15" MacBook Pro Late 2011 2.4GHz Core7 4GB factory RAM
Symptom: randomly shuts itself down, often after only 15 minutes of operation. Considering it takes several minutes to reboot, this makes it pretty unusable.
Have booted from an external disk and run Disk Utility, which found several errors and reported them fixed. Behavior persists.
iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12.6)
That utility is written by very experienced poster, and the link is to the User Tip on the forums, not the download. Take a look at the User tip for details.
The Utility itself is so non-invasive, it does not even have to be Installed. it uses only standard system calls, and no extensions whatsoever.
Here is the Entrecheck report:
EtreCheck version: 3.4.6 (460)
Report generated 2017-12-18 10:54:29
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime: 11:48
Performance: Poor
Click the [Lookup] links for more information from Apple Support Communities.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Click the [Remove/Report] links to remove adware or update the whitelist of legitimate software.
Problem: Computer is restarting
Hardware Information: ⓘ
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)
[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,2
1 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-2760QM) CPU: 4-core
4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
Handoff/Airdrop2: not supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 202
Video Information: ⓘ
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
Color LCD 1440 x 900
AMD Radeon HD 6770M - VRAM: 1024 MB
Disk Information: ⓘ
APPLE HDD HTS547575A9E384 disk0: (750.16 GB) (Rotational)
[Show SMART report]
EFI (disk0s1 - MS-DOS FAT32) <not mounted> [EFI]: 210 MB
(disk0s2) <not mounted> [CoreStorage Container]: 749.30 GB
Recovery HD (disk0s3 - Journaled HFS+) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS31N ()
USB Information: ⓘ
USB20Bus
hub_device
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
USB20Bus
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
hub_device
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Firewire Information: ⓘ
OWC On-The-Go Pro 800mbit - 800mbit max
EFI (disk2s1 - MS-DOS FAT32) <not mounted> [EFI]: 210 MB
OWC HD (disk2s2 - Journaled HFS+) /Volumes/OWC HD : 999.86 GB (39.22 GB free)
Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Virtual disks: ⓘ
GITANE (disk1 - Journaled HFS+) / [Startup]: 748.94 GB (357.79 GB free)
Physical disk: disk0s2 749.30 GB Online
System Software: ⓘ
macOS Sierra 10.12.6 (16G1114) - Time since boot: less than an hour
Gatekeeper: ⓘ
Mac App Store and identified developers
Possible adware: ⓘ
Adware: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.updater.mcy.plist
Adware: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.updater.watch.mcy.plist
2 possible adware files found. [Remove/Report]
Kernel Extensions: ⓘ
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.Logitech.driver.HIDDevices (1.4.1) [Lookup]
[not loaded] com.twowire.MacPortX (MacPortX 1.2.28) [Lookup]
[not loaded] com.twowire.MacPortXEnetShim (MacPortXEnetShim 1.2.28) [Lookup]
[not loaded] com.twowire.MacPortXVersionChecker (MacPortXVersionChecker 1.2.28) [Lookup]
System Launch Agents: ⓘ
[not loaded] 8 Apple tasks
[loaded] 191 Apple tasks
[running] 86 Apple tasks
System Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[not loaded] 41 Apple tasks
[loaded] 179 Apple tasks
[running] 98 Apple tasks
Launch Agents: ⓘ
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2012-12-18)
[Lookup]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2017-09-27) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.microsoft.update.agent.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2017-12-18) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (? 3b91281 72ac4dde - installed 2017-09-23) [Lookup]
Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (? 68cad67 0 - installed 2012-12-18) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2017-11-27) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.adobe.versioncueCS3.plist (? e716f322 9b3e398d - installed 2008-08-08) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist (Bare Bones Software, Inc. - installed 2012-07-19) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.barebones.textwrangler.plist (? d1ef2342 f66f9301 - installed 2012-03-02) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.bombich.ccc.plist (? 9ad78891 3112ecd4 - installed 2010-12-07) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2017-10-12) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2017-12-18)
[Lookup]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2017-06-10)
[Lookup]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (Shell Script e3fefdd2 - installed 2017-07-21) [Lookup]
User Launch Agents: ⓘ
[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2012-04-25) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (? 560d19c8 9a4ba8ca - installed 2017-05-10) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (? 5c76f5f6 40499409 - installed 2015-08-20) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.apple.SafariBookmarksSyncer.plist (? ? ? - installed 2009-04-10)
[loaded] com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist (Citrix Online LLC - installed 2015-04-30)
[Lookup]
[loaded] com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2017-08-10)
[Lookup]
[running] com.hp.devicemonitor.plist (HP Inc. - installed 2017-12-18) [Lookup]
[loaded] com.updater.mcy.plist (? 76fa80e6 16276dfc - installed 2017-08-02) Adware! [Remove/
Report]
~/Library/Application Support/updater_mcy/updater_mcy
[loaded] com.updater.watch.mcy.plist (? c584e58c 16276dfc - installed 2017-08-02) Adware!
