Need help troubleshooting MacBook Pro

Question

Smunion Author

Level 1

8 points

Need help troubleshooting MacBook Pro

My mbp has been doing a few frustrating things this week.

1. The Chrome app I was using started showing the Aw Snap error on every page I visited. It eventually would crash.

2. I switched to Firefox and it also crashed soon after use.

3. I tried Safari and haven't experienced a similar crash.

4. My computer has been indexing itself repeatedly.

5. Eventually the computer shows the shaded screen that cascades from the top and displays error "You need to shut down your computer."

I have physically switched hard drives and I am experiencing the same issues. Any idea how to resolve this situation?

2010 MBP

2.26 Intel Core 2 Duo

8 gb 1067 DDR3

osx 10.6.8

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 4, 2015 5:42 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jul 4, 2015 6:05 PM in response to Smunion

The problem is likely due to the discrete GPU failing. Download gfxCardStatus 2.3 and use it to disable the discrete GPU. This is a temporary workaround until you get your motherboard replaced.

Reply

Answer 2

Smunion Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 4, 2015 7:22 PM in response to Kappy

i read this article after reading your reply:https://www.apple.com/au/support/macbookpro-videoissues/. I have a 13" MBP mid-2009. Does this alter your thoughts about the issue, or are you still quite sure the issue is the discrete GPU?

Reply

Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jul 4, 2015 10:18 PM in response to Smunion

Your original post states you have a 2010 MBP. Now, you say it's 2009. Which is it. What I posted is for the 2010 model. The article you posted only applies to 15" MBPs from 2012, so I don't know why you think it would apply.

Reply

Answer 4

Smunion Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 5, 2015 8:29 AM in response to Kappy

Ack! I see the confusion. I did indeed provide the wrong information in my original post. My MBP is mid-2009.

I have since tried running my computer in the same situations with one DIMM at a time. With one DIMMs in particular removed, the problems I noted in my OP have not recurred. It's possible that DIMM is bad.

Not sure if this is related or just a perfect storm of hardware failure, but, it also appears that one of my HDDs has failed. 😝

Anyhow, consider this thread closed--hopefully.

Reply