Q: can't reset PRAM??!@#
-
Apr 26, 2015 6:21 PMby Brian Schreiber,thanks Mike! Here it is:
Problem description:
My MacBook often will not shut down.. . . get spinning wheel and it never stops. . . forced to hold down the power button. Attempts to use both PRAM reset protocol and Safe boot protocol do not result in them being performed. SO, PRAM reset cannot be done. I have reset the SMC to no avail. This MacBook has a partitioned, after market 300 GB Hard drive and is on its second battery since new in 2007. There are no other symptoms. It runs Vectorworks CAD software mostly. Well, ONE other symptom, the screen is growing dim. I just missed a “recall” by a few months that Apple had offered a couple years ago that would have “fixed” that. . .
EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)
Report generated 4/26/15 8:16 PM
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
MacBook with Intel Core Duo processor available in black or white.
MacBook - model: MacBook1,1
1 2 GHz Intel Core Duo CPU: 2-core
2 GB RAM
BANK 0/DIMM0
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM1
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g
Battery: Health = Replace Soon - Cycle count = 507 - SN = (null)
GMA 950 - VRAM: spdisplays_integrated_vram
Color LCD 1280 x 800
spdisplays_display_connector
Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Time since boot: 0:13:55
WDC WD3200BEKT-60V5T1 disk0 : (298.09 GB)
- (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Mac Hard Drive 200 GB (disk0s2) / : 214.00 GB (129.43 GB free)
Mac Hard Drive 100 GB (disk0s3) /Volumes/Mac Hard Drive 100 GB : 105.60 GB (26.80 GB free)
Micron Built-in iSight
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Computer Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.diaginc.iokit.SpotPCI (2.1) [Click for support]
[loaded] com.kaspersky.kext.klif (2.2.0d16) [Click for support]
[not loaded] com.palm.ClassicNotSeizeDriver (3.2) [Click for support]
/Volumes/Mac Hard Drive 100 GB/Applications/Roxio Toast Lite 6.1/Toast 6 Lite.app
[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (1.4) [Click for support]
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[not loaded] org.samba.winbindd.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] .SM.gul.com.google.keystone.agent.plist (hidden) [Click for support]
/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resou rces/GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resou rces/GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/GoogleSoftwareUpdateAgent -runMode ifneeded
[loaded] .SM.gul.com.kaspersky.kav.gui.plist (hidden) [Click for support]
open open -a Kaspersky Anti-Virus For Mac.app
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.kaspersky.kav.gui.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] .SM.gul.com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (hidden) [Click for support]
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Flash Player Install Manager/fpsaud /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Flash Player Install Manager/fpsaud
[loaded] .SM.gul.com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (hidden) [Click for support]
/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/MacOS /GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/MacOS /GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon
[loaded] .SM.gul.com.google.keystone.daemon4.plist (hidden) [Click for support]
/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/MacOS /GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon /Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/MacOS /GoogleSoftwareUpdateDaemon
[not loaded] .SM.gul.com.kaspersky.kav.plist (hidden) [Click for support]
/Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab/KAV/Binaries/kav /Library/Application Support/Kaspersky Lab/KAV/Binaries/kav -r -bl
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]
iTunesHelper UNKNOWN Hidden (missing value)
System Events Application Hidden (/System/Library/CoreServices/System Events.app)
AirPort Base Station Agent Application (/System/Library/CoreServices/AirPort Base Station Agent.app)
Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
OpenDNS Updater Application Hidden (/Applications/OpenDNS Updater.app)
Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX Application Hidden (/Applications/Canon Utilities/IJ Network Scanner Selector EX/Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX.app)
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 8.1.0 [Click for support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Check version
o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 6.0
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 17.0.0.169 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.5.1r601 [Click for support]
googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Click for support]
Flash Player: Version: 17.0.0.169 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 [Click for support]
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 1.4 [Click for support]
1-ClickWeather
WOT
Awesome Screenshot
AdBlock
Duplicate Tab Button
iSightAudio: Version: 7.6.6
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
DivX [Click for support]
Flash Player [Click for support]
Flip4Mac WMV [Click for support]
Perian [Click for support]
Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.
