MBP 1,1-10,2 Permanently Disable 2011 15"/17" MacBook Pro Dedicated GPU - gMux IC Bypass

[Analias]

I soldered to that point all good there but still wouldn't flash tried everything just one of those stubborn boards, I ended up banging it on the ACHI IR and brought it back to life temp fix I know but it will pull the guy out of a hole for a bit.
I was talking to dosdude an he was kind enough to refund nice guy if I get another for repairs I'll try again I'd like to see this up and running.

Did you remove the coil? My programmer will only work if I remove it.

 

[J2G]

Did you remove the coil? My programmer will only work if I remove it.

Coil?

 

[Analias]

Coil?

L2406

 

[J2G]

L2406

Oh.. ya I removed that with no Joy so I re seated it and put it on the ACHI for a reflow I was spending too much time on it had to move on I had other repairs to sort out.

 

[gokukidjr]

I want to give big thanks to dosdude1 so after I did the gmux disabling i was facing an issue of my macbook like to shut itself and tempt getting hot I found out that the DC port wasn't good anymore after replacing it and added new thermal paste now its perfect and I upgrade the WIFI Card to the Bluetooth 4.0 and handoff, personal hotspot and low energy bluetooth is supported!! If you want to get the best out of this device use a external GPU and you'll better off able to run it with mojave and loads of graphic stuff. Thanks

 

[gokukidjr]

Currently I try to install Window 10 using EFI method on my Macbook Pro Late 2011 17" the installation works and successfully installed Window 10 but when the system reboot itself after you setup everything (user, password and etc) you wont be able to get into window the issue I found was it stuck at window booting screen forever. Any ideas how can I solve this? Thanks in advance.

 

[dosdude1]

Currently I try to install Window 10 using EFI method on my Macbook Pro Late 2011 17" the installation works and successfully installed Window 10 but when the system reboot itself after you setup everything (user, password and etc) you wont be able to get into window the issue I found was it stuck at window booting screen forever. Any ideas how can I solve this? Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, I've found that running Windows on these machines with dGPU disabled is going to require some EFI modifications. I haven't worked on this yet, but in theory it should be doable. With stock EFI firmware, though, Windows is not going to work.

 

[gokukidjr]

Unfortunately, I've found that running Windows on these machines with dGPU disabled is going to require some EFI modifications. I haven't worked on this yet, but in theory it should be doable. With stock EFI firmware, though, Windows is not going to work.

Alright thank you for your reply I am currently very happy with this machine running high sierra + eGPU this will allow you to be able to connect to an external monitor too I tried and its perfectly working the combos of eGPU + External Monitor 4k is working smoothly on a 2011 macbook pro and upgrading from Bluetooth 2.1+ to Bluetooth 4.0 makes thing faster. Finally, I could go further as installing the express card to USB 3.0 for faster file transferring overall its amazing its faster than my Macbook pro Mid-2012 13" with these upgrade. I just wanted to install windows to only play games which actually I already successfully did it with my other macbook its fine without Window but if you are able to make it work let me know!! Thanks

 

[slimmy18222]

Hello,
1. Thanks to Collin (dosdude1)

2. I designed and used a Pogo Pin adapter. Sadly I cannot share here the link to OSH Park website, my post was deleted two times already, so simply search for "Pogo pin adapter to program the gMUX IC of a MacBook" between shared project from OSH community. It's published under public domain license.

3. I bought the Lattice HW-USBN-2A USB Programmer from the eBay store listed on the website of dosdude1, shipping was very fast and it works.

4. I used a Windows 10 64bit PC. My MacBook (Pro 15 Early 2011) started up without the chime. I tried to flash the gMUX "million" times for a total of ca. 7 hours. The first time without the 10pF capacitor (TCK, GND), I had errors for 2 hours of attempts. The IC was erased and then the MacBook started up with the chime and a black screen. Second and third time I tried with the 10pF soldered direct between the pins of header (2.54mm).
I read the logs and sometimes it broke down at the beginning, sometimes it was able to erase the IC but then the flashing was not successful, and so on... (I can post 2 or 3 logs that I saved).

At the end, it worked! So don't give up, try over and over again. I don't know if the 10pF were crucial but for sure they don't make problems. If it hadn't worked, as a next attempt I would have tried to shorten the Programmer's wires (between USB Programmer and Pogo Pin adapter).

