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Level 1

8 points

Macbook Stuttering, Audio Distortion

Sometimes when watching a Flash movie online, my Macbook will stutter. Not just the video, the whole computer will cease to work for a few seconds. My mouse will be stuck, and the audio will stutter.

Sometimes after the stuttering stops, the audio becomes distorted. I can fix the audio by running the Audio MIDI Setup utility and changing the Output Audio format to a different Hz setting. I can then revert to the previous setting, and the audio stays normal until the next stutter.

I've run the extended Apple Hardware Test, and it found no problems.

I'm still under Apple Care warranty, so if I can't fix it, do you think I could get it fixed at an Apple Store? I've taken it to an Apple Store recently after the hard drive crashed. I mentioned the problem then, but they didn't say anything about it, and I assumed the problem was with the hard drive. The hard drive has been replaced, and the problem still occurs.

2007 Macbook 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Mar 2, 2010 5:33 PM

Best reply

kostby

Level 4

2,940 points

Posted on Mar 3, 2010 7:48 PM

Your processor is momentarily saturated. It's not really a 'defect' that is covered under warranty.

Flash is a widely-known resource hog. It's one of the reasons that Steve Jobs has 'banished' Flash from iPhones and the new iPad, and uses H.264 format video.

Have you also noticed that the fan becomes loud when this is happening? Almost any time the fan starts running at high speed, it's because your processor is working hard and needs additional cooling.

If you look at Activity Monitor when the stuttering occurs, you probably have a combined CPU utilization of the top two or three processes running of more than 100%.

It's also quite possible that the Free memory 'green slice' of the of the System Memory pie chart is quite tiny.

Work-Arounds
1. Run fewer processes/programs. Close and Quit every application that doesn't need to be running while you're watching Flash.

2. Try another browser. Some are better than others at running Flash. I use Safari primarily, but Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera are also available.

3. Add RAM memory, especially if you still have just 1Gb RAM memory installed. Upgrading to 2Gb or 4Gb (MacBook 2,1 actually only recognizes and utilizes up to 3Gb) will help somewhat. It doesn't cure the processor saturation, but it does give the programs running more 'breathing room' until it reaches the saturation point.

4. ClickToFlash gives you options for how Flash is handled. Free download here --> http://rentzsch.github.com/clicktoflash/

5. H.264 format videos may be less processor intensive.

6. Buy a new Mac with a faster processor and more RAM. Even a 2.26Ghz MacBook Pro does much better than the 2007 2.16, because it uses a low power microprocessor, has 2Gb RAM standard, has a more advanced video chipset, and an unibody aluminum case to help dissipate heat.

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59 replies

Zen2B

Level 1

0 points

May 29, 2010 9:19 PM in response to Seroth

I have this exact same issue, it only started in the last couple of months. 1.83 ghz macbook with 3GB RAM. I guess it must be 10.6.3?

kostby

Level 4

2,940 points

May 31, 2010 8:01 PM in response to Seroth

I think (but only have circumstantial evidence, based on Discussions reports) that 10.6.x just doesn't perform as well with older MacBooks.

Do you still have OS X 10.5.x available, and an old hard disk to install it on to see if the problem is as bad with 10.5.8?

Jrzzz

Level 1

0 points

Jun 9, 2010 6:15 AM in response to Seroth

Same here.. macbook white. After reading all of this, I'm convinced that it's the gma950 driver.

I had this problem, removed the external display, and gone were the hangs.
The audio was still choppy in flash, but the system was not hanging anymore.

I hope apple will still update the gma950 drivers..

Sanius

Level 1

0 points

Jun 16, 2010 8:00 AM in response to Seroth

Well I have the same problem as most of you.. Whenever I play Flash Video at full screen the screen seems to glitch. When I play a couple of videos simultaneously my MacBook start to stutter like a broken record player.

HOWEVER

I uninstalled Flash Player and Re-Installed the latest version and the glitches seem to have disappeard. I'll see if my machine starts to stutter in a couple of days.

N.B. I also updated to 10.6.4 but this didn't resolve the stuttering/glitching problem.

Jun 23, 2010 5:44 PM in response to Seroth

I'm having a similar problem but mine happens with any media, including iTunes and internet videos. I've checked activity montior when it happens and CPU is no more than 30% and there was plenty of free memory. The strangest part is the problem goes away when I move the mouse. As soon as I stop moving the mouse, the audio slows down and gets distorted. Restarting the computer fixes it until it starts again.

Any ideas?

mr_proud

Level 1

9 points

Jul 5, 2010 7:05 AM in response to Seroth

Same problem here. On any audio or video playing.

I remember too before upgrading to Snow Leopard that these stuttering problems happened frequently. After Snow Leopard they went away, but now the problem has returned since 10.6.3 or 10.6.4 updates.

It's very frustrating.

Is there likely to be a fix to the drivers for GMA 950? Or are we now stuck with a machine that can't play video or audio properly?

