MBP 1,1-10,2 Force 2011 MacBook Pro 8,2 with failed AMD GPU to ALWAYS use Intel integrated GPU (EFI variable fix)

[Christopfhe]

I used the MikeyN solution and my laptop worked well, only a few black screens at startup (intermittently), but now my mbpro doesn't start anymore, I reset the SMC, PRAM, I disconnected and reconnected the battery, removed and replaced the RAM, the screen shows artifacts, colors, vertical bands etc, I keep the CMD+R+S keys at startup but the single user mode remains inaccessible. I really don't know what to do anymore.

 

[Christopfhe]

I used the MikeyN solution and my laptop worked well, only a few black screens at startup (intermittently), but now my mbpro doesn't start anymore, I reset the SMC, PRAM, I disconnected and reconnected the battery, removed and replaced the RAM, the screen shows artifacts, colors, vertical bands etc, I keep the CMD+R+S keys at startup but the single user mode remains inaccessible. I really don't know what to do anymore.

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I tried to connect this macbook to a second macbook in target mode, I was able to access the hard disk of the first macbook, can I repair the first macbook with the terminal on the second macbook?

 

[tony359]

I have a question. My macbook has been working perfectly for a few days now using MikeN's solution. I assumed the GPU had failed but how do I know it wasn't the C9560 capacitor instead? Would you recommend replacing this capacitor before assuming that the GPU is fully dead?
I cannot see the board model when the MBP is open and I really don't want to remove the board just to see if the model is on the other side - the MBP is working fine now!
Via software I get the following ID: 94245A3940C91C80

Thanks!

 

[dosdude1]

I have a question. My macbook has been working perfectly for a few days now using MikeN's solution. I assumed the GPU had failed but how do I know it wasn't the C9560 capacitor instead? Would you recommend replacing this capacitor before assuming that the GPU is fully dead?
I cannot see the board model when the MBP is open and I really don't want to remove the board just to see if the model is on the other side - the MBP is working fine now!
Via software I get the following ID: 94245A3940C91C80

Thanks!

C9560 is only a problem on Mid-2010 machines (that have the GeForce GT 330M GPU, which is actually manufactured correctly and doesn't fail like these garbage AMD chips on the 2011s). If it's a 2011 with AMD Radeon HD 6xxx, the GPU is defective, it's NOT an issue with any bad capacitor.

 

[tony359]

Thanks dosdude1!

 

[stingray88]

It tells you exactly what it does when you run the program... Regardless, I don't really like any software solution that relies on NVRAM, the best solution is to disable the dGPU via hardware, as I outline in my thread here.

Hey Dosdude1 - Is there a way to undo what dGPU Disabler does? I'm having sleep/wake issues on my MBP now, but I can't figure out how to undo this. I'd love to be able to revert back to how my system was previously, but I don't know how to remove the automatic removal of the AMD Kexts on boot...

Alternatively, do you know how to fix the sleep/wake issues that dGPU Disabler introduces?

 

[dosdude1]

Hey Dosdude1 - Is there a way to undo what dGPU Disabler does? I'm having sleep/wake issues on my MBP now, but I can't figure out how to undo this. I'd love to be able to revert back to how my system was previously, but I don't know how to remove the automatic removal of the AMD Kexts on boot...

Alternatively, do you know how to fix the sleep/wake issues that dGPU Disabler introduces?

Yeah, just delete /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.dosdude1.GPUDisableHelper.plist, then restore all the files backed up to /.AMD_Backup to /System/Library/Extensions. To fix the sleep issues, you'd have to load AMDRadeonX3000.kext after the system has booted, which is not really a good solution. I'd recommend disabling your dGPU via hardware as I mentioned before, which is of course WAY more reliable, and doesn't require OS modifications. No sleep/wake issues will be caused either.

 

[nsgr]

I used the MikeyN solution and my laptop worked well, only a few black screens at startup (intermittently), but now my mbpro doesn't start anymore, I reset the SMC, PRAM, I disconnected and reconnected the battery, removed and replaced the RAM, the screen shows artifacts, colors, vertical bands etc, I keep the CMD+R+S keys at startup but the single user mode remains inaccessible. I really don't know what to do anymore.

