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MacBook Pro keeps crashing and restarting

Hi everyone,


Ive been having an issue with my 2010 MacBook Pro recently. It seems like every 5 mins it crashes and restarts. Does anyone know what the problem might be? My Etre report is pasted below.


Thanks



Posted on Mar 24, 2020 7:48 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 24, 2020 8:23 PM

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.  Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and Playing Safe - what does Safe mode do?
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Repair permissions on the Home folderResolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  9. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  10. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  11. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


10 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 24, 2020 8:23 PM in response to Kappy

A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences, if needed, after resetting the PRAM.
  6. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.  Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and Playing Safe - what does Safe mode do?
  7. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  8. Repair permissions on the Home folderResolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  9. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  10. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Install OS X then click on the Continue button.
  11. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:


     1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.

     2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.

     3. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.

     4. Set the Format type to APFS (for SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)

     5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.

     6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

     7. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


Mar 24, 2020 8:23 PM in response to simonjsf

  • Your battery needs to be replaced ASAP.
  • You are using Citrix which has been causing some problems with Macs.
  • There may be problematic Kext files installed from third-party software.
  • You are using two VPNs. Only one is needed.
  • Not enough RAM installed for the running software.


If you use EtreCheck, then carefully read the report before you post it here. It's not difficult to find potential problems. Most items in the report are explained in the help. However, EtreCheck does not examine crashes and then provide reasons for the crash. Was that a crash, freeze, panic, or spinning beachball?. Also, see How to Use the Mac Console App to Diagnose a Crash and If your Mac spontaneously restarts or displays a message that it restarted or shut down because of a problem - Apple Support.


Continued below:

Mar 28, 2020 12:26 PM in response to simonjsf

Please provide the rest of panic log below the last line of what was posted. The panic was caused by a GPU switch. I believe you have a model with dual video GPUs - one is in the CPU and one is discrete. I'm guessing the problem is the discrete chip which is a common problem in some 2010 models.


Here's are related threads: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card Discussion; GPU Kernel Panic in 15" mid-2010 MBP. A possible DIY fix; MBPMid2010_GPUFix is utility program to fix MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010).

Mar 28, 2020 8:08 PM in response to simonjsf

It's the same thing - the GPU switch. You need to look at the links I sent because you have the Edsel of MBPs model. Only fix is to replace the motherboard. Of course, that's no longer possible because the Apple Stores have no inventory. Apple no longer produces the parts for your model. Even were they to replace the motherboard, there is no assurance that the replacement won't exhibit the same problem in time.

MacBook Pro keeps crashing and restarting

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