Q: OS X Lion freezes at login screen + App Store is slow

Just to update everyone, I have just installed the 10.7.2 update and tested with several restarts, logins/outs, etc and everything appears to be running smothely with no more hard freezes on reboot.  As I said, in the post that was mysteriously deleted, the driver was most likely to blame as it worked fine through the beta release of 10.7 update 4 (just before Gold Master).  Keep everyone posted if it rears up again.

Flakbait88: Thanks for the heads-up but unfortunately this doesn't fix the Lion-login-hard-freeze on my MacBookPro6,2. I just installed it. This is with no external peripherals connected to the laptop.

Which Mac model are you working with (where the update fixed the problem)? The problem sounds pretty specific to certain hardware configurations.

I also ran the update in hopes of a fix, but it appears this bug has gone under the radar at Apple.  I'm pretty disappointed with the security hole this leaves on my MacBook and assumed this was going to be a quiet fix in 10.7.2.  I'm getting the impression this machine is not going to get a fix from Apple.

Another software update comes and goes. Guys- like I've said repeatedly, it's very likely that a software fix for this is impossible. Apple wouldn't be replacing the Mid-2010 MBP Logic Boards for free (out of warranty) if they had a software fix in the pipe.

@Terry, @Dan: You get a free Lion support call. Use it, and get your logic board replaced, for free. Your system will be gone for <4 days (more realistically, 2 days), and it will no longer have this issue. Dave and I have both gone through it, and I think I can speak for both of us in saying that it was absolutely painless. The situation *****, yes, but in my opinion you can't fault Apple if they're willing to go this far to make it right.

@mikeev, @Dan: Thanks Mike. I'm taking my MBP6,2 in to my local Apple dealer (no Apple Store here, but these guys are among the best in the business), in its OEM packing materials, tomorrow morning. If they cannot expedite it for me then I'll use that "free service call". I just "had" to try the 10.7.2 update first, to see if it would solve the problem.

@Terry: The "free service call" is more of a "one free issue call". Once you open that ticket, you can call them as many times as you want on that one issue. You'll get some nice kid in California. He even gave me his desk phone/e-mail to get in touch with him if I needed, which I did several times until I finally let him replace the board. Yes, I was stubborn (like many of you) and *was* convinced that a software fix was possible.

Here's the timeline:

Wednedsay night 6PM: Talk to Apple support.

Thursday morning at 9AM: FedEx drops off padded box, completely paid for.

Thursday afternoon at 3PM: I drop off sealed package at FedEx office.

Saturday morning at 10AM: FedEx drops off working MBP.

I didn't pay a dime. IMO, this is the way to go. I've had issues with "Authorized Dealers" before. Just my $0.02.

Just an FYI, I called AppleCare and was sent up to a "senior advisor" who sad that this is NOT a known issue with this machine and because my machine is out of warranty they would have to send my data to an engineer to see if they want to repair it on their dime.  He Emailed me a .dmg file that captures my machine data and I have to send it back to him.  He is going to get back to me with an answer in 4 business days.

So be advised that Apple is not replacing these boards for this issue.

Case# 252095366

@Dan: Sorry to hear you're having a hassle over this. But can you please confirm that yours is (also) a MacBookPro6,2? I.e., a mid-2010 MPB with (I assume) a dual-core i7 "built to order".

2.66 i7.  Yep it is a 6,2

@dan: Thanks - that's good to know. Your response(s) helped my decision to "not" deal directly with Apple's "Lion Support". I took my MBP6,2 over to my local Mac retail store this morning, to let "the Pros" deal with it. They have Apple Certified Technicians on site and can act on my behalf.

Interestingly, they just emailed me that "the second Login Account" (in my list of two) works without a problem, and are going to reinstall Lion to see if that solves the problem with  "the first (leftmost) account" in the list.

I am betting that the re-install will make no difference - but it may change the definition of "the problem" to "First Account in Login List will cause a Hard Freeze" if used.

Update: I won my bet. Reinstalling Lion did not fix the "hard freeze on login" problem. I regret not having run the Apple hardware test suite before taking the MacBookPro6,2 in to the shop.

Has anyone out there tried something "radical", (like resetting the PRAM)?

Guys, any news on that?

I have the same macbook pro as the OP:

Macbook Pro 6,2

i5

2.4ghz

I am using Snow Leopard and I was wondering if I would have any problem if I update to Lion. Now that I know this issue, I wont update. This is ridiculous.

I agree - the situation is a bit ridiculous. Good idea to wait until this issue is resolved. But note that at least two of us are talking about the MBP6,2 with a build-to-order, 2.66GHz, dual-core i7. I don't know if your 2.4GHz i5 machine will also have the problem. It just might be restricted to that "build-to-order" option.

If you're curious, and adventurous, you might try an upgrade; but be sure to have a complete Time-Machine backup before you leave the springboard. And also have your OEM Installation-disks available in case you have to reformat the internal HD before doing a restore.

Can anyone else out there verify that this problem also affects the MBP6,2 with the 2.4GHz i5?

@bruleke and @Terry - this problem is *not* ridiculous. I'm sorry guys, but you have no right to complain when Apple is willing to make it right (free hardware update, free overnight shipping both ways). What *is* ridiculous is constantly complaining on this forum, hoping for a software fix from Apple that could very well be impossible (without removing some GPU feature that Lion now depends on). /rant

Yes, it does. I am personally testing the new update 10.7.2 with no much hope, since it has not solved the issue for other people here in this forum. I am waiting the next freeze or kernel panic before trying the "hardware replacing for free" way.