Test your MacBook for random shutdowns
Some MacBook owners around the web are reporting a 'random shutdown' issue, where the machine will - as you might guess - seemingly shutdown at random; either during work or patiently idling for your next command. If you haven't experienced this issue yourself yet but are still concerned about it, The Apple Files has devised an unofficial test to see if you might be a victim. The test involves entering a few simple commands into the Terminal and testing a few things over roughly half an hour of your time. Just to be thorough, the author recommends running this test two or three times to be sure, but it's really up to how paranoid you're feeling. Again, this is an unofficial test, and we haven't seen any official reports or announcements from Apple on this issue, its cause or how widespread it might be, but it's simply nice to have options, hey?
[via digg]
Share
Categories
Some MacBook owners around the web are reporting a 'random shutdown' issue, where the machine will - as you might guess - seemingly...
Add a Comment
While not the same exact problem, my blackbook often does not responsively wake from sleep if I rapidly close then reopen the screen. The computer will seem to be 'off', but if I wait 10 - 20 secs, it re-awakens.
I do notice that it is more prone to this behavior if the computer has not been restarted for some time -- say a few weeks.
I don't mean to speak for other's experiences, but I wonder if their computers are not shutting down but are instead experiencing extended sleep? A problem all the same, but maybe a different problem...
Sent mine to apple for the second time, this time they replaced part # APP-333-0553 MOD, 512 MB, DDR2 667MHz, SAM C (whatever that is). Unforunately this did nothing and it still shuts down all the time.
Anyone know what exactly this part is?
pinskerj@yahoo.com
I have a white Macbook upgraded with 2 GB of non-apple RAM. The computer was fine for several months and then all of sudden it would randomly shut down. I brought it to the local apple store and they kept it to test and found nothing.
The problem continued to happen until I went away for a week. I got back installed the latest updates and have not had a single shutdown since (huge knock on wood). Nothing else has changed configuration wise.
I figured it was something apple knew about and somehow fixed in an update.
Unfortunately I feel Apple doesn't seem to really have a clue yet...its a pain. Its only going to get worse in about a month, when all the college kids with their new macbooks start shutting down on them.
August 29 2006 at 10:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGee, no test needed here. My sweet-looking black MacBook has RSS (Random Shutdown Syndrome). I'm on my second logic board :( Guess that wasn't the right fix there Apple!!! Three shutdowns yesterday, and one today translates into one expensive paperweight. What? Bring it in you say? They are clueless about the solutions - that's why Apple is silent.
I'm hoping they'll come up with a firmware fix or something. A recall would be a pain. Remember back in 2003 when AirPorts just wouldn't work right? Eventually, they pushed out a fix and all was well. But, dang. What a pain, what a pain.
I have the same problem.. be surfin' the net and then it just shuts off. Very annoying. I installed 2 1gb sticks right after I bought it. It is usually pretty hot when this happens.?
August 29 2006 at 5:12 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI bought my MB (1.83ghz) upgraded RAM to 1gb about three weeks after they hit the stores. My RSD started about 3.5 weeks ago, some days are worse than others with 5+RSD and then there are many days between a RSD. Who Knows??!!
I'm holding on until it becomes impossible to work with in hopes that Apple can figure out what is causing the RSD. I don't want to send it in just to have it happen again..........
I'm glad (well, maybe glad isn't the right word...) that I'm not alone in this problem. Most often it's when I open up my macbook pro, but has happened once or twice while using it. I haven't run the test yet, but it will be intrestig to see what it comes up with.
August 28 2006 at 9:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFrom my personal experience, this problem seems to be that the CPU gets hot too quickly for the temperature sensors to switch on the fans and something shuts the whole computer down. If I am able to gradually ramp up the CPU so that the fans are already on when CPU load gets heavy, the shutdowns don't occur.
August 28 2006 at 7:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI've used my MacBook for a total of 5 hours in between sending it to Apple. Its now on its second trip back. They are unable to reproduce the issue.
August 28 2006 at 7:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- Refurb Apple MacBook Air Laptops: 12" 64GB SSD for $699 + free shipping
- JVC Motion Sensing Clock Radio with Dual iPod Docks for $55 + free shipping
- Apple iPhone Headset with Mic for $4 + $2 s&h
- miFrame Picture Frame Dock for iPad for $64 + $8 s&h
- Refurb Apple iPod nano 8GB MP3 Player for $99 + free shipping, 16GB for $119
- Hannspree Apple-Shaped 28" 1080p LCD HDTV for $270 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3



25 Comments