macbook shutting off/overheating?

eth0_

Have any Irish users had this problem? I've had my Macbook 3 weeks now and several days this week it's shut down. Not 'shut down' in the normal way....it just switches off as if the battery has been removed.

If you try to turn it back on it just shuts off after a few seconds. I have to leave it for maybe 20 mins to cool down before it'll boot up again. I have the Core Duo temp monitor installed and it's getting as high as 75 degrees celcius on the processor which is fscking ridiculous IMO.

I get this kernel error in the system log around the time of shutdown:

hi mem tramps at 0xffe00000

Apparently this is a logic board problem.

Do Apple/O2 experience (where I bought it 3 weeks ago) generally just replace a machine if it f*cks up within a month?

K.O.Kiki

I'd imagine so; it should be within your consumer rights to ask for a replacement.
Or you could always do the silly thing & disconnect the thermal sensor for maximum coolness (and noise!)

Thumper Long

Apple's DOA period is 14 days from purchase, O2 will likely only send the machine back to Macivate for repair as they do with all their machines. Or you could try Apple directly over the phone and argue your case that you deserve a new macbook. Apple are often sympatetic to consumers where as they would tell O2 to feck off and repair the machine

eth0_

I've been told if I let them know i've been burnt (which I have) by the bottom of the case they'll definitely replace it as it's a health and safety issue.

ButtermilkJack

The MacBook switching off suddenly (rather than shutting down in the proper manner) could be caused by the battery expanding and disconnecting itself... due to overheating. There have been reports of this happening, and other side effects seem to be battery pushing up the keyboard from underneath which causes this to malfunction also.

I've got mine about 2 weeks now. I mainly only use it for a few hours in the evening. It's rarely on all day. But having said that, it gets so hot over at the top left-hand-side of the keyboard (after only an hour or so) that I can't hold down some of the keys for instance for anything longer than a second before it begins to burn.

It's a very worrying issue.

DiveBomB

Thats Odd for the Macbook to do that I know the Macbook Pro overheats to burning Point Apple's reply to this was the Macbook & Pro are Notebooks they are suspose to be placed on a Desk not your lab. Still its a bit stupid I Tought they were laptops Emm are Notebooks not laptops

K.O.Kiki

Hmm...
Damn, hope it isn't another logicboard problem...

ButtermilkJack

DiveBomB wrote:

Thats Odd for the Macbook to do that I know the Macbook Pro overheats to burning Point Apple's reply to this was the Macbook & Pro are Notebooks they are suspose to be placed on a Desk not your lab. Still its a bit stupid I Tought they were laptops Emm are Notebooks not laptops

Mine never leaves the desk. A nice flat desk with plenty of breathing space around the laptop, and my bedroom window open right next to the desk to allow cool air into the room... And I could still cook eggs on it!

eth0_

ButtermilkJack wrote:

The MacBook switching off suddenly (rather than shutting down in the proper manner) could be caused by the battery expanding and disconnecting itself... due to overheating. There have been reports of this happening, and other side effects seem to be battery pushing up the keyboard from underneath which causes this to malfunction also.

I've got mine about 2 weeks now. I mainly only use it for a few hours in the evening. It's rarely on all day. But having said that, it gets so hot over at the top left-hand-side of the keyboard (after only an hour or so) that I can't hold down some of the keys for instance for anything longer than a second before it begins to burn.

It's a very worrying issue.

Check your console logs for errors. I get a Hi Mem error which is a logic board error from what I can find out. If you're being burnt, bring it back and demand a replacement.

I'm ringing Apple this week to ask for a replacement, got burnt again last night. Oh, and it shut off after 20 minutes watching a DivX. No other applications were running other than VLC. :rolleyes:

Hugh_C

eth0_ wrote:

got burnt again last night.

Some MacBooks were shipping with a protective film of plastic over the vents, preventing proper cooling. This didn't happen to you by any chance? Check the vents.

hc

eth0_

Unfortunately no :-(

ChipLdr

I have encountered this problem.I bought my macbook from the states and have it a week now. It has shut off unexpectedly whilst lying on my bed and it does get quite hot!!! Placing it on a solid surface however brings no problems. I bought the ol Apple care protection plan so that I dont get screwed by the 1 yr warranty crap that laptops come with.

