macbook-pro-2011-defective-gpu-fix-v2.md

Works for macOS Sierra and High Sierra (Improved version)

Taken from StackExchange

Thanks to LangLangC

For temperature and other improvements see https://gist.github.com/cdleon/d16e7743e6f056fedbebc329333d79df

This method leaves brightness control enabled

Reset SMC

Shutdown, unplug everything except power and hold

leftShift + Ctrl + Option + Power 

I holded for 5 seconds, but holding just for an instant should work

Reset NVRAM: Power up and hold

Command + Option + p + r

Until you hear the startup chime two times.

Shutdown computer

Power up and boot into Single User Recovery by holding

if you are on high sierra 10.13.6+ you might need to use Command + r instead

Command + r + s

Disable SIP (This takes a bit to complete so wait for it)

csrutil disable

Disable Discrete GPU on boot by running

nvram fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9:gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00

Enable verbose boot mode (This will show text everytime you boot up, shutdown or restart your mac)

nvram boot-args="-v"

Reboot

reboot

Boot into Single User-mode by holding

Command + s

It might look as if it hanged, but press enter and you should see the shell (root#)

Mount root partition writeable

/sbin/mount -uw /

Make a kext-backup directory

mkdir -p /System/Library/Extensions-off

Move ONLY ONE offending kext out of the way

mv /System/Library/Extensions/AMDRadeonX3000.kext  /System/Library/Extensions-off/

Inform the system to update its kextcache:

touch /System/Library/Extensions/

Reboot

reboot

It will show a bunch of text in the screen (don't be alarmed, let it finish) and then it will restart again In second restart it will show text in the screen again and then it will show normal login screen Your computer now should work properly (dGPU off and iGPU on, shown as i in gfxCardStatus

BIG CAVEAT FOR APPLE UPDATES

If an update that contains changes to the AMD drivers is about to take place it is advisable to move back the AMDRadeonX3000.kext to its default location before the update process. Otherwise the updater writes at least another kext of a different version to its default location or at worst you end up with an undefined state of partially non-matching drivers.

After any system update the folder /System/Library/Extensions has to be checked for the offending kext. Its presence there will lead to e.g. a boot hang on Yosemite and Sierra, an overheating boot-loop in High Sierra.

Hi there! Your system may need an EFI update to boot from APFS file system. Please boot up with your former macOS Plus file system drive and install the EFI Bootrom update that you can download here:https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/QmZ5KmpG4SeHF8gWrHmoLcG9a3BNAcWWQoERg4q2J1kuQL/OfficialAPFSFWUpdate.zipOtherwise, format the SSD and continue using macOS Plus file system so your Mac will be able to boot. Once you install all High Sierra updates, the EFI bootrom should be updated automatically if your battery is charged and the charger connected: the Mac will reproduce a long beep and show a gross loading bar. I hope that this helps and best regards from Spain, Alberto M. Da Silva Pereira remac.es Enviado de Samsung Mobile -------- Mensaje original --------De: wulfhunter ***@***.***> Fecha: 25/9/22 11:00 (GMT+01:00) Para: cdleon ***@***.***> Cc: mnemos2000 ***@***.***>, Mention ***@***.***> Asunto: Re: cdleon/macbook-pro-2011-defective-gpu-fix-v2.md @wulfhunter commented on this gist. Any help on what I can do? restore disk from Time machine copy, or install MacOS on another MBP, or boot from CD/dvd or external HDD and install system to new SSD Thank for the reply. I don't have access to no 1 and 2. Tried booting from USB or hdd recovery (via option on startup) doesn't recognize the drives. —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

Hopefully battery is now charging?On the network install .. couple of silly questions?Booting from ROM image loader is at least starting and signs of successful network access are apparent?Do you have another (older) disk to try just to be 100% sure new disk is not defective or somehow incompatible?On Sep 24, 2022, at 22:42, wulfhunter @.> @. commented on this gist. Alright so I've got MBP 2011 15". The original HDD has died on me and now using a b/new SSD, installed a new battery as well. On boot up i'm getting a screen with a question mark in a folder. Trie


d the internet recovery method, bar progresses to 100% then just a white blank screen. Seems like I can reset SMC but not NVRAM. Any help on what I can do? —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

Thanks mate, not sure what ROM image loader is, but attaching pics of the process. Checked a HDD and a uSB both not detecting. Battery is a b/new one fully functional. After the bar progresses to 100% its just a white screen.

