switching graphics cards arch linux macbook pro

This github ticket from gpu-switch mentioned that it is possible to edit NVRAM variable directly from Single-User mode (boot by pressing Command-S) to replace step 1 and 2.

Add immutability to the gpu-power-prefs fileĬhattr +i '/sys/firmware/efi/efivars/gpu-power-prefs-fa4ce28d-b62f-4c99-9cc3-6815686e30f9'.Edit ( e) GRUB options to append nomodeset to Linux kernel flags.Hold Option key while booting and choose “EFI boot” (ArchLinux live USB).Download ArchLinux ISO from Arch Linux Downloads.This following steps are mostly copied from stackexchange for future quick reference. My MacBook Pro is working (well mostly, details below) with Intel integrated graphics card. The steps from the stackexchange post look scary initially but it turns out to be pretty simple. Looks like I am on my own now and I have to hack it myself.

Apple has a MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues program but my model is no longer eligible for this program. Depending on usage, it normally dies in 5-7 years. Many people are having the same issues from a simple Google search, like stackexchange and macrumors posts. Unfortunately, they don’t have any spare parts for my vintage model. I send it to Apple store and the diagnostic results confirm it is indeed the discrete graphics card problem.

This normally indicates a failed graphics card on my old laptop. After upgrading to Mac OSX High Sierra, I start to see split and blue screens on my MacBook Pro (early 2011).

Switching graphics cards arch linux macbook pro