Macbook Pro (Mid 2010) kernel panic issues

Question

Macbook Pro (Mid 2010) kernel panic issues

Hi, my Macbook Pro (mid 2010) OSX 10.8.4 with SSD started displaying weird screen artefacts last night. As a precaution I shut the machine down. Upon restart, it started having kernel panics, and would then restart automatically after displaying a message stating my machine needs to restart. Eventually the login screen appeared and I logged on. As soon as I logged on, moved the mouse, the screen started scrambling again, and the attached external monitor was fine. I also noticed it when I was downloading something from Safari (the download window seemed to be distorted and scrambled).

I tried starting up in Safe mode and the machine got kernel panics. I tried doing an Internet OS install, and it came up with an error message something like: -1020 (12) error. I tried resetting PRAM, that wouldn't work. Tried doing an FSCK. That worked, and after the message "system appears to be modified" I ran it again until "system appears to be OK" appeared. Restarted, and the same thing happened.

I then opened the machine up, and replaced my SSD with the original HDD that came with the machine, to see if it was an OSX system failure, but the fault was still there. Eventually the machine won't boot properly, and sometimes chimes around 5, 6 or even more times.

Not sure what to do now, as I'm not sure if it could be a logic board issue, RAM issue or video card issue.

Also, would this specific logicboard be one of the recalled ones, or would this be a repair at my own expense job? Worth a try in any case.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

PS, I'm pretty technically minded and know my way around Macs, so please do send me any helpfull suggestions.

Thank you in advance,

Adrian

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 28, 2013 6:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 28, 2013 6:13 AM in response to adrianfromsouthfields

Since you have tried a number of things, look at this comprehensive guide and look for other options. Exhausting those with nor success, a trip to a genius bar may be in order:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3353

Ciao,

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 28, 2013 6:30 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks Ogelthorpe! Much appreciated. Regardless if this option works or not, very valuable info on this link. Much appreciated.

Reply

Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 28, 2013 6:35 AM in response to adrianfromsouthfields

An additional thought is to post the kernel panic for inspection. Not my strongest suit, but there are other forum participants who may be able to assist.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3742

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 4

Aug 28, 2013 6:42 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

I knew this would pop up somehow...unfortunately the system keeps crashing, and there's no way of me getting the panic log. Thank for your help though.

Reply

Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 28, 2013 7:05 AM in response to adrianfromsouthfields

See if this helps:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2546

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 6

Aug 28, 2013 12:23 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

OGELTHORPE,

Just to update you on my MBP's current status. Purring like a kitten after removing one RAM chip. Can't believe how many grey hairs this caused me. Something so simple making me asume its the logic board.

If anyone else has this problem, go to your local DIY store and buy a torx driver and a .5 phillips scredriver. Undo the back of your mac and remove one of your RAM chips. Problem had me climbing the walls, and here I am writing this post on the MBP I thought was ready for the scrapheap. The RAM I had installed previously was Crucial RAM.

Thanks,

Adrian

Reply

Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 28, 2013 12:42 PM in response to adrianfromsouthfields

This is a new wrinkle for me.

By removing one RAM chip, you have solved your problem?

Are you now running on one RAM chip?

Have you swapped the chips to see if one is faulty and swapped the chips in the bays to see if one of the bays is faulty?

I believe that Crucial has a lifetime warranty on their RAM. If indeed a chip is bad, I suggest replacing it.

Ciao.

The Phillips driver should be a #00 and the Torx a #6.

Reply

Answer 8

Aug 28, 2013 12:50 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Hi,

That's correct, I'm running with one RAM chip, after testing the bays work correctly first, I elliminated that route, so it was indeed a bad RAM chip module.

I was just about to give up, as the first swap was with the good RAM out, so same problem. I thought I had nothing to lose by swapping the RAM again, and voila, it worked. I'm opening up some seriously big photoshop files at present, just to make doubly sure it's been resolved ha ha.

I'm looking at replacing my RAM now with OWC, as apparently according to their website and with the correct EFI updates, you can max out the mid 2010 MBP with 16GB of RAM. I'll much rather treat myself to that, than forking out on a new logic board.

I think it's quite a simple, but effective fix this one.

Thanks for all the advice and help, I really did appreciate it.

Ciao,

Adrian

Reply

Answer 9

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 28, 2013 1:03 PM in response to adrianfromsouthfields

The last time I checked with the OWC technical staff, 16 GB RAM was only available on the 2010 13" MBP. If that is what you have, you will have no issues. If not, give them a call, otherwise you may be wasting valuable time and money.

http://blog.macsales.com/16302-some-2010-mac-owners-can-get-more-ram-than-they-t hought

Ciao.

I have a 2010 17" MBP. It is maxed out with 8 GB RAM.

Message was edited by: OGELTHORPE

Reply

Answer 10

Aug 28, 2013 1:03 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

That's correct, I have the 13 inch, 7,1 identifier tag model, as well as the latest EFI and running 10.8.4, so happy days indeed. From doom and gloom last night, to a new lease of life for the old dog!

Reply

Answer 11

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Aug 28, 2013 1:07 PM in response to adrianfromsouthfields

GOOD! 🙂

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 12

Mar 5, 2015 7:20 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I have a Mid 2010 15 inch and mine keeps having kernel panics. Went to the apple store today and they told me it was something to do with the video card so I have to get a new logic board. They want me to pay $350!!!! Are they out of their minds??? So many people are having this problem with their 15 mid 2010 models. Its all Apples problem and they should have it fixed.

Reply