Hi there! Your system may need an EFI update to boot from APFS file system. Please boot up with your former macOS Plus file system drive and install the EFI Bootrom update that you can download here:https://cloudflare-ipfs.com/ipfs/QmZ5KmpG4SeHF8gWrHmoLcG9a3BNAcWWQoERg4q2J1kuQL/OfficialAPFSFWUpdate.zipOtherwise, format the SSD and continue using macOS Plus file system so your Mac will be able to boot. Once you install all High Sierra updates, the EFI bootrom should be updated automatically if your battery is charged and the charger connected: the Mac will reproduce a long beep and show a gross loading bar. I hope that this helps and best regards from Spain, Alberto M. Da Silva Pereira remac.es Enviado de Samsung Mobile -------- Mensaje original --------De: wulfhunter @.> Fecha: 25/9/22 11:00 (GMT+01:00) Para: cdleon @.> Cc: mnemos2000 @.>, Mention @.> Asunto: Re: cdleon/macbook-pro-2011-defective-gpu-fix-v2.md @wulfhunter commented on this gist. Any help on what I can do? restore disk from Time machine copy, or install MacOS on another MBP, or boot from CD/dvd or external HDD and install system to new SSD Thank for the reply. I don't have access to no 1 and 2. Tried booting from USB or hdd recovery (via option on startup) doesn't recognize the drives. —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

Downloaded the update from Apple Support, your link seems to be broken? Installed the previous HDD. Screen with EFI Boot comes up after pressing Option during boot, nothing else. I press on EFI boot then a black screen with some text and blooms to white. See below images please.

Lots of boards available on ali-express - much better source than eBay for these. I bought a spare for my machine for less than $300 CAD,  shipping included. Board came from Singapore.  Looks good, but have yet to need to try it out.

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On 2022-04-19 12:30 p.m., tronnyjenkins wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello, hopefully this doesn’t disrupt your comments. Does anyone know if there are certain 2011 logic boards that work, or do all 2011 (15”) fit? I think I will order one on eBay to hopefully fix mine as I think it finally gave up. I still use the machine to work on my car. On Apr 19, 2022, at 8:25 AM, atrens ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.*** commented on this gist. ________________________________ Disk-clicking almost always means that the controller is struggling to read/re-read some unreliable areas on the disk media. In these cases I've rarely been able to retrieve data, maybe others have had better luck or can suggest things to stabilize. But this alone may not explain the white screen and reboot, that more than likely is the common failure in a component in the apple circuitry that powers up the nVidia graphics chip. Fixing it requires replacing a capacitor I think. I made this mod on our 2011 15-inch MBP, it required removing and replacing a small surface-mount capacitor needing use of a heat-gun-style solder station and a bit of patience - our 2011 MBP has been solid ever since. Before lashing out to attempt this repair I would first try booting without disk - these MBPs have a builtin firmware-based recovery manager, if you can't get to the recovery manager because of white screen that means you likely have this above-mentioned hardware issue. --Andrew On 2022-04-19 2:26 a.m., mrglutton wrote: > ***@***.**** commented on this gist. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > w > > Hi, I am fixing an early 2011 15-inch MBP. The battery doesn't > charge, when I power on the mac with the hard drive the disk drive > does something and then the hard drive clicks. It does it again > but this time the hard drive doesn't click and somewhat boots up. > An apple logo appears and then a bar appears. The bar gets to > halfway, the screen goes white, the hard drive clicks and then > turns off. It repeats this process again from the disk drive doing > something and then the hard drive clicking and it repeats this > process forever. same story with an ssd except the ssd doesnt > click, the disk drive does the thing and then stops, the disk > drive does the thing again and then the folder with a question > mark starts to flash. > > I have done this process (switching the ssd out for the hard drive > during the single user mode bits) and have done the touch > /System/Library/Extensions/ and rebooting. (using the hard drive > for this bit) It has come up with all of the text but has > completely stopped at IOConsoleUsers: gIOScreenLockState 3, hs 0, > bs 0, now 0, sm 0x0 and hasn't rebooted a second time. I haven't > tried to enter internet recovery while using the ssd as of writing > this but does anybody have any ideas to resolve this? > > If the drive clicks, that is usually "click of death", but if you get > the same issue with an SSD, then it might be it doesn't get enough > power for some reason. I would try another charger, and definitely try > to boot a linux off an USB stick. Tails is a good choice because it > uses Intel card. If the linux works, then a reinstall might help. > > — > Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub > <https://gist.github.com/d1eff7246a25193304284ecec40445b0#gistcomment-4137259>, > or unsubscribe > <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AR2TUHQEAE263YTSVBQD6TLVFZGYTANCNFSM4HJLZ7CQ>. > You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: > ***@***.***> > — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<https://gist.github.com/d1eff7246a25193304284ecec40445b0#gistcomment-4137706>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ASRJORMFRFMCDJD5Z4CMOUDVF2X43ANCNFSM4HJLZ7CQ>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***> — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/d1eff7246a25193304284ecec40445b0#gistcomment-4137937>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AR2TUHVLDOJZ3KDANMQFCBLVF3NTBANCNFSM4HJLZ7CQ>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