View attachment 873402 View attachment 873403

View attachment 873713

Still got multiple fails Really don't know how to solve the problem @dosdude1

 

[afsl01]

Hello,
1. Thanks to Collin (dosdude1)

2. I designed and used a Pogo Pin adapter. Sadly I cannot share here the link to OSH Park website, my post was deleted two times already, so simply search for "Pogo pin adapter to program the gMUX IC of a MacBook" between shared project from OSH community. It's published under public domain license.

3. I bought the Lattice HW-USBN-2A USB Programmer from the eBay store listed on the website of dosdude1, shipping was very fast and it works.

4. I used a Windows 10 64bit PC. My MacBook (Pro 15 Early 2011) started up without the chime. I tried to flash the gMUX "million" times for a total of ca. 7 hours. The first time without the 10pF capacitor (TCK, GND), I had errors for 2 hours of attempts. The IC was erased and then the MacBook started up with the chime and a black screen. Second and third time I tried with the 10pF soldered direct between the pins of header (2.54mm).
I read the logs and sometimes it broke down at the beginning, sometimes it was able to erase the IC but then the flashing was not successful, and so on... (I can post 2 or 3 logs that I saved).

At the end, it worked! So don't give up, try over and over again. I don't know if the 10pF were crucial but for sure they don't make problems. If it hadn't worked, as a next attempt I would have tried to shorten the Programmer's wires (between USB Programmer and Pogo Pin adapter).

View attachment 873402 View attachment 873403

View attachment 873713

Nomeutente, I have just buyed the board from OSHPARK, do they come with the pogo pins and other parts ready to assemble it? if not, where do you recommend buying the necessary parts?

 

[gokukidjr]

Hey everyone!!

I needed some advice is there a way to untick Automatic Graphics Switching permanently on High Sierra? Because I unticked it but if I shut down my machine and later switch it on to use it. The box revert itself ticking it back automatically after a new boot. Any ideas? Because I found that if you will be doing graphics work with the Intel HD 3000 when the CPU goes full throttle the device will try to switch to the better graphics so which will cause an automatic shut down if you dont plug the charger or is there a way to flash my device from 8,3 to 8,1? Thanks

 

[nomeutente]

Nomeutente, I have just buyed the board from OSHPARK, do they come with the pogo pins and other parts ready to assemble it? if not, where do you recommend buying the necessary parts?

Hi, OSH Park only sends you the 3 PCBs. I bought 10 Pogo Pin on eBay, the model name is P50-J1. I already had the 1x6 pin male header 0.1" and the 10pF capacitor, but you can find them also easily. Maybe look also at eBay or other online shops (adafruit, pimoroni) or digikey, RS and so on. Just look for "male header 0.1""

 

[TayGumi]

Greetings, it is my first post so be gentle. ^^

Offtopic 1/2 I don't know if you already know that,

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ntel-integrated-gpu-efi-variable-fix.2037591/

I don't know if it helps with the "Firmware Software brightness solution" to control it later on, but I hope it will. Some ppl get the Sleep&Brightness problem with this software methode mentioned above, because they remove every Amd*.* Kexts. My encounter was to only remove these "
In the OS Only move these kexts from /System/Library/Extensions/
AMDRadeonX3000.kext
AMDRadeonX4000.kext
AMDRadeonX4100.kext
AMDRadeonX4150.kext
AMDRadeonX4200.kext
AMDRadeonX4250.kext
AMDRadeonX5000.kext
AMDRadeonX5000HWServices.kext
ggf.
";
and everything is still functioning(High Sierra & Mojave). Maybe in the leftover Amd Kexts is the Brightness / sleep control build into it.
I wasn't able to decompile a kext. :// I am not really into Programming, but I try it anyways. ^^


Sorry for my english.

PS: Love your work
PPs: did someone know, if you can switch the glued in display from an old Macbook Pro 2011 13/15/17["] Late/early with another screen, maybe from Samsung with IPS or?

 

[spruce72]

We know, thanks. But in fact, that app really doesnt adjust the brightness. Just colors. But it´s the only app that works.

I am using Quickshade from the app store, working great.

 

[SackBiscuit]

Is it possible to work with this ? Or is it just gone? It’s a 17” macbook that I got it recently near to nothing.
@dosdude1 you mentioned a digram for the physical wiring mod for the 17”,Would you mind sharing it here?

 

[Analias]

Is it possible to work with this ? Or is it just gone? It’s a 17” macbook that I got it recently near to nothing.
@dosdude1 you mentioned a digram for the physical wiring mod for the 17”,Would you mind sharing it here?

What do you mean is it too far gone? What is wrong with it?

 

[Analias]

Is it possible to work with this ? Or is it just gone? It’s a 17” macbook that I got it recently near to nothing.
@dosdude1 you mentioned a digram for the physical wiring mod for the 17”,Would you mind sharing it here?

