This Video-Tutorial shows you how to fix your MacBook Pro 15" i7 Processor discrete GPU problem.
Mac Released an announcement about a Faulty AMD GPU installed in some MacBook Pros and iMacs (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167). The Problem is apparently generated due to overheating of the GPU, however, some users had complaint that even after a new Motherboard replacement the problem persisted few minutes after they booted the computer for the first time. Apple offered a free motherboard replacement for specific models and only for limited time; If your mac was out of the timeline or did not fit the specified description then you will "Only" had to pay $350. Sucks Doesn't it? I mean we already pay a substantial amount of money for Mac products and yet they want more money, corporate greed?
So the problem starts when you suddenly experience a hang on the system, this may vary for some users, I forced Rebooting and BOOM!! there it was, a pinkish low resolution apple that only leaded me to a gray and sometimes blue screen. So I was like lok no problem my system just want attention and all I have to do is a PRAM rest. Well, nothing, went more deeper and did a BIOS reset and still nothing. Ok, I was pissed because I recently upgraded to a SSD few weeks ago and based on my experience this also maybe caused if you have bad Hard Drive. So started the computer in Target Disk Mode and booted it as an external drive from another mac, the computer worked just great. My Next step was research the problem and I found thousands of users having the same issue. I spent 24 hrs reading Mac Support Forums and other pages and I figured that if I remove all the ATI Files form System/Library/Extensions will actually force the computer to start in Low Resolution Mode (Google How To Start your mac as a Single User Mode and research how to use command line "rm" commands). Once you do this you will find that your main screen will behave as if it was your external monitor therefore you have absolutely no control of it trying to fix the resolution. After two days of intense research and troubleshooting I was able to have the computer working, low resolution but working, then I realized I can't do nothing at all, I mean I can't miss Family Guy episodes and this aint gonna help :|. So this video shows exactly what you need to do to make it work.
First I want to explain why this Fix works and in what cases may not work:
What heating your GPU does is that in case that your card overheated some connections may had become loose as your logic board expands, basic thermodynamics, the heat will cause the soldering material to melt releasing the GPU pins from contact with the logic board. The heat coming form the heat gun can help to reconnect these pins. If you over heated your GPU and your card fried then your only choice is to replace it, which I don't think is possible without you having to pay for a new motherboard since the GPU is attached to it from factory.
Tools Needed: All can be found at any RadioShack Local Stores
1. PHH00 & T4 Screw Drivers
2. Thermal Compound
3. Circuit Cleaner (Rubbing Alcohol Works)
4. Heat Gun ( Can found at any Hardware store)
