Does the macOS installer use GPU? I have an old Macbook Pro (15-inch, mid-2010). Unfortunately,


(mechanical, non-SSD) hard disk has bad sectors; it needs to be replaced,
the GPU is faulty, if it is in use, the kernel panics; sometimes within several minutes from the boot up.


I figured out the procedure for installing a new working hard drive, yet before I do that, I have to ask:

Does the macOS installer rely on GPU? If yes, is it possible to make the installer not to use GPU?
Is your Mac a dual-gpu model? I've seen cases where the descrete GPU goes bad and causes crashes, but if you disable it and go integrated GPU only, it will function normally. Worth a shot.