Randomly Turns Off

Doing the same thing here ... 19 week build here ... 10.4.7 ...

I've been having a similar problem. Sent my macbook off to the service center, however, they couldn't replicate the problem. So they're sending it back.

But, look what i just found on Maxfixit.com:

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20060717080227612

Macs shutting down instead of going to sleep

We are beginning to explore an issue where various Macs shut down instead of going to sleep, either when manually put to sleep by the user, or when automatically set to sleep via the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences.

In some cases, the issue can be resolved by deleting the following property list (.plist) files:

* /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
* /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.AutoWake.plist
* ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systemuiserver.plist

After deleting these files, restart and check for persistence of the issue.

Another workaround involves resetting the afflicted Mac's PMU (power management unit) can sometimes resolve this issue.

i've made a page about our problem and i've spread the news to the well known mac websites.

http://racr.free.fr

spread the word

going to try the macfixit thing

My Macbook is also exhibiting this symptom. So far it's crashed about 20 times in the last week.

Very frustrating, as I travel a lot and need a reliable laptop.

Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

I called applecare yesterday for an update on my previous case regarding this issue. I told them the first time that I wasn't going to send it back until they identified a specific issue and came up with a fix due to the widespread nature of the problem. Yesterday, they said the fix was developed last week and that if I sent it in now, I will get that fix. He didn't know what the fix but we set it up to get repaired.

I don't know if he was just blowing smoke but I have to trust them at some point. I just hope it doesn't come back full of scratches.

I also asked about parts involved in the fix that may be on backorder but he didn't think there was any due to the very few number of cases of this reported! He said he's never dealt with this type of issue before and I was the firt to report it to him.

White Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2.0GHz | 2GB RAM | 100GB 7200RPM HD | Random Shutdown Feature (C)

anothre thread discussing this issue -- link

My experience: Apple replaced the machine, and gave me a 5-day window to swap the hard drives over. It may have some bearing that I raised a ticket with Apple before 14 days were up. Oh, Apple also agreed to let me keep the "spare" power adapter -- thanks! Can't complain about the service.

The new machine has so far been fine -- I've made a point of using it as much as possible...

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

About a week ago, I received a box from Apple to send my sad MacBook in. I was still not sure if I really want to send it to them and wait for 2-3 weeks without my computer. I live in Boston and my friend told me that there is a Mac Authorized repare shop "Organize-it" in Boston. I brought my MacBook and I get it back in 2 days. They replaced logic board (they say so..) and so far, my MacBook is working without randomly shuting down for 4 days.
As I wrote here before, Applecare oparator and a guy at Genius Bar said that they have never heard of this problem and only person who works at the repare shop told me that he is aware of the problem and can fix it.
I hope this problem is totally solved and my MacBook will keep working great as it should...
(by the way, the repare shop guy told me that my AirMac wire wasn't connected when they open my computer.....I don't nomally use AirMac but once I was able to connect internet using AirMac though....very strange...)

If you live in/close to Boston, try the repare shop, they are quick!

Looking through my logs, and comparing them to the output of the last command, I find the following entry made immediately before the crashes that occured while I was using the computer. Crashes that occur during boot do not generate log entries.

mDNSResponder: NOTE: Wide-Area Service Discovery disabled to avoid crashing defective DNS relay 4.2.2.1.

Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Just to add another data point, my MacBook has started doing this as well. It only does it when it is cold--so when I turn it on first thing in the morning, it will turn itself off a few times until it gets warm, and then it will be fine for the rest of the day. (I think another member mentioned this as well).

I'm going to call in a few hours, and fight for a replacement machine. (I'm not asking, I'm telling).

I'll post back with results.

UPDATE: My laptop arrived at Apple on the 12th and has been waiting on a part since then. I just spoke w/ AppleCare & learned that this part is in fact the logic board. The person I spoke with (Devon) was extremely helpful & said they have had a few instances of this problem. I asked if this is a problem that is likely to plague a large number of MacBooks (a la the iBook logic board issues) or if it was a fluke on just a few units. He stressed that MacBook sales are through the roof & the vast majority don't have any issues.

MacBook (currently on vacation at AppleCare) Mac OS X (10.4.7) 2G ram

After reporting my problems here, I took my MacBook to a nearby Apple store (Alderwood Mall, WA), and described my problems. They created a case number, and because I first needed to backup the files, I just took it back home (Apple has since sent me a shipping box to send it in).