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Basically when these stripes appear on the screen, then it may be GPU or memory problem.

I had a problem in one of the memory slots and the screen was all striped.

Now I only use an 8 GB memory module in only one slot (bank memory). I had to buy an 8 GB memory module.


Example Macbook Pro 2011 with 2 memory modules (4 GB + 4 GB)


0 - gpu-power-prefs to Intel GPU.


1 - Power off Macbook Pro 2011.


2 - Remove the Hard Disk from your Macbook Pro 2011 with stripes problem.


3 - Test the Macbook Pro 2011 using only one of the Memory Slots. One of the 4 GB memory modules has to be removed from Macbook Pro 2011.


4 - See if the Macbook Pro 2011 normally power on without problems on the screen.

Yes, you have removed the Hard Disk and there is no system. See if the screen works OK with the symbol that appears on the screen saying there is no system.

If you prefer, you can then try to use a Mac OS installer (pendrive / USB Stick) and enter the Single User Mode.

Press Option key at boot -> Position the mouse over the Mac OS Installer icon -> press Command + S and hold-> click the Mac OS Installer icon (hold Command + S keys) -> will now load the Mac OS Installer (USB Stick) Single User Mode.

Or try Mac OS Installer Graphical Mode -> press Option key at boot -> click icon installer.


5 - Power off the Macbook Pro 2011 and test the other memory slot.


6 - Repeat the process with the second memory module.

 

[Christopfhe]

Thank you for that answer but I can't set the gpu-power-prefs to Intel GPU (step 0 on your tutorial), I can't startup the mac in single user mode, each time I start up, I have this screen artifacts, or black screen, colored screen etc. I removed my ssd, powered on with only one memory, alternately, one slot, and the other one etc, I still have the same screen artifacts.

It's just like trying to starting up a car with the hood locked.

 

[nsgr]

Thank you for that answer but I can't set the gpu-power-prefs to Intel GPU (step 0 on your tutorial), I can't startup the mac in single user mode, each time I start up, I have this screen artifacts, or black screen, colored screen etc. I removed my ssd, powered on with only one memory, alternately, one slot, and the other one etc, I still have the same screen artifacts.

It's just like trying to starting up a car with the hood locked.

Do you have two memory modules to test or only one memory module?

If you have two memory modules did you test both?

Does the Macbook Pro give you a beep when you Power On? Problem in Sllot or memory module makes 3 beeps.



Apple Macbook Pro 5.5 Video Cable / LCD Screen Problem ?

"This is definitely display cable or lcd issue Here is the good link that you can use to fix/solve/replace the LCD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4LLOh.... Apple Macbook Pro 5.5 (late 2009) 2.26 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Chipset Model Nvidia 9400M ROM Version 3427".

Unfortunately, the user on the Youtube channel has placed the video solving the problem as private.

How to repair the display connector on logic board
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/97399/How+to+repair+the+display+connector+on+logic+board

 

[Christopfhe]

Do you have two memory modules to test or only one memory module?

If you have two memory modules did you test both?

Does the Macbook Pro give you a beep when you Power On? Problem in Sllot or memory module makes 3 beeps.



Apple Macbook Pro 5.5 Video Cable / LCD Screen Problem ?

"This is definitely display cable or lcd issue Here is the good link that you can use to fix/solve/replace the LCD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4LLOh.... Apple Macbook Pro 5.5 (late 2009) 2.26 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Chipset Model Nvidia 9400M ROM Version 3427".

Unfortunately, the user on the Youtube channel has placed the video solving the problem as private.

How to repair the display connector on logic board
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/97399/How+to+repair+the+display+connector+on+logic+board

Just tried with one module, I will try tonight with the module of the other macbook
no beep sound, just the chime sound, sometimes a looping chime on booting (with black screen)
thank you for your assistance

edit : I can't try the other module, this ram isn't compatible with this mbpro (2011 and 2012 models)
in my opinion, it's a gpu problem, I've always had these screen artifacts but until now I could start in single user mode, it's now impossible

 

[saldin]

I’ve been running 10.11.6 for a long time now and I wonder if it’s possible to update my MBP 2011 to the latest supported version which I think is 10.13.6.

Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to do it? I’ve never updated Mac OS because I fear that the update process will fail and end up even further broken and I won’t be able to get it to work again.

Does running High Sierra with the GPU disabled have any additional side effects?

 

[erebos007]

Hi,
I got a MBP 2011 which GPU and R8911 have been removed (!!) by previous owner I guess.

Black screen with startup sound on power on.
I tried the EFI varaible fix booting Linux on another functional MBP 2011 with the hdd (Mountain Lion) of the defective MBP, then put the drive back in it. Still black screen.

Do you guys have any idea ?
thx

 

[pckrullenbol]

I’ve never updated Mac OS because I fear that the update process will fail and end up even further broken and I won’t be able to get it to work again.

I've been there...., I succeeded to update to 10.13.6, but are still wondering why I did it. It was an awful experience with many reboots, crashes and hangs. So stick to 10.11.x or 10.12.x.

 

[tony359]

I fixed my MBP which was already running High Sierra and it works 100% no problems at all. Not sure why others are reporting issues.
I remember updating it - when the MBP was still running fine with the AMD GPU - took a LONG time, the process hung for an hour or so but in the end it completed fine on its own.

 

[dosdude1]

Hi,
I got a MBP 2011 which GPU and R8911 have been removed (!!) by previous owner I guess.

Black screen with startup sound on power on.
I tried the EFI varaible fix booting Linux on another functional MBP 2011 with the hdd (Mountain Lion) of the defective MBP, then put the drive back in it. Still black screen.

Do you guys have any idea ?
thx

This is why only removing R8911, without bypassing the gMux chip via hardware, is a really dumb idea. That NVRAM variable is stored, well, in NVRAM, and therefore has to be set on the machine you're trying to disable the dGPU on. It's not stored on a hard disk. The ONLY thing you can do is re-install R8911, and then set the NVRAM variable. My best recommendation, though, would be to disable the gMux chip via hardware, as I detail in my post. This is a 100% permanent solution (obviously), that does not rely on any NVRAM variable that can easily get reset.

 

[erebos007]

This is why only removing R8911, without bypassing the gMux chip via hardware, is a really dumb idea. That NVRAM variable is stored, well, in NVRAM, and therefore has to be set on the machine you're trying to disable the dGPU on. It's not stored on a hard disk. The ONLY thing you can do is re-install R8911, and then set the NVRAM variable. My best recommendation, though, would be to disable the gMux chip via hardware, as I detail in my post. This is a 100% permanent solution (obviously), that does not rely on any NVRAM variable that can easily get reset.

Thank you for your answer !
I think i can re-install R8911 but as the GPU is not present anymore (the chip is gone) I don't think I will able to boot anyway. I used the linux method described on this thread because it was about modifying EFI and not NVRAM. I thought that maybe it will do the trick but..not really
I Can try your hardmod but i fear my soldering skills are to low..

 

[dosdude1]

Thank you for your answer !
I think i can re-install R8911 but as the GPU is not present anymore (the chip is gone) I don't think I will able to boot anyway. I used the linux method described on this thread because it was about modifying EFI and not NVRAM. I thought that maybe it will do the trick but..not really
I Can try your hardmod but i fear my soldering skills are to low..

LOL yeah if the GPU chip is gone, you HAVE to use the hardware bypass.

 

[erebos007]

LOL yeah if the GPU chip is gone, you HAVE to use the hardware bypass.

Yep, I feared you say that
Could you please tell me what kind of wires you are using to do it ?

 

[dosdude1]

Yep, I feared you say that
Could you please tell me what kind of wires you are using to do it ?

I put a link to the wire I used in the post, but it is 0.1MM enamel coated wire.

 

[giapson]

Thanks you very much !....
I'm tried and successed .
Good things come to you .

