Chosen Solution

These are the two screens that I keep seeing after I try to turn my 15” Late 2011 MacBook Pro on. It was shut down prior to this as I always let my computer die and I don’t keep it on the charger. I’d say the last time that I was able to use my computer, normally, was about last week. There was no sign of it being weird or acting out during that time. More Info About the Computer: I am the only owner of this computer which was purchased in Early 2012, and have kept it in great shape ever since. There’s a 500GB SSD in place of the optical drive and a 750GB HD from when I originally purchased it. It’s the 2.5 GHz version of when this model came out. What I’ve Attempted: I’ve already tried the NVRAM/SMC/and all other resets [numerous, and I mean NUMEROUS times] in addition to trying to boot in both recovery and safe mode—which it will not allow me to do as it goes to the Apple Logo with the progress bar and then, to the white screen only. No luck there. I’ve tried CMD + S where you are lead to the terminal screen as a “single user” and still haven’t been able to get it to boot up normally. Here’s a link to what I’ve tried, essentially: here, in addition to whatever the Apple Support page provides with this issue. I even went to calling Apple Support for about an hour and the representative, after telling him everything that I’ve tried, laughed because he was going to tell me to try everything that I already have. What I find hilarious is that my computer seemed to have stopped working as soon as I received my 12.9” 3rd Generation iPad Pro. Oof. All I want, at this point, is to save my hard drives. I want to be able to take them out and save what’s on then. Is this possible at this point? Do you think I should go to Apple and they’d be able to save this computer WITHOUT re-installing the OS and deleting everything off of it?Will buying an enclosure for the SSD and HD be salvageable? Or, at least, work? I greatly appreciate any help or advice at this point. I would like to avoid going to the Apple Store because we all know what that’s like, especially with an older device wayyy out of warranty. I am fine with just saving my hard drives and not so much the computer as I’m slowly walking away from Apple. I only want to own the iPad at this point. ;)

gfxCardStatus will disable the integrated graphics chip. Pull the drive and hook it up to another Mac via USB adapter. Download the https://gfx.io and install it and turn it on. Put your drive back in the 2011 machine and let her run. I’ve had great success using this on the 2011 15” machines.

Let’s give this a try restart your system and this time hold the T Key to enter in to Target Disk Mode. This bypasses the start up POST. You may need to clear the SMC by disconnecting the charger and battery, then press the power button for a good minute then reconnect the battery Reference Mac startup key combinations If you can get into Target Disk Mode your system is now acting like an external drive will will allow you to connect your failing system to another Mac via Either FireWire or Thunderbolt back to back Understanding the Applications for Target Disk Mode. Sadly I’m suspecting your dedicated GPU logic has failed. You’ll need to see if you can get someone to repair your logic board or replace it.

I experienced the same issue with my MBP 2011. It seems the AMD GPU bit the bullet. Before trying to flash some firmware, try this extensively documented software solution. But make sure to follow this tip if you are already on High Sierra, Single User Recovery Mode seems to be gone so you have to do it this way. My MBP is now back to a fully working condition but only the integrated Intel GPU is working. Games probably won’t run as nice as before but I am not much of a gamer. Sadly, connecting external monitors is now impossible. But I’ll wait until Apple get’s it’s keyboard act together before buying new hardware. Best of luck, hope things will work out fine for you, too. Dennis