[Remove/Report]
~/Library/Application Support/updater_mcy/updater_mcy
User Login Items: ⓘ
FontExplorerXAutoload Application - Hidden
(~/Library/Application Support/Linotype/FontExplorer X/FontExplorerXAutoload.app)
LCCDaemon Application - Hidden
(/Library/Application Support/Logitech/LCCDaemon.app)
HP Director (All-in-One) Application
(/Applications/Hewlett-Packard/HP Photo and Imaging Software/HP Photo and Imaging Director/Director (All-in-One).app)
iTunesHelper Application (Apple, Inc. - installed 2017-12-08)
(/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
Dropbox Application
(/Applications/Dropbox.app)
Microsoft Database Daemon Application
(/Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/Microsoft Database Daemon.app)
HP Device Monitor SMLoginItem - Hidden (HP Inc. - installed 2017-10-24)
(/Library/Printers/hp/Frameworks/HPDeviceMonitoring.framework/Versions/1.0/Helpe rs/HP Device
Monitor Manager.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/HP Device Monitor.app)
com.adobe.SwitchBoard.monitor.plist MachInit - Hidden
(/etc/mach_init_per_user.d/com.adobe.SwitchBoard.monitor.plist)
Mach Init items are deprecated
Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
Google Earth Web Plug-in: 7.1 (installed 2015-08-20) [Lookup]
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.6 (installed 2013-04-05) [Lookup]
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 3.2.0.16 (installed 2014-03-12) [Lookup]
SlingPlayer: Unknown (installed 2015-06-25) [Lookup]
RealPlayer Plugin: Unknown (installed 2008-08-08) [Lookup]
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 11.0.20 (installed 2017-05-10) [Lookup]
FlashPlayer-10.6: 28.0.0.126 (installed 2017-12-12) [Lookup]
Silverlight: 5.1.40728.0 (installed 2015-11-30) [Lookup]
QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2017-12-11)
Flash Player: 28.0.0.126 (installed 2017-12-12) [Lookup]
iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (installed 2010-09-01)
AdobePDFViewer: 11.0.20 (installed 2017-05-10) [Lookup]
JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 144 build 01 (installed 2017-09-23) Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: 1.0.105 (installed 2013-11-18) [Lookup]
WebEx: 1.0 (installed 2010-08-10) [Lookup]
3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ
Adobe Version Cue CS3 (installed 2008-08-10) [Lookup]
Flash Player (installed 2017-11-27) [Lookup]
Flip4Mac WMV (installed 2013-03-29) [Lookup]
Java (installed 2017-09-23) [Lookup]
Logitech Control Center (installed 2004-10-20) [Lookup]
Time Machine: ⓘ
Skip System Files: NO
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
GITANE: Disk size: 748.94 GB Disk used: 391.16 GB
Destinations:
OWC HD [Local]
Total size: 999.86 GB
Total number of backups: 40
Oldest backup: 4/10/17, 8:53 AM
Last backup: 12/18/17, 9:07 AM
Size of backup disk: Too small
Backup size 999.86 GB < (Disk used 391.16 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ
4% mds
3% Dropbox
2% kernel_task
2% mdworker32
2% Microsoft Entourage
Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ
495 MB kernel_task
195 MB Dropbox
117 MB Microsoft Entourage
107 MB sandboxd
101 MB WindowServer
Top Processes by Network Use: ⓘ
Input Output Process name
293 KB 900 KB Dropbox
9 KB 7 KB apsd
7 KB 6 KB mDNSResponder
0 B 64 B SystemUIServer
Top Processes by Energy Use: ⓘ
3.12 Microsoft Entourage
0.48 Dropbox
0.20 WindowServer
0.18 Microsoft Database Daemon
Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ
1.15 GB Available RAM
76 MB Free RAM
2.85 GB Used RAM
1.08 GB Cached files
0 B Swap Used
Software installs (last 30 days): ⓘ
Microsoft Excel for Mac: (installed 2017-11-23)
Microsoft Word for Mac: (installed 2017-11-23)
Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac: (installed 2017-11-23)
Microsoft OneNote for Mac: (installed 2017-11-23)
Microsoft Outlook for Mac: (installed 2017-11-23)
Adobe Flash Player: (installed 2017-12-12)
Microsoft AutoUpdate: (installed 2017-12-18)
Microsoft Excel for Mac: (installed 2017-12-18)
Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac: (installed 2017-12-18)
Microsoft OneNote for Mac: (installed 2017-12-18)
Microsoft Outlook for Mac: (installed 2017-12-18)
Install information may not be complete.
