2011MBP doesn't boot

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Well this time the video test finally failed, and the rep seen the pics of the screwed up video feed on the monitor. So double whammy. Getting it fixed. This tech guy said I didn't need any old hardware back in to have it fixed which confused me and I explained what the last techie said. Maybe the last techie and I had a miscommunication *shrugs* but I'm happy it's being fixed!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Got the MBP back and it's running fantastic! So happy! They even fixed a few things that weren't on the list to fix!

Cold boot, and restarts all begin with a flashing symbol of the world then go into the Apple logo. This never happened before. Why is it doing this every time?

Thanks for your time and help

 

[dclive]

Got the MBP back and it's running fantastic! So happy! They even fixed a few things that weren't on the list to fix!

Cold boot, and restarts all begin with a flashing symbol of the world then go into the Apple logo. This never happened before. Why is it doing this every time?

Thanks for your time and help

Change your startup disk to ... your startup disk.

 

[secretanchitman]

Change your startup disk to ... your startup disk.

PRAM reset your machine - hold down command, option, P and R right as you turn on your computer (before you hear the Apple chime) and it should reset the startup/boot sequence back to default/your hard drive.

Glad everything worked out for you!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

PRAM reset your machine - hold down command, option, P and R right as you turn on your computer (before you hear the Apple chime) and it should reset the startup/boot sequence back to default/your hard drive.

Glad everything worked out for you!

Thank you! Me too! Loving it so far! Although I did have a scare when I tried your suggested method. It boots fine now but the first time I did the command option P & R method there was a weird video corruption that briefly came up, wasn't quick enough to snap a pic but it was something like before where the video was f'd up. I hope that's not a bad sign. Do you think there is still a problem with the video? It seems to be working OK now, but it's only been one reboot since I tried the command option P & R boot.


@dclive Thanks!

 

[AMFinder]

There were two possible solutions to fix a MacBook Pro 8,2 with failed AMD GPU :
1) Pay a sh!tload of money to Apple to replace a logic board, or buy it from eBay ---> very expensive and will also fail after some time
2) Either do BGA reballing ($50) or BGA reballing with AMD chip replacement ($35) to guarantee a success, less than $100 in any case

Any of these two solutions requires money... But now there is a third solution,
a purely software fix which you can do for FREE :
it is possible to completely disable a discrete GPU by a EFI variable, forcing it to use integrated only all the time (even while booting!) to make MBP usable again!
Here are the instructions - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/force-2011-macbook-pro-8-2-with-failed-amd-gpu-to-always-use-intel-integrated-gpu-efi-variable-fix.2037591/

After this wonderful purely software fix, the failing discrete GPU is completely disabled
and you can't even enable it in gfxCardStatus

P.S.
All the questions and comments regarding this solution - better to post to this MacRumors thread,
because I can't promise that I will be checking all the places of Internet where I spread this instruction

 

[KeithP]

First they said in order to take advantage of the warranty and have the video fixed I had to replace the broken CD drive with their certified CD Roms. Then I had an aftermarket SSD installed and I had to reinstall the old HDD. Long story short I couldn't take advantage of the warranty due to financial reasons.

I am not a lawyer, however isn't crap like that what the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act was designed to protect against? They can't force you to use their "certified" parts. Any lawyers out there feel like weighing in on this?

-KeithP

 

[CuriousMike]

As an owner of three 2011 Late Macbook Pro's that all failed due to this issue, it's great you found a solution.

I had all three of them (mine, wifes and daughters) motherboards replaced during the Apple program.

I also had SSD's in two out of three, and had to put the stock drives back in (including re-installing the DVD drive in mine.)

I'll keep your process bookmarked in case the second mobo decides to die.