Wow. I did the heat gun trick and it came on. I’m surprised since I baked it before that the trick worked again. I’m on the 15” model. So, I have it on Catalina now, would it be recommended to go to Big Sur or Monterey or do the discrete disable process again and stick with Catalina? On Apr 19, 2022, at 11:21 PM, fromage9747 ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.*** commented on this gist.

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________________________________ @tronnyjenkins<https://github.com/tronnyjenkins> Follow a dissassembly video, give it a clean and heat up the GPU with a paint stripper heat gun. Not a hair dryer, a paint stripper heat gun. I use a kx2000k black & decker when my macbook misbehaves. Though I haven't had to do it again since moving to open core and disabling the GPU. Please use a Thermal Temp gun to check your temperatures. I don't let it go past 150 degrees celsius when heating the GPU. You don't need to do it for long. Its just enough to heat up the GPU. You aren't reflowing/reballing here. You just need to get it to boot, then follow my instructions in this gist of how to get Bigsur/monterey onto your Macbook and disable the GPU. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<https://gist.github.com/d1eff7246a25193304284ecec40445b0#gistcomment-4138645>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ASRJORIBLVJWNXQQIOYE4BDVF6A27ANCNFSM4HJLZ7CQ>. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

Oops, apologies, missed the context of the previous message.. my only concern with any external card thing, even usb based, is that it would need some basic software support and a lot of us are running older macos.

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On May 16, 2022, at 07:48, Andrew ***@***.***> wrote:  Heh, you can’t change gpu like you’d change up your favourite hat. :) >> On May 16, 2022, at 02:35, Nawmy ***@***.***> wrote: >> > ***@***.*** commented on this gist. > @Deckyruby @fromage9747 Thank you for your comments. > i stumbled upon something called "eGPU Graphics Card". Is it any good.? > Or is there any other solution? > Thanks in advance. > > — > Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. > You are receiving this because you were mentioned.

External Display (monitor) is working for me. I don't know if there is a way to make the Intel Graphics to use more Ram to support external monitors.

Dear friend, It will take the maximum RAM if you install more than 4GB up to 16GB.I hope that this helps and best regards from Spain, Alberto M. Da Silva Pereira Remac.es Enviado de Samsung Mobile -------- Mensaje original --------De: Desalegn ***@***.***> Fecha: 22/10/22 23:05 (GMT+01:00) Para: cdleon ***@***.***> Cc: mnemos2000 ***@***.***>, Mention ***@***.***> Asunto: Re: cdleon/macbook-pro-2011-defective-gpu-fix-v2.md @Dellu commented on this gist. External Display (monitor) is working for me. I don't know if there is a way to make the Intel Graphics to use more Ram to support external monitors. —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

Wow. I did the heat gun trick and it came on. I’m surprised since I baked it before that the trick worked again. I’m on the 15” model. So, I have it on Catalina now, would it be recommended to go to Big Sur or Monterey or do the discrete disable process again and stick with Catalina? On Apr 19, 2022, at 11:21 PM, fromage9747 @.> wrote: @. commented on this gist.
…

Wow. I did the heat gun trick and it came on. I’m surprised since I baked it before that the trick worked again. I’m on the 15” model. So, I have it on Catalina now, would it be recommended to go to Big Sur or Monterey or do the discrete disable process again and stick with Catalina? On Apr 19, 2022, at 11:21 PM, fromage9747 @.> wrote: @. commented on this gist.
…

How did you change to Catalina?
Did you need Patch?
May you help me ?

