MacBook Pro OS10.8.5 (Mid 2010) running HOT

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Level 1

23 points

MacBook Pro OS10.8.5 (Mid 2010) running HOT

When I have the machine running for about 10 min and have Mail, Safari, or FireFox open (or other apps), left corner and bottom gets very hot, and you can hear the fan running. I have read in the support pages that an upgrade is almost a critical next step, and that will import the latest Safari and fixes. Is there also a diagnostic that can be performed to make sure this 17-inch beauty is healthy?

Specs: OS 10.8.5 MacBookPro 2.7Ghz Intel Corei7, 4GB 1067MHz(17-inch, Mid 2010).

Thank you for your responses.

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 1:09 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Sep 10, 2016 1:14 PM in response to flduerr

Use Activity Monitor to Kill Runaway Processes

Use Activity Monitor on your Mac

Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity.

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Answer 2

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Sep 10, 2016 1:41 PM in response to flduerr

Download and install a temperature/fan speed application.

Open Activity Monitor to ALL PROCESSES and set CPU to display values from high to low.

When the MBP gets hot, post images of both for review.

Run an Apple Hardware Test:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257

Note that an error free AHT is not conclusive.

Ciao.

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Answer 3

flduerr Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 10, 2016 5:17 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for that. I really think I may have to upgrade to the latest and then do a clean reinstall. I have not done that in over 2 years. It should help and thanks for the input.

Mac notebooks: Operating temperature - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Sep 11, 2016 1:42 PM in response to flduerr

Don't upgrade until you fix the problem or erase the drive and start from scratch.

Basic Steps for Upgrading OS X

Basic Steps to Follow for a Clean Install of OS X Lion and Later

How to prepare your Mac for OS X 10.11 ‘El Capitan’

How to Perform a Clean Install of OS X El Capitan on Your Mac

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Answer 5

flduerr Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 10, 2016 6:16 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Without performing the AHTest, my OS X v10.8.5 requires the system software disc, and I am being lazy and the disc is at the office. However, the Activity Monitor shows Safari and Kernal_task jockeying for position >20% of CPU. Not bad....at least this is my assumption. Any thoughts?

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Answer 6

flduerr Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 10, 2016 6:24 PM in response to Kappy

✅

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Sep 11, 2016 3:06 AM in response to flduerr

Even with all of the requested information, the problem may not be identified. With what has been provided, I can not even speculate what the issue(s) may be.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

flduerr Author

Level 1

23 points

Sep 11, 2016 1:43 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy

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