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Oh no, did my Late 2011 15" Macbook Pro bite the dust?

That_Damn_Kid

That_Damn_Kid

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 3, 2017
33
3
I was watching a YouTube video and all of a sudden the screen got SUPER glitchy. I turned the computer off. Turned it back on and after the Apple logo appears for a few seconds the screen turns grey and nothing happens. Fans running high.

Has the common graphics issue occurred with my 15" model? I will be taking it to the Apple store tomorrow but thought I'd ask here first.

ALSO: I do luckily have a 13" Macbook Pro 2011 I bought for $50 a couple weeks ago and planned to use it as a backup. So glad I kept it. I assume the 13" should run fine when I switch the hard drive and RAM? And will I need to do a PRAM reset?
 
Last edited:
That_Damn_Kid said:
Has the common graphics issue occurred with my 15" model? I will be taking it to the Apple store tomorrow but thought I'd ask here first.
Click to expand...

Yep, sounds like it.

That_Damn_Kid said:
I assume the 13" should run fine when I switch the hard drive and RAM? And will I need to do a PRAM reset?
Click to expand...

Yeah it'll work fine swapping RAM & drive. Do the PRAM reset after fitting the new hardware, else you might have a white screen for ages before it boots into the OS.
 
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I agree that it sounds like the GPU issue, but the Apple Store will be able to tell you for sure using the VST. However, beyond performing the VST, they will most likely tell you there is nothing they can do beyond diagnostics. :(
 
That_Damn_Kid said:
I was watching a YouTube video and all of a sudden the screen got SUPER glitchy. I turned the computer off. Turned it back on and after the Apple logo appears for a few seconds the screen turns grey and nothing happens. Fans running high.

Has the common graphics issue occurred with my 15" model? I will be taking it to the Apple store tomorrow but thought I'd ask here first.

ALSO: I do luckily have a 13" Macbook Pro 2011 I bought for $50 a couple weeks ago and planned to use it as a backup. So glad I kept it. I assume the 13" should run fine when I switch the hard drive and RAM? And will I need to do a PRAM reset?
Click to expand...

Hi do you have a dGPU
 
Here's the specs on the 15", which for some reason is working again...for now?

2.2 GHz Intel Core i7
8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB
 
That_Damn_Kid said:
Here's the specs on the 15", which for some reason is working again...for now?

2.2 GHz Intel Core i7
8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB
Click to expand...
It will probably go out again the next time it switches to the dGPU or the next time you use it hard. Mine went out all at once and was immediately unusable.
 
Look into blowing some compressed air through the front vents, sides, back and see if any dust comes out? There maybe little but it might help?
 
As @Mac2c suggests, you may want to clean out the machine (I'd take the back off). Could be partly a thermal thing. You might also want to do a backup of your data and do a clean install of the OS.
 
That was more or less what happened with mine too, except it wasn't quite as sudden. Took it maybe 2-3 weeks to really "die", but this very much sounds like the GPU issue.
 
Try cleaning it first. Mine was misbehaving in similar ways and has recovered well after cleaning a new OS. Would also be a good idea to put an SSD in it, if you haven't already. A cheap one will do.
 
That_Damn_Kid said:
Jesus, I was told it would cost almost $600 to replace the Logic Board.
Click to expand...
Make an appointment with a Genius at a Apple Store so they can test it and confirm that your dGPU is failing. If it is failing then, yes, that is what it could cost. The replacement logic board will be refurbished and it will be susceptible to the same failure. I would not invest that kind of money in a 2011 15" MBP. Time to move on to something newer.
 
Yeah I took it to the Genius Bar and indeed the dGPU is failing.

I did clean up the inside just now with canned air, and took out and put back in the RAM. Now I'm getting a black screen and 3 beeps when I turn the computer on. dGPU related issue or did I somehow screw up the RAM :( I pulled both of those side tabs to pop out the first one. Had to pull out the bottom one a little.
 
Probably the RAM seating, since that's what you just did. Sometimes takes a second try to get it in right, in my experience.
 
Turns out I didn't slide in the RAM all the way. Still getting a grey screen, oh well. I'm amazed how long this computer lasted me since I got it in early 2012. Hopefully the newer models are just as durable.
 
It may not be completely dead yet, but if you're ready to move on, this might be a good time!
 
Sure it's fixable but almost $600 to fix it with a 90 day warranty is crazy lol. I assume it'd be pretty hard to fix myself?
 
You might be able to get it working fairly well without replacing the board, if something else is causing the most recent startup issues, but only you know how much work you want to put into it. If it were a 17", it might be worth more hassle than a 15" that you can upgrade without losing anything but some money. You might like a retina display!
 
Probably best to retire the 2011 15".

Not worth the money to fix if Apple won't cover it.

Use the 13" instead...
 
ZapNZs said:
Ended on 12/31/16 :(
Click to expand...

It didn't last long then. Sucks if it so happens that your computer only gets the issue now.

But as others have said I don't know if it makes any sense to spend $600 on it. Unless budget is tight and you don't plan on buying a new computer within the next 1-2 years anyway.
 
Maybe if you are in California or Turkey they will still take care of it.
 
ilian92 said:
It didn't last long then. Sucks if it so happens that your computer only gets the issue now.

But as others have said I don't know if it makes any sense to spend $600 on it. Unless budget is tight and you don't plan on buying a new computer within the next 1-2 years anyway.
Click to expand...

I have also been in "discussions" with Apple Senior Support for over 4wks now after my Early 2011 17" MBP failed with same issues the wrong side of the Repair Plan - in fact it failed to start up just before xmas, but stupid me thought I'll deal with it in the New Year and as I had no clue about the repair scheme I completely missed out on getting a logicboard fix :(
SO ANNOYED WITH MYSELF FOR NOT ACTING ON IT SOONER!!!

Today they sent me an email telling me to only contact them through their lawyers in respect of a 1979 SALES OF GOODS ACT claim, but they know it's going to cost me more than what I spent on it originally to get a law suit against them, even though I'm still months within my rights to get one of the 3 R's (Repair, Replace, Refund) under that consumer law act.

As an individual I have no chance of getting any better outcome, unless you guys here know of anything I should do next?
 
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