Oh OK, I see now. Have the pads been torn off or what's the deal with them?

They just look dirty to me. Give em a rub with some flux and a hot tinned iron and they'll come back.

 

[SackBiscuit]

Oh OK, I see now. Have the pads been torn off or what's the deal with them?

They just look dirty to me. Give em a rub with some flux and a hot tinned iron and they'll come back.

There is no sign of any previous work done to this board I thought The pads are just dirty too but I’m not really sure.I’ll try to clean them before going with wiring solution.

 

[spruce72]

There is no sign of any previous work done to this board I thought The pads are just dirty too but I’m not really sure.I’ll try to clean them before going with wiring solution.

A pencil eraser will clean pads and then wipe off with alcohol swab. The gMux firmware replacement is a much better solution in my opinion.

 

[BrattishBenny]

Hey I've got a question I'm hoping someone can help me out with! I've got a 2011 macbook pro that I THINK has the gpu issue. Basically, the laptop will randomly shut down, and kernel panic. The panics are always different, but a computer repair shop said it was likely the GPU. However, that's the only symptom. I can run graphically intensive stuff and run things for typically an hour before it dies. When I try to disable the GPU via the different software fixes, the computer becomes unusable, and the screen goes all weird. I know that the dGPU is disabled because the computer won't sleep and brightness won't work (the gpu only disables after the first kernel panic after the software kext changes). Is it likely the GPU still?

 

[slimmy18222]

Ok, now my MacBook pro screen stop working. I tried to flash the gMUX "million" times. I think The IC was erased during my try and then now the MacBook started up with the chime and a black screen. This is so frustrating, i spent a lot of time and now i have no working mac at all.

Those are my flashing log:

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation.
Lattice Programmer Diamond (64-bit) 3.10.0.111.2 Command Line (Database V3.8.0)



System Information:
-----------------------------------------------------
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 8

64-bit

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4278U CPU @ 2.60GHz





Connected to Lattice Cable Server.
USB V2.0 detected.

Check configuration setup: Start.
File C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\28599\program\data\vmdata\database\xpga\xpld\XPLD.jed
has been modified since last check.Default using the modified file.
JTAG Chain Verification. No Errors.
Check configuration setup: Successful.
Device1 LFXP2-5E: FLASH Erase,Program,Verify

Number of Loop = 15/1200

--------------Row12--------------:
HDR 0
TDR 0
SDR 638 TDI(0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000)
Expected TDO(CBFFFB7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFF)
Received TDO(CBFFFB7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFF7FFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFE)
Bits Error 0251: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0250: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0232: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0231: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0213: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0212: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0194: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0193: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0175: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0174: Expected: 0 Received: 1
and more...
Execution time: 00 min : 08 sec

Failed in Function FLASH_VERIFY (see log file for more details)

Process Operation Failed.
Elapsed time: 00 min : 09 sec
Operation: unsuccessful.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation.
Lattice Programmer Diamond (64-bit) 3.10.0.111.2 Command Line (Database V3.8.0)



System Information:
-----------------------------------------------------
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 8

64-bit

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4278U CPU @ 2.60GHz





Connected to Lattice Cable Server.
USB V2.0 detected.

Check configuration setup: Start.
File C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\28954\program\data\vmdata\database\xpga\xpld\XPLD.jed
has been modified since last check.Default using the modified file.
JTAG Chain Verification. No Errors.
Check configuration setup: Successful.
Device1 LFXP2-5E: FLASH Erase,Program,Verify
HDR 0
TDR 0
SDR 32 TDI(FFFFFFFF)
Expected TDO(01299043)
Expected MASK(FFFFFFFF)
Received TDO(04A61043)
Bits Error 0027: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0025: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0024: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0020: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0019: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0018: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0017: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0016: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Execution time: 00 min : 00 sec

Failed in Function READ_ID (see log file for more details)

Process Operation Failed.
Elapsed time: 00 min : 01 sec
Operation: unsuccessful.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation.
Lattice Programmer Diamond (64-bit) 3.10.0.111.2 Command Line (Database V3.8.0)



System Information:
-----------------------------------------------------
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 8

64-bit

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4278U CPU @ 2.60GHz





Connected to Lattice Cable Server.
USB V2.0 detected.

