Randomly Turns Off

i'm having the same problem. i hope a fix comes out asap, rather a recall or if they can do it with software. i love this computer sooo much, but it just recently start cutting off by itself and thats not acceptable. i'm sure apple will get on it though, and wont leave us out to dry. also, i have a fully "stock" macbook. i even clean installed 10.4.6 and added no other new software, and it would reset. even booting off of my bootdisk, it would reset.. not good.

I would encourage everyone having this problem to call Applecare. If you can, reference the case number that I received from them.

I'm a little worried that a reinstall of 10.4.6 doesn't fix the problem. That was going to be my next step.

It's the logic board. No software update will fix it. It needs to be replaced.

My Macbook just started having this problem today. I talked to applecare for about an hour and did all the standard testing they asked. Finally, i took it down to the Apple Store in Pasadena and they were trying to hint that it could be the third party RAM I installed about 2 weeks ago prior to the 10.4.7 software update. I didn't mind turning it in to the apple store since i had to turn in my MB for the discoloration issue. I really hope it's the logic board which i understand is easy to replace . . . I just hope they don't erase my hard drive!

These all started goin haywire with the shutdowns after the recent updates. Not a single complaint about this (that i recall) before that

But either way, i havent had a shutdown since i re-seated the ram, and i've had it on 24-7 just to see if it would.

So i dunno :P

Mine is now in for a new logic board - luckily it will be done by our in cities apple authorized repair center and should only take a few days - I had very positive support from all applecare representatives I spoke too....there is a problem but they are fixing it as quickly as they can (how impatient everyone is show how cool the mackbook is - noone wants to loose a minute...)

It could also be to much heat.

ok guys, doesnt look like this is a software issue. for one, i did do a reinstall of 10.4.6.. (again), and it still shuts down randomly. another thing, is if i use bootcamp, even in windows, it randomly shuts down. i'm going to take my computer in...


keep in mind i never changed my ram or hard drive, my computer is all stock..

Well its not the ram, cause its happening to me again 😟

It happend when i was watching a video on youtube.com. Then when i went back to watch it, it shut down again.

Then i just surfed the web and did other stuff and it was fine, then i tried to watch that video on youtube again, and once more it shut off. To test it, i tried watching videos on youtube 5 times and each time it shuts off within 2 minutes of the video starting.

Maybe you guys could see if that happens to you too? I figure if nothing else, it would be a good way to demonstrate the problem to a mac genius.

PS: I dont think its really heat-related, cause i "yes > /dev/null" 'ed my way to 82c and left it there for a while with no problem

I had this exact same issue with my machine after two weeks (it was a stock machine 4H619 ) and it ended up being the logic board. I'm in Canada and the local Mac Store (MacStation) said they would replace the logic board but I demanded a replacement machine. Tell me WHY we should pay full price for a refurbished machine since that is exactly what it will be.

They replaced it and now I have a 4H623 model and it has been working great. No shutdowns, moo or whining (execpt when plugged in buts is really hard to hear it). This model also seems to run quite a bit cooler than the other one.

Crossing my fingers that I don't have any discolouration issues.

Update: I finally managed to erase my hard disk and install with the DVDs provided when I purchased the computer. It took four further attempts today to make it work. I carefully went about limiting the extras installed, cutting out iLife apps that would force me on to disc 2, and only keeping the base system plus the necessary languages and print drivers (HP and Epson). I also removed the battery and ran straight off plug in power. Still, I had three further shutdowns that forced me to restart and begin a new installation each time. Finally, I pared my installation down to base system only--no print drivers, no language packs, nothing but the base system plus help files. Finally, success with only a 4GB install. I am now back on my mac, but tomorrow I am taking it in.
I hope this reference helps everyone else with a similar problem when they take their machines in for warranty service. Don't let anyone try and tell you are crazy or don't know what you are talking about. Document the steps you take and post them to this forum for safe-keeping (and to get Apple's attention).
I'll point the service techs to my posts here so they can follow the steps I've already taken, hopefully saving me and them time in getting the issue resolved.

Best of luck to all of you in getting your problems fixed.

P.S. I'll take "Keeps crashing" out of my system details when it isn't true anymore!

my computer is a serial model of 4H621.. wonder if its an issue that has been fixed with an even newer model..

Important Message For Fellow MacBook Users!

Hello brothers, I used to have the powering off problem as you folks do. Today I took my mac into the genius bar at my local apple store (make an appointment first, trust me). The guy there fired up my mac, and was doing normal tasks (internet browsing, etc). It was working just fine, then after a while it just died (like it always does). He promptly took it into the back room and got me a brand new replacement macbook. He even swapped out my harddrive (so I kept all my data, and of course my precious iTunes library).

I advise anyone with this problem to visit their local apple store, and be honest, direct and calm, and tell them exactly what the problem is. They will be able to help you in one way or another.

If an apple store is too far away, then do the phone apple care thingy, but I recommend the apple store.

+20 points to apple for expert customer service!

great news! when i go in friday i hope my service is as friendly, and they just swap my hard drive. i forgot how easy it is to just quickly "swap" my hard drive with another macbook's... hope my experiance goes the same way, i'll keep you updated.

richie.foreman

Was your computer within the 14 day return window?

I plan on going to the store, but I purchased mine from MacMall one month ago. I doubt that they will give me a replacement unless this is something that Apple Corporate has instructed them to do.