Or, with the SSD/HD still inside the errant 2011 MBP connect it to a working 2011 MBP via FireWire or Thunderbolt cable, using Target Disk Mode. Either remove it from the MBP, and USB it to another working 2011 MacBook Pro. You may download the file from my DropBox site here: (Click on the DOWNLOAD Button on the upper right side of the screen.) Ġ2 About the SSD/HD in the failing 2011 MBP. On a working Mac, download GFXCardStatus version 2.1. For the “Work-A-Round” to consistently work, SIP needs to remain inactive.Ġ1 Get the software. Launch the Terminal from the upper menu bar. Hold down Command-R key combinations on the keyboard immediately after pressing the power button to turn on the MBP, or immediately after the MBP begins to restart. SIP protects files, directories, and processes at the root level from being modified.) To disable SIP, Boot into the Recovery Drive. (Apple says, SIP stands for System Integrity Protection (SIP). I recommend you replace the battery before undertaking this project.Ġ0 SIP must be disabled before making the changes noted below. If your MBP has been “down” for some time due to this problem, there is a chance the internal battery is either drained completely, or will otherwise not function as a “good working Battery.” A battery in this condition, will not allow your MBP to boot up, even if the AC Adapter is connected and plugged in. ASSUMING THE DUAL GFX CARD IS IN FACT YOUR MBP’S ISSUE, properly done, your MBP will boot normally using the Integrated GPU and run quite well. Once configured, reboot the computer.īe patient. Once in, open the app and configure it per directions found later in this document. Once installed, boot the computer in safe mode (this assumes the Discrete GPU has already failed), this boots the Integrated GPU. The 13" Model is not affected by this problem. This applies to the 15 or 17 inch model, created early or late in 2011. Install an application (App) called GFXCardStatus, Version 2.1 into your 2011 MacBook Pro's Application Folder. SIP must be disabled before making the changes noted below. This work around does not involve running Linux, or Windows. It also turns off the GPU automatic switching capability. The “Discrete GPU” is what has or will fail. This procedure if successfully implemented forces the “Integrated Only GPU” into operation, and does not allow the “Discrete GPU” to function. Questions? Comments? Post them below or email us!īe sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.I have found and tested a successful work-a-round, for 2011 MacBook Pros with the known Dual Graphics Processor failure problem. This may be convenient for some users however, it is still an experimental feature so try or use it with caution.ĭownload gfxCardStatus from the developer's website, it's free! The screen will go blue and then black, but will then reappear and the secondary GPU will be used. While the program is built for the new Core i5 and Core i7 computers, I am able to run it just fine on a Core2 Duo system running the GeForce 9400M/9600M combination however, it is not supported and claims my system is running the GeForce 330M regardless of what GPU I have running.ĭespite this, the program does offer a unique advantage to users of the older MacBook Pro models, in that the GPU switching feature does allow for you to switch GPUs without logging out and closing down your applications. In addition to notifications and alerts, gfxCardStatus will list any processes that are using the current graphics processor, and allow you to manually switch the active GPUs on the system. If you have the Growl notification system installed, gfxCardStatus will inform you in real-time whenever the graphics processor is changed. When the system's computing demands change and the GPU is switched, this utility will show the switches in real-time, either by displaying an "n" (GeForce 330M) or a "i" (Intel HD) in the menu. GfxCardStatus is a small menu extra that displays which graphics card is the active one. The menu extra allows you to quickly change GPUs without logging out, including on older MacBook Pro systems. This is convenient however, Apple does not provide an easy way to manage the different GPUs on the system, and if you like to tinker you may find the utility gfxCardStatus useful, both for newer and older machines. On Apple's latest MacBook Pro systems, the dual GPU setup allows for dynamic switching between the onboard and discrete graphics chips to optimize performance and battery life, depending on the tasks at hand.
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