😟

phritz

Level 1

0 points

Jul 5, 2010 8:59 PM in response to Seroth

I'd just like to say "ditto" to everything that's been said here. MacBook 2.16 GHz core 2 duo, with 10.6.3. It's really only been in the last 1-2 months that this problem has occurred, and it's starting to get bad. My mac knows EXACTLY when the world cup is getting exciting, and chooses those moments to start stuttering.

phritz

Level 1

0 points

Jul 27, 2010 7:47 PM in response to phritz

Here is the console output when one of these stuttering events occur. I'd like to emphasize, again, that this is NOT limited to Flash player, and the stuttering is system-wide - everything freezes up.

7/27/10 10:43:31 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - Error: attempting to clip to a position more than one buffer ahead of last clip position (889,2f21)->(88c,2d29).
7/27/10 10:43:31 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - adjusting clipped position to (88b,2f21)
7/27/10 10:43:34 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - Error: attempting to clip to a position more than one buffer ahead of last clip position (891,1d29)->(896,26b).
7/27/10 10:43:34 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - adjusting clipped position to (895,1d29)
7/27/10 10:43:37 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - Error: attempting to clip to a position more than one buffer ahead of last clip position (89a,206b)->(89f,37).
7/27/10 10:43:37 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - adjusting clipped position to (89e,206b)
7/27/10 10:43:40 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - Error: attempting to clip to a position more than one buffer ahead of last clip position (8a3,e37)->(8a7,dc5).
7/27/10 10:43:40 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - adjusting clipped position to (8a6,e37)
7/27/10 10:43:42 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - Error: attempting to clip to a position more than one buffer ahead of last clip position (8aa,25c5)->(8ae,189a).
7/27/10 10:43:42 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - adjusting clipped position to (8ad,25c5)
7/27/10 10:43:49 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - Error: attempting to clip to a position more than one buffer ahead of last clip position (8c1,289a)->(8c4,2b4).
7/27/10 10:43:49 PM kernel IOAudioStream[0x59c3700]::clipIfNecessary() - adjusting clipped position to (8c3,289a)

Jul 28, 2010 10:14 PM in response to Seroth

I have the same problem!

Aug 11, 2010 1:54 AM in response to Seroth

I have the same problem too! And a white MacBook 1.83.

It usually appears when watching flash, but also in small games like Plants Vs Zombies and Hordes of Orcs. I have managed to look at the activity monitor and its not always the main program that hogs the CPU. Its sometimes "Kernel Task", sometimes other small programs that never take more than a few per cent of the CPU.

Also, this started happening only a month or two ago (I think).

Flash-related problems occur in all browsers, also after reinstalling flash. And it appears in other non-flash games as well.

Oh yeah: The fan is on practically all the time even though battery being 30°, HDD 35° Celsius (thats 86° and 95° Fahrenheit) despite the CPU hardly doing anything.

Message was edited by: ian.wainwright

Aug 15, 2010 12:53 AM in response to Seroth

I think I have found a solution!!!

Clean your computer! The reason we get a bugs is that the graphics chip or the buss to it is overheating. Or at least, there is a lot pointing towards this.
1: We all have old MacBooks. As they are old, they have had time to accumulate dust.
2: The appearance of our common issue is not consistent with any single update.
3: The problem only occurs when we do heavy work.
4: In my case, it explains why the kernel gets very busy, as it has problems communicating with the malfunctioning graphics chip.

So, if you feel confident, open your computer according to http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Core-2-Duo-Fan/522/1
Thats what I did. Once you have access to the fan, use a can of pressurized air and evict all the dust! The computer in return cools better, and hopefully your problems disappear. Mine did anyway.

Aug 19, 2010 8:41 PM in response to Seroth

I have been having this same problem. It only started when I got my external monitor. It's happening in Flash videos, Quicktime videos and while playing World of Warcraft.
Also noticing that my fans seem to run pretty much all the time.

Message was edited by: Michael Napier

mr_proud

Level 1

9 points

Aug 23, 2010 1:56 AM in response to Seroth

Has anyone else had success with ian.wainwright's solution?
Opening up the macbook and cleaning it?

Ian - has it been a complete success?

Thanks!

Aug 23, 2010 6:17 AM in response to mr_proud

I haven't tried it. Kind of nervous about taking apart my MacBook to that degree. I have installed new hard drives and RAM though.
My thinking now is that it's almost certainly related to the external monitor (at least for me). I used the MacBook all weekend disconnected to the external display and didn't have a single issue. My fans do run fast a lot but after a while of inactivity they slow down to normal levels.
I watched videos and played World of Warcraft on the MacBook alone and no stuttering at all.

Sep 2, 2010 10:33 AM in response to Seroth

No new info on this problem? Yesterday I was trying to watch the Apple Keynote stream on my MacBook with the 23" monitor and it was stuttering pretty bad. I don't think this stream was even broadcast in HD (not sure)and I wasn't even watching it full-screen. Just the window inside Safari.
This is very frustrating and disappointing.

Macbook Stuttering, Audio Distortion