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Released October 2008 / 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8 or 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor

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late 2008 mbp random freeze/total lockup

Hello All, I'm working on a late 2008 Macbook Pro 15" (2.4GHZ; 4GB Memory, Dual Channel. 9400m only)

i recently had to replace a drive in this system about a month ago, replaced with 256GB SSD.

unit is back and client complained about

freezing/heat/strange spinning sound.

ran full hardware test using Apple Hardware Test.

all test pass.

unit locks up after about an hour using the latest tech tool pro v7. totally frozen but no loss of power.

pulled the SSD and tested it in a dock with DriveDX which states drive is 100% good.

Also check unit has latest EFI firmware and SMC firmware.

Noticed link aggregation for the sata 3 drive was only at 1.5GB/s which i realize is a limitation of the nvidia sata controller.

installed 2 other HDD's in the system and installed several versions of OSX from 10.5 to 10.9 also checking software updates for any fixes released by apple.

issue still present regardless of drive, attempted NVRAM and SMC reset.

opened up unit, fans where clogged with debris, cleaned debris from fans and cleaned system board and reassembled unit

unit doesn't appear to be getting hot istat pro states hottest temp is 51C.

Replicating the issue on several drives and via usb flash boot indicated the Drive is not the issue.

if anyone is good with console ill post my results here. last thing i got before the freeze was

mds: unable to talk to lsboxd.

about to install OG SSD back in unit and compare console logs but this is a real head scratcher

for me

is it possible that the GPU or CPU overheated and is now toast? i Am most likely going to repaste the gpu and cpu for additional testing, any help appreciated.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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This machine has the GeForce 8600M GT GPU. It was the most common failure on this series of machines. Apple offered a free replacement program for 4 years after a class action law suit forced them to. There are reballing services offered on eBay and also GPU replacement services. You have to determine if it's economically feasible in your situation.

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actually,I think you are referring to the early and mid 2008 Macbook Pro's. the late 2008 was the first uni-body with 2 GPU's this was the low end model and only has the 9400 integrated graphics, the 2.53 model had the 9600GT. I'm very familiar with it as i personally owned the 2.53 with the 9400/9600GT combo. Also I've been apple certified since 2009 and work on these for a living. this is the first time I've seen this issue and wanted some assistance, I've verified fans working properly and normal RPM, however even after just booting cold after sitting for a day the heat-sinks are extremely hot only after a couple of minutes of booting.

Going to re paste tomorrow, if it doesn't fix I'm thinking its either bad CPU or logic board. I've extensively tested and cant see anything else as the problem.

but if it was the cpu overheating wouldn't it shutoff instead of freezing? i would imagine if it hit thermal load it would shutoff not Lock up completely.

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You are correct, my error on the 8600.

I changed the icon from the a1226 to the A1286. Personally I'd use a thermal sensor gun and test the temps on the CPU and GPU. Let me know what you find and I may be able to help find a place to rework them. Or if in a hurry, just spend the $324.70 for an Apple flat rate repair, if Apple hasn't listed it as end-of-life yet. I too, am surprised at the freezing instead of shutdown.

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wickerstick will be eternally grateful.
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