Strange mid 2009 macbook pro problem with NVIDIA 9600 GT

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Strange mid 2009 macbook pro problem with NVIDIA 9600 GT

Hello!

I have a very strange issue with my macbook pro. I recently bought a second hand MBP (model no. macbookpro 5,3). With the integrated 9400 graphics, everything is fine. When I switch to the 9600GT card, logout and login, I notice a strange problem. With the power adaptor connected, everything is fine. As soon as I disconnect the adaptor and put the computer on battery, within 2 sec, the screen becomes grey and locks up. I have waited several minutes and nothing happened. Connecting the power adaptor does not correct the problem and the only option is to hard reset. 9600 GT has 512MB memory.

Is this graphics card not compatible to be run under battery mode? Has anyone else encountered this problem?

Many thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 24, 2011 10:03 PM

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Answer 1

sup27606 Author

Level 1

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Jun 26, 2011 4:00 PM in response to sup27606

Update to the problem...

I clean installed Snow Leopard 10.6.3 from retail disk. The problem went away. As soon as I updated to 10.6.8, the problem came back. I am wondering if my computer will always remain incompatible to any future updates, including Lion??

BTW, I took it to the Apple store, the Mac genius fiddled with the machine for a while and then told me there is a problem with the logic board. He offered to fix it for $310. If the original 10.6.3 install was working fine and the problem only occurs after 10.6.8 update, how can it be a hardware issue!

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Answer 2

ds store

Level 7

30,855 points

Jun 25, 2011 2:50 AM in response to sup27606

Follow these documents.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440?viewlocale=en_US

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

OnyX cleaning, plug-in check

Run ALL of the free OnyX maintenance and cleaning aspectsand reboot.

Run OnyX > Verify > Preferences and write down any corruptones, move them to your trash and reboot (they get rebuilt)

http://www.titanium.free.fr/

Check the status of your browser plug-ins here and update.(especially Flash and Silverlight)

https://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/

Finally backup your data, then c boot from the 10.6 disk reinstall your OS.

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Answer 3

sup27606 Author

Level 1

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Jun 26, 2011 12:05 AM in response to ds store

Hi,

Tried resetting SMC, PRAM, boot into safe mode and back, repair disk permissions. Also ran OnyX maintainace which did not report any problem. Also checked and updated flash plugin. Still got the issue. Sometime it happens within 2 sec, sometimes 15 sec, but does for sure.

Next I have to try a clean install.

Thanks.

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