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

@georgeFromBlackburn: Sounds like the same (or similar) problem (most but not all of us?) have been having with a specific batch run of mid-2010 MacBookPro6,2.

Ths solution (for this batch) turns out to be a motherboard replacement, even if the machine is out of warranty - although, from the sound of it, yours should still be covered.

Temporary workaround was to set Automatid Grapics Switching (AGS) off (only for MBPs) - to stop the freezing.

        System Preferences > Energy Saver > [uncheck] Automatic Graphics Switching

We found we can usually (but not always) do this by logging in within 7 or 8 seconds of getting the prompt. But, if you delay longer, the machine freezes and displays the spinning beach ball of death (SBBoD) - and you need to force Power-Off and then REstart and try again.

Apple has recently acknowledged the problem and put out a Tech Support bulletin (TS4088), on Oct 24/25. They were compliling a list of affected machines.

Highly recommend, if you can login again, do a Time Machine full backup and then take your machine to a Certified Apple Technician, armed with this information, and (with AGS ON again) try to demonstrate the problem, and also refer them to the TS4088 bulletin, and refer to this discussion thread - since not all Apple Tech Support personnel seem to be aware of this issue - yet.

Just got off the phone with Apple Support and unfortunately the two individuals I spoke with were also unfamiliar with the problem as well.  I tried to have them review this discussion but not certain if they actually did or not.

I am working with a senior specialist who sent me a tool to collect information about my MBP that is currently running a clean Lion + video patch.  The information has been sent to engineering to review and he expects a response within a few days.

One tip... if you call Apple Support, they will obviously remind you that your MBP 2010 is out of warranty but you should be able to request for an exception (90 day extension) given that this is an OS upgrade preventing the hardware from operating properly.

Crossing fingers.

Hi everyone,

it's a little frenchy from paris. So, i have exactly the same issue with my macbook pro mid 2010 (late 2010 because i have a 2.8ghz cto).

I was tested 2 cases:

the first one, with a clean install of 10.6.8 and 10.7.2 update. everything works well, and i don't have the beach ball at login.

the second one, a clean install of 10.7.2. -> fail i have the beach ball and it's not possible to open the login.

Well, i have compared this diferents system with system profiler. And the result it's clearly. This is not a hardware problem, only a software problem with the differents extensions.

A few extension of graphic (muxcontrol, applegraphicpolicycontrol, .... )

If i pick up the extensions from the 10.6.8+10.7 update and i drop it in the 10.7 clean install, it works!

I definitively think that is an software problem with the standalone lion dristib. may be an extension have a missing code....

Hi my frnd i had a same issue but now everything is working fine. I went to apple store and told them about this issue and i showed them about the latest video update for freezing video issue. Then i told them that if you guys can't fix this issue, i need a replacement laptop. Then he ordered for a new logic board and i got my laptop back and it works fine like before.. So go to store after getting appointment and they will do the rest.  Now my laptop is working fine no freezing issues on login screen with ags on..... And no more crashing in anybapplications and i feel better in battery life tooo...

Hi SDG,

Have you solved the problem definitely by transferring the extensions?

Can you give me more information about the location of that extensions for trying the same solution?

Thanks.

Guys!

I have find the solution!

Go to your /system/library/extensions/

Drop the AppleGraphicPowerManagent.kext to the bin. (don't empty it for the moment)

reboot in safe mode to rebuild the extension cache. Enable login session and automatic graphic switch.

Restart....

No beach ball

Enjoy!

batery life is not impacted! Yeah

The laptop switch between intel and nvidia card, like the past on 10.6

So you can test, after a reboot (no external display connected) go to about this mac and more info. the intel card is selected. ok you can close this windows.

Now open iphoto and do the same -> about this mac, more info. The nvidia card is selected...

Now my laptop switch alone between intel and nvidia card. On intel card, the battery life is about 6h30.

When iphoto is launched, the battery life down to 4h20 du to the nvidia chipset.

In this extension, i was find some code for the new intel/ATI but not for our intel/nvidia. Maybe the cause.

Now i'im happy to solve this issue!

To finish, you can backup this extension in a zip file where you want

Thanks, I will try it later, hope it will work on my computer!

Merci beaucoup !

@SDG Consultant

your solution has indeed fixed the issue on my machine.  i have restarted it several times without even a hint of beach ball. 

im glad i wont have to get my logic board replaced after all.  Thanks a bunch!!!

Wow, this actually worked. I followed your descrption, booted up a couple of times, and it worked like a charm. When I put the file back and rebooted, the issue was back.

But is this method secure? I mean, don´t this file have a purpous which is needed?

@SDG Consultant:

Thanks! It looks as if "moving to trash" /system/library/extensions/AppleGraphicPowerManagent.kext has fixed the "Lion freezes on login" (with AGS ON), on my mid-2010 MBP6,2 with its nVidia GE 330M Graphics card.

What are any bad consequences of simply removing the whole extenstion-file?

Interestingly, I used TextWrangler to look at the info.plist file inside the Contents folder (of the .kext file after I had moved it onto my desktop). Surprisingly, there is no configuration section for <key>MacBoookPro6,2</key> (but there is one for MacBookPro6,1).

Off-topic (but relevant?) my new 17-inch MBP8,3 with its AMD Radeon 6750 and Intel HD 3000. does have a an AGPM.kext configuration for MacBookPro6,2!! I am going to see if I can patch it into the older info.plist file that is missing the definition for MacBookPro6,2.

I haven't tried the extensions solutions yet, but Terry let us know how you get on with copying your configuration file from the 17" with  amd – a friend recently bought one of these and I could copy-transfer his, if it works for you.

I just tried SDGs fix. I'll reply back after a couple of reboots to let folks know how it works for me. I have one of the problem 15" MBP 2010 systems and have had several discussions with Apple Support. Apple have basically told me to take the machine into a nearby store and have the motherboard replaced. Fingers crossed this does the trick.

Related to this, I'm also curious about the function of this file and if it can be patched rather than discarded.