MacBook Pro 2011

[Avidgolfer]

Just bought a refurbished MacBook Pro 2011 from ‘tekreplay’. Upon switching on the laptop wouldn’t boot up. The apple logo appears with processing line under it. After booting about 70 percent the screen goes off and the procedure continues to repeat. How to rectify the problem
Have run the hardware problem test. It says no problem

 

[CoastalOR]

It looks like a graphics (dGPU) problem. The 2011 15" & 17" MBPs are notorious for dGPU problems. Research "Radeongate".

You can also take a look at this thread:

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

The Apple fix was to replace the logic board, but it had the same soldered dGPU that would eventually have the same failure. I recommend seeing about returning the 2011 MBP.

 

[Juicy Box]

It is probably the GPU, but it could also be a failing HDD.

Five years ago, I was given a 17" Late 2011 MBP for free with the same exact issue, which I first suspected the GPU, and I was initially going to try to disable the dGPU.

But, I found out that the HDD was the issue, replaced it with a SSD, and it still works today.

 

[Juicy Box]

By the way, if you just purchase this from somebody, it might be better to just get your money back. Unless, you got a crazy good deal.

 

[Juicy Box]

Another thing, Apple's hardware diagnostic test is infamous for giving false negatives.

 

[maerz001]

Refurbished means nothing if its not sold on apple.com

Return

 

[Juicy Box]

Refurbished means nothing if its not sold on apple.com

To the OP, this is a very good point when it comes to what sellers list as "refurbished".

If you are in the US, here are no consumer laws governing what "refurbished" actually means. It reality, a seller could wipe the MBP case down with a damp cloth and call it "refurbished".

Apple on the other hand lists what they do with their refurbished devices, and these devices get tested well beyond tests performed on a new device.

With exception for some very rare cases, it appears that most people on the forum that have purchased refurbished Macs from Apple have been pretty happy with the results: A device that is indistinguishable from new, and lasts just as long or longer.