Ananthnag

Q: Macbook Keyboard - Shut down issue

Hi,

I am writing from India. I have a Macbook Mid-2010 model (Unibody).

I am facing an auto shut down issue with it.

The Macbook runs well when i press any key.

Once the key is released, it automatically shuts down at any point, either in boot up or in running state.

I have even formatted the Hard drive and Loaded with OSX Snow Leopard (10.6), which came along with the Macbook.

There is no issue with the Logic board or Hard drive or RAM as the system runs perfect when any key in the keyboard is pressed.

Regards,

Ananth

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Mar 13, 2016 10:50 PM

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Q: Macbook Keyboard - Shut down issue

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  • by SBeattie2,

    SBeattie2 SBeattie2 Mar 15, 2016 5:58 AM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 2 (184 points)
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    Mar 15, 2016 5:58 AM in response to Ananthnag

    Hi Ananth - I'm assuming you have the Mid 2010 MacBook "Pro" - Aluminum unibody - possibly the 15"  with a Model Identifier of "MacBookPro6,2" under hardware information (system information).  Can you check under Graphics/Displays to see if your MacBookPro has the dual Intel HD Graphics/NVIDIA GeForce card?  There is a known problem with the Mid 2010 MacBook Pro with certain NVIDIA graphics cards.  Apple was replacing the logic boards at no cost for up to 3 years.  (The replacement program has now ended).

     

    The graphics issue was causing a GPU Panic.  If you are having the GPU Panics (which may or may not result in a Kernel Panic or may cause other strange behavior) - you will most likely find a message similar to the one below - if you search your console logs for "GPU Panic".

     

    panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f93b65f63): "GPU Panic: [<None>] 5 3 7f 0 0 0 0 3 : NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x00000100: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff812d1f7000 0x0a5480a2, D0, P3/4\n"@/SourceCache/AppleGraphicsControl/AppleGraphicsControl-3.7.21/src/Apple MuxControl/kext/GPUPanic.cpp:127


    If you are having the GPU Panics the - only remedy is to replace the logic board.  The cost of logic board replacement may not be justified since the Mid 2010 MacBook Pro is at End of Life (or will be very soon).

     

    Just out of curiosity: Does the MacBook Pro still have the shutdown problem if you boot up into the OS X Installer from the OS X Install DVD  (restart while holding down the "C" key)?

     

    ~Scott

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Mar 15, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Ananthnag

    You do not need to disable the internal key board when plugging in an external one.  Are you getting a dialogue box warning that the computer is going to shut down and asking if you want to? Or does it just shut down with no warning at all? Does the end of the magsafe adapter glow a solid green or orange? Have you tried ether a pram reset or SMC reset.  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063   https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295 You could also try starting up in safe mode to see if the problem goes away. Start holding down the shift key.

  • by Ananthnag ,

    Ananthnag Ananthnag Mar 15, 2016 9:49 PM in response to SBeattie2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 9:49 PM in response to SBeattie2

    Hi Scott,

    I am Using Macbook (White) PVC Unibody Mid-2010 model.

    I checked the battery cycle count. It is less than 500. So the battery is also ok.

    Also when i connected external keyboard, the same issue happens.

    Is there any other diagnostic tool available, so that i can run it and zero down the faulty part which is creating the problem?

  • by Ananthnag ,

    Ananthnag Ananthnag Mar 15, 2016 9:50 PM in response to my ginger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 9:50 PM in response to my ginger

    Hi,

    I am getting the Shut down dialog box when the system is running.

    Also i have tried SMC and PRAM/NVRAM reset.

  • by SBeattie2,

    SBeattie2 SBeattie2 Mar 15, 2016 10:09 PM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 2 (184 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Mar 15, 2016 10:09 PM in response to Ananthnag

    Ok - Please disregard my previous post about the Mid 2010 MacBook Pro 15" - the NVIDIA issue was only with that particular model.  Did you get a chance to boot it up with the OS X Install DVD to see if the problem occurs when running from the install DVD?  Just curious.  All this will do is tell you whether the problem is truly occurring under all conditions - all of the time - some of which you have already proven.

     

    I am positive there is a faulty component - possibly the keyboard.  The Apple Hardware Test is very basic and typically does not detect the more difficult issues such as you are having.  An Apple Store (or Mac Repair Shop) will have more advanced diagnostics - that may pinpoint the problem.  I am not aware of another hardware diagnostic tool being available for download.  I wish that I had a better answer.

     

    ~Scott

  • by Ananthnag ,

    Ananthnag Ananthnag Mar 15, 2016 10:14 PM in response to SBeattie2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 10:14 PM in response to SBeattie2

    Hi Scott,

    Did you get a chance to boot it up with the OS X Install DVD to see if the problem occurs when running from the install DVD? - Yeah the problem occurs while booting up from Install DVD also. But still i somehow managed to Erase disk and Install a new copy of OSX by holding a key all along the installation. (probably 40 Minutes ). So the issue is occurring under all conditions.

  • by SBeattie2,

    SBeattie2 SBeattie2 Mar 15, 2016 10:27 PM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 2 (184 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Mar 15, 2016 10:27 PM in response to Ananthnag

    Just a thought - and I don't know if this will cause other problems - but you could try removing the battery entirely - and attempt to run it on power only (if it will allow you to do that) - to see if that changes the behavior of the problem.  Be careful when removing the battery as there may be a fragile ribbon cable attached to it.  If the problem goes away without the battery in the Mac - then the solution would likely be a battery replacement.

  • by Ananthnag ,

    Ananthnag Ananthnag Mar 15, 2016 10:30 PM in response to SBeattie2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 15, 2016 10:30 PM in response to SBeattie2

    Hi Scott,

    I already tried that too.

    The system behavior doesn't change even without the battery.

