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Some 2011 MacBook Pros Experiencing GPU Glitches, System Crashes

coniker said:
The first replacement cost me $300, each subsequent replacement was apparently covered under the replacement warranty, I probably lucked out in the last logic board replacement since I'm pretty sure it was out of the replacement warranty time frame but I was never told to pay more. The guy that replaced my mbp with the retina also threw in a disk drive for free. Pretty good outcome I think for half a year of back and forth
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That's definitely a great outcome, considering it's basically a $300 upgrade to a rMBP. If I knew that would be the outcome for me, I would probably go for the logic board replacement vs. finding a place to reball the GPU for a little less money. I would just be sure to keep my MBP 17 on discrete GPU 24/7 to make sure I stress tested it enough before the warranty on the logic board expired. My big fear is paying more for the logic board replacement and having it fail outside the warranty period with no recourse. I don't want to have to pay $300 multiple times!

Very happy for you and your outcome. Congrats!
 
teknikal90 said:
i bought the computer december 2011.
just over 2 years ago.
it has a quad core processor, 8gb of ram and SSD
over 10,000 geekbench score

current macbook pros are around 12,000

NO reason for me to 'upgrade'.
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I also have a 2011 Macbook Pro, problem free since purchasing, did the upgrades, SSD and 16gb of Ram (see my sig). Great computer, trouble free and fast. Far from needing to upgrade.
 
Lame

I have an Early 2011 MBP with high-res screen that has suddenly displayed crazy pixel screen then when restarted froze on gray screen. The computer will not boot from Recovery or from Disk or USB drive. The hard drive seems ok when tethered. Hope Apple can fix this issues with so many users seeing the same problem.
 
SantaRosa2.2 said:
I also have a 2011 Macbook Pro, problem free since purchasing, did the upgrades, SSD and 16gb of Ram (see my sig). Great computer, trouble free and fast. Far from needing to upgrade.
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Hopefully it will stay like this, because believe me man, when it happens, it suddenly turn into a real pain in the assets :'(
(And of course a huge waste of time)!
 
Got mine repaired via applecare. Without it could cost me £400.

This is my third repair and all of them related to graphic issue. All were repaired by replacing the logic board.

I really had enough for this. I will call apple to see what they can do about this.:(
 
chrisfreed1 said:
I have an Early 2011 MBP with high-res screen that has suddenly displayed crazy pixel screen then when restarted froze on gray screen. The computer will not boot from Recovery or from Disk or USB drive. The hard drive seems ok when tethered. Hope Apple can fix this issues with so many users seeing the same problem.
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Have you tried to get it to boot from an external hard drive maybe fresh install osx to external HD my mbp had the wouldn't boot and I tried quit a bit of different things after I did this it worked fine same hd & everything since then upgraded to a 1 terabyte hd but old drive still works fine
 
Develomentional said:
Have you tried to get it to boot from an external hard drive maybe fresh install osx to external HD my mbp had the wouldn't boot and I tried quit a bit of different things after I did this it worked fine same hd & everything since then upgraded to a 1 terabyte hd but old drive still works fine
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Won't help, unfortunately. If there was a textbook on 2011 MBP GPU failures, that would be the typical case.
 
patpatbut said:
Got mine repaired via applecare. Without it could cost me £400.

This is my third repair and all of them related to graphic issue. All were repaired by replacing the logic board.

I really had enough for this. I will call apple to see what they can do about this.:(
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In Europe once the computer is repaired 3 times and the issue is still not solved, the company is bound by law to give you either a brand new machine or the complete refund.
 
Ok, My Old Mbp e2100 just Joined to the Club of the Fkdd GPU Board.

Exactly the Same Symthoms, hangs, colorated bars, more hangs, gray screen and Blue Screen...

Given this actually Occurs everyone with an e2011 MBP 15 at arround 2.5 - 3yr usage, this could mean Apple Will be forced to do another Massive Recall, because notwhitstanding ar out-warranty products (but a few still on extended warranty) the "Top Quality Product Image" of Apple Will be severly damaged if they just axed to do a repalcement or repair (surely a massive MainBoard Replacement Recall, swapping damaged ones with new production or repaired ones with revised solderings at least -of course if there are components available, maybe neccesary a million MainBoards-).

I Live at the caribbean and here at my city is hot now and most the year is over 25degC, this is another factor, Apple or its providers Maybe subestimated the enviromental factor impact on the soldering/thermal compund, and while a massive failure, maybe only affect individuals living at warm places (as me).


I Have this theory, Apple or they providers just understimate the Enviromental Heat factor on the MBP Soldeirings, fatigating much earlier than they foresee
 
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iOrbit said:
Late 2011, 15 inch MacBook Pro here, been using it nonstop pretty much since March 2012.

don't do much gaming at all on it, just HD movie, average joe stuff. i do alot of CPU intensive stuff though.

don't think i've experienced this issue but can definitely say its a machine that runs hot easily if you start using the CPU a bit.
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I can NOW quote my own post and confirm I am suffering with the dGPU failure. It died Sunday.