Hi, I may have just had a bad battery??? but to test this assumption, If I wanted to reverse the process outlined in the first post (re-enable discrete graphics) would I do the following :

1. move radeonx3000 kext back to extensions folder
2. enable SIP
3. Reset SMC
4. Reset NVRAM (does this reenable discrete graphics card)

(if not completely correct, your corrections would be much appreciated...)
Thank you...

Recomiendo a todos este enlace para solucionar problemas:
https://dosdude1.com/mojave/

Hello. After the ultimate reboot, it starts again, shows text again, starts again, shows text again, starts again non stop. Never reaching a point when it Opens up the page of my session. Could you help?

Hello
Finaly I found myself able to open up my session. Thanks a lot for your contribution. But I can't connect any external hard drive and I can't tune the volume or the size of an image in iPhoto or the volume in iTunes. No tuning seems to work.
Some of you might be interested to know that I managed to install Snow Leopard that offers the possibility of using plenty of applications that don't work anymore on those MacBook Pros. For that, I used a Mac book pro of before 2011 that accepts Snow leopard and installed it on this faster laptop of 2011. But now I can't reinstall Snow Leopard because the connection doesn't work any more.
Any suggestion will be really appreciated

Enviado desde mi iPhone El 7 jul 2023, a las 20:31, Presquezen ***@***.***> escribió:  @Presquezen commented on this gist.

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________________________________ Hello Finaly I found myself able to open up my session. Thanks a lot for your contribution. But I can't connect any external hard drive and I can't tune the volume or the size of an image in iPhoto or the volume in iTunes. No tuning seems to work. Some of you might be interested to know that I managed to install Snow Leopard that offers the possibility of using plenty of applications that don't work anymore on those MacBook Pros. For that, I used a Mac book pro of before 2011 that accepts Snow leopard and installed it on this faster laptop of 2011. But now I can't reinstall Snow Leopard because the connection doesn't work any more. Any suggestion will be really appreciated — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<https://gist.github.com/cdleon/d1eff7246a25193304284ecec40445b0#gistcomment-4622316> or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/A5K3XC4EM2NGD4DRCWABUVTXPBIXNBFKMF2HI4TJMJ2XIZLTSKBKK5TBNR2WLJDHNFZXJJDOMFWWLK3UNBZGKYLEL52HS4DFQKSXMYLMOVS2I5DSOVS2I3TBNVS3W5DIOJSWCZC7OBQXE5DJMNUXAYLOORPWCY3UNF3GS5DZVRZXKYTKMVRXIX3UPFYGLK2HNFZXIQ3PNVWWK3TUUZ2G64DJMNZZDAVEOR4XAZNEM5UXG5FFOZQWY5LFVA4TINBQGUYDMONHORZGSZ3HMVZKMY3SMVQXIZI>. You are receiving this email because you commented on the thread. Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS<https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675> or Android<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub>.

Another user SATISFIED with this thread and with the GREAT @cdleon and @artkirienko.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for this HUGE contribution and for saving our "old" MacBook Pro (early 2011 in my case, 17'').
In my case, it runs on MBP MacOS Yosemite 10.10.5 (latest version)

Some commands from the great @cdleon worked fine, but the second time the steps from @artkirienko worked fine.
After passing all the commands, it FINALLY booted the MBP with no problems and no black, gray screens or hangs. ALL WELL!!!! amazing!!!!!

Just now I upgraded the Hardware (16 Gb RAM, 1 Tb SSD and put the 750 Gb HDD in the DVD bay. I mounted the DVD in an external USB SATA box.

