Macbook pro keeps freezing but why?

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Level 1

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Macbook pro keeps freezing but why?

I am running macbook pro with version 10.6.8 with a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor & 1 GB Memory. I recently purchased this computer refurbished by a very well known seller with great selling reviews. The computer itself seems to work great and other than having to install some basic things like upgrade OS software etc it has been working great for me BUT lately....

my computer often freezes, it will most of the time eventually come back to normal working order but only having waiting 5-15 minutes with the rainbow circle just spinning away. I am not having a lot of anything running, generally just the Firefox (the safari seemed to make it freeze more often). I try moving my cursor around and it moves but everytime I hover over anything it just displays the spinning circle. There have been a few times that I had to hard boot my computer by holding down the power button until it shut off.

I am just wondering what is causing this issue, I barely have anything stored on my computer nor do I have a lot of programs running...any advice?

MacBook Pro, iOS 4.1

Posted on Mar 2, 2014 9:10 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 2, 2014 9:23 AM in response to lfackrell

There are a lot of Software Problems and conflicts that can cause that probelm. But the items ro check first are:

1) do you have enough RAM memory for the things you are doing at once?

Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory and determine how much RAM is being used (OS X Mountain Lion and earlier)

2) Is your hard drive Failing?

>> make certain you have Backups

Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks

Verify or Repair takes about five minutes. If it is done in 10 seconds, you have only inspected the top-level of the Physical drive, not the Macintosh Volume you intended to inspect.

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Mar 2, 2014 9:32 AM in response to lfackrell

That is less RAM than req'd or recommended for Snow Leopard.

With a used system, always wipe the drive and system and install your own.

You can find RAM and storage upgrades @ www.macsales.com/macbookpro I woudl get 4GB RAM and invest as well in a 256GB or larger SSD to infuse new life and performance. I'd even go with 8GB and SSD if yours can't take 4GB though ifi ti will and you can.

They have tutorial video and how to guides for upgrade RAM and t he internal hard drive. And be sure you are using backups, TimeMachine at a minimum. Also look into Lion upgrade.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion

Lion (10.7)

http://store.apple.com/us/help/downloadable_software#MacOSX

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Answer 3

lfackrell Author

Level 1

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Mar 2, 2014 9:45 AM in response to The hatter

Thank you, I've been meaning to upgrade to 10.7 but am waiting until I get the extra money to do so. I will make sure I upgrade my RAM & storage as well. I will keep this information for future reference. Thanks again.

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Mar 2, 2014 10:09 AM in response to lfackrell

Lion is t he cheap part $20, though 2GB RAM would be a must.

An SSD will make huge difference in performance. I would go wtih Samsung 840 EVO series.

The core duo doesn't tell me a lot, not a MBP owner, and this is not the forum for notebooks actually. The newer model use i3 and i5 or i7 processors. Knowing model year helps people know which one you have.

An SSD was the biggest improvement in performance ever and was only $100 for 128GB, enough for system and small amount of files.

Your seller should have left it so that on first boot you had to register and set it up. Also want to create and use Apple ID on your system (req'd with Lion) that is tied to that and other Macs and devices you own.

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Answer 5

Mar 2, 2014 10:19 AM in response to The hatter

The core duo doesn't tell me a lot [about your MacBook]

• for 10.6 Snow Leopard:

-- Any Intel processor

• for 10.7 Lion on Macbook:

-- Core 2 Duo is the minimum processor

OS X Mountain Lion system requirements

To install Mountain Lion, you need one of these Macs:

iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)

MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)

MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)

Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)

Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)

Xserve (Early 2009)

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