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MacBook random shutdown

the cause makes sense to me, as i relayed that cable with new tape all the way around it as i suspected it got too hot, mine is fine now.
 
We need INFORMATION - update#5

MACBOOK RANDOM SHUTDOWN SYNDROME

As previously stated, I bought two macbook recently and both of them have been randomly shutting down. I am very disappointed. Apple won't replace or reimbourse me. I understand from this thread that I am not the only one dealing with this problem.
How many are we ?
If you have this problem with your macbook, can you please send me an email at macbookproblem@mac.com with the complete serial number of your computer, model , date of purchase,outcome and as much information as you want. Let me know if you want me to publish your email in the list.
I plan on publishing weekly stats about number of computer affected and contact apple with the information when I will reach 100 SN. I may contact you by email if there is any info to pass on.

any suggestions welcome.

I had a powerbook 12' before and never had so much problem with a mac before.

This is the fifth stats report:

NUMBER OF MACBOOK with SHUTDOWN PROBLEM : 104
serial numbers / model / purchase date / email available

4h61017uu9c / 2GHZ white / may 20
4H6180X0VMM / Black MacBook / Day of release / 2G ram
4H61815 EVMM/2Ghz, Black/May 21st /email
4h6182 / 2ghz white / june 30
4h619/ white 2ghz/ 2gig 3rd party ram /email
4H619 / Black MacBook 2.0 / late May / email
4H619 / ? / ?
4H619 /White 1.83 GHz /June 15 / email
4H6190 /*1.8 white / june 07
$H6191 / 1.8 white / may
4H6192YBVMM / 2.0GHZ/512MB/80GB/SUPER/BT/AP / June/ email
4h61932 / 2Ghz white / may 24
4H6195 / 2Ghz white / june 8 /REPLACED
4H6195XHU9B / 1.83GHz 512MB RAM (2*256) / 24-05 /email
4H61959ZVMM / 2Ghz Black / may
4H6196 