Updates soon.
 
iOrbit said:
I can NOW quote my own post and confirm I am suffering with the dGPU failure. It died Sunday.

Updates soon.
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Nice... Mine was bought at the end of April. If I am using the 6750M it is because the external screen, or sometimes I play games in Windows, but it is quite rare.

I hope Apple is going to do a recall, I don't have the money for a new one.

Unfortunately it looks like sooner or later everybody who uses the dedicated graphics will have the problem.

I am excited about your updates!
 
Hey everyone,

I have the exact same issue on my 2011 mbp.

I was just wondering if there are any advantages to reballing the GPU as opposed to getting the logic board replaced through Apple? I realize its slightly less expensive. Is it more likely to be a permanent fix? If I get the logic board replaced by Apple, shouldn't the new GPU last about another three years?
 
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Some 2011 MacBook Pros Experiencing GPU Glitches, System Crashes

justinc899 said:
Hey everyone,

I have the exact same issue on my 2011 mbp.

I was just wondering if there are any advantages to reballing the GPU as opposed to getting the logic board replaced through Apple? I realize its slightly less expensive. Is it more likely to be a permanent fix? If I get the logic board replaced by Apple, shouldn't the new GPU last about another three years?
Click to expand...


Many with replaced logic board are getting the same issue within a few weeks/months. Some within a few days, some after 6 months.

Apple "new" logic boards are often refurbished stuff, that's why we see such an high variability

Many people that had gone under GPU replacement (it's a reball using a new GPU) seem to still have their systems up and running... Only time will tell how long the fix will last.

Of course, depending on your location, you'll have to find a suitable specialized lab not too far from you. I strongly suggest to get a very experienced one.
 
This is my second repair for the GPU in a little over a month. Lets see how long this one will last.

Also the genius bar person said the laptop could be possessed thats why the graphics keeps failing.
 
Update: regarding:

January 2014
iOrbit said:
Late 2011, 15 inch MacBook Pro here, been using it nonstop pretty much since March 2012.

don't do much gaming at all on it, just HD movie, average joe stuff. i do alot of CPU intensive stuff though.

don't think i've experienced this issue but can definitely say its a machine that runs hot easily if you start using the CPU a bit.
Click to expand...


13 Jun:
iOrbit said:
I can NOW quote my own post and confirm I am suffering with the dGPU failure. It died Sunday.

Updates soon.
Click to expand...

23 Jun.

In the past week i managed to get another Mac.. (my first iMac actually) from ebay (late 2009, 21.5 £284 Delivered )… very pleased, and relieved to have rescued my data before having my MBP shipped off.

fast forward to today, and i just called apple care, they did the usual tests on booting up the machine with me over the phone. As you would expect, no dice. it would boot to blue screen with dark vertical lines and run hot.

they are having it picked up on wednesday to be repaired and then delivered back to me. (I have Apple Care)

we'll see how this goes.. i hope with Apple Care the logic board is brand new and not refurbished. Either way, if this issue happens again and again i will be taking it to the apple store, and eventually request a brand new MBP.



Altemose said:
R.I.P. iOrbit's GPU. I wish you the best of luck on your journey into the repair endeavor.
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Cheers mate.
Freedy23 said:
Nice... Mine was bought at the end of April. If I am using the 6750M it is because the external screen, or sometimes I play games in Windows, but it is quite rare.

I hope Apple is going to do a recall, I don't have the money for a new one.

Unfortunately it looks like sooner or later everybody who uses the dedicated graphics will have the problem.

I am excited about your updates!
Click to expand...

Mine was purchased March 12th 2012. i think mine is also using the 6750m. it died about 2 weeks ago.

i never played games often, there was a period where i played games for a few months about a year and a half ago. but since then i've only been doing intensive CPU work, everyday i will admit.. i thought my macbook died because of the heavy usage. But no.. Intel CPU's are awesome i guess.. they just last. It's the GPU's that are not lasting.
 

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Unfortunately I don't have AppleCare.
And I am a student so buying a new one would be very-very difficult.
So I think my solution will be a reball.

I am really unhappy, this is exactly like playing with xbox 360, you never knew when you get 3LED, at least in that case there was three year warranty.
 
Does anyone know how serious it is when your hadware starts failing inside the computer? My WIFI card is broken and my Hardware is starting to fail? Is this going to be a write off?
 
Logic Board Repairs

Many Macbooks are coming to me now for repair to the faulty GPU, if anyone needs a repair carrying out (either a reball or GPU replacement), please message me!
 
Replacement logic board #2 just failed after 15 days.

Back to the Apple Store. Again. I think I'll try and invoice them for mileage this time.
 
I have a 2011 MBP and is having strange boot screen issues like in OP, but my Apple Care expired, what should I do?
 
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