I have to admit with bootcamp installed its an awesome machine so i hope Apple release an update soon to rectify this "overheating"

Urban Weigl

It doesn't sound like an overheating problem, but rather a bad batch of batteries. Does it only shut off while running off battery? If that's the case, call Apple and they'll UPS you out a new one.

eth0_

Urban Weigl wrote:

It doesn't sound like an overheating problem, but rather a bad batch of batteries. Does it only shut off while running off battery? If that's the case, call Apple and they'll UPS you out a new one.

No, it's a logic board fault, a known and common fault.
It happens even when my macbook was on A/C power with the battery removed.

Mine was (hand delivered!) to one of Apple's service centres on Monday, wasn't looked at til yesterday morning, and they've ordered a new logic board (why would they not keep these things in stock??) - I won't have it back til next week.

K.O.Kiki

Maybe... Apple should look into buying/engineering fans that are always-on (but quiet) and/or better at moving air...
Or, y'know, make the Macbooks a few mm thicker. Don't think anyone would complain (much!)

rinnin

There was a firmware patch released recently for the Macbook that was meant to address the fan issue. ( http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbooksmcfirmwareupdate.html )
Just wondering if anyone tried this and if it solved their problems?
Thinking of getting a Macbook before Uni in Sept but dont want all these problems.:(

K.O.Kiki

Check out the thread here -- 2 positives.

Redhairedguy

My Macbook is so cool now, i could chill a salad on it!

It's actually not even warm, and it's been left on for 2 days!

rinnin

Thats good news. Pity I didnt think of that before going and buying a Mac mini instead of a new MacBook. Oh well.

girldef

Have had problem with MAC shutting down by itself regularly each day. It is not when it is hot though and you have to wait a few minutes before turning it back on or it just shuts itself off again.
Found on a forum that it has something to do with the PMU (Power Management Unit). They advised resetting it by taking out the power cord and the battery and holding down the power button for 5 seconds.
It hasn't restarted since (7 hours and counting..)

rinnin

girldef wrote:

Have had problem with MAC shutting down by itself regularly each day. It is not when it is hot though and you have to wait a few minutes before turning it back on or it just shuts itself off again.
Found on a forum that it has something to do with the PMU (Power Management Unit). They advised resetting it by taking out the power cord and the battery and holding down the power button for 5 seconds.
It hasn't restarted since (7 hours and counting..)

Thats unfortunate. I take it you have a MacBook as you didnt specify which type of Mac you have but heres a link to reset the PMU on a MacBook:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
Hope this solves your problem.
R

(Resetting PMU on other types of Macs:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300552 )

girldef

rinnin wrote:

Thats unfortunate. I take it you have a MacBook as you didnt specify which type of Mac you have but heres a link to reset the PMU on a MacBook:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
Hope this solves your problem.
R

(Resetting PMU on other types of Macs:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300552 )

Yes sorry it is a Macbook. I have done this already and all is good for the last 7 + hours.
Fingers crossed
Thanks

rinnin

girldef wrote:

Yes sorry it is a Macbook. I have done this already and all is good for the last 7 + hours.
Fingers crossed
Thanks

Sorry. When you said "it" (the problem) hadnt restarted for the past 7 hours I thought you meant the MacBook.

tywy

i ordered a macbook yesterday, has this problem been solved or is it still happenning to newer macbooks?

eth0_

ALAS!

One month after getting my Macbook back from the repair place, after getting a new logic board...it's started shutting off again. It's done it about 4 times since Monday.

Going to call Apple today. At this stage all I will accept is a replacement or my money back (which I SHOULD have been offered considering the faults developed 3 weeks after purchase!). This laptop is not fit to be on sale. There is clearly some deeper issue/design flaw. I'll bring this to the small claims court if I have to.

tywy

uh oh!

Hugh_C

eth0_ wrote:

This laptop is not fit to be on sale.

Man that's bad news! Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

eth0_

I got nowhere with the CSR, he told me they would NOT replace it unless it has had three major faults(!!!!) and to go back to where I bought it. I told him o2 won't replace it because Apple said they won't refund them or provide them another stock unit. He said "Well that's an issue with their supplier".

