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hprueba

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
2
0
Im sorry. I don't get it... Do you recomend to downgrade to sierra? May be I could format my mac and install Sierra all over again... After that... What are the steps? because I get confuse from the first inicial post and the comments... If nvram is mandatory why isn't in the first post below the 100% solution?
Thanks!
 

nsgr

macrumors 6502
May 22, 2017
317
117
Im sorry. I don't get it... Do you recomend to downgrade to sierra? May be I could format my mac and install Sierra all over again... After that... What are the steps? because I get confuse from the first inicial post and the comments... If nvram is mandatory why isn't in the first post below the 100% solution?
Thanks!

Alternative 1:

ArchLinux method

or

Alternative 2:

- Boot at Single User Mode (Command + S) and:
Code:
nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
nvram boot-args="-v"

Follow The Guide MikeN - #875
 
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ChrisKins

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
18
10
Does anyone know if you can use an external monitor after forcing the MacBook to use the integrated GPU? I tried connecting my external ASUS monitor via HDMI to Thunderbolt and now it says "HDMI not found"

Regardless, thank you so much for posting this fix! After 3-4 hours of hunting for a solution, I came across this article but it looked way too confusing. However, I came across this video tutorial later which helped walk me through it.

The most difficult thing was creating the bootable USB drive and installing Arch Linux on it. If you run into problems installing on to a USB because of permission problems, then install with sudo using your password. Once I had it installed and working I was able to successfully boot from the USB Arch EFI drive by holding down the option key after a restart. After you select the EFI drive, hit the "e" key to keep it from loading the EFI system, enter the info as per the instructions.

Now, I did all of this backwards since I should have started by moving all of the AMD drivers into a new directory as shown at the beginning of these instructions. However, after trying I found out that Apple had Safety Integration Protection "SIP" enabled on my Mac which makes it impossible to move files from one system folder to another one. In order to fix this, you have to boot into Recovery Mode. Restart, hold down the Command + R key and you should boot into Recovery Mode. Select your language, then you will see a screen showing a menu. Don't choose anything, but go up to the menu at the top and select "Utilities". Then select "Terminal" and check the status of the "SIP' by typing "csrutil status". It will probably show that SIP is enabled. You can then type "csrutil disable" and it will disable the protection after you restart.

Once I disabled Safety Integration Protection, I booted into single user mode, created the extensions directory and caches directory and was safely able to move all the AMD extensions to the new folder, clear the caches, and unmount the disk to flush it out. Once my system was running again only using the Intel GPU, I booted back into Recovery Mode and turned SIP back on by typing "csrutil enable".

I hope this helps anyone who ran into permission problems like I did. Thanks again for saving my 2011 MacBook Pro 17"!
 
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Bill Saviers

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
2
1
There is not *one* guide to write up. Many roads lead to Rome. The best option would be if AppleMacFinder would update the first post of this thread pointing to the best alternatives.

Anyway. Even if this post now will quickly drown in the sheer length of this thread, I think this is currently one of the better guides:

#####__ The Guide __#####

This guide assumes that you run a stock system. Problem just occured. That means:
This guide assumes that all kexts are still in their default location /System/Library/Extensions.
Having all AMD-kexts there except one is beneficial for 'proper' operation.

To get some display acceleration back it will be necessary to force the machine to not boot into discrete graphics (dGPU) but directly into integrated graphics (iGPU). This will give you back your laptop – but you will lose some features: e.g. the ability to drive an external display. Thunderbolt data connections should work.

The initial procedure:

– To start from a clean slate: reset SMC and PRAM/NVRAM:

shutdown, unplug everything except power, now hold

<leftShift>+<Ctrl>+<Opt>+<Power>

release at the same time;

– Now power on again and hold

<Cmd>+<Opt>+<p>+<r>

at the same time until you hear the startup chime two times.

– Boot into Recovery by holding

<Cmd>+<r>+<s>

– Disable SIP:

csrutil disable

– disable dGPU on boot

nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00

– enable verbose boot mode:

nvram boot-args="-v"

– reboot into single user-mode by holding

<Cmd>+<s>

on boot

– mount root partition writeable

/sbin/mount -uw /

– make a kext-backup directory

mkdir -p /System/Library/Extensions-off

– only move ONE offending kext out of the way:

mv /System/Library/Extensions/AMDRadeonX3000.kext /System/Library/Extensions-off/

– let the system update its kextcache:

touch /System/Library/Extensions/

– wait for the kextcache process to finish
then

reboot

Reboot normally:
you will have an accelerated iGPU display.


But the system doesn't know how to power-management the failed AMD-chip.
For that you have to either manaully load the kext after boot by:

sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions-off/AMDRadeonX3000.kext

Automate this with the following LoginHook:

sudo mkdir -p /Library/LoginHook
sudo nano /Library/LoginHook/LoadX3000.sh


with the following content:

#!/bin/bash
kextload /System/Library/Extensions-off/AMDRadeonX3000.kext
exit 0


then make it executable and active:

sudo chmod a+x /Library/LoginHook/LoadX3000.sh
sudo defaults write com.apple.loginwindow LoginHook /Library/LoginHook/LoadX3000.sh


Preventive measures for future use

There are two further caveats to know: This is reversible when the SMC/PRAM/NVRAM is reset. If that happens the GPU-power-pref nvram can/has to be set again to force the use of the iGPU from boot-time.