7% Dropbox
2% WindowServer
1% SoftwareUpdateCheck
1% fontd
0% blued
96 MB Dropbox
70 MB SoftwareUpdateCheck
57 MB mds
25 MB WindowServer
25 MB mdworker(2)
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
1.06 GB Free RAM
965 MB Used RAM
0 B Swap Used
Apr 26, 2015, 08:00:37 PM Self test - passed
-
Apr 26, 2015 6:24 PMby Brian Schreiber,I forgot to point out: Both hard drive partitions have OX 10.6.8 and I have restarted on both using the opportunity to Verify and Repari permissions on both independently. Lots of permissions cannot be "repaired" after numerous attempts. BUT, both partitions VERIFY as OK.
-
by Mike Sombrio,Apr 27, 2015 2:56 AM
Mike Sombrio
Apr 27, 2015 2:56 AM
in response to Brian Schreiber
Level 6
(17,194 points)
Apple WatchI would first uninstall Kaspersky anti virus, it does nothing for you and might be causing your problems. Do you have the original gray install discs that came with the computer? Running the Apple Hardware Test is probably the next step. http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck
Regrading permissions repair Mac OS X: Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions messages that you can safely ignore - Apple Support
-
by Mike Sombrio,Apr 28, 2015 3:04 AM
Mike Sombrio
Apr 28, 2015 3:04 AM
in response to Brian Schreiber
Level 6
(17,194 points)
Apple Watch
Nothing obvious. Have you tried reinstalling Snow Leopard? If you have everything backed up it would probably be best to completely erase the hard drive, run disk utility to repair, reinstall and then use software update to get back to 10.6.8. Before you restore any apps or files you should see if everything works as it should on a completely virgin install of OS X, then restore.
-
Apr 28, 2015 7:28 AMby spudnuty,The only thing I see is that the battery is failing. I've got a battery sitting on my workbench that reads good but causes startup and shutdown issues. At other times it acts perfectly normal.
You might try running it without the battery connected.
Like Mike says "reinstall".
Increasing your RAM would help but wouldn't have anything to do w/ your shutdown issue.
-
Apr 28, 2015 5:36 PMby Brian Schreiber,Great news, thanks dalstott. I will try it and report.
Another option I like is to pull the battery and run with the power supply, if I understand correctly.
Yet another option, not mentioned so far, is to use my old 60 GB hard drive(install fresh system first!) as a startup disk-- I have it in a little USB external drive case. Should I pull it from the case and just swap it with the wonderfully huge 300 GB unit or try it as is in "external" mode?
As far as I know I am maxed on on RAM at 2GB with the 1,1 MacBook, right?
I am heading out on vacation for a week Sat so this might take a bit if I don't have time before then. Thanks a bunch guys.
-
Apr 28, 2015 8:12 PMby Brian Schreiber,I tried running without battery and . . . it does not operate at all. The battery must be installed for the power supply to operate the MacBook it appears. . .
I ran the Apple Hardware test on disc one and it found nothing wrong in both quick and extended test mode.
I am figuring the problem is NOW software and not hardware related. So, the system is now the highest likely culprit. . . I'm planning on wiping the drive clean and re-installing fresh system. . . If that fails I may do the same with the OLD Mac hard drive.
-
Apr 29, 2015 7:41 AMby spudnuty,"As far as I know I am maxed on on RAM at 2GB with the 1,1 MacBook, right?"
Yes.
"I tried running without battery and . . . it does not operate at all. The battery must be installed for the power supply to operate the MacBook it appears."
I don't have any Core Duos around here but the 2 Core 2 Duos, 2.1 and 2.2 GHz ( 2007 and 2008), machines that I do have here will both start up without their batteries. 60 Watt power adapter, right?
There was an SMC firmware update:
EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs - Apple Support
There was also a battery update but I don't think that would affect your problem:
About Battery Update 1.2 - Apple Support
"reinstall" -
Apr 29, 2015 8:00 AMby jndupuis1,To reset SMC on Macbook. Follow the procedure for Non-Detachable batteries, piece o cake. Use link below. Cheers!!
