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Model A1181: 1.83, 2, 2.1, 2.13, 2.16, 2.2, or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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My MacBook5,2 crashes randomly. Need help with diagnosis.

My MacBook5,2 (late 2009, Core2 Duo 2.13GHz, NVIDIA platform) crashes without clearly discernible cause.

In normal operation crashes occur randomly, usually within 3hrs after reboot, independent of load. Resetting SMC and NVRAM (via Option-Command-P-R) didn't help.

The funny part: Apple Hardware Test causes reproducible crashes, at the end of extended testing (progress bar nearly full, message says "test results", mouse pointer frozen, only power button helps). The quick test passes w/o any issues.

Also, I'm putting off backlight inverter&wiring replacement for about 3 months now (light goes on only after finding the "sweet spot"). (I replaced the LCD panel 2yrs ago, so I'm quite familiar with the device's internals.)

Q1: What's the cause of this? Did somebody encounter this behavior?

Q2: Could the issues (crashes+inverter) be interrelated?

Thanks a lot!

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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OP here, different account though (lost my login data). It turned out to be a different issue, the Crucial m4 SSD BSOD. It took me a day to finally find it...

Cleaning just about everything inside was good, though. The machine is much quieter now.

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Happy to hear you fixed your problem!

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Do you get a memory dump when it crashes or the system just freezes up?

Often I find memory modules or the socket connectors are bad. Try running with only one module in a given slot. Using a fresh pencil eraser gently rub the contacts (with the grain so you don't lift the contact) and then wipe down with a damp cotton swab (Q-Tip) with a 85% or better Isopropyl alcohol. You may want to swap out the modules as well with newer units (a matched pair).

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