Since this can happen quite easily (and is often erroneously recommended way too many times than it is actually useful), you should probably prepare for such a scenario and create a simple script to greatly speed up the process and also make entering the necessary variable much less error prone:

sudo nano /force-iGPU-boot.sh

– Enter the following content to this file:

#/bin/sh
sudo nvram boot-args="-v"
sudo nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
exit 0


– Now make that executable:

sudo chmod a+x /force-iGPU-boot.sh

In the future, when the SMC/PRAM/NVRAM gets reset to default values it is now possible to boot into SingleUser with:

<Cmd>+<s>

– And after mounting your boot-volume read-write to execute just:

sh /force-iGPU-boot.sh

This setup has now one kext in a place Apple's installers do not expect. That is why in this guide SIP has not been reenabled. If an update that contains changes to the AMD drivers is about to take place it is advisable to move back the AMDRadeonX3000.kext to its default location before the update process. Otherwise the updater writes at least another kext of a different version to its default location or at worst you end up with an undefined state of partially non-matching drivers.

After any system update the folder /System/Library/Extensions has to be checked for the offending kext. Its presence there will lead to e.g. a boot hang on Yosemite and Sierra, an overheating boot-loop in High Sierra.

Further: this laptop is overheating, no matter what you do. The cooling system is inadequate and the huge number of failing AMD chips are just proof of that.

To prolong the life of this now hacked machine it is advisable to abstain from really heavy lifting over prolonged stretches of time. Strictly follow the usual recommendations for laptops: use on hard surfaces, keep the fans and fins inside it clean. Using any fancontrol software with relatively aggressive settings should also help: like smcFanControl, MacsFanControl, or TGPro (the latter both commercial).


This is fairly complete and what I do recommend to everyone asking me.
Nevertheless. We're not done here, yet. Improvements are welcome. Share them!
[doublepost=1517026746][/doublepost]I am trying to use the method described but when I reach the point where one enters: mkdir -p /System/Library/Extensions-off

I get the response Operation not Permitted.

What do I do then?

Sorry for the question, but I’m a very low level guy trying to fix my MacPro 2011 from this issue. I tried the Linux boot cd but could not get the CD to show up when I did the option reboot. So I tried this method and got stumped at the above level.
 

AppleMacFinder

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 7, 2009
796
152
Does anyone know if you can use an external monitor after forcing the MacBook to use the integrated GPU? I tried connecting my external ASUS monitor via HDMI to Thunderbolt and now it says "HDMI not found"

Here is my message history with @tuesdaytues , which hopefully could help you to get your external monitor working after this fix:
  1. AppleMacFinder: Here is this post: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...fi-variable-fix.2037591/page-10#post-24733694
    1. "I just received my USB to VGA converter. It works, although not perfect. A little lagging noticed when manipulating windows (opening, closing, switching, etc). I've played youtube videos in HD, with screen resolution 1920*1080, and the lagging is barely noticeable. Also the taskbar is showing up in the wrong color and resolution. But other than that, no complains. Mine is 2011 MBP with USB2.0, USB3.0 might be better."
    Try to get this or any other adapter and lets see if it works for you! :) This experiment is not expensive, should be about $5 for such adapter, so why not give it a try ;)
  2. tuesdaytues:
    I just ordered a DVI-D (male) to VGA (male) adapter to give this a try. I ended up at Best Buy and they were able to use a J5create USB to VGA adapter to get a 2nd monitor up and running though it did not fill the screen well.

    So here are the details on my experience in getting my external monitor to work after resolving the MacBook pro white screen of death problem (Force 2011 MacBook Pro with failed AMD GPU to always use Intel integrated GPU)

    I have an LG Ultrawide with 2 HDMI IN and 1 DVI-D In connections on the back. Using the j5create brand USB to HDMI (Item #JUA350) and an HDMI cable(both male ends), I have successfully brought up my 2nd LG Ultrawide monitor. I was also successful in using the j5create USB to VGA adapter (item # JUA331) and a VGA adapter cable on my Samsung external monitor as it had a VGA connector on the back.

    You cannot use a j5create adapter and then another cable, such as using the j5create USB to VGA then using a VGA to HDMI or to a DVI-D as the j5create is not good with those extra adapters.