Looking over this forum, there are a variety of possible causes. As far as my experience goes, I don't believe it is heat-related (other than the possibility that earlier excessive heat somehow damaged something), nor do I believe that it is related to the OS version or to .plist files that need to be deleted (something I saw in the MacFixIt forum). I also don't believe it has anything to do with RAM.

I say this because I could get my MacBook to suddenly quit when I booted from the DVD that contains the Apple Hardware Test and ran the extensive test (the one where you need to check the checkbox). It would crash early on before the unit ever got hot, and because it booted from the DVD (which had a version of the Mac OS that was earlier than 10.4.7, and which didn't have any damaged .plist files), I felt that it ruled out those possible causes. Also, I swapped out my RAMJET 1GB RAM modules for the stock Apple 256MB ones, and it would still randomly quit.

The nearest "sure thing" to getting it to randomly quit was to fire up the MacBook in target disk mode, and then attempt to transfer over to my Mac mini the user folder, which is several GB in size. I have yet been able to do this because of shutdowns, and in fact have ordered an external SATA enclosure so I can remove the internal drive and connect it to my Mac mini. Once I back everything up, I will reinsert the drive and then send the unit off to Apple for repairs. We'll see if it works any better once I get it back.

MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.7) Added 2GB of RAM from RAMJET

Hey, I have the same problem! I was gonna post this at the end of the discussion, until I saw your post and decided to reply here, cuz I just installed WoW the day before yesterday and, after never once shutting down spontaneously before, my 2ghz macbook (1.25GB RAM) has done it three times in less than 24 hours!

Could there be a connection??

Frankly, I'm not sure how . . . .

2.0 ghz macbook Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1.25GB RAM

This is a repost from another forum member which I found to be both helpful and distressing.Perhaps some of you missed it. It seems the logic board may not be the issue


"Ok folks, here is the deal. First, I'm a twenty year PC tech, and this problem is also common in PC laptops using the core duo. Per Intel:

"Intel Core Duo technology implements a new multiple-core thermal control algorithm. Both cores synchronize action requests and activity. A programmable policy can select DVS on both cores and linear control on each core either independently or as a locked operation. PROCHOT was also made available as an input, to allow thermal protection of platform components such as the voltage regulator (VR).

A finer grain overheat detection is performed by monitoring the thermal activity. If an extreme thermal condition occurs (fan malfunction, operation within a bag, etc.) the processor self thermal management may not be sufficient and the temperature may not drop below the threshold point. The internal control algorithm tracks the control behavior and further reduces power as needed. Continuous extreme conditions will eventually initiate an "Out Of Spec" thermal interrupt and register the warning in an internal status bit. The "Out Of Spec warning" signal is intended to initiate a managed system shutdown before a THERMTRIP shutdown occurs."

This "Out of Spec" signal comes when either one or both core exceed temp. Some have said that their Macbook wasn't hot at the time but "hot to the touch" or even using program isn't the issue of whether or not the shutdown occurs. For instance if the fan isn't operating correctly, or even if the processor runs below spec rated temp.

Confusing I know, but the Core Duo is loaded with such "flaws", as most "prototype" chips are. That's right the Core Duo is the 601 of Intel - a beta, which is why Core Duo 2 the true chip.

Sorry, but no matter how many times they replace the logic board or even give you a new one, this is a design flaw of the Core Duo.

See http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2006Jan/bch20060123034350.htm for more info."

Well, the specialist who I talked to suggested I send it in for repair. I don't want to do that because, like what happened to others in this thread, it is possible that they wouldn't be able to recreate the problem at the repair depot, and so my computer would be returned untouched.

I asked the manager to approve a replacement computer, and am now waiting for their reply.

My Macbook just randomly turns off sometimes without
me doing anything. Then I'll try and boot it back up
and it takes me pressing the button about 3 times for
it to finally actually boot up. I have it connected
to my power supply the whole time, so I'm positive
that it's not a power issue. Any advice?

I also had that issue. I ended up calling Applecare, and eventually bringing it into the Apple Store at Fifth Ave. It seems to be a hardware rather than a software issue:

When I run an extended hardware test, it shuts down after about 2 minutes.

They're currently looking at it right now. I'll let you know what they tell me in 7-10 days!

MacBook 2.0Ghz White 1GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.7)