MacBook Pro freezes

Solved
billy 182 -  
TCK18 Posted messages 1 Status Member -
Hello,

Since yesterday I've been having some issues with my MacBook Pro 2011 (Snow Leopard). It all started when it froze for the first time: the screen was stuck, nothing was moving, and the music was looping (for about a second).
So I had to turn it off with the power button, and when it turned back on the screen was all messed up with horizontal black lines.
I searched a bit on the forum and tried resetting the PRAM at startup but it didn't change anything, it even crashed when booting from the installation CD.
I then tried to repair the system files with the command fsck -yf at startup and that worked. However, on certain programs my computer freezes again (but without the lines appearing on the screen). It freezes exactly at the same moment on the different programs: when I answer a call on skype, when I click on the "tools" tab in techtool, or when I "enter" my time machine. However, on the internet I can watch videos without any problem or listen to iTunes.
Additionally, it's a bit slow and only starts up one time out of two: the screen stays blue after the gray with the little spinning wheel under the Apple logo.

I've tried everything
-Repairing permissions
-Checking the disk
-Onyx
-Updates

So I've had my Mac for less than 2 years and no Apple Care.
Thanks for your upcoming responses,
See you later

Configuration: Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) / Firefox 19.0

6 answers

pierrephoto Posted messages 1534 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   364
 
Hello,

The stripes suggest a graphics card issue, but since this does not occur in videos, it is not certain.

Your hard drive may be too full; select the drive, then press "Command" + "I". The used space should not exceed 85 to 90% of its total capacity.

You can free up disk space with the Monolingual software here: https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7758/monolingual by removing unnecessary languages and architectures for you (but do not delete English under any circumstances).

You have done quite a few procedures.

Also try:

1) SAFE BOOT
To perform a safe boot, hold down the Shift key after your Mac has started. Release it when a gray Apple logo appears on the screen.
When your session is open, empty the trash, and restart normally.
(more info: https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201262 )
Once restarted, restart normally.

2) SMC RESET

https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201295

--
Best regards.
Pierre
1
pierrephoto Posted messages 1534 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   364
 
Perform an Apple Hardware Test:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257

--
Sincerely.
Pierre
0
Billy 182
 
I took the extended test (1 hour) yesterday but it didn't find anything!
The Apple store seems inevitable...
0
pierrephoto Posted messages 1534 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   364
 
It costs nothing before the Apple Store, you never know:

If you are on 10.6 up to date, meaning 10.6.8:
You could perform a combined update that rewrites the system
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=en_US&viewlocale=fr_FR

Then restart all the operations below:
1) Launch Onyx
Let it check the SMART status of the hard drive and the volume structure, then give it the password when it asks
Then click on the "Automation" button
Check all the boxes except "Show the contents of folders"
Click on "Execute"
Restart the Mac.

(Use Onyx once a week for maintenance and problem prevention. The next times, unless in special cases, it will be unnecessary to check: "launch services, show contents of folders, spotlight index).

(All these procedures are safe, but it is always recommended to back up all your data on another disk, or medium before any manipulation, and even during normal times).


2) NVRAM/PRAM RESET
A : Turn off your Mac.
B : Locate the following keys on your keyboard: cmd (?), alt, P and R. You will need to press them simultaneously at step D.
C : Turn on the computer.
D : Press and hold the cmd (?), alt, P and R keys before the gray screen appears.
E : Keep the keys pressed until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
F : Release the keys.

3) ZAP THE NVRAM AND PRAM
This maneuver allows you to reset, clear and initialize the Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM buffer. To do this, restart your computer and as soon as you hear the famous startup sound, immediately and simultaneously press the keys: cmd (?), alt, P and R, (you must press these keys before the gray screen appears). Hold these keys until you hear the startup sound again! Then release these keys!

Note: This operation may change certain system settings, such as volume or mouse speed. You will need to reconfigure these settings in "System Preferences".


4) START WITHOUT EXTENSIONS
To perform a start without extensions, hold down the Shift key after your Mac has started. Release it when a gray Apple logo appears on the screen.
When your session is open, empty the trash, and restart normally.
(more info: https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201262 )
Once restarted, restart normally.

5) SMC RESET

https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201295
0
billy 182
 
I've tried everything but nothing changes!
So I made an appointment at Apple and they told me it might be one of the RAM sticks that's malfunctioning, since I changed them about a year ago and didn't get Apple-certified ones. So for now I'm testing with the old sticks, and it seems to be working.
We'll see!
Thanks to you pierrephoto for your help,
See you!
0
billy 182
 
Well, even after changing the RAM, it's still crashing. The cause really remains undetectable; they ran a hardware diagnostic at Apple and found nothing.
I still have the same error appearing on the console, and I can't figure out what it means:

"rapportd[138] *** __NSAutoreleaseNoPool(): Object 0x8033c0 of class NSPathStore2 autoreleased with no pool in place - just leaking"

Do you have any idea?
Thanks in advance.
1
billy 182
 
After a more in-depth diagnosis, it is indeed a graphics card that is faulty, the AMD Radeon HD 6490M. So since it is integrated into the motherboard, it's €500 for a repair for a MacBook Pro that is less than 2 years old—what a rip-off.
Especially for such a crappy graphics card!
Thanks, Apple.
0
tuite
 
Yes, Apple really does screw people over! The maps should be free as compensation.
0
pierrephoto Posted messages 1534 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   364
 
Try requesting a goodwill gesture, especially since you were made to buy RAM for nothing.
0
TCK18 Posted messages 1 Status Member
 
Hello,
I noticed the same problem on my MBP 6,2 (Mid 2010) that I take good care of; indeed, after startup it would freeze after a few seconds of use. I thought it might be the graphics card and/or the motherboard, then I simply thought it could be due to a strong magnetic charge. Indeed, by bringing other electronic devices close to the screen, the horizontal black stripes and screen bugs faded. So I turned off the Mac and let it rest for 12 hours, then I completely disassembled it except for the top case, dusted it off and demagnetized it, and it’s working perfectly again. After doing some digging, I also noticed that my main SSD only has 5% of available space, so I’m going to upgrade it with double the capacity (Samsung SSD Series 840 Pro - 256GB 2.5" SATA III) combined with a Seagate 1TB running at 5400rpm for lasting storage of my documents.
Thank you for your advice.
Best regards.
0
Billy 182
 
Thank you for the response.
So my HD is not full: 350/500 GB
I emptied the trash in safe mode but nothing changes.
The SMC neither.

I ran an extended hardware test without success, everything seems fine.
I also considered a faulty graphics card (one out of two), so the computer would freeze only when it switches cards.
After the bug, I went to the console and I got this error message:
"Autoreleased with no place in pool- just leaking"

I'm a bit worried that the memory of one of the graphics cards may be damaged.
-1