    Both look great however lagging definitely exists both when typing and when using the mouse. The lagging is too much for me on the external monitors so though I am thrilled I was able to get it to work, I will most likely be purchasing an iMac so I can use my LG Ultrawide with it, and then separately use my macBook Pro
  3. AppleMacFinder:
    I probably know another, much cheaper way to get your external monitor working without any lag. You could buy a cheap single board computer ("SBC" acronym), attach SBC to this external monitor, then enable the desktop sharing at your MBP, connect from SBC to MBP using the remote desktop and enable the full screen mode. Basically it would be like a thin client - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_client . Of course you would also need a keyboard / mouse / some other stuff, but it still will be much cheaper than buying a new iMac
[doublepost=1517050793][/doublepost]@ChrisKins : There is also this thread with more results - https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...when-only-using-intel-integrated-gpu.2071248/
[doublepost=1517052302][/doublepost]
Following this procedure brought back some stability(abt 60%) to my work environment as due to my being a regular user of the Adobe CC suite of applications, which call up the accelerated graphics procssing engine, when I load LR Classic or PS, AE, or PPro, the MBP first freezes then crashes needing a recovery process. To solve some of the crashes, in the preferences tab of each of these CC apps, i have had to disable the use of accelerated graphcis engine but somehow the About pop-up still showed that the AMD is active when a CC app is running. Does anyone have a software based nuclear option to kill the machine calls from the CC apps to a dead chip?
Anyway, I tried to set the nvram parameter nevertheless, but it never showed with "nvram -p". I could of course not remove the kext again, as / was not available. I got lucky then and on reboot it just booted, using the discrete graphics. Which was pretty nice, because automatic brightness control now works again, but the machine crashes if you open Photoshop, for example. Probably because it tries to use OpenCL or something. Yet it survived a reboot and is still running on the AMD graphics.

@halfmoonjaw and @TheQL :

While you have been installing these Adobe software products a few months ago, your discrete GPU was still OK - and it could be that these softwares have detected a discrete GPU during the installation and have set up their configuration accordingly - to use a discrete GPU of that MBP for speedup.

Then, your discrete GPU gone bad and you have disabled it for OS X, but these softwares are still trying to use it maybe because of their outdated configuration. If that is so, these configs could be fixed manually - but perhaps the easiest option would be to do a full clean install:

Remove all the Adobe software, then use some utilities like CleanMyMac to erase these softwares' configurations hidden at your system, then reinstall these softwares again and see if now they work OK
[doublepost=1517053741][/doublepost]
If someone can please look at my screen shot and help me with what I might be doing wrong?!

@druwin :

nomodeset: command not found

nomodeset is not a command, its a GRUB option to reach Arch Linux command line at the simple graphics mode - because without simple graphics mode it could fail while trying to boot to that Linux console - but luckily you got there even without using it

rest of the commands you've entered

You forgot some very important commands, like " printf "\x07\x00\x00\x00\x01\x00\x00\x00" > /sys/firmware/efi/efivars/gpu-power-prefs-fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9 " which creates EFI variable to disable the discrete GPU - this command is absolutely required. Please try to repeat the instruction from the first page, not forgetting any required commands. Also, while you are doing things like chattr/rm/printf : at some cases these commands could fail without an error message, so its a good idea to manually check the results of their work by using ls command to see the contents of the directories: like entering ls /sys/firmware/efi/efivars after that printf command above to see if a new gpu-power-prefs has been successfully created

If that still doesn't work, there are alternative instructions (mentioned at almost every recent page of this thread) which could work better. In example, for some people my fix works only for one OS X bootup and then its not permanent : sometimes they are able to make it permanent by just repeating the instruction, but sometimes it still doesn't work :p <-- if this "not permanent fix" problem would happen at your case as well, you could try these alternative instructions to "upgrade the fix" and make it permanent and also to reduce the power consumption of your failed discrete GPU
 
Last edited:
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jfrubiom

macrumors newbie
Jan 27, 2018
6
3
Hi, What happend if I not have OS on my MBP??? The HDD is empty because I try to make clean installation but now I stuck with the GPU problem. I have USB installation of "El Capitan" but not works, not boot
I dont know what I can do :(
 
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ChrisKins

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
18
10
@AppleMacFinder thanks again for posting this fix. I cannot tell you how much time and money you saved me. I thought for sure my 2011 MacBook Pro 17" was a goner and I would need to pay a couple thousand for a new MacBook Pro or try to get it repaired and wait for at least a week. I'll let you know if I find an external display solution that works.

FYI - I had my AMD graphics card and motherboard replaced exactly 1 year and 9 months ago (April 24, 2016) by Apple during the 2011 MacBook Repair Extension Program. It saved me about $300. But after it happened again to me yesterday, I was super excited to find this fix since the Repair Extension Program has officially expired for MacBooks before the 2012 manufacture date. I really don't want to give up my 17" MacBook Pro. It has the perfect screen size for a designer like me.

Note: I have read some posts online where people were able to get Apple to replace the faulty AMD board after the 2011 Repair Extension Program expired, but it was in rare cases that they fixed the problem. I am going to try one more time and see if I have any luck. If they offer to replace my board again, I will post an update.

Thanks again for all your work and giving our old MacBook Pros an extended life!
 
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notaris

macrumors newbie
Jan 27, 2018
1
1
Greece
@AppleMacFinder What can I do if my Mac won't turn on at all? The monitor won't even light up most of the times. Rarely it turns on but then it glitches and shuts down. Could I do this in another Mac (that works), switch to integrated graphics and then put the hard drive to the MacBook pro?
 
