MacBook repairs

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2006
7,876
SS Botany Bay
So I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro 17" which has a defective AMD GPU, a problem that has plagued many users. After much struggle to get them to acknowledge the problem, Apple had a repair program, but their solution was to replace old defective hardware with new defective hardware, so the problem returns after a while. And it is long past anyhow. The problem prevents the computer from booting up properly. I have employed some software tweaks that enable the machine to boot up and run for a while, but it is not even a semi-permanent solution.

There are some permanent hardware fixes that have been developed, which include soldering and other board work, that permanently disable the discrete AMD GPU, leaving the computer to function on the integrated Intel graphics. Not the best, but at least it enables the computer to function normally and reliably. The main fixes include installing the Tiresias GPUkiller board, or the DOSDude Demux reprogramming...both of which require very minor circuit board work. There is another fix, by Mac Mods, which is not quite as foolproof.

The problem is, I don't have the equipment or the technical ability to perform this fix. I've seen them on youtube but just can't do it. Does anyone know of someone or a place that has done this or is capable of doing this, either as a drop off in MA, or over the mail? There are folks in Europe who are doing this for between 100-200 dollars, but that obviously isn't a cost effective option.
 

Jungleland

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2009
2,351
Boston Iphone Repair just out of harvard square has been great in my experience - no idea if they can do what you've laid out (I had them replace my screen and keyboard), but worth a call for sure.
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,272
Boston Iphone Repair just out of harvard square has been great in my experience - no idea if they can do what you've laid out (I had them replace my screen and keyboard), but worth a call for sure.
He’s been great the few times I’ve been to him over the years as well.