Radeongate Macbook Pro 2011 Can't Start Up Normally

[subaiku]

Hi guys, I have a Macbook 2011 that used to have Yosemite on it and which I recently installed High Sierra. My Macbook had the Radeongate issue previously but I solved it with the solutions in the Radeongate thread. Thing is after I installed High Sierra and applying the same steps I have been unable to boot up the Macbook normally. It will freeze right as the loading page appears. I am however able to boot up in safe mode.

Any help/tips appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Darth Tulhu]

There's not enough model or issue info here, but I'll take a stab at it.

Are you getting a striped screen at boot? If so, your discrete graphics card is shot, so this is what I did for my MBP-17:

Note: I don't know your level of skill, so I'll make this as basic as possible

1. On startup, press and hold Command S to boot into the command line

2. Follow the following commands (the --text below are comments, don't type them in):

a. cd /Applications --takes you to the Applications directory

b. sudo vi start.sh --opens text editor and creates a file named start.sh

--You'll get prompted for a password, so enter your account admin password

c. i --This allows typing/pasting into the file

3. Copy and paste the below script into the start.sh file (right-click to paste when in the vi editor):

!bin/bash
nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
reboot

4. To save and exit the editor, hit the ESC key then type: :wq --(colon, write, quit)

5. Back at the command prompt, just type start.sh and hit Return

Your computer will now reboot normally, using the integrated card.

6. When booting again, repeat step 1, then type:

/Applications/start.sh

7. Hit Return and it'll boot.

Hope this helps!

 

[subaiku]

There's not enough model or issue info here, but I'll take a stab at it.

Are you getting a striped screen at boot? If so, your discrete graphics card is shot, so this is what I did for my MBP-17:

Note: I don't know your level of skill, so I'll make this as basic as possible

1. On startup, press and hold Command S to boot into the command line

2. Follow the following commands (the --text below are comments, don't type them in):

a. cd /Applications --takes you to the Applications directory

b. sudo vi start.sh --opens text editor and creates a file named start.sh

--You'll get prompted for a password, so enter your account admin password

c. i --This allows typing/pasting into the file

3. Copy and paste the below script into the start.sh file (right-click to paste when in the vi editor):

!bin/bash
nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
reboot

4. To save and exit the editor, hit the ESC key then type: :wq --(colon, write, quit)

5. Back at the command prompt, just type start.sh and hit Return

Your computer will now reboot normally, using the integrated card.

6. When booting again, repeat step 1, then type:

/Applications/start.sh

7. Hit Return and it'll boot.

Hope this helps!

Hi there, thanks for the reply... regarding the lack of info regarding model or issue, let me know what you would need to know and I'll do my best to answer. As for skill level. I'm just a normal Mac user, no skills at all in coding other than copy and pasting terminal code. So, basically a noob.

I don't get a striped screen at startup. I've taken a video of my Macbook starting up:

Video 16-09-2020, 6 54 00 PM.mp4

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

So... can I still use your solution?

 

[Steve G Kay]

There's not enough model or issue info here, but I'll take a stab at it.

Are you getting a striped screen at boot? If so, your discrete graphics card is shot, so this is what I did for my MBP-17:

Note: I don't know your level of skill, so I'll make this as basic as possible

1. On startup, press and hold Command S to boot into the command line

2. Follow the following commands (the --text below are comments, don't type them in):

a. cd /Applications --takes you to the Applications directory

b. sudo vi start.sh --opens text editor and creates a file named start.sh

--You'll get prompted for a password, so enter your account admin password

c. i --This allows typing/pasting into the file

3. Copy and paste the below script into the start.sh file (right-click to paste when in the vi editor):

!bin/bash
nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00
reboot

4. To save and exit the editor, hit the ESC key then type: :wq --(colon, write, quit)

5. Back at the command prompt, just type start.sh and hit Return

Your computer will now reboot normally, using the integrated card.

6. When booting again, repeat step 1, then type:

/Applications/start.sh

7. Hit Return and it'll boot.

Hope this helps!

Hello Darth,

Well I have the same issue but with the added problem of a blank hard drive. I switched logic boards with another used one and got the MacBook (17" Mid 2011) working long enough to attempt a High Sierra install and the graphics failed again part way through. Is there anyway to install your 'start.sh' file on my bootable USB install High Sierra stick?

Thanks - Steve