MacBook Pro GPU failure: can't disable SIP

[KolfMAKER]

From reading several threads, I am sure the AMD GPU is failing on my 2011 MacBook Pro. I have seen the instructions to boot in safe mode and use commands to eventually turn off the AMD GPU and turn on the integrated Intel GPU. Here's what I did (using the AppleMacFinder procedure: https://bit.ly/2oDKvhP).

I booted with CMD + S and followed the 9 steps as described in the procedure. Unfortunately, I get stuck at step 5: sudo rm -rf /System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kext.caches/. When that command tries to remove the AMD drivers cache, I get 14 subdirectories listed with the error message "Operation not permitted". So I cannot continue with steps 6 till 9.

I think one of my issues is that SIP is enabled, and I cannot get it disabled. I need Terminal to use the command "CSRutil disable", but if I start in Recovery mode, my screen turns grey and the system shuts off before I reach the OSX Utilities interface. Also I wonder if the read/write access is in order, or that it sticks in read only at mounting.

What Can I do about this?

 

[Fishrrman]

I never heard of "all those steps".

Try this:
1. Boot to recovery partition (it's "command-R" at boot, NOT "command-S" as you wrote above)
2. Open terminal
3. Type "csrutil disable" (exclude the quote characters, there is one "space character" between the two words)
4. Hit return and enter your password when required.
5. Reboot

Now... booted to the "regular" boot partition, open terminal and type "csrutil status".
What response do you get?

 

[KolfMAKER]

Hi Fishrrman, thnx for your sqwift response!

I did try the command-R at boot and then chose the recovery partition. But the problem is, my screen turns grey at some point and never gets to the OSX Utilities. Therefor I cannot get into Terminal to execute the csrutil command.

Do you know any other solution?

 

[Fishrrman]

"Do you know any other solution?"

It's a 2011 MacBook Pro with RadeonGate?
The "solution" is to start looking for a replacement... (sigh)

 

[KolfMAKER]

Thnx again for responding Fishrrman!

I am sure it is a 2011 MacBook Pro. And from all I have read I am also sure it is a problem with the AMD GPU, as that one is known for failing at some point. Though, the mainboard also has an internal Intel GPU. And the trick is to de-activate the AMD GPU and activate the Intel GPU. For that I need to be able to get into Terminal, that's the UI to put in the right commands for the 'GPU switch'. So far I haven't succeed getting into Terminal, bceuase I think I can only get there via Recovery mode, and my recovery mode does not get to the point that I can start terminal.

I am going to make an attempt to make an install of 'OS El Capitan' and try boot with that ...

If you have other suggestions, let me know.

 

[suwandy]

Maybe try following the steps in this page?
https://gist.github.com/blackgate/17ac402e35d2f7e0f1c9708db3dc7a44

I was also unable to get into the Recovery mode and was only presented with grey screen.
Following the above steps helped me, in particular the step to use "Change the gpu-power-prefs and disable SIP"

Hope that helps.