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Released October 24, 2011 / 2.2, 2.4, or 2.5 GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 Processor

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Broken GPU -> Removed EFI password -> Black screen

Hello community,

I have a Late 2011 15” Macbook Pro bought in 2012. It had some upgrades done to it over the years and eventually the GPU died. We had it replaced many times but ultimate disabled in the firmware.

Then I somehow forgot the EFI password I set many years ago while reinstalling OSX. They did it in an Apple authorised service.

Now (since the firmware had to be reset) the problem is here again but now there is no display, just a black screen.

The machine chimes, responds to PRAM resets, tried reseting the SMC, takes charge and caps-lock lights up.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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If I understand you correctly you fully neutered the discrete AMD GPU, so it’s no different that a 13” MacBook Pro at this point.

If that’s the case are you able to see a bit of glow from the screen in a darkened room? If not are you able to press a flashlight against the lids Apple logo (a poor man’s backlight) and see your faint desktop and its icons?

You might want to see if an external keyboard, keyboard and mouse works when the display lid is closed. If it does they points to a display issue.

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8 Comments:

I can tell the AMD GPU was disabled only in firmware, since the keyboard backlight is now working after the firmware reset. It didn’t when the GPU was disabled.

There’s no glow on the screen and no icons visible when shining through the Apple logo.

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@theodorkarelkut - You’ll need to see if the system works in claimshell mode using the external monitor, keyboard & mouse.

If not your logic board will need repairs or replacement.

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It’s not displaying anything in clamshell mode on the external screen. It could be that I don’t have a proper Thunderbolt adapter and used MiniDP -> DVi -> Hdmi. But say we skip this step, what else can I do?

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@theodorkarelkut - Assuming that is a failed condition as well, the logic board has a problem which will need to be more deeply diagnosed. Do you have the tools and skills to do it?

Or you could just replace the logic board which I think is the smarter direction. The 2011 GPUs where just not very good, I would get a 2012 board which is almost a drop-in. There is a slight mod needed on the LVDS cable as Apple changed venders. A nail file is needed to file down the fiberglass tang with a few even strokes on each side so it properly fits without forcing.

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What specific skills / equipment are required? My skills were adequate

enough to find out that the Mac entirely boots and functions, just doesn’t display. And that it doesn’t look like the GPU issues these MacBooks had.

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Theodor Karel Kut will be eternally grateful.
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