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Level 1

0 points

Macbook Pro randomly logs me out (10.6.8)

Hello,

I have recently been having a problem with my laptop: while I am using it, it randomly logs me out. This means it quits all applications, which is getting pretty irritating as I am working on a big project!

Here are the specs:

MacBook Pro 15" 2.2 GHz

Intel Core 2 Duo

6 GB memory

320 GB capacity HD (with 30 GB of that free)

4 years old (bought in January 2008)

Please note: the system preferences are *NOT* set to log me out after any period of inactivity — and anyway, it happens while I am working, typing, etc.

I thought it perhaps could be due to the RAM upgrade I did, but I did that about 6 months ago, and this problem just started happening over the last month or so. Now it is happening several times a day.

Any ideas what the problem could be??

Thanks!!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 10:50 AM

19 replies

Snowy511 Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 18, 2012 1:10 AM in response to HACKINT0SH

No peripherals plugged in (unless you count an ethernet cord?). I always properly eject devices.

Thanks.

Apr 21, 2012 11:08 AM in response to Snowy511

This is just crazy. My Macbook configuration hasn't ever changed, I/O devices, nothing since I bought it new. This thing has logged me out 4 times in the last few weeks, when it has never done that before. I suppose it is better than getting the "you need to power off your computer" message with a crashed device (which is really just a pretty way of displaying Apple's version of the Windows BSOD) but COME ON!! I have 8g memory, lots of HD space and no garbage apps, never have...

It would be one thing if it was just locked out, then I came back in to my open programs, but this is a full log out.

I am leaning towards a software update having it's way with the OS and creating this problem, no way Apple will ever admit that though. The fix will come as a "security" patch, you know, like the ones Macs are never supposed to need because they never get viruses, spyware or are vulnerable to attacks. Interesting this thread started just a couple months ago and I just started noticing this problem just around a month ago, maybe a few weeks. I know it has never happened before.

Apr 21, 2012 11:22 AM in response to Snowy511

Snowy511 wrote:

Yes, Rick, the exact same thing happens for me!

It's been happening sometimes when I'm running just a browser (albeit with many tabs open), a word processor and maybe one other program ... I work mostly with text, so no big loads of video or anything. The programs I'm often running are:

- Chrome

- Nisus Writer Pro

- Mendeley

- DevonThink Pro

- Scrivener

... but sometimes it happens when only a couple of those are running.

I upgraded my internal hard drive a while ago to 320 GB, and I only have 30 GB free now, so not sure if that could be part of the problem? Or is it possible that I upgraded my RAM or my hard drive "too much" and my processor is having a hard time handling it? I have no idea if that's possible...

I am having the EXACT same problem and I have a ton of space left on my HD, plus 8g of memory.

toadc

Level 1

4 points

May 16, 2012 8:06 PM in response to BeastMode

This exact issue happens to me most every time my MBP goes to sleep. I am on 10.6.8 with 8GB RAM.

I suspect Chrome is the culprit. My defense lately has been to open a terminal window. Terminal doesn't put up with this random "logout and close everything" nonsense.

I thought perhaps it was a setting in the accounts prefs, but apparently not.

I'll

Macbook Pro randomly logs me out (10.6.8)