  • by SBeattie2,

    SBeattie2 SBeattie2 Mar 16, 2016 8:52 AM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 2 (184 points)
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    Mar 16, 2016 8:52 AM in response to Ananthnag

    I did some more searching and I have found a number of posts with a similar problem where the Mac will shutdown after running for 4 to 10 seconds unless you press and hold some key (or as you have stated "any" key).  I am not seeing many desirable solutions and the posts are indicating that something is wrong with the keyboard cable and/or the power button.  The problem is supposedly solved by replacing the keyboard and its related components.  Others have attempted taping down the eject key or the fn key to keep the shutdown from occurring as there appears to be no negative side effects of having those keys pressed.  Still - this is not a very good solution.

     

    Others have suggested trying to use "sudo pmset powerbutton 0" or "sudo -c pmset power button 0"  (The -c only sets this option for when the Mac is running on the AC Charger).  Important note"  the "powerbutton" parameter is only recognized by pmset in 10.6.x - and has been removed as of Mavericks (or earlier).  If this provides an improvement - it will not in later versions of OS X.

     

    Some have suggested setting the keyboard repeat rate to "None".

     

    To find these posts I did a search in Safari on "2010 White MacBook Unibody Shuts Down unless a key is pressed".

     

    You could attempt to disassemble the MacBook and maybe reseat any cable attached to it.  I have never taken a MacBook (or Mac portable) apart other than to upgrade RAM.  It is my understanding that the internal components have a very tight fit and must be removed in a specific sequence to avoid damaging some fragile cabling.

     

    You did not indicate whether the MacBook also shuts down when booted up from OS X Installer DVD - or when running the extended (long running) diagnostics via the D key at boot up?

     

    Have you checked to see if there are any firmware updates available - either via Software Update or via direct download from Apple?

     

    Another you could try as a troubleshooting measure (which I doubt will produce any definitive results) would be to clone you boot volume onto an external drive and attempt to boot up from the external drive.  To clone your boot volume you would boot up from the OS X Install DVD - and use disk utility to "restore" your boot volume to a partition on an external drive.  You would then be able to boot from that.

     

    ~Scott

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Mar 16, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 10:52 AM in response to Ananthnag

    You may have a defective power button. As you say holding down any key overrides this. It would seen you are continually getting a shut down notice displayed on the desktop. Which if not clicked to disable,or unable to. will shut the computer down in 1 minute. Does this sound about right? It could be that the power button is slightly depressed.

  • by SBeattie2,

    SBeattie2 SBeattie2 Mar 16, 2016 2:42 PM in response to my ginger
    Level 2 (184 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Mar 16, 2016 2:42 PM in response to my ginger

    Any chance that repeatedly pressing the power button may snap it back into normal position?  Assuming that it is slightly dislocated rather than defective?  Just a thought.

     

    ~Scott

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Mar 16, 2016 3:04 PM in response to SBeattie2
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 3:04 PM in response to SBeattie2

    Does it look as though one side is lower than the other or depressed slightly.You can try it though. Nothing to lose.

  • by SBeattie2,Apple recommended

    SBeattie2 SBeattie2 Mar 16, 2016 6:55 PM in response to Ananthnag
    Level 2 (184 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Mar 16, 2016 6:55 PM in response to Ananthnag

    Hi Ananth,

     

    I stopped by the Mac Repair Shop near my house late this afternoon and explained your problem to the technician.  He said that he has seen this behavior on a few occasions - and the fix is typically to replace the keyboard (which also includes the power button).  In some cases the problem was fixed by removing the keyboard cable and cleaning the contacts with 90% Isopropyl alcohol and reinstalling the cable.

     

    He also indicated that this problem has not been detectable even when using advanced diagnostic tools that Apple provides to repair shops.

     

    I asked how one would go about buying a replacement power button - and he indicated that it is not possible to buy a power button by itself - to get the button - you would also have to buy a keyboard.

     

    Apple only ships parts to repair shops.  Some repair shops will sell parts to end users - but the end user must sign an agreement that there is NO Warranty on the replacement part if not installed by the repair shop that ordered it.

     

    The technician indicated that sometimes the replacement keyboards have issues as well - and have to be sent back to Apple - so there is risk of getting a defective replacement part (with no warranty) if not installed by the repair shop.

     

    Here in the US - Apple no longer repairs products that are at or beyond End of Life.  End of Life products must be repaired at a repair shop. The 2010 MacBook is most likely End of Life.

     

    He did not give me a price for replacing the keyboard because the shop was closing.  If you want to email me your serial number (I think you can just click on my user name to do that) - I can have the repair shop look up an approximate price (although that would be a US price and could vary greatly in India) - just so you have an idea of what it might cost (it is somewhat expensive from what I understand).  You might be better off putting the money toward a new and more modern MacBook Pro.

     

    I hope this information is helpful and hopefully you will be successful at cleaning the keyboard cable contacts - or possibly find that the power button is simply sticking in a pressed position.

     

    ~Scott

  • by Ananthnag ,

    Ananthnag Ananthnag Mar 16, 2016 10:12 PM in response to my ginger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 10:12 PM in response to my ginger

    Hi myginger,

    You are right. The shut down dialog comes and after few seconds (not Minutes) it automatically shuts down when if i don't press any key.

  • by Ananthnag ,

    Ananthnag Ananthnag Mar 16, 2016 10:15 PM in response to SBeattie2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 16, 2016 10:15 PM in response to SBeattie2

    Hi Scott, i couldn't locate the Power button even after disassembling the Logic Board, Superdrive, battery, etc.

    Can you help out?

    (OR)

    In case if i connect an external Keyboard, will the on-board power button also get disabled, since you said connecting an external Keyboard will disable the Mac's keyboard.

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