Macbook Pro - Sudden Shutdowns

Maybe you need a new logic board?

[quote|QEIIRepair]Maybe you need a new logic board?[/quote]

Very likely connected.. If the fans don't work.. it overheats and shuts down.. its like driving down the street without a radiator in your car..

[quote|matthewfrey]Very likely connected.. If the fans don't work.. it overheats and shuts down.. its like driving down the street without a radiator in your car..[/quote]

They might be connected, but I the shutdowns started about 2 years ago, while the fan noise started about 6 months ago.

Also, it doesn't seem to be a pattern as to when the MBP suddenly shuts down. I can happen after it has been used extensively for hours, but it also occurs while it is booting up (not over heated).

Perhaps I need a new logic board AND a new right fan?

Viking

[quote|Viking]They might be connected, but I the shutdowns started about 2 years ago, while the fan noise started about 6 months ago. Also, it doesn't seem to be a pattern as to when the MBP suddenly shuts down. I can happen after it has been used extensively for hours, but it also occurs while it is booting up (not over heated). Perhaps I need a new logic board AND a new right fan? Viking[/quote]

I've also just started having this problem with a 2 year old Core Duo 2 MacBook Pro. Mine just shutdown after the machine was on for less than 5 minutes, so I doubt it has anything to do with overheating, at least in my case. I already reformatted the drive and restored my data just a week ago.

I did notice on startup this last time that the monitor image was fairly whacked for a second before coming into view properly. I would guess a logic board issue, as well.

[quote|msmallwood]I've also just started having this problem with a 2 year old Core Duo 2 MacBook Pro. Mine just shutdown after the machine was on for less than 5 minutes, so I doubt it has anything to do with overheating, at least in my case. I already reformatted the drive and restored my data just a week ago. I did notice on startup this last time that the monitor image was fairly whacked for a second before coming into view properly. I would guess a logic board issue, as well.[/quote]

I had similar shut down w/my PB aluminum./. Pram battery was suspect but I change that and still have problem... now my PB won't even run on battery but a/c is fine.. I think it needs a new dc board, it's a huge job to change.

[quote|fotoguzzi]I had similar shut down w/my PB aluminum./. Pram battery was suspect but I change that and still have problem... now my PB won't even run on battery but a/c is fine.. I think it needs a new dc board, it's a huge job to change.[/quote]

I have had the same problem with my MBP Core 2 Duo. Looking at the MagSafe plug on the power adaptor, I noticed some of the pins were shorter than they should be. That, and it looked like there might be scorch marks.

I think my infant slobbered on the MagSafe plug without me realizing, so it was wet when I plugged it in. Since I have replaced my power brick a month ago I don't recall having a shutdown problem.

My other thought is shutdowns could happen if the battery gets bumped loose. I believe that happened once and I found the battery latches became dislodged.

[quote|bjhanifin]I have had the same problem with my MBP Core 2 Duo. Looking at the MagSafe plug on the power adaptor, I noticed some of the pins were shorter than they should be. That, and it looked like there might be scorch marks. I think my infant slobbered on the MagSafe plug without me realizing, so it was wet when I plugged it in. Since I have replaced my power brick a month ago I don't recall having a shutdown problem. My other thought is shutdowns could happen if the battery gets bumped loose. I believe that happened once and I found the battery latches became dislodged.[/quote]

I have seen this happen with a bad hard drive. The drive would cause the odd things. I changed the drive and it's been fine since. I'd suggest testing the hard drive and seeing if that might have something to do with it.

[quote|Sarabian]I have seen this happen with a bad hard drive. The drive would cause the odd things. I changed the drive and it's been fine since. I'd suggest testing the hard drive and seeing if that might have something to do with it.[/quote]

I had same problem.

One night, went to do my banking... opened the lid, 5 seconds then off...

My Macbook Pro had been known to do funny things on waking, so I tried again, 5 seconds then off...

Restarted, power button, battery out and in, ram... I tried everything.

5 seconds then off.

Took it into Apple, they replaced the logicboard at $1400... thank god for Applecare.

Got it home, was using for 10 minutes then off.

Took it in again, they replaced the logicboard at $1400 and the topcase... once again, thank god for Applecare.

Got it home... Worked mostly fine, occasionally it wouldn't wake properly from sleep... but a week later the DVD drive wouldn't allow disks to be inserted.

