hockeyboi

Q: Macbook Pro slows to a halt when plugged in via magsafe.

Hey guys.

 

I've been having this weird issue lately, which had started about 2 weeks ago.

 

My Macbook Pro runs flawlessly while it's not plugged in with the magsafe adapter.

 

The moment it's plugged in it slows to almost a halt with beach ball hiccups etc. Starting the MBP up goes from 15-20 seconds (unplugged) to 3-5 minutes (plugged in with magsafe)

 

Now originally I thought this was a hardware issue, but then I did a full reformat and reinstall:

 

I actually did 3 full reformats (the first two I zero'ed out my data) AND reset the SMC and PRAM twice:

 

The first reformat, and reinstall brought my MBP from El capitan back to Snow Leopard. During this first reformat and reinstall the system, may have showed signs of it still being afflicted by this slowness and beach ball hiccuping that it was showing prior to the reformat and reinstall. I kept the first reformat and reinstall for maybe 30 mins in which I then decided to reformat and reinstall again, as I didn't like the Home folder name.

 

The second reformat and reinstall, I didn't notice a single issue with the system, in fact it was running flawless both unplugged and plugged in via magsafe. I fired up the PS4, and played some BF4 while I downloaded and reinstalled all the updates, then I upgraded back up to El Capitan. After all was said and done, I was reading how you can do a clean install of El Capitan via a USB. I wanted to try this, so I downloaded a copy of El Capitan to a USB with disk maker X, and then proceeded to reformat (no zero out as the boot up program with El Capitan doesn't have it), and did a clean install of El Capitan.

 

I didn't restore from back up or anything, the only thing I did was download all my iCloud data, like photos and songs etc. My system has run flawlessly for about a week since reformatting and reinstalling. There was no issue with having the system plugged in or not.

 

Now a week later, the same problem has crept up out of nowhere instantly and the system runs like crap when plugged in. It takes 3-5 mins to start up, instead of 15-20 seconds when it's not plugged in. Also keep in mind this is a fresh reinstall where I don't have any garbage on my system. I didn't even reinstall any games on my MBP or anything, and in my opinion it's a very bare bones reinstall. The total memory used is like 150 Gigs versus 350 prior to my first reformat and reinstall.

 

So, I'm at a point where I'm racking my brain trying to figure out if this is a hardware issue or not. Since the system ran a solid week without this issue post reformat and reinstall, it makes me doubt it's a hardware issue. But on the flip side, since I did a reformat and reinstall, it can't be a software issue either, especially since I didn't install anything the night before this problem emerged.

 

My only hope to rectify this issue is hopefully one of you encountered the same issue and have a solution. If not it looks like I may need to get a new MBP this fall, which would be a shame as this system ran flawlessly and fluidly prior to this annoying issue.

 

Thanks in advance for any input.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), null

Posted on Jun 20, 2016 12:27 PM

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Q: Macbook Pro slows to a halt when plugged in via magsafe.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Jun 20, 2016 1:46 PM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 6 (8,415 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 1:46 PM in response to hockeyboi

    Since you mentioned Snow Leopard, I gather the MBP is an older model (2009 or so?)... What's the status of the battery? https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201585


  • by hockeyboi,

    hockeyboi hockeyboi Jun 20, 2016 1:52 PM in response to Esquared
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 20, 2016 1:52 PM in response to Esquared

    100% it's a MBP from early 2011. Says in About this Mac.

     

    Checked my Battery:

     

    Cycles: 318

    Condition: Normal

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 20, 2016 1:53 PM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 9 (52,374 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 1:53 PM in response to hockeyboi

    Download and post an Etrecheck report:

     

    http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

     

    Ciao.

  • by hockeyboi,

    hockeyboi hockeyboi Jun 20, 2016 2:07 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 20, 2016 2:07 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    EtreCheck version: 2.9.12 (265)

    Report generated 2016-06-20 14:01:18

    Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 5:51

    Performance: Below Average

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

     

    Problem: Beachballing

    Description:

    System grinds to a halt only when it’s plugged in via the magsafe adapter.

     

    Hardware Information:

        MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,2

        1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core

        8 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

        Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 318

     

    Video Information:

        Intel HD Graphics 3000

            Color LCD 1680 x 1050

        AMD Radeon HD 6750M - VRAM: 1024 MB

     

    System Software:

        OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 (15F34) - Time since boot: about 2 hours

     

    Disk Information:

        Hitachi HTS725050A9A362 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

            Mac HD (disk1) / : 498.88 GB (304.89 GB free)

                Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked

                Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online

     

        MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898   ()

     

    USB Information:

        Logitech USB Optical Mouse

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

        Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

        Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

     

    Thunderbolt Information:

        Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

     

    Gatekeeper:

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    System Launch Agents:

        [not loaded]    8 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    155 Apple tasks

        [running]    75 Apple tasks

     

    System Launch Daemons:

        [not loaded]    47 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    158 Apple tasks

        [running]    85 Apple tasks

     

    Launch Agents:

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (2016-06-10) [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons:

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-06-13) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.autoupdate.helpertool.plist (2016-06-14) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (2016-05-06) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (2016-06-10) [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents:

