Macbook Pro: disable Win7 discrete GPU with no screen access

macbook-pro gpu boot-camp integrated-graphics discrete-graphics

9,587

install Parallel desktop and run your windows in it by adding your bootcamp system. You can run Parallel desktop with integrated graphics only.

9,587

yellow-saint

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

yellow-saint almost 2 years
Backstory

It's a well-documented problem with Macbook Pro 2011 models that from 2014 onwards, the discrete GPUs that are automatically activated and deactivated (or whatever, I'm not going to pretend I know all the words) have started burning out, dieing and generally being a pain.

Last week it happened to mine, and after learning about the problem and figuring it out, I disabled (i.e. moved to the desktop) the AMD + ATI GPU driver files on my OSX partition, via single user mode, to prevent the discrete GPU from firing up at launch.

Result: my Macbook Pro lives on, powered by the integrated graphics.

The Problem

I now wish to boot up into my Windows 7 (Bootcamp-augmented) system, but when it starts, the screen cuts to black, signalling to me at least that it too is trying to utilise the dead discrete GPU.

Required help

So, without getting to the Win7 desktop, I need to somehow disable/delete/move whatever drivers/settings are allowing Windows 7 to use the discrete GPU, and force it to instead rely ONLY on the integrated graphics.

Is there a way to do this with a Win7 equivalent of Mac's single user/shell mode?

Key details / tl;dr
- Macbook Pro 2011; OS 10.8 and Win7 partitions
- Discrete GPU is bust; OSX relying on integrated graphics, Win7 still trying to use bust GPU
- Black screen on Windows 7 boot; no control
- How do I disable discrete GPU, force win7 to use integrated graphics, with no screen access to system?
- and31415 about 10 years
  
  You should start Windows in Safe Mode, open the Device Manager, uninstall the discrete GPU driver, and then disable the driverless device - for good measure.
- pacoverflow about 10 years
  
  I too have a 2011 MBP with the discrete graphics problem. I have researched this issue enough to know that while you can have Mac OS X only use the integrated graphics, it is impossible to have Windows 7 on a Boot Camp setup only use the integrated graphics. I'm going to send mine out to a repair shop to have them install a new GPU - hopefully that plus the resoldering will permanently fix the problem.
- yellow-saint about 10 years
  
  @pacoverflow Why is this? I didn't think Bootcamp was so deeply integrated with Win7.
- yellow-saint about 10 years
  
  @and31415 I'll give that a try and report back, cheers.
- pacoverflow about 10 years
  
  @J.B. It has to do with Boot Camp not exposing the fact that there's also an integrated graphics chip to Windows, so Windows only thinks there's a discrete graphics chip. While Mac OS X will sometimes use the integrated and sometimes use the discrete, Windows 7 on a Boot Camp setup will always use the discrete.
- yellow-saint about 10 years
  
  @pacoverflow Presumably a non-bootcamp Win7 install could be a feasible workaround?
- yellow-saint about 10 years
  
  @and31415 Unfortunately that didn't work, same response as with normal windows bootup. I'm guessing this relates to pacoverflow's information.
- pacoverflow about 10 years
  
  @J.B. Apparently it is possible to install Windows on a MBP without Boot Camp and Mac OS X, see this question: superuser.com/questions/64842/…. Please let us know how it goes if you try it!
- yellow-saint about 10 years
  
  @pacoverflow I believe I successfully did this once. I think that'll be my only chance. I'll backup my files this evening and report back tomorrow. Thanks for the info!
- yellow-saint about 10 years
  
  Unfortunately the Windows install disk also blacks out the screen, leading me to believe it comes with drivers ready to plug in. I'm putting this problem on hold as it isn't extremely urgent for me, but an answer could still be appreciated.
yellow-saint about 10 years

I wish I could say that worked, but it seems even Win7 Safe Mode utilises drivers that activate the conked-out GPU. pacoverflow mentions in the discussion above that bootcamp effectively blocks Windows from utilising the integrated graphics, so that's probably it. I'm going to install a non-bootcamp system on an external drive, then go through the process you mentioned above. I'll report back; thanks for the help!
yellow-saint about 10 years

Unfortunately the Windows install disk also blacks out the screen, leading me to believe it comes with drivers ready to plug in. I'm putting this problem on hold as it isn't extremely urgent for me, but an answer not involving safe mode could still be appreciated. Cheers for your time nonetheless.
G-Man Says 'Reinstate Monica' about 9 years

Good for you! But, didn't you notice that the question says that, when Windows 7 boots, the screen goes black? How can the OP follow your instructions if he can't see the menus, buttons, and icons?