Unexpected Shut down when moving macbook pro on my 'lap'

Ioan007

My point, is that it isn't unreasonable to think that one should move a laptop

its not the laptop itself but the HD inside same.

You simply dont understand the mechanical nature and operation of a conventional HD. 😉

If you want to constantly move your Mac, get a SSD,.........but HD heads hover MICROMETERS above the platters, and there is an extremely long and logical reason behind the SMS HD sensor.

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store.

Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

I've sort of scanned the answers here.

Are you aware of this?

Apple Recall

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

and yours is one of the affected models:

"MacBook Pro (17-inch Early 2011)"

Also since it says:

"Computer restarts unexpectedly"

A badly attached GPU could cause this. That could possibly send a graphics anomaly through the MBP that would cause a shutdown.

It would be worth your time to take it in and have Apple test it. Make sure a shutdown occurs while they're testing it.

I once had a problem like that on an Apple PowerBook about 10 years ago. It was caused by a loose connection on the motherboard, so that when I moved the computer the case would flex just enough to create a gap in the loose connection and the power cut would instantly shut down the computer. Only a trip to Apple service fixed it.

I'm not saying that's exactly what's going on here, and the MacBook Pro has a much stiffer case than the old plastic PowerBooks G3. My point is that it could be caused by a fault somewhere in the motherboard the you should have repaired, hopefully your warranty has not run out.

I am convinced it is a hardware fault of some kind because that problem should not be happening at all. Because of features like the SMS, today's MacBook Pros can withstand quite a bit of being moved around with no ill effects.

In the end, Linc's advice is good and helpful because this is probably something you cannot fix on your own. Your best option is to have Apple look at it.

I do hope you take Linc's advice about backing up your data and clearing your personal information from the system. Always good advice when taking in your system, as Linc advised.

Sorry ... Linc was useless. Network's advise to backup and then take it in is what you are following.

You already diagnosed the problem ... moving an MBP when the system is running (not asleep or shutdown) triggers the SMS to stop the HD. But you repeat that behavior while expecting a different result.

When a new disk is installed I hope you recognize what started this problem and correct your behavior.

Ioan007 wrote:

I've tried something out....and it's working so far......I'll let you know how it goes.

Please do. Since the replies so far are on the same track, if you find something that shows there is another angle on it that would be useful to expand the points of view here.

You have a pretty bad attitude for someone who came here looking for help from total strangers who owe you nothing and volunteer their time. You've been given the one and only correct answer several times by several different people, and you've given infantile responses to all of them. Nobody has yet figured out a way to fix electronics by telekinesis. Until that happens, you'll have take the machine to a service facility.

I've had similar behaviors on a repaired MacBook Pro -- it seems that a connector (inside) was loose, and could be affected by jolting or moving the computer. If you can get the bottom plate off the MacBook, look at all the obvious ribbon cables where they are connected looking for any gaps between the headers or just slightly move the wires. Moving the cables might cause any corrosion to get wiped clean, depending on the age of the system. on

All metal on metal connections can experience corrosion, even though it's a small amount, it could cause intermittant behavior.

Just a thought, maybe useless, but I hope it's helpful. It helped my system.

You might just re-seat the memory SODIMMS -- and see if that helps first. I can't recall how easy it is to expose the bottom of the circuit board on the older MacBooks, but on my 2011/2012 after removing a bunch of screws, everything is exposed (memory, hard disk, CPU fan, etc.).

HI there.

For what it's worth, I can align with your problem.

It happens wether the motion sensor is enabled OR disabled.

My machine in question is an original unibody macbook pro.

I can also add that on my machine, it happens ONLY in OS 10.8 (I booted from all four paritions on my Hard drive, each containing a separate OS from 10.5 - 10.8)

I can also add that it not due to a corrupt user-level library/preferences etc (checked in a new account setup and exisitng other user accoounts both admin and standard, and it turned off in all when moved/tilted a certain way)

I have been asked to wipe my 10.8 partition and re-install anew and test again.

If it still does it, then Apple are officially Stumped.

I too have a similar issue. I found that it was most evident when moving the laptop upwards quickly (when I was moving the laptop when getting out of bed.)

From that I found the issue, if I squeeze the left corner while the screen is open the mac will instantally turn off. My hypothesis is that when lifting up the mac quickly the logic board in the left corner comes in contact with the bottom of the case and shorts out. I recently had the back cover off to install some more ram and there is two black wires that are a bit thicker gauge and slightly raised (definitely the problem point for my case.) I have tried to make sure the connections are tight to the logic board, but the issue is still occurring.

Lightly push or squeeze the back corner, the back cover to the logic board and see if this is your issue.

What I'm going to try next is putting some nonconductive tape between the back cover and the two exposed wires with metal clips.