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AppleMacFinder

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 7, 2009
796
152
I have read some posts online where people were able to get Apple to replace the faulty AMD board after the 2011 Repair Extension Program expired, but it was in rare cases that they fixed the problem. I am going to try one more time and see if I have any luck. If they offer to replace my board again, I will post an update
Even if :apple: would offer to replace your faulty board for free, I believe this is pointless (and risky) offer - it seems that all these boards will have a GPU failure at some point of time... Right now you have a fully tested board, which (except from the failed GPU) is working 100%. Who knows what quality will be a new replacement board? It could be refurbished: e.g. some other Mac user had another hardware problem with his board (not GPU-related), :apple: gave him a new MBP and tried to repair a motherboard of his old one - but we don't know about the quality of this repair! What will you do if that new replacement board will have a not-GPU-related hardware problem - maybe not instantly after replacement but after a month or so? Would then :apple: replace it again with a new board, or return your old board to you?

What can I do if my Mac won't turn on at all? The monitor won't even light up most of the times. Rarely it turns on but then it glitches and shuts down. Could I do this in another Mac (that works), switch to integrated graphics and then put the hard drive to the MacBook pro?

This fix from the first page consists of two parts: 1) move AMD kexts, and 2) make a new "integrated-only" EFI variable. For 1) moving the AMD kexts - yes you could use another Mac (or even PC with Linux - although as I described at my instruction its more difficult to mount HFS filesystem at Linux, https://superuser.com/questions/961401/mounting-hfs-partition-on-arch-linux ). But 2) the EFI variables are stored at the NVRAM, not the hard drive! Good description of EFI vars is given at - https://wikileaks.org/ciav7p1/cms/page_26968084.html

So, the EFI variables should be set up at your broken Mac, but hopefully you still can boot to the Arch Linux console and see at least the distorted image on your screen - to be able to make this fix
[doublepost=1517136158][/doublepost]
Hi, What happend if I not have OS on my MBP??? The HDD is empty because I try to make clean installation but now I stuck with the GPU problem. I have USB installation of "El Capitan" but not works, not boot
I dont know what I can do :(

You could still fix the EFI variable anyway, but most likely it would stuck during the OS X installation - because the OS X installation media contains the AMD kexts. You could modify the OS X InstallESD image to remove the AMD Kexts from it before putting it on your USB and trying to boot, then it could work. Another option - if you don't need OS X - is to install some user friendly Linux like Mint or Ubuntu and use it instead of OS X

Maybe someone else knows how to clean install OS X at MBP with a failed GPU ?

BTW at this thread I found that someone clean installed a Sierra successfully,
maybe a clean install doesn't work with El Capitan but works with Sierra? :confused:
 
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Mac2011trouble

macrumors newbie
Sep 17, 2017
14
1
My Mac Book Pro 2011 have the same failure, just managed to got going by following steps mentioned in the first post.
Nevertheless I am not certain if my discrete GPU is inactivated, an I have not tried to turn off an on the computer. I keep it constant sleep mode when I am not using it and to use it just open the cover/screen and it works for the moment without freezing....

Would be obliged for advice, if I could do a clean install of Maverick OS(this is the OS it is on it at present) that I have it on an USB installer without my screen freezing?

Will I mess things up trying to do a clean install of X OS and have nothing to boot into halfway through the OS installment it the screen fails due to problem with my discrete Graphic card?

Thank you for your time and suggestion.

Regards
 

nigelbb

macrumors 65816
Dec 22, 2012
1,150
273
How could this fix be applied when there is no screen output? I have a 17” 2011 MBP which apparently boots up OK from an Firewire disk judging by the disk activity but the screen is black not even a grey Apple screen.
 

ChrisKins

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
18
10
How could this fix be applied when there is no screen output? I have a 17” 2011 MBP which apparently boots up OK from an Firewire disk judging by the disk activity but the screen is black not even a grey Apple screen.
Did you not follow the instructions and try booting into single user mode? Then follow the instructions from there. Moving the AMD extensions and caches is the first step in getting your display to recognize only the integrated GPU. This video may also help you as well as a tutorial walkthrough since this can be complicated.
[doublepost=1517166883][/doublepost]
My Mac Book Pro 2011 have the same failure, just managed to got going by following steps mentioned in the first post.
Nevertheless I am not certain if my discrete GPU is inactivated, an I have not tried to turn off an on the computer. I keep it constant sleep mode when I am not using it and to use it just open the cover/screen and it works for the moment without freezing....

Would be obliged for advice, if I could do a clean install of Maverick OS(this is the OS it is on it at present) that I have it on an USB installer without my screen freezing?

Will I mess things up trying to do a clean install of X OS and have nothing to boot into halfway through the OS installment it the screen fails due to problem with my discrete Graphic card?

Thank you for your time and suggestion.

Regards
I decided not to do a clean install after I followed these instructions. Here is why: I had an old carbon copy cloner back of my system. Ideally, if my AMD card was working ok, then I should be able to boot up without a problem from my external hard drive containing the clone. Nope, it didn't work. Which tells me the card is fried. If you do a clean install of your system, then the AMD extensions will be installed again into your system folder and more than likely you will run into the same problem. However, I came across a few posts where people did a clean install and it fixed their problem, which may be entirely unrelated to those of us who have a bad AMD GPU.
 