Check configuration setup: Start.
File C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\20778\program\data\vmdata\database\xpga\xpld\XPLD.jed
has been modified since last check.Default using the modified file.
JTAG Chain Verification. No Errors.
Check configuration setup: Successful.
Device1 LFXP2-5E: FLASH Erase,Program,Verify

Number of Loop = 14/1200

--------------Row3--------------:
HDR 0
TDR 0
SDR 638 TDI(0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000)
Expected TDO(FFFFFFFBFDFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF7FBFEFF7FDFEFFBFDFF7FBFEFF7FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF)
Received TDO(FFFFFFFBFDFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF7FBFEFF7FDFEFFBFDFF7FBFEFF7FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFE)
Bits Error 0005: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Execution time: 00 min : 08 sec

Failed in Function FLASH_VERIFY (see log file for more details)

Process Operation Failed.
Elapsed time: 00 min : 09 sec
Operation: unsuccessful.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation.
Lattice Programmer Diamond (64-bit) 3.10.0.111.2 Command Line (Database V3.8.0)



System Information:
-----------------------------------------------------
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 8

64-bit

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4278U CPU @ 2.60GHz





Connected to Lattice Cable Server.
USB V2.0 detected.

Check configuration setup: Start.
File C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\23225\program\data\vmdata\database\xpga\xpld\XPLD.jed
has been modified since last check.Default using the modified file.
JTAG Chain Verification. No Errors.
Check configuration setup: Successful.
Device1 LFXP2-5E: FLASH Erase,Program,Verify

Number of Loop = 14/1200

--------------Row125--------------:
HDR 0
TDR 0
SDR 638 TDI(0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000)
Expected TDO(FF7577BABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFEEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF)
Received TDO(FF7577BABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEFDD5DFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFEEAEFDD5DFBABBF6577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF7577EEAEF7577EEAEFDD5DFBABBF)
Bits Error 0189: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Execution time: 00 min : 08 sec

Failed in Function FLASH_VERIFY (see log file for more details)

Process Operation Failed.
Elapsed time: 00 min : 09 sec
Operation: unsuccessful.

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation.
Lattice Programmer Diamond (64-bit) 3.10.0.111.2 Command Line (Database V3.8.0)



System Information:
-----------------------------------------------------
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 8

64-bit

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4278U CPU @ 2.60GHz





Connected to Lattice Cable Server.
USB V2.0 detected.

Check configuration setup: Start.
File C:\Users\ALESSA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\29729\program\data\vmdata\database\xpga\xpld\XPLD.jed
has been modified since last check.Default using the modified file.
JTAG Chain Verification. No Errors.
Check configuration setup: Successful.
Device1 LFXP2-5E: FLASH Erase,Program,Verify

Number of Loop = 14/1200

--------------Row542--------------:
HDR 0
TDR 0
SDR 638 TDI(0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000)
Expected TDO(FFFFFB7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFF)
Received TDO(FFFFFB7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFDFFFEFFFFBFFFF7FFFEFFFFF)
Bits Error 0063: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0062: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0044: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0043: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Bits Error 0025: Expected: 1 Received: 0
Bits Error 0024: Expected: 0 Received: 1
Execution time: 00 min : 09 sec

Failed in Function FLASH_VERIFY (see log file for more details)

Process Operation Failed.
Elapsed time: 00 min : 10 sec
Operation: unsuccessful.

 

[dosdude1]

Ok, now my MacBook pro screen stop working. I tried to flash the gMUX "million" times. I think The IC was erased during my try and then now the MacBook started up with the chime and a black screen. This is so frustrating, i spent a lot of time and now i have no working mac at all.

Those are my flashing log:

Yep, you're going to need to add a ~100pF capacitor between the TCK and GND lines, as mentioned on the DeMux webpage. Otherwise, removing the L2406 inductor before flashing, then re-install it after flashing will most likely work as well.

 

[slimmy18222]

Yep, you're going to need to add a ~100pF capacitor between the TCK and GND lines, as mentioned on the DeMux webpage. Otherwise, removing the L2406 inductor before flashing, then re-install it after flashing will most likely work as well.

Thank you @dosdude1, hear that the black screen is due to the erase step of programming reassures me, but in fact i already use a ~100pF capacitor. I will give a try removing L2406

 

[nomeutente]

Yep, you're going to need to add a ~100pF capacitor between the TCK and GND lines, as mentioned on the DeMux webpage

Previously it was 10pF. Is it better with 100?
For me it was fine with 10pF too, but maybe it is worth trying with a bigger capacitor.

 

[dosdude1]

Previously it was 10pF. Is it better with 100?
For me it was fine with 10pF too, but maybe it is worth trying with a bigger capacitor.

I've found that 100pF actually works somewhat better. However, it is still dependent on the stubbornness of the particular machine being flashed.