing, just in case they swap them so the computer passes their diagnostics. (lately they seem to be ignoring the "failed" hard drive tests as it simply reflects a non Apple flagged drive). But if they cannot boot the machine after the logic board replacement, it is very possible they will replace the drive.

THIRD SAFEST bet: ask the Apple store to order the part and do it themselves. (this is what they do for themselves)

The men and women at the Genius Bar know all about "user swappable", they totally get it. The policy is out of their hands if the unit is sent into the repair depot. Hope this helps, I learned all of this the hard way.

chmod