Bravo3013

macrumors member
Sep 1, 2016
67
34
Norway
Thank you very much AppleMacFinder for your excellent guide. You made my 15" MBP 2011 functional again! But I have one issue:

I need to use an external display. With the AMD gpu deactivated I cannot use my 4k display for obvious reasons. However with the native compatibility in High Sierra for eGPU's I have thought of the possibility to buy a Thunderbolt external GPU enclosure (eGPU) and pair it with an RX580 GPU (Sonnet Breakway Box).

The way this setup would function is:
MacBook Pro 15" ----(Thunderbolt 1)-----> eGPU Box -----(DisplayPort)-----> Monitor

Question 1: Does anyone have any experiences or knowledge to conclude if eGPU would be a good solution?

Question 2: I am currently running El Capitan 10.11.6. Can I safely update to High Sierra?

Thanks in advance!
 

ChrisKins

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
18
10
Thank you very much AppleMacFinder for your excellent guide. You made my 15" MBP 2011 functional again! But I have one issue:

I need to use an external display. With the AMD gpu deactivated I cannot use my 4k display for obvious reasons. However with the native compatibility in High Sierra for eGPU's I have thought of the possibility to buy a Thunderbolt external GPU enclosure (eGPU) and pair it with an RX580 GPU (Sonnet Breakway Box).

The way this setup would function is:
MacBook Pro 15" ----(Thunderbolt 1)-----> eGPU Box -----(DisplayPort)-----> Monitor

Question 1: Does anyone have any experiences or knowledge to conclude if eGPU would be a good solution?

Question 2: I am currently running El Capitan 10.11.6. Can I safely update to High Sierra?

Thanks in advance!
Check out this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...when-only-using-intel-integrated-gpu.2071248/
 

ChrisKins

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
18
10
So here are the details on my experience in getting my external monitor to work after resolving the MacBook pro white screen of death problem (Force 2011 MacBook Pro with failed AMD GPU to always use Intel integrated GPU)

I have an LG Ultrawide with 2 HDMI IN and 1 DVI-D In connections on the back. Using the j5create brand USB to HDMI (Item #JUA350) and an HDMI cable(both male ends), I have successfully brought up my 2nd LG Ultrawide monitor.



I was also successful in using the j5create USB to VGA adapter (item # JUA331) and a VGA adapter cable on my Samsung external monitor as it had a VGA connector on the back.

You cannot use a j5create adapter and then another cable, such as using the j5create USB to VGA then using a VGA to HDMI or to a DVI-D as the j5create is not good with those extra adapters.

Both look great however lagging definitely exists both when typing and when using the mouse. I am forever grateful for the youtube video someone posted on how to resolve my issue with my MacBook pro (The youtube was created from AppleMacFinder's thread on how to Force 2011 MacBook Pro with failed AMD GPU to always use Intel integrated) and also thankful for your posts AppleMacFinder on where someone provided suggestions on using an external monitor.

The lagging is too much for me on the external monitors so though I am thrilled I was able to get it to work, I will most likely be purchasing an iMac so I can use my LG Ultrawide with it, and then separately use my macBook Pro.

Hope my details on the external monitor were helpful.
How were you able to get this to work after installing the software from j5create?

I bought the j5create USB 2.0 to HDMI adapter and plugged an HDMI cable into the adapter and monitor. However, after installing the j5create software it bricked my computer again. So, I had to boot into safe mode and uninstall the software to get my MacBook Pro up and running again.
 

Awediohead

macrumors newbie
Jul 20, 2013
12
1
Hi Awediohead, could you link to the video you followed? Thanks!
Hey Monic - so sorry for the incredibly long delay in replying - I've been up to my neck in hackintosh builds (fun) and tax returns (not fun) here's the link:
Thats the longer version - though I followed it exactly it did not appear to work at first, but then everything was good after I opened and closed the MBP's lid a few times. It's been solid ever since - though I rarely shut it down or close the lid (I rarely move it off my desk), I do routinely put it to sleep via the apple menu. Hope that helps you or someone else.
 

ChrisKins

macrumors newbie
Jan 26, 2018
18
10
Here is my message history with @tuesdaytues , which hopefully could help you to get your external monitor working after this fix:
  1. AppleMacFinder: Here is this post: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...fi-variable-fix.2037591/page-10#post-24733694
    1. "I just received my USB to VGA converter. It works, although not perfect. A little lagging noticed when manipulating windows (opening, closing, switching, etc). I've played youtube videos in HD, with screen resolution 1920*1080, and the lagging is barely noticeable. Also the taskbar is showing up in the wrong color and resolution. But other than that, no complains. Mine is 2011 MBP with USB2.0, USB3.0 might be better."
    Try to get this or any other adapter and lets see if it works for you! :) This experiment is not expensive, should be about $5 for such adapter, so why not give it a try ;)
  2. tuesdaytues:
    I just ordered a DVI-D (male) to VGA (male) adapter to give this a try. I ended up at Best Buy and they were able to use a J5create USB to VGA adapter to get a 2nd monitor up and running though it did not fill the screen well.