Took it back to Apple, they replaced the DVD drive... once again, thank god for Applecare.

Got it home, and with only 15 days remaining on my warranty ran into some more wake issues and graphics card.

I rang up, complained, spoke to Apple "Customer Relations", and now im getting it "Replaced", my three year old Macbook Pro replaced by a new unibody.

THANK GOD FOR APPLECARE.

So take it in, get it fixed, and if you have a string of problems like me, persist (nicely) for a replacement!

[quote|Levi777]I had same problem. One night, went to do my banking... opened the lid, 5 seconds then off... My Macbook Pro had been known to do funny things on waking, so I tried again, 5 seconds then off... Restarted, power button, battery out and in, ram... I tried everything. 5 seconds then off. Took it into Apple, they replaced the logicboard at $1400... thank god for Applecare. Got it home, was using for 10 minutes then off. Took it in again, they replaced the logicboard at $1400 and the topcase... once again, thank god for Applecare. Got it home... Worked mostly fine, occasionally it wouldn't wake properly from sleep... but a week later the DVD drive wouldn't allow disks to be inserted. Took it back to Apple, they replaced the DVD drive... once again, thank god for Applecare. Got it home, and with only 15 days remaining on my warranty ran into some more wake issues and graphics card. I rang up, complained, spoke to Apple "Customer Relations", and now im getting it "Replaced", my three year old Macbook Pro replaced by a new unibody. THANK GOD FOR APPLECARE. So take it in, get it fixed, and if you have a string of problems like me, persist (nicely) for a replacement![/quote]

I finally tracked my issues down to overheating. (MacBook Pro 2ghz Core Duo).

My GPU is on the way out me thinks. I've drawn this conclusion as I often get coloured 'gradients' on my screen and artefacts in my QuickTime movies - the usual signs. It's a bit of a bugger. While this often means a new logic board, you CAN be lucky.

(a) Sometimes it's just dust and muck in your fans. (follow the fan removal instructions on iFixit and clean 'em out!)

(b) Sometimes it's a thermal paste issue.

(c) sometimes, your fans are spinning fast enough. (mine were always at 999rpm but 1,500rpm+ seems to be more appropriate.

Yep, my MacBook Pro is the original. It's a dinosaur to some, but it's only 3 years old. I don't do extended warranties, as they're a con. Which! in the UK have campaigned for years against them and I feel that if a $3,000 piece of kit can't last 5 or more years, then they owe you a new one regardless.

Anyway, here are two handy (FREE!) tools to show you what's happening:

(1) iStat Pro Widget:

http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/

You can check your temperatures with this fantastic widget, which looks at other things too. A great, good looking diagnostic tool.

(2) smcFanControl:

http://www.eidac.de/?cat=4

Let's you speed up your fans if you're getting overheating issues.

cheers,

matthk

PS: Just one of the articles about extended warranties.

http://www.cleveland.com/pdq/index.ssf/2...

[quote|matthk]I finally tracked my issues down to overheating. ('''MacBook Pro 2ghz Core Duo'''). My GPU is on the way out me thinks. I've drawn this conclusion as I often get coloured 'gradients' on my screen and artefacts in my QuickTime movies - the usual signs. It's a bit of a bugger. While this often means a new logic board, you CAN be lucky. '''(a)''' Sometimes it's just dust and muck in your fans. (follow the fan removal instructions on iFixit and clean 'em out!) '''(b)''' Sometimes it's a thermal paste issue. '''(c)''' sometimes, your fans are spinning fast enough. (mine were always at 999rpm but 1,500rpm+ seems to be more appropriate. Yep, my MacBook Pro is the original. It's a dinosaur to some, but it's only 3 years old. I don't do extended warranties, as they're a con. Which! in the UK have campaigned for years against them and I feel that if a $3,000 piece of kit can't last 5 or more years, then they owe you a new one regardless. Anyway, here are two handy (FREE!) tools to show you what's happening: '''(1) iStat Pro Widget''': http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/ You can check your temperatures with this fantastic widget, which looks at other things too. A great, good looking diagnostic tool. '''(2) smcFanControl''': http://www.eidac.de/?cat=4 Let's you speed up your fans if you're getting overheating issues. cheers, matthk PS: Just one of the articles about extended warranties. http://www.cleveland.com/pdq/index.ssf/2008/11/consumer_reports_advises_again.html[/quote]