Round and round in circles.

So I emailed their customer service manager, he's going to gather the case details and get back to me.

Honestly, I can't see myself buying another Apple product if this doesn't get resolved ASAP. I cannot be without this laptop for another week while they repair it. Have Apple never heard of a goodwill gesture?! Do you have to shame them into replacing defective goods, like the Dublin guy who publicised the fact he was going to walk to cork with his iMac because it would be quicker than waiting on their courier service (why do iMac and iPod customers get a courier collection and Macbook owners don't?).

TempestSabre

Because Apple usually need to forced by enough bad press or a class action in the US to address issues like that. The iPod got enough bad press that they had to do something. Don't know about the iMac.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34034

I'd say Apple will do something about it in a few weeks.

eth0_

Well well well, my faith in Apple is restored.

After emailing the European support manager yesterday, he rang me earlier to say he had reviewed my calls, and was not happy with the way my issue was handled, nor with the support I was given.

He has authorised a replacement Macbook!

I *think* the firmware upgrade I applied last night *may* have fixed the problem, as I was able to watch a divx movie last night and it didn't shutdown, but the manager said the offer still stands, if I want to call him next week and let him know.

Very happy.

TempestSabre

Kudos to the European support manager!

Urban Weigl

I guess I won't buy from the O2 store... Personally, I'd recommend buying from a good local Apple authorised dealer, like Galmac Computers Ltd (www.galmac.ie), or from Apple's online store directly (www.apple.com/iestore/).

That way I know I'll be taken care of in the event of a problem. My take on all of this is that when Mac's were more expensive than PC's, and used custom high quality hardware (like SCSI hard drives, etc), they were unbreakable. Nowadays, Mac's use the same hardware as PC's, and are made in the same factories. Obviously you get the better software, and Apple rates highest in customer satisfaction, so they must be doing something right, but you're still getting a PC as far as the components are concerned... you're getting standard SATA hard drives that can fail. You're getting an Intel chip. You're getting an Intel motherboard. And so on. The advantage is you're paying about the same.

eth0_

Ah, problem remains, 6 shutdowns so far since I got home at 6pm.

Urban Weigl

Ouch, that doesn't sound good, definitely take him up on the offer to exchange it for a new one and keep us posted.

Redhairedguy

Aye! If nothing else I'd be curious to see what Mac's customer service is like!

daveyjoe

Guys just to let you know. I have it on pretty good authority that the problem is not related to the logic board and it is not related to the battery.

The problem is caused by faulty heatsinks.

A logic board replacement will not fix the problem.

Hugh_C

daveyjoe wrote:

The problem is caused by faulty heatsinks.

Is this the old thermal paste issue? Too much goo prevents the correct dissipation of heat?

daveyjoe

hughchal wrote:

Is this the old thermal paste issue? Too much goo prevents the correct dissipation of heat?

No, actually a German guy found out the exact problem yesterday, The phenomenon seems to be caused by the cable between the heat sensor and the CPU’s heat sink being too short.

http://macbookrandomshutdown.com/2006/09/03/shutdown-solved-sensor-cable-in-cause/

Urban Weigl

hughchal wrote:

Is this the old thermal paste issue? Too much goo prevents the correct dissipation of heat?

That was debunked recently. MacBook's and MacBook Pro's come with the correct amount of thermal paste after all. I'll post the link if I can find it.

The issue of it shutting off, according to Apple (just read this on MacInTouch), is that some MacBook's have faulty heat sensors that over-report the temperature. E.g. it think it's hotter than it is, and shuts off as a result. That would tally with the previous poster as well.

Hugh_C

Urban Weigl wrote:

think it's hotter than it is, and shuts off as a result. That would tally with the previous poster as well.

There seems to be a bit of debate on the blogs mentioned above. There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer...

It's such a shame that a minority of machines are ruining Apple's reputation.

daveyjoe

hughchal wrote:

There seems to be a bit of debate on the blogs mentioned above. There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer...

It's such a shame that a minority of machines are ruining Apple's reputation.