    So here are the details on my experience in getting my external monitor to work after resolving the MacBook pro white screen of death problem (Force 2011 MacBook Pro with failed AMD GPU to always use Intel integrated GPU)

    I have an LG Ultrawide with 2 HDMI IN and 1 DVI-D In connections on the back. Using the j5create brand USB to HDMI (Item #JUA350) and an HDMI cable(both male ends), I have successfully brought up my 2nd LG Ultrawide monitor. I was also successful in using the j5create USB to VGA adapter (item # JUA331) and a VGA adapter cable on my Samsung external monitor as it had a VGA connector on the back.

    You cannot use a j5create adapter and then another cable, such as using the j5create USB to VGA then using a VGA to HDMI or to a DVI-D as the j5create is not good with those extra adapters.

    Both look great however lagging definitely exists both when typing and when using the mouse. The lagging is too much for me on the external monitors so though I am thrilled I was able to get it to work, I will most likely be purchasing an iMac so I can use my LG Ultrawide with it, and then separately use my macBook Pro
  3. AppleMacFinder:
    I probably know another, much cheaper way to get your external monitor working without any lag. You could buy a cheap single board computer ("SBC" acronym), attach SBC to this external monitor, then enable the desktop sharing at your MBP, connect from SBC to MBP using the remote desktop and enable the full screen mode. Basically it would be like a thin client - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_client . Of course you would also need a keyboard / mouse / some other stuff, but it still will be much cheaper than buying a new iMac
[doublepost=1517050793][/doublepost]@ChrisKins : There is also this thread with more results - https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...when-only-using-intel-integrated-gpu.2071248/
[doublepost=1517052302][/doublepost]

@halfmoonjaw and @TheQL :

While you have been installing these Adobe software products a few months ago, your discrete GPU was still OK - and it could be that these softwares have detected a discrete GPU during the installation and have set up their configuration accordingly - to use a discrete GPU of that MBP for speedup.

Then, your discrete GPU gone bad and you have disabled it for OS X, but these softwares are still trying to use it maybe because of their outdated configuration. If that is so, these configs could be fixed manually - but perhaps the easiest option would be to do a full clean install:

Remove all the Adobe software, then use some utilities like CleanMyMac to erase these softwares' configurations hidden at your system, then reinstall these softwares again and see if now they work OK
[doublepost=1517053741][/doublepost]

@druwin :



nomodeset is not a command, its a GRUB option to reach Arch Linux command line at the simple graphics mode - because without simple graphics mode it could fail while trying to boot to that Linux console - but luckily you got there even without using it



You forgot some very important commands, like " printf "\x07\x00\x00\x00\x01\x00\x00\x00" > /sys/firmware/efi/efivars/gpu-power-prefs-fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9 " which creates EFI variable to disable the discrete GPU - this command is absolutely required. Please try to repeat the instruction from the first page, not forgetting any required commands. Also, while you are doing things like chattr/rm/printf : at some cases these commands could fail without an error message, so its a good idea to manually check the results of their work by using ls command to see the contents of the directories: like entering ls /sys/firmware/efi/efivars after that printf command above to see if a new gpu-power-prefs has been successfully created

If that still doesn't work, there are alternative instructions (mentioned at almost every recent page of this thread) which could work better. In example, for some people my fix works only for one OS X bootup and then its not permanent : sometimes they are able to make it permanent by just repeating the instruction, but sometimes it still doesn't work :p <-- if this "not permanent fix" problem would happen at your case as well, you could try these alternative instructions to "upgrade the fix" and make it permanent and also to reduce the power consumption of your failed discrete GPU
@AppleMacFinder well... no luck so far with the USB 2.0 to HDMI adapter from j5create. I hooked up the HDMI male cable to the adapter and my external monitor, then plugged the USB adapter to my MacBook Pro. After installing the drivers from the j5create website, it bricked my computer again. It must have installed some extensions that caused the problem. So, I booted back into Safe Mode and uninstalled the drivers and my MacBook Pro is working again. Would be interesting to know what exactly happened. I may do a fresh install and find out if it works.
[doublepost=1517189908][/doublepost]
@AppleMacFinder well... no luck so far with the USB 2.0 to HDMI adapter from j5create. I hooked up the HDMI male cable to the adapter and my external monitor, then plugged the USB adapter to my MacBook Pro. After installing the drivers from the j5create website, it bricked my computer again. It must have installed some extensions that caused the problem. So, I booted back into Safe Mode and uninstalled the drivers and my MacBook Pro is working again. Would be interesting to know what exactly happened. I may do a fresh install and find out if it works.

UPDATE: I got the external monitor/display to work. After installing the j5create software the first time, it locked me out of my computer, so I uninstalled the software via Safe Mode. I rebooted as normal, then installed the software again and it works now. Evidently, after you give j5create permission to install from an unidentified developer, you have to install it again so it completes the entire process. Weird.

A guy posted a video here on how to install the j5create drivers so you can use an external monitor through USB.

Now, my external display seems to work ok but there is definitely some lag and artifacts as you move windows around. I'm probably not going to enjoy this since I must have an external display to work on designs and video.

I'm guessing at this point that I will try contacting Apple one more time to see if there is anything they can do to fix my 2011 MacBook Pro 17" and maybe give me a year or two more life out of this thing, then I could sell it to make some money. If not, then I have lots of Apple gift cards that I'll be using to get me a new MacBook Pro. I'm seriously considering the 2017 MacBook Pro 13" which help me design on an external monitor and maybe do some gaming.
 