        [running]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist (2016-06-11) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist (2016-06-19) [Support]

     

    User Login Items:

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        Dropbox    Application  (/Applications/Dropbox.app)

     

    Other Apps:

        [running]    2BUA8C4S2C.com.agilebits.onepassword-osx-helper

        [running]    com.getdropbox.dropbox.56672

        [loaded]    398 Apple tasks

        [running]    181 Apple tasks

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

        FlashPlayer-10.6: 22.0.0.192 - SDK 10.9 (2016-06-16) [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-05-04)

        Flash Player: 22.0.0.192 - SDK 10.9 (2016-06-16) [Support]

        JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 91 build 14 (2016-06-10) Check version

        Default Browser: 601 - SDK 10.11 (2016-05-04)

     

    Safari Extensions:

        1Password - AgileBits - https://agilebits.com/onepassword (2016-06-10)

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

        Flash Player (2016-06-13) [Support]

        Java (2016-04-01) [Support]

     

    Time Machine:

        Time Machine not configured!

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

            32%    mdworker(7)

             4%    WindowServer

             2%    fontd

             1%    kernel_task

             0%    askpermissiond

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

        686 MB    kernel_task

        467 MB    softwareupdated

        270 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

        139 MB    Dropbox

        139 MB    Safari

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        3.42 GB    Free RAM

        4.57 GB    Used RAM (1.29 GB Cached)

        0 B    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information:

        Jun 20, 2016, 11:37:33 AM    Self test - passed

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 20, 2016 3:58 PM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 9 (52,374 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 3:58 PM in response to hockeyboi

    Reset the SMC and the NVRAM again:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

     

    Then try a safe boot:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

     

    Any change?

     

    Run an Apple Hardware Test:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257

     

    Note that an error free AHT is not conclusive.

     

    Ciao.

  • by hockeyboi,

    hockeyboi hockeyboi Jun 20, 2016 5:15 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 20, 2016 5:15 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    I did the PRAM and SMC reset. No change.

     

    Then rebooted into safe mode, and it lags in safe mode as well only when its plugged in with the magesafe adapter. Unplugged it runs fluid.

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Jun 20, 2016 11:54 PM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 6 (8,415 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 20, 2016 11:54 PM in response to hockeyboi

    You've pretty much ruled out all possible software causes. It must be a hardware issue. The fact that it is one of the models on Apple's "hit list", it makes you wonder if it is video card related somehow: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

     

    Any Apple Store in the neighbourhood? They can run a diagnostics, and with a bit of "luck" the logic board has to be replaced (for free).

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 21, 2016 2:44 AM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 9 (52,374 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 21, 2016 2:44 AM in response to hockeyboi

    Did the Apple Hardware Test develop anything?

     

    Ciao.

  • by hockeyboi,

    hockeyboi hockeyboi Jun 21, 2016 9:47 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 21, 2016 9:47 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Says "No trouble"

     

    The AHT I had for my MBP was the Option - D one.

  • by hockeyboi,

    hockeyboi hockeyboi Jun 21, 2016 9:51 AM in response to Esquared
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 21, 2016 9:51 AM in response to Esquared

    Does Apple still replace for "free" if the MBP is out of Apple Care Warranty for hit-list issues like this known Video issue? I bought Apple care for the MBP back when I bought it in Early 2011, but obviously it's out of the standard Warranty date range.

     

    I remember they had a logic board issue with 2008 MBP's and were replacing their logic boards for free even out of Apple Care Warranty date range.

     

     

    Also, I don't even know if it's a hardware issue either.

     

    Like I stated originally, I had this issue, then I reformatted and reinstalled, and for a solid week my MBP functioned 100% fine, both plugged in and unplugged, then after about a week it went back to having this issue.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 21, 2016 10:16 AM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 9 (52,374 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 21, 2016 10:16 AM in response to hockeyboi

    The only replacement program that is applicable for your specific MBP is the following:

     

    https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

     

    The symptoms that you have described are not relevant to any video issues.

     

    Ciao.

  • by hockeyboi,

    hockeyboi hockeyboi Jun 24, 2016 12:51 PM in response to hockeyboi
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 24, 2016 12:51 PM in response to hockeyboi

    Update:

     

    I took my MBP to the genius bar.

     

    The genius was a nice guy and ran two diagnostics. Both involved plugging in an ethernet cable and running programs. The first had a checkered like menu system that would stress test each component of my MBP and then put either a tick or an X for working or not working components. Everything checked out perfectly fine EXCEPT my hard drive.

     

    He suggested I go buy a new hard drive and install it myself, as the alternative was them doing it for a 1TB HDD 7200 RPM, with install would have been around $200 Canadian.

     

    I opted to do it myself, found a decent 480GB SSD at NCIX for $150, as it was $50 off, regular $200.

     

    My laptop so far has never ran better as I originally had a 500GB 7200RPM HDD in it. Now it has a SDD.

     

    I'll let you know if the symptoms return, but I'm assuming the MBP Hard drive performs faster when it's connected to a power source via the mag safe adapter, which caused my laptop to go to a snails pace whenever plugged in as the hard drive I had was failing.

     

    Maybe one of you can confirm this.

     

    Thanks again.