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Q: MacBook Pro 2011 17" hard freeze

Overheat? The fans revved and suddenly I could use nothing but the cursor. Had to hold down the power switch to kill all and then re-power & startup. I wasn't doing anything unusual, but I had 7 apps open and was amid an auto-backup to TimeMachine.

Just a little disillusioned and concerned, wondering if anyone else there has experienced a hard freeze like this.

macbook pro 17" 2011, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 1, 2011 11:15 AM

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Q: MacBook Pro 2011 17" hard freeze

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  • by matthewadams,

    matthewadams matthewadams Mar 17, 2011 5:10 AM in response to Rensoom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 5:10 AM in response to Rensoom
    Just out of curiousity, has anyone had these freezings/hangs with an external monitor attached to the MBP ?
  • by kmac1036,

    kmac1036 kmac1036 Mar 17, 2011 7:25 AM in response to matthewadams
    Level 4 (2,360 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 7:25 AM in response to matthewadams
    my 20" cinema display & 2011 17" MBP run together very nicely. unchecked the auto gpu switching. ran BoinxTV - heavy GPU use - without any issue on tue for 1.5 hrs recording a meeting with soem gfx.
  • by VTGolfer,

    VTGolfer VTGolfer Mar 17, 2011 8:11 AM in response to Rensoom
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 8:11 AM in response to Rensoom
    Can anyone who gets the lockup problem while compiling boost confirm that setting the graphics card to only integrated or only discrete (AMD) resolves the hang problem? I really would like to purchase this machine, but I do a ton of development so the compiling boost test hits very close to home.

    Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to run this test and confirm / deny.
  • by h31m0,

    h31m0 h31m0 Mar 17, 2011 8:32 AM in response to Rensoom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 8:32 AM in response to Rensoom
    My MBP also freezes almost certainly when exiting full screen Programs (World of Warcraft most times) after I spend some time in them.
    Once even viewing a picture in Quicklook (full screen) caused the freeze.
  • by MattiX,

    MattiX MattiX Mar 17, 2011 10:31 AM in response to VTGolfer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 10:31 AM in response to VTGolfer
    I can confirm at least on my machine that it will always hang if I lock it on discrete. If I lock it on integrated it will finish successfully.
  • by John Harrold,

    John Harrold John Harrold Mar 17, 2011 11:29 AM in response to John Harrold
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 11:29 AM in response to John Harrold
    From Apple:

    +Dear John,+

    +I am excited to inform you that your computer qualifies for Apple's Capture Program.+

    +What is the Capture Program?+

    +When Apple launches a new product we are required to take samples of all the failures. This process helps Apple Produce a better future model.+

    +At this time you have two options.+

    +Option 1:+
    +-Continue with repair of your original unit. You may want to select this option if there is data on the faulty computer that you have not backed up.+
    +Apple cannot transfer your old data to your new computer.+
    +Please note: Generally repair is faster then replacement.+

    +Option 2:+
    +-Request a new machine. You will not be required to pay anything. Apple will ship you a new unit from the warehouse. Any power adapters, cables, and software you currently posses from the old unit, you are entitled to keep. *We do not have the ability to preinstall software. If you ordered preinstalled software we can set up a phone support call to help you install on your own, with your existing software discs. If you have a refurbished unit you will be receiving a new unit. The new unit will be the exact replica of your original purchase unless otherwise discussed.+

    +Generally your new Mac will ship from the warehouse in 24 hours. If your computer has paid upgrades then it can take 1-3 days. Once your computer ships, I will forward you the tracking information. The Fed Ex tracking information will provide you with an estimated delivery date.+

    +After your new unit has been delivered I will send a follow-up email that includes all the handling information about AppleCare. Also included in that email will be your one-year limited warranty. Please keep the warranty for your records.+

    +Please elect from your two options by responding to this email.+

    +Reply: repair - for repair. We will process the request, repair and return the unit as soon as possible.+

    +If you would like a new computer please fill out the following template.+

    NAME:
    +PHONE NUMBER:+
    +ADDRESS: (shipping address)+
    +EMAIL ADDRESS:+


    +Please be advised, Apple reserves the right to move your unit on to repair if you have not suggested otherwise within 24 hours.+

    +Thank you.+

    Sincerely,

    I know you're saying the new one will have the same problem. Well there is that chance, but I'm going to go with the replacement option anyway. At least it will be easy enough to test out when it arrives.

    So that's where I currently stand.
  • by rredge,

    rredge rredge Mar 17, 2011 11:53 AM in response to Rensoom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 11:53 AM in response to Rensoom
    Perhaps this forum topic should be changed to Not Using your MacBook Pro.

    My 2011 15" froze this morning and will not respond even to power off/power on using the power button.

    When this happened, I had Terminal, TextEdit and Safari running on the desktop. No games, no external monitor and I'm using about 16GB of the hard drive. The desktop image was fine but the computer would respond neither to the mouse nor the keyboard.

    I have powered off and on using the power button four times. Each time, the computer comes on showing the Terminal (my start-up programme) but the computer responds to neither the mouse nor the keyboard.

    Specs:
    2.2GB processor
    750GB hard drive, 5400 rpm
    Hi-res matte screen

    I purchased the computer 13 days ago from the New York Apple Store (5th Ave) and will be returning it today. Unless they can give me an assurance that this is not going to happen with a replacement, I will be requesting a refund.
  • by iFrodo,

    iFrodo iFrodo Mar 17, 2011 12:24 PM in response to John Harrold
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 17, 2011 12:24 PM in response to John Harrold
    You are right, as this problem doesn't affect all MBP 2011 out there, and I think only a minority of them. Mine for example never freezed or crashed since I deactivated the Fan Speed Control option of iStat Menu, and I've played multiple 3D games already for hours and used programs that use the full power of it (like Handbreak) without any issue.