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nsgr

macrumors 6502
May 22, 2017
317
117
Great news !!!

The Mac OS installer (USB Stick/Pendrive) also boots into Single User Mode. Tested with Sierra and High Sierra installers.

If you do not have a Mac OS system installed (HD / SSD empty), then you can now use the nvram gpu-power-prefs command with the Mac OS installer.

To get the graphical part of the Mac OS installer you need to configure nvram gpu-power-prefs for the Intel GPU.
Otherwise the Macbook Pro will freeze on the gray screen (problem with AMD6000Controller.kext).

As a bonus, you can also disable SIP with the csrutil command (El Capitan, Sierra and High Sierra). This Single User Mode is special.

Disable SIP:
Code:
csrutil disable

Enable SIP:
Code:
csrutil enable

SIP Status
Code:
csrutil status

I did a complete test:

1 - Clear NVRAM / PRAM

Press Option + Command + P + R keys at boot and wait reboot MacBook Pro.


2 - After reboot, press Option key at boot and plug Mac OS installer (USB Stick/Pendrive).
Now the gpu-power-prefs will start with the AMD GPU with red screen and white stripes.


3 - You will see the Mac OS installer icon and a Wi-Fi selection menu (red screen and white stripes).

Press the Command + S keys and hold down these keys and click the Mac OS installer icon.

Hold down the Command + S keys until the Single User Mode process is finished and the command prompt appears to write the nvram commands.


4 - Now write these nvram commands:
Code:
nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
nvram boot-args="-v"


5 - Reboot the system:
Code:
reboot


6 - After reboot (screen OK), press Option key at boot -> show Mac OS installer icon (USB Stick/Pendrive) -> click Mac OS Installer and start installation Mac OS.


7 - During the Mac OS installation, after the second reboot (I guess), Macbook Pro will freeze because of AMDRadeonX3000.kext.

IOConsoleUsers: gIOScreenLockState 3, hs 0, bs 0, now 0


8 - Press power button to turn off MacBook Pro if the Macbook Pro does not automatically restart (overheat system).


9 - Follow The Guide MikeN - #875 -> move AMDRadeonX3000.kext to directory /Extensions-off. Do not forget that El Capitan, Sierra and High Sierra have to be with SIP disable to move the AMDRadeonX3000.kext.


10 - Reboot Macbook Pro and finish installing Mac OS.

11 - Load AMDRadeonX3000.kext or use Login Hook -> The Guide MikeN - #875

Manual load AMDRadeonX3000.kext (decrease AMD GPU and System temperature)-> after login screen -> Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
Code:
sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions-off/AMDRadeonX3000.kext
[doublepost=1517191633][/doublepost]
Hi, What happend if I not have OS on my MBP??? The HDD is empty because I try to make clean installation but now I stuck with the GPU problem. I have USB installation of "El Capitan" but not works, not boot
I dont know what I can do :(

Instructions above.
 
Last edited:

jfrubiom

macrumors newbie
Jan 27, 2018
6
3
Great news !!!

The Mac OS installer (USB Stick/Pendrive) also boots into Single User Mode. Tested with Sierra and High Sierra installers.

If you do not have a Mac OS system installed (HD / SSD empty), then you can now use the nvram gpu-power-prefs command with the Mac OS installer.

To get the graphical part of the Mac OS installer you need to configure nvram gpu-power-prefs for the Intel GPU.
Otherwise the Macbook Pro will freeze on the gray screen (problem with AMD6000Controller.kext).

As a bonus, you can also disable SIP with the csrutil command (El Capitan, Sierra and High Sierra). This Single User Mode is special.

Disable SIP:
Code:
csrutil disable

Enable SIP:
Code:
csrutil enable

SIP Status
Code:
csrutil status

I did a complete test:

1 - Clear NVRAM / PRAM

Press Option + Command + P + R keys at boot and wait reboot MacBook Pro.


2 - After reboot, press Option key at boot and plug Mac OS installer (USB Stick/Pendrive).
Now the gpu-power-prefs will start with the AMD GPU with red screen and white stripes.


3 - You will see the Mac OS installer icon and a Wi-Fi selection menu (red screen and white stripes).

Press the Command + S keys and hold down these keys and click the Mac OS installer icon.

Hold down the Command + S keys until the Single User Mode process is finished and the command prompt appears to write the nvram commands.


4 - Now write these nvram commands:
Code:
nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
nvram boot-args="-v"


5 - Reboot the system:
Code:
reboot


6 - After reboot (screen OK), press Option key at boot -> show Mac OS installer icon (USB Stick/Pendrive) -> click Mac OS Installer and start installation Mac OS.


7 - During the Mac OS installation, after the second reboot (I guess), Macbook Pro will freeze because of AMDRadeonX3000.kext.

IOConsoleUsers: gIOScreenLockState 3, hs 0, bs 0, now 0


8 - Press power button to turn off MacBook Pro if the Macbook Pro does not automatically restart (overheat system).