 

[rksredmi1s]

Thank You AppleMacFinder(OP) And All Other Contributors....
Fixed Late 2011 15" Yesterday.............Mac OS El Capitan
Long Story Short
I removed R8911 Directly Without Any Change In Default Display Setting With The Help With archlinux-2018.10.01-x86_64.......
Even One More Register at right side of R8911 was removed by my self........Very frustrated...
Then i Short Two Connecting Points Of R8911
Result ------Display Comes Again
Now As stated in Op did All things.........

Only I was Unable to Remove AMD Kext...Because no Successfully Log In to Recovery mode ...
Then After two three reboot Still Stuck At White Screen....
At This White Screen One Difference i Noted that Screen is Clean without any Horizontal lines..
So removed HDD and Connected to Other Mac Book and manually removed all AMD Kext.
After this When i started from this HDD i successfully reach to desktop but with very distorted screen like no display drivers loaded and lots of colorful lines etc..
Then installed Mac Book Pro dGPU Disabler ,there i have to disable SIP First ,And Lastly After successfully installtion clean desktop without any issue.
But Still AMD Gup is Active..
Then Again i disconnect R8911 pins which i have shorted...
Then AMD CPU was gone from System ,,And Nice Cool System running Now.
Thanks All Contributors.....

 

[ionsquantam]

Guys Please Help

@AppleMacFinder : Thanks a lot for your wonderful post. I have a 2011 Macbook pro with 10.9.5 (Mavericks) installed. I started getting this problem and tried very simple fix of yours
1) Reset SMC
2) Enter into Single user mode (Command + S)
3) nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
4) nvram boot-args="-v"
5) reboot

This worked flawlessly and I was able to boot my system (verified with gfxCardStatus and it shows integrated graphics "i").

BUT whenever I reboot my system, I am back in the same state as before and I have to run all of the above 5 steps again to get it to boot.

This works fine as long as I run all 5 steps every single time I start my macbook. This is a real pain. I do have a script that I can run at bootup for nvram settings but resetting SMC everytime is something not ideal.

Any ideas on why this setting is not persistent? I did not follow linux steps or .ktext steps, just ran nvram settings. Did I miss anything?

Please HELP

 

[Dave111]

Guys Please Help

@AppleMacFinder : Thanks a lot for your wonderful post. I have a 2011 Macbook pro with 10.9.5 (Mavericks) installed. I started getting this problem and tried very simple fix of yours
1) Reset SMC
2) Enter into Single user mode (Command + S)
3) nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
4) nvram boot-args="-v"
5) reboot

This worked flawlessly and I was able to boot my system (verified with gfxCardStatus and it shows integrated graphics "i").

BUT whenever I reboot my system, I am back in the same state as before and I have to run all of the above 5 steps again to get it to boot.

This works fine as long as I run all 5 steps every single time I start my macbook. This is a real pain. I do have a script that I can run at bootup for nvram settings but resetting SMC everytime is something not ideal.

Any ideas on why this setting is not persistent? I did not follow linux steps or .ktext steps, just ran nvram settings. Did I miss anything?

Please HELP

Hi guys! After many days of research I find myself in a similar situation as the post above. I was able to do the EFI modification via ArchLinux and my Mac works for the most part OK. However if I do a restart/shutdown I have to re-do the whole "fix". Also, if I click on some program that requires the dGPU, then the system crashes right away. Also, if the laptop goes to sleep for a long period of time, the screen just will stay black and I have to force-shutdown.

The weird thing is that I've read of that happening in High Sierra, yet I have El Capitan 10.11.6. I don't want to try removing the resistor because I'm afraid things will just remain the same or even get worse.

Not sure how to proceed. Any input would be appreciated

 

[BiggAW]

Hi guys! After many days of research I find myself in a similar situation as the post above. I was able to do the EFI modification via ArchLinux and my Mac works for the most part OK. However if I do a restart/shutdown I have to re-do the whole "fix".

Yup. Same here. I've had to enter it several times today to boot/reboot.