New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Sudden Shutdowns?!

post #1 of 19
8/25/06 at 1:01am
Thread Starter 
I've had two occasions so far where my Macbook just suddenly shuts off. Screen turns off, computer completely off. I have no idea why. The first time, I was in the car while I was passing it up to the front seat. No jerks or bumps - just a simple handoff. The second time was while my fiance was sitting absolutely still with it. I can't figure it out. I tried jiggling the battery to see if it was a loss of power, but that wasn't it.

Has anyone else experienced this or is it a known problem in Macbooks?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 19
8/25/06 at 1:35am
yes random shutdowns are a problem with the Macbooks. Kevin Rose, whom you may know from the podcast Diggnation has a black Macbook and it has this problem as well.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 19
8/25/06 at 1:38am
You're gonna have to call Apple and get the logic board replaced, AFAIK.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 19
8/25/06 at 2:04am
Thread Starter 
Is there a link I can reference to Apple Care, or a reference number to the problem? Thanks for the help guys.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 19
8/25/06 at 2:12am
Thread Starter 
I found this. I will be calling AppleCare tomorrow:

http://theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33915
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 19
8/31/06 at 10:46pm
There is a huge thread about this issue on the applecare website. I bought a Macbook last Friday and within a day I started seeing the random shutdowns. I took it back to the Apple store and had it exchanged and so far so good... not that means much because there are lots of accounts of people only seeing the problem after months of use.

I'm just hoping I got a "good" one and don't have to deal with sending it in for repairs down the road. Isn't one of those new Apple ads one where the PC guy kept crashing... seems like bad karma now


John
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 19
9/3/06 at 9:03pm
Thread Starter 
Well I haven't experienced anything since my encounter in the OP...until today. I had to start up my Macbook three times before it finally stopped shutting down on me. It happened soon after I booted up, the computer was not hot, and it almost looked like it was experiencing a loss of power. I traded my PC for this laptop so I haven't transferred my Applcare. He can't find the receipt. So I think I may be boned on this issue - or I will have to shell out big bucks in order to get it fixed.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 19
9/4/06 at 1:20am
If he registered the laptop with Apple the Applecare is linked to it by it's serial number.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 19
9/4/06 at 4:27am
Thread Starter 
yeah but technically the applecare is in his name still, so i won't be able to get any service on it.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 19
9/4/06 at 3:03pm
Just tell them you bought it from him and if they have a problem to call the number listed on the account.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 19
9/5/06 at 3:27am
Thread Starter 
I was reading the technicalities of the Transfer to New Ownership clause in the Applecare terms - I have to supply a number of things, including a receipt of the original purchase. I'm going to try and call in anyway to see if they can fix it for me.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 19
9/8/06 at 7:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kakaze
You're gonna have to call Apple and get the logic board replaced, AFAIK.

that happened to me exactly about a month ago. it seems to be fine after the repair so far. we shall see.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 19
9/25/06 at 3:49pm
Thread Starter 
Well I sent my Macbook in for repair the first week of September and I'm just now getting it back tomorrow. Three weeks seems to be the time of repair for this problem. Let's hope they did it right the first time. =/
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 19
9/25/06 at 4:10pm
Here's a question. I have a macbook pro. I've had 4 instances of instant shutdowns as well. Each time it'll be from sitting with it, completely still but after it's been running for a couple hours. I'm wodering if the battery is just too low to keep it running. If this is the case can someone tell me if there is a warning that should be popping up to let me know that i've only got x percent battery left? Also is it possible that it is just getting too hot? Once again, shouldn't there be a warning for this if it's the case. Each time that I plug it in right after it shuts out it starts right back up. Obviously this leads me to believe just low battery but I can't get any warning, the battery icon doesn't even look more than 1/2 used and bam, there it goes. Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 19
9/25/06 at 6:27pm
Check and see if your battery is one of the ones that was recalled.

10 minutes before the battery dies the system should pop up a warning letting you know, but if the battery is defective this might not happen.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 19
9/27/06 at 8:50pm
Thread Starter 
They replaced the heatsink and fan inside of it. Maybe it was overheating?
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 19
9/28/06 at 4:43am
If that's all they replaced maybe it was. How is it so far?
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 19
9/30/06 at 1:08am
Thread Starter 
Well it's working great. At first when it booted up, I got a white screen and red vertical lines. So I took it in and they went through a mutated version of Windows "three-finger salute". He held down Option+Apple+R+P keys and pressed the power button. He continued to hold them down until he heard a chime. Apparently this is a quick way to "reset video card cache/settings".

After this everything worked out great - they even gave me a top palmrest replacement for the yellow discoloration! If only it took less than 3 weeks. But hey, I'm happy now.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 19
9/30/06 at 2:15am
That sounds like a PRAM reset. Basically like resetting the BIOS on a PC.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Apple Notebooks