9 - Follow The Guide MikeN - #875 -> move AMDRadeonX3000.kext to directory /Extensions-off. Do not forget that El Capitan, Sierra and High Sierra have to be with SIP disable to move the AMDRadeonX3000.kext.


10 - Reboot Macbook Pro and finish installing Mac OS.

11 - Load AMDRadeonX3000.kext or use Login Hook -> The Guide MikeN - #875

Manual load AMDRadeonX3000.kext (decrease AMD GPU and System temperature)-> after login screen -> Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
Code:
sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions-off/AMDRadeonX3000.kext
[doublepost=1517191633][/doublepost]

Instructions above.

Hi, works great!!!!!
One question more, is normal the temperature close to 55º??

I have problems with WiFi, Bluetooth works normally, but WiFi not works, is like the “card is not present”, maybe is the antenna??

Thanks
 
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Bravo3013

macrumors member
Sep 1, 2016
67
34
Norway
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D1W0U

macrumors newbie
Jan 29, 2018
2
2
Hi everyone!

Thanks for the information in the thread.
I registered because I need to solve some question.

My scenario is broken ATI GPU on MBP 17inch early 2011.

I was using macOS for years, but I don't like anymore. So I installed Windows 7 and I was very happy, until the ATI started to crash.

I investigated and I discovered that the Intel was hidden by EFI in Windows 7, and that if I install Windows in UEFI, I would be able to see it on device manager, so maybee disabling it I would be able to use the integrated only, and avoid the crashes.

I tested to install Windows 7 in UEFI, but this version doesn't support it on my MBP. And I realized that Windows 8.1 boots from USB, and I could install Windows 8.1 in UEFI mode. But at the first try it was giving me a problem when installing the boot loader. So, I cleared SMC and NVRAM + PRAM and re-installed. It worked!

I was able to see Intel's card. But when installing BootCamp drivers, concretely the Intel driver, the screen became black.
I booted in Safe Mode, to try disabling the ATI and see if Windows uses the Intel. But I saw a black screen.

Then, after some reboots and tries, I decided to Google to see if someone tried the same and could help.
I found a question, that explains how to disable discrete graphics! Then I booted in Internet Recovery Mode, launched a Terminal, executed the nvram command to set discrete off. And after reboot into Windows, an 0x00000050 error appeared, telling me to reboot. I rebooted but the HDD was locked.
I cleared SMC + PRAM + NVRAM and fixed boot of Windows 8.1. Then it was confusing, I can't remember if the ATI was disabled. But I still was seeing a black screen.
Then I tried with the Archlinux method, and still a black screen.

Finally I got that maybe the installed ATI device in Windows, was the problem of the 0x00000050 error. And I decided to disable discrete graphics with Archlinux and the re-install Windows, to see if it recognized the Intel as main GPU.
After re-installing, I installed BootCamp drivers. And when installing Intel driver, the screen became black. But this time, I prepared another monitor, that I connected to my MBP with an special cable (I think) thunderbolt to HDMI. But I wasn't seeing anything. Always black. Then in a last breath I tried to log in (without seeing anything) and I pressed CMD + P, arrow up, ENTER. Nothing. CMD + P, arrow up, arrow up, ENTER. Voilà! I could see the desktop.

I started Device Manager and I can see that the ATI appears with a triangle, like when some device is not working fine. The BootCamp drivers, installed everything. Now I think that I'm using integrated GPU.
And I have no sound!! :( The triangle appears also in a High Definition Audio device. So I guess that discrete graphics are disabled, and the sound is integrated in the ATI GPU.

So, now I'm unable to re-enable discrete graphics. I want to enable discrete GPU to have sound, and disable the ATI from Device Manager, to work with the integrated. But...

1. Why if I enable discrete GPU, in Windows still appears with a triangle?
2. Why everytime I clear SMC + NVRAM + PRAM and I disable discrete/(maybe)enable GPU in Archlinux, I can't install Windows 8.1 because a fail of making the installation bootable?
3. How is that finally I got the discrete GPU disabled?
4. Would be possible to avoid crashes if I re-enable discrete GPU, re-install Windows, install BootCamp, I find a way to see the desktop with ATI & Intel working (is that possible?), I disable ATI from Device Manager, to have sound?
5. Do you recommend to re-enable ATI GPU, which is broken but sometimes works, to have sound and make something to make Windows to use Intel's one? Or it's better to leave the things as I have now, and give thanks to God because finally I'm going to avoid crashes? Hehe =)

Thanks!
 
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nsgr

macrumors 6502
May 22, 2017
317
117
Hi, works great!!!!!
One question more, is normal the temperature close to 55º??

I have problems with WiFi, Bluetooth works normally, but WiFi not works, is like the “card is not present”, maybe is the antenna??

Thanks

The normal temperature of the Macbook Pro 2011 (my tests) in idle is 40c and 2000 RPM (only Active Monitor and Terminal open).

To properly reduce the temperature, only the AMDRadeonX3000.kext has to be outside the /System/Library/Extensions and load manually or by Login Hook - The Guide MikeN #875 .

Or try the GRUB Solution:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-on-a-2011-macbook-pro-grub-solution.2087527/
 
Last edited:
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