MacBook Pro 2011 CRAZY

[MacBook_pro2011]

Hi, I have a MacBook Pro 15" mid 2011 that I had bought in 2012. Have not used it for past 3 years since I bought a newer model. Now when I am trying to switch it on, it takes me to white / grey screen. Not going to recovery mode (command +R), it went to recovery mode once and then got stuck. Since then it is not going to the recovery mode screen; Tried Safe mode gives error - disk is write protect; Internet recovery with ethernet goes through the world globe revolving process, then goes to apple logo and then goes to white screen; Have read multiple forums and you tube videos and tried all commands anyone has to offer. Took it to Genius Bar at apple store however they say since its old model they cannot take it in. Would like to get it fixed and share with family member who cannot afford a laptop for college till I can but her new one.

Would really need help here. Would be glad to provide any other details and follow the steps you all can provide. Please note that I am not at all the tech savvy person, so please be really specific so I can follow. Really need this to be fixed for her. Thank You.

 

[profcutter]

Do you have another mac you can connect it to? Maybe you could start it up in target disk mode, and run disk utility to see if it’s really a permissions issue? My guess is that perhaps some of the data on the drive is corrupted, you could always set it up as new machine, it’s fairly straightforward to replace the drive with an SSD, and that should make the computer run well, if there aren’t other problems like a logic board. You also may have a problem with the drive cable, I think that these machines had some easily damaged hard drive cables.

 

[chscag]

That particular model was known for having graphics problems. If the GPU has failed, it may not be worth repairing. Apple had a free repair for those models but that has long ago expired.

Also, as the previous reply stated, it's possible that the SATA cable failed. You might try replacing that first as it would be the least expensive to do.

 

[glenthompson]

Sounds like it may be the infamous GPU problem. If so, one option is to disable the GPU. If you’re handy you can do it yourself or have it done for about $80. I had it done to my late 2011 that I then gave to a great nephew that’s graduating high school this year. Main downside is losing ability to use an external monitor.

 

[MacBook_pro2011]

Thanks all for your responses. I changed the hard drive to new SSD drive yesterday. Was able to go in recovery mode (command +R) and follow the erase process through Utility. Then went back to previous menu to instal the Mac OS software but it went to grey / white screen. After that tried a few times however it is not going back to the recovery menu (command + R OR option+command+R). I have the DVD that came with it when I bought it newer 2012. (Mac OS X Install DVD) however I am unable to get it to work and install the software.
There is reference to use USB or other laptop, not sure what steps to follow to get it going. I have an external hard drive that I can use and I also have my 2017 Mac book pro. Any help would be appreciated

 

[thekev]

You might have a dead gpu. In this case, loading drivers for it fails. There should be some threads around here on permanently disabling it. This may impact performance, but if you have a bad gpu, that is your best option by a wide margin.

 

[profcutter]

Yep, sounds like the GPU ate it. You’re probably not going to have any success until you disable the GPU. Search the forums here on a guide how to do that.

 

[MacBook_pro2011]

Got it. Found the below link. Would this be the right approach ?

Disable MacBook Pro Dedicated GPU

Any one able to share steps to do for below :
Immediately after running the reboot command, hold down Command + R (if you're running OS X 10.11 or later) to boot into Recovery Mode. If you don't have a Recovery Partition, you can boot from a Mac OS installer USB drive.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Read up on "RadeonGate", because it sounds like what you have.
That's a failure of the discrete GPU.
Not worth fixing any more.

There's a long-running sticky thread here that describes how to disable the discrete GPU and run ONLY with the integrated GPU.
Force 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 with failed AMD GPU to ALWAYS use Intel integrated GPU (EFI variable fix)
This might help. It will limit some things (example, you can't run an external display), but it will still be usable.

But really, it's time to start looking for a replacement.

 

[MacBook_pro2011]

Thank you all for your responses