Diagnostics Events (last 3 days for minor events): ⓘ
2017-12-18 09:51:50 Kernel Panic [Open] [Details]
3rd Party Kernel Extensions: None
2017-12-18 09:50:57 Last shutdown cause: -62 - System unresponsive
You have some adware. This can be removed with the report open, by clicking on the red links to remove.
At least one item, Switchboard, is likely out-of-date.
But the most troubling is this:
EtreCheck version: 3.4.6 (460)
Report generated 2017-12-18 10:54:29
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime: 11:48
Performance: Poor
We are finding a strong correlation between very long run times (typical is three minutes or less) and Hard drives that have developed Marginal or Bad Blocks. The Reason this slows down a Mac is that the disk subsystem will do as many as 1,000 re-tries in attempting to get good data, and this takes time.
-------
Approach A:
If you have a Trusted backup, as you appear to, you could do a complete ERASE of the drive from Internet Recovery or a USB thumb drive Installer and re-Install, then use Setup Assistant at first run to re-import User files or everything from the backup.
The downside of re-using the original drive is that you may find the drive has many Bad Blocks, even after being erased, and needs to be replaced anyway.
Approach B:
The other approach, which a technician would use, is to connect a new drive, using an external enclosure. Then install MacOS anew in the new drive as an External. Then when all appears to be well, move the new drive inside the Mac to regain portability.
A new drive has the advantage that you do not invest a lot of time working on a drive that may later turn out to be bad, and by using an external enclosure, you keep issues of "surgery" separate until you have a Trusted Boot drive. This make debugging MUCH simpler.
--------
another know problem area for these Macs is at the SATA cable to the Internal drive. it may scrub against the machined inner surface of the case and develop shorts. They are not expensive, and may be replaced when a new drive is installed.
Thanks for your response. I have no idea what the "Switchboard" item is, and I am very familiar with Adobe products — I have the entire Creative Suite installed. I don't understand why it would be part of the HP Device Monitor, either, which should be a print/fax/scan manager (and one that is notoriously slow in loading).
I reformatted the HD and restored from a backup several months ago, so I suspect the issue is serious. But one more question: do you think more RAM would speed it up? 4GB is considered a small amount these days. I ask because upgrading the RAM is a lot easier than swapping the drive in this model.
If the above responses do not work, then I would try this:
I don't know it this still applies and is eligible, but the 2011 15" MBP was under a selected recall for video/graphic issues. One of the symptoms was a "random restart."
You contact your local Apple store or AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) to see if the REP (repair extension program) for the 15" 2011 machines is still in effect. They would run a test on it called VST, which stands for the video systems test. It tests the graphics in a very specific location on the logic board. (according to: Apple GSX Article OP10)
Seeing as how it is occurring more often than 30 minute intervals, I would highly suspect that this is the issue. I would recommend getting some tests (Mac Resource Inspector & VST) at your local provider.
If the repair extension program is still in effect, Apple would replace your logic board free of charge. If not, it would probably be the cost of the part + labor, but I don't know the exact price.
Best of luck!
That is certainly an interesting issue, but I do not think it applies here.
Replacement was always qualified by running a test, which took as long as 14 minutes, to its the switching between Discrete and integrated graphics chips. It had to fail that test to qualify. The program has expired and those computers are on the five-years-old "obsolete" list and Apple does not stock parts for then at any price.
If you would like to walk into a real hornets' nest, any number for nearby threads can be found, each with many pages of posts, with extremely bitter users who missed out on having their logic boards replaced in the four-year extended support window.
I was thinking it would be worth getting the test done (even if the recall replacement is not available) , because if the issue does happen to apply, I wouldn't want to waste any money on a new drive for this machine. I would recommend that my colleague get a new model.
You make a great point. I did not know if the program was still going or not, but I did neglect to remember that the unit is not obsolete, so of course it has expired. I do know that VST is still an available test, so at least you could determine if there is a logic board issue or not.
do you think more RAM would speed it up? 4GB is considered a small amount these days.
Having only 4GB RAM will make most macs running elCapitan or later slow, but not completely intolerable as this one appears to be.
More than 4GB is about the minimum for responsive operation doing "regular" work -- Much more for intensive stuff like photo editing. Once you get out of the rut of too little RAM, adding even more is a strongly diminishing return.
This little non-invasive "discovery" Utility can produce a snapshot of what is going on inside your Mac that is Very helpful for debugging such problems:
.
Thank you, but, no -- I just spent hours clearing MacKeeper from this system -- I am not inclined to install any non-Apple utilities.
OK, thanks for the explanation. But I was asking about a colleague's machine, so I am not able to access it right now. That's something I can try later.
MacBook Pro shuts down very frequently
