How long does SMC reset take?

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Level 1

8 points

How long does SMC reset take?

Online tutorials have hinted that SMC resets take about 10 minutes for things to return to normal. I'm sure it varies from system to system, but how long do SMC resets take?

My SMC is currently "resetting" (Fan is running and the keyboard backlight is off) and has been for the last 2 hours. How long should thins process last? I'm running a 2011 MBP.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Dec 22, 2012 9:39 PM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Dec 22, 2012 11:38 PM in response to albertfromsk

Are you sure you read and understood the reset instructions fully? All five steps of them??

Shut down the computer.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Lengthiest will probably be #1. #2 maybe, if you can't find the brick in the bag.

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Answer 2

albertfromsk Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 23, 2012 9:38 AM in response to Courcoul

Yea, I read the instructions and definetly got the steps right. It's the period after the reset that is interesting/problematic. The system is supposed to return to 'normal' SMC activity all on it's own but I had to restart twice, do another SMC reset until my computer finally started normally after doing a PRAM reset...

I'm weirded out by my mac right now, it's lagging with no abnormal activity on the activity monitor and also lags on the login window and in other user accounts.

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Answer 3

waues

Level 1

0 points

Jan 19, 2013 8:20 AM in response to albertfromsk

Actually I had the same problem. Aftere reset, my mac did not respond and I had to restart using power key. Therefore I'm not sure if reset I did was successful or not.

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