    So anyone having freeze issues and having put out any possible software cause (iStat Menu fan speed control option, SMC Fan Control, Reset of SMC and PRAM done...), should get a replacement, as there are faulty and, except if you are very unlucky, the replacement unit will certainly works just fine.

    So go for it, get a replacement unit, all of you having this issue (and not being able to find a software cause).
  • by shamash,

    shamash shamash Mar 17, 2011 1:22 PM in response to iFrodo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 1:22 PM in response to iFrodo
    I guess I'm very unlucky, because I'm on the phone with Apple about my replacement right now -_-
  • by AutoFiend,

    AutoFiend AutoFiend Mar 17, 2011 1:56 PM in response to shamash
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 1:56 PM in response to shamash
    Using GFXCardStatus on my 2.3 15" to set integrated only, results in no output to my external 24" monitor.
    The same monitor works fine in dynamic and discrete modes.
    I have tried unplugging etc.

    Does anyone else experience this?

    Thanks
  • by Schwa72,

    Schwa72 Schwa72 Mar 17, 2011 2:10 PM in response to AutoFiend
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 2:10 PM in response to AutoFiend
    Sid Merrett wrote:
    Using GFXCardStatus on my 2.3 15" to set integrated only, results in no output to my external 24" monitor.
    The same monitor works fine in dynamic and discrete modes.
    I have tried unplugging etc.

    Does anyone else experience this?

    Thanks

    That's by design. If you want to drive an external monitor, you must use the dedicated GPU.
  • by AutoFiend,

    AutoFiend AutoFiend Mar 17, 2011 2:16 PM in response to AutoFiend
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 2:16 PM in response to AutoFiend
    Understood - thanks.
  • by missminni,

    missminni missminni Mar 17, 2011 2:47 PM in response to Rensoom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 2:47 PM in response to Rensoom
    Just returned my 2011 MBO 17" after 2 days.
    I think it's an issue with the fan.
    I had nothing open but Firefox Browser...that's all.
    I was watching a video on YouTube and when I clicked it to
    full screen mode the fans started whirring as if the machine
    was overheating.
    I tried to exit the browser, but nothing happened, so I guess in retrospect the screen froze. I then immediately put it into sleep mode in order to
    stop the noise. It was very loud. The machine was vibrating.
    When I woke it, everything was normal, except for the fact that when putting it
    to sleep or waking it up, the wait between the command and it happening was
    abnormally long and random. prior to the fan incident the action was instant.

    To me that was a big red flag. I spoke with a tech at apple who had me
    partition another HD to run the basic install disc to see if it was being caused
    by any of the files or software I'd migrated from my old PowerBookG4 800MHz which runs like a charm but can't handle the programs I need to use...anyway
    The newly partitioned HD had the same issue with untimely sleeps and wake-ups...
    a warning of things to come...
    I returned it for replacement but after reading all these complaints...I think
    I want to get a refund until they figure it out.
  • by rredge,

    rredge rredge Mar 17, 2011 3:20 PM in response to rredge
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 3:20 PM in response to rredge
    rredge wrote:
    Perhaps this forum topic should be changed to Not Using your MacBook Pro.

    My 2011 15" froze this morning and will not respond even to power off/power on using the power button.

    When this happened, I had Terminal, TextEdit and Safari running on the desktop. No games, no external monitor and I'm using about 16GB of the hard drive. The desktop image was fine but the computer would respond neither to the mouse nor the keyboard.

    I have powered off and on using the power button four times. Each time, the computer comes on showing the Terminal (my start-up programme) but the computer responds to neither the mouse nor the keyboard.

    Specs:
    2.2GB processor
    750GB hard drive, 5400 rpm
    Hi-res matte screen

    I purchased the computer 13 days ago from the New York Apple Store (5th Ave) and will be returning it today. Unless they can give me an assurance that this is not going to happen with a replacement, I will be requesting a refund.


    Just got home from the New York Apple Store. They acknowledged within a couple of minutes that there is a problem with my machine. I told them that I wanted a refund unless they could give me an assurance that this problem is not widespread and is fixable. Not only could they not give me that assurance, they said that there is no Apple acknowledgement of a problem. That took me aback a little. I was in fact one day past the 14 day return period, but they did not make an issue of that and gave me a full refund for the machine and case that I purchased.
  • by awulf,

    awulf awulf Mar 17, 2011 3:35 PM in response to Rensoom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2011 3:35 PM in response to Rensoom
    I too have a MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz Radeon 6750, occasionally it'll randomly freeze for a second or so, even when forced to either GPU via gfxCardStatus.

    Where my machine will often freeze completely (sometimes the mouse will still move) is when compiling code in Xcode 4 (was fine in Xcode 3). I've noticed the CPU temperatures reach about 94°C before it does freeze, and the fans kick in at around 90°C. (Using hardware monitor, to read the temperatures)

    When stress testing using Folding@Home, the CPUs ramp up to full utilisation and temperature increases to 86°C and the fans kick in at around 75°C. So it looks like it measures the load on the CPU to determine what speed the fans should spin at.

    I think there maybe two issues at play here, 1 bad graphics drivers and 2 bad temperature management. Hopefully both fixable via software update.

    On a side note, the WiFi is horrible compared to my old 2007 santa rosa MacBook Pro.
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