Already transferring all the data from the HDD to the SSD. 1 hour to go and everything seems to be running fine, 1 hour to go.... (fingers crossed)

Just to say that I signed up on GitHub to say thanks here to these two characters who shared their wisdom with ordinary users, GREAT!!!!

(If you come to Spain, let me know that the beers are on me!!!) ;D

Good to hear all these positive reactions. But can you tell me which steps you used from @artkirienko. Maybe my MBP (early 2011 ) will run better and more stable thenThksBenVerstuurd vanaf mijn iPhoneOp 7 aug. 2023 om 18:59 heeft PAFEROL ***@***.***> het volgende geschreven:Re: ***@***.*** commented on this gist.Another user SATISFIED with this thread and with the GREAT @cdleon and @artkirienko.THANK YOU VERY MUCH for this HUGE contribution and for saving our "old" MacBook Pro (early 2011 in my case, 17'').In my case, it runs on MBP MacOS Yosemite 10.10.5 (latest version)Some commands from the great @cdleon worked fine, but the second time the steps from @artkirienko worked fine.Just now I upgraded the Hardware (16 Gb RAM, 1 Tb SSD and put the 750 Gb HDD in the DVD bay. I mounted the DVD in an external USB SATA box.Already transferring all the data from the HDD to the SSD. 1 hour to go and everything seems to be running fine, 1 hour to go.... (fingers crossed)Just to say that I signed up on GitHub to say thanks here to these two characters who shared their wisdom with ordinary users, GREAT!!!!(If you come to Spain, let me know that the beers are on me!!!) ;D—Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub or unsubscribe.You are receiving this email because you commented on the thread.Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS or Android.                                                           

Good to hear all these positive reactions. But can you tell me which steps you used from @artkirienko. Maybe my MBP (early 2011 ) will run better and more stable thenThksBenVerstuurd vanaf mijn iPhoneOp 7 aug. 2023 om 18:59 heeft PAFEROL

Yes, of course and glad to help @smabe2021

If you load the whole reply thread, in 2019 @artkirienko (1st comment in the thread) transcribed step by step how he did it. I followed step by step exactly the same.
(If you compare, they are practically the same commands that the author of the post @cdleon transcribed in another order).
In case it helps you and if you read carefully (I recommend it if you are not familiar with UNIX commands and the terminal app as I am) they have done it from MacOS High Sierra (10.13.6 latest version) and I think the commands differ in some things, so for example, I had to use cmd+s+r (point 1 of @artkirienko) to boot in Single User Recovery mode as @cdleon said.
Another important thing, My MBP 17 was plugged to internet router with RJ45 cable, because when booting in recovery mode you need stable internet connection.

Finally, when you reboot in @artkirienko's process (point 4) and boot in recovery mode (point 5) keep pressing until you see the white text on black screen (verbose mode) and make sure you don't start to see a lot of "r" letters together... release the cmd+r keys !!!! DO NOT WAIT TO SEE the recovery mode screen with OSX reinstallation, utility disk... to release them.
Once you are there, you HAVE TO OPEN THE TERMINAL APPLICATION (utilities menu) to enter the following commands (points 6, 7, 8 and 9)
I hope I helped you!

Good to hear all these positive reactions. But can you tell me which steps you used from @artkirienko. Maybe my MBP (early 2011 ) will run better and more stable thenThksBenVerstuurd vanaf mijn iPhoneOp 7 aug. 2023 om 18:59 heeft PAFEROL

I forgot to tell you something important, sorry.

These steps are important for all those people who have an older MacBook Pro that is no longer repairable and have a bad GPU beyond repair.
Because what these steps do is to BYPASS the AMD Radeon graphics card on the motherboard and use only the Intel graphics card that I think is embedded in the CPU and thus thus not boot failed again and again because the graphics card or AMD Radeon GPU soldered on the board does not work, fails and makes the computer hang without being able to start it.

It is important to be clear about this

Regards to all

P.S.: I have read that some people have completely disassembled the motherboard and put it 8 minutes in the oven of their kitchen at 185º C "thinking" that this way the thermal paste of the Radeon Chip is "cooked" again... Seeing is believing and I don't dare to fry the whole motherboard and be without a computer forever. Too much risk and foolishness, don't you think?