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
Reset PRAM correctly without fail. Hold Command+Option+P+R, while holding these keys, then press power button. You will hear the chime. When grey screen appears let go of the keys. Mac will continue to boot. Shutdown. Power up. You will have to re-establish some of your settings, especially after doing both. Hope this clears up some muddy water. These methods work for me. Cheers again!!
-
Apr 29, 2015 6:27 PMby Brian Schreiber,OK, I will do this but. . . I am going to point out details, it appears you left one out. Please let me know if I assumed something wrongly.
-- with the MacBook turned OFF:
-press opt-cmd-P-R and, at the same time press the power ON button.
- Mac will bong, let go of ALL keys WHEN gray screen appears,
-- let Mac continue to boot into Finder, then Shutdown,
-- press power ON button again, alone.
Here is my concern: How do you KNOW the PRAM is reset? same result (bong) happens if you simply press the Power ON button. What evidence do you have the PRAM reset is successful. For example, on G4's you could keep holding the four keys and the Mac would wait and bong again, so you KNEW you were doing "something". Is there any other evidence or thing to check that PRAM is actually reset other than the bong? If I held all the keys down after the gray screen appears, will Mac continue to bong as older Macs did? If what you are saying is TRUE(and I figure then that Apple endorses this modified protocol) I would expect the Mac to keep on bonging as long as you kept holding the keys. . . ? right?
NOTE: my only reason for this thread is that sometimes my Mac refuses to shutdown, wheel keeps spinning on shutdown. . . and I am assuming the thing that causes the bad Shutdown behavior is probably also related to the bad behaviour of the PRAM also not "apparently" being resettable-- FOR the record! Heck, each time I try to use the protocol with the Mac already being restarted and the bong happening normally on restart I simply can not get it to bong a 2nd time while holding the keys suggested by the reset protocol. BY the way, after reading about SMC, I see no behavior leading me to think SMC needs resetting.
OK, I just tried your protocol, held down the four keys AND the power button (grew another hand too!). Before the bong, I got the gray screen, kept holding on, then got the gray screen and released and got the normal BONG. . . However, BEFORE the gray screen and bong I got an odd noise that was a monotone hum or buzz. . . expected result? Is the monotone buzz the "evidence" that PRAM reset actually occurred?? -
Apr 29, 2015 8:50 PMby jndupuis1,Sorry for the late response.
You'll know the PRAM is reset because while you are holding the keys during boot up, you'll hear the startup chime. Continue holding keys until you hear the second followed by grey screen. Two cycles holding these keys will not harm anything. If the spinning beach ball is occurring still. Go into the Apple pull down Menu>Force Quit and make sure all open tasks/Apps are quit. Just force quit them. The reason I am pointing you there is to do simple first. If you have already checked these things, my apologies for repetition. Yes the Mac will keep chiming as long as you hold the keys during NPRAM reset. However, more than once won't hurt anything. When I have had to do it, I shutdown and follow up with SMC. Like you said, it may not be necessary. Closing apps with the red button does not stop the app from running in the background. That is why I recommend looking in Force Quit and quitting all that is running. You can re launch Finder as well. Clearing Safari's history and/or Reset Safari doesn't hurt either. Cheers!!
-
Apr 30, 2015 11:38 AMby Brian Schreiber,OK, it appears there are some inconsistencies between what you are saying and what I am experiencing in attempting to use your "modified" PRAM reset approach(hold down the POWER button while also holding the four keys down)
-- you call it a startup chime, I call it a "bong", same thing I assume.
-- in addition you do not mention the monotone buzz (NOT the bong!, different) that I have never heard before, that ALSO happens during the time just after I hold all the keys down.
-- I tried KEEPING the keys held down after one bong . . . the gray screen still on, and the chime(bong) occurs NO MORE even if I keep holding down the keys. SO, this is the same startup chime I get by just starting the Mac as normal without holding any keys down. AGAIN, I cannot see any real evidence that PRAM has been really reset . . . I have often(on OTHER Macs) held the keys for extended time and gotten many startup chimes but this Mac gives only ONE bong (or startup chime) no matter what and then finally comes into the Finder.
