MacBook Pro 15'' (Mid 2010) regularly crashes for unknown reason [duplicate]

Solution 1:

This is a known problem from Apple. I made a program to fix this issue. You can check it out here, it's free and open-source: https://github.com/julian-poidevin/MBPMid2010_GPUFix/

Gist of the above page to give more background to the solution:

MBPMid2010_GPUFix is an utility program that allows to fix MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) intermittent black screen or loss of video. The algorithm is based on a solution provided by user fabioroberto on MacRumors forums.

The bug is in hardware: it's due to a bad type choice on a decoupling capacitor used on GPU motherboard part

It has been detected that the problem happens every time that G-State change between 2 to 0.

G-States go from 0 to 3, are related to the thresholds inside AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext, like this:

G-state 0 (maximum speed) G-state 3 (lowest speed). The problem can be 'solved' by keeping it always at G-State 2 (medium speed). The linked program automates this task.

Although: as stated that the bug is manifest in hardware, the best fix is to replace this tiny and cheap component. The software workaround lowers the performance of the chip. The hardware fix will restore the machine to advertised specs.

Solution 2:

Found a solution that seems to be working in my case.

Go to Energy Saver (in System Preferences) and disable Automatic graphics switching.

This will affect performance, of course, but I haven't experienced any crashes since I did this.