It may be a minority but it's a pretty big minority. I'm writing this off of a macbook now and it's got the random shutdown problem, I've seen suggestions that over 10% of macbooks have the problem.

I'm gonna wait until the support guys know exactly how to fix the problem before I send mine back.

Other the the RSD problem I am totally in love with my macbook.

Urban Weigl

Some (possibly) useful information about the random shutdown problem is here:
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/macbook/index.html#sep05

I'm sure most machines are fine as all the "real life" people I know who have MacBook's don't have problems, and obviously hardly anybody who does not have a problem is going to write in to a troubleshooting site, but at the same time I am sure there is a problem that needs to be fixed with some MacBook's. Whether that's 1%, 5%, 10% or 15%, I don't know, so I'm not going to speculate. For all I know, it must just be that it's selling so well, there are more reports. Or there might be a genuine problem with 10% of machines that need to go in for warranty repair or replacement. What I do know is that this tends to be a common problem with technology products, whether that be Mac's, PC's, or any kind of electronics.

Oh yeah, and whether 0.1% of machines are affected or 15%, there is one more thing I know: Apple must provide you with timely repair or replacement of your defective product to your satisfaction. That is what warranty is here for. If I have a problem with a computer, or any product for that matter, and it's under warranty and wasn't my fault (e.g. I didn't drop it), I'm going to demand satisfaction. Not only that, but I will also report about my experience to anybody who will listen, including postings on forums and writing to sites like MacInTouch and MacFixIt.

As far as my own experience, my MacBook is perfect, though I only got it yesterday, and I'm inclined to believe the random shutdown problems are related to faulty heat sensors, as I have read that this is the most plausible explanation. Should I ever have a problem with it, I am not only going to demand a fast fix from Apple, but also post about it on here and other forums.

eth0_

My replacement macbook was sent out yesterday.

Urban Weigl

Thanks for the update.

A quote from today's edition of MacFixIt:

MacBook (13"): Apple acknowledges sudden shutdowns in Knowledge Base article
Apple has finally acknowledged an issue we've covered extensively in recent weeks: sudden, seemingly random shutdowns exhibited by various MacBook (13") models.

The Knowledge Base article states simply:

"If your MacBook is shutting down intermittently, please contact AppleCare for service."

As such, if you are experiencing sudden shutdowns, you should refrain from attempting any do-it-yourself repairs and return the unit to Apple for service, as they have likely identified the proper defective components and should offer a quick turnaround time.

eth0_

Ok, I got my replacement Macbook yesterday evening. Going to stress-test it this weekend. Fingers crossed!!

Urban Weigl

eth0, try this: http://techpaedia.com/apple/2006/08/27/testing-your-macbook-for-random-shut-downs/

I tried it on mine and it's fine. The validity of the test suggested is disputed, but it can't hurt. Due to your post and somebody else on boards who is having the same issue, I asked a few friends of mine with MacBook's if they'd ever had random shutdowns, and none of them had.

eth0_

Urban Weigl wrote:

eth0, try this: http://techpaedia.com/apple/2006/08/27/testing-your-macbook-for-random-shut-downs/
.

Cheers, i left it for nearly an hour last night and it didn't shut down, also the fan is much quieter...my dodgy macbook sounded like a jet plane about to take off when I did the same.

I think the test is good, it shuts down my dodgy macbook every time!

nmcintosh

eth0_ wrote:

Well well well, my faith in Apple is restored.

After emailing the European support manager yesterday, he rang me earlier to say he had reviewed my calls, and was not happy with the way my issue was handled, nor with the support I was given.

He has authorised a replacement Macbook!

I *think* the firmware upgrade I applied last night *may* have fixed the problem, as I was able to watch a divx movie last night and it didn't shutdown, but the manager said the offer still stands, if I want to call him next week and let him know.

Very happy.

could kindly email me the email address of the European support manager
please...i have the same problem 1 month after purchasing my 2.GHZ white macbook...and when i check the discussion fourum on this particular problem
its actuall closed

my email address nathaniel.mcintosh@gmail.com

Topic: Macbook Randomly Turns Off
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=544012&tstart=0