Need help troubleshooting system failure

[molocono]

My 15" Macbook Pro (early 2011) has been freaking out and I'm trying to find out what is wrong with it.

I was sending some emails and suddenly my display started to bug out and the computer shut off. I could not get it to boot back up again. When I turned it on, it would take me to the log in screen and after it would just stay on a gray screen.

I did the AHT and the report stated that I have a 4mem error (memory). I then tried booting up twice with one memory stick each time and I still could not get it to work. I then reset the NVRAM and the computer booted up.

I thought everything was fine, web browser and other simple apps were working fine. Then I opened up Avid Media Composer and the display freaked out and the laptop shut off again. I tried this several more times and the same thing happened with the video editing software.

I've included some images of what I've been seeing. Just want to point out that about 2 years ago Apple replaced everything inside the computer, as my laptop was part of that graphics recall. I had the same issues back then, but Apple was able to take care of it. The only difference was that back then the computer would not boot up at all. Any idea what's wrong?

 

[Samuelsan2001]

My 15" Macbook Pro (early 2011) has been freaking out and I'm trying to find out what is wrong with it.

I was sending some emails and suddenly my display started to bug out and the computer shut off. I could not get it to boot back up again. When I turned it on, it would take me to the log in screen and after it would just stay on a gray screen.

I did the AHT and the report stated that I have a 4mem error (memory). I then tried booting up twice with one memory stick each time and I still could not get it to work. I then reset the NVRAM and the computer booted up.

I thought everything was fine, web browser and other simple apps were working fine. Then I opened up Avid Media Composer and the display freaked out and the laptop shut off again. I tried this several more times and the same thing happened with the video editing software.

I've included some images of what I've been seeing. Just want to point out that about 2 years ago Apple replaced everything inside the computer, as my laptop was part of that graphics recall. I had the same issues back then, but Apple was able to take care of it. The only difference was that back then the computer would not boot up at all. Any idea what's wrong?
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It’s your graphics again they just replaced it with refurbished board as they had no other options those graphics cards were just a nightmare and there was No permanent fix without leaded solder that Apple were legally unable to use.

It’s just not worth putting any more money into it now, you are looking at a new computer.

 

[Audit13]

This may be the only solution to get the machine semi-working: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...fi-variable-fix.2037591/page-43#post-25325349

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Looks like you've encountered "RadeonGate" (research that if you don't know what it is).

It's a GPU failure that requires a motherboard swap to "fix".
But... the fix is often only temporary, because the GPU on the new motherboard fails, too.

Apple used to have a free repair program for this but it's over for some time now.
They won't even do "paid repairs" on these anymore.

Best advice:
DON'T throw money at it (it's going down a hole).
Look for a replacement and put your money there instead.

 

[ZapNZs]

As others have noted, this is almost certainly the dGPU issue - the replacement board Apple put in your system has the same fatal flaw as the one that originally failed. Avid Media Composer presumably activates the dGPU, which is why upon opening the App everything went nuts.

If you have an older version of OS X, you can use GFXcardStatus to force the system to use the iGPU only (at the expense of slower performance) - if you have a newer version, you can use the more permanent isoLinux method. Either way, you will lose the ability to use external displays.

Intentionally overheating the system and then immediately restarting it after a thermal shutdown will often allow the system to successfully boot, and in some cases may buy a short amount of time of proper function. A reball/reflow is another option, but one I discounted due to inconsistent outcomes, short warranties, and difficulty in finding a credible BGA repair specialist in my area.

My solution has been simple - kill the dGPU and never shut the system down. My 2011 with a failed GPU hasn't been restarted in months.
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they just replaced it with refurbished board as they had no other options those graphics cards were just a nightmare and there was No permanent fix without leaded solder that Apple were legally unable to use

I was under the impression that they only were legally unable to use it in parts of the EU and ultimately chose lead free for the entire design...?

Also, Apple could have always redesigned the board around the less-vulnerable 650M, or simply swapped out failed 2011s for less-vulnerable 650M-containing 2012s (it honestly may have been cheaper for Apple to do this from both a financial and a PR perspective...)