James Palmer2
Level 1 (35 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Macbook becomes unresponsive

Just recently, my Macbook has started to experience a complete unresponsive start and will not become responsive after waiting for 15-20 minutes.

 

I have started and shutdown normally, then start again and will work for a few minutes but then witll quit.

 

Just leaving it after startup without toughing a thing and it will just quit.  No error messages.

 

Keyboard, mouse will not work..

 

Any ideas on what might be causing this?

 

Jim P.

OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 7, 2014 8:52 AM

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James Palmer2

Q: Macbook becomes unresponsive

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  • by Lyssa,

    Lyssa Lyssa Oct 7, 2014 3:49 PM in response to James Palmer2
    Level 6 (17,893 points)
    Oct 7, 2014 3:49 PM in response to James Palmer2

    How old is the computer?

     

    Is it restarting on its own or just locking up?

     

    ~Lyssa

  • by James Palmer2,

    James Palmer2 James Palmer2 Oct 8, 2014 8:47 AM in response to Lyssa
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 8, 2014 8:47 AM in response to Lyssa

    Mid 2007 running Mountain Lion

    It just locks up.  No specific app or action, very random.

     

    JP

  • by Lyssa,

    Lyssa Lyssa Oct 8, 2014 4:53 PM in response to James Palmer2
    Level 6 (17,893 points)
    Oct 8, 2014 4:53 PM in response to James Palmer2

    Do you have the original install discs for it? If so, you may need them to do some troubleshooting.

     

    If not, that's OK for now. Boot up the computer with the Command + R keys held down. This should boot you to the Recovery HD. This article walks you through the steps: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417

     

    Scroll down to the section labeled Try Disk Utility. And follow the steps there to verify and/or repair the HD.

     

    If you need help along the way, let me know.

     

    ~Lyssa

  • by James Palmer2,

    James Palmer2 James Palmer2 Oct 9, 2014 5:48 AM in response to Lyssa
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 9, 2014 5:48 AM in response to Lyssa

    Mid 2007 running Mountain Lion

    It just locks up.  No specific app or action, very random.

     

    JP

  • by James Palmer2,

    James Palmer2 James Palmer2 Oct 9, 2014 5:52 AM in response to James Palmer2
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 9, 2014 5:52 AM in response to James Palmer2

    I incorrectly described the symptoms.

     

    I am able to start the computer, login and then after I login, that's where the computer will stop responding.  So it's not start up, per se, it's after I begin using the computer.

     

    I've tried to pinpoint where the issue occurs, but not successful.

     

    I have tried to start up in Recovery mode, but I think my machine might be too old.

     

    I'm running disk check / verify and permissions check now.

     

    Will post findings later....

     

    JP

  • by Lyssa,

    Lyssa Lyssa Oct 9, 2014 4:05 PM in response to James Palmer2
    Level 6 (17,893 points)
    Oct 9, 2014 4:05 PM in response to James Palmer2

    Another good troubleshooting step is to start the computer up in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key while booting. It will take a bit longer, but you may find that the computer works better in Safe Mode.

     

    Give that a shot also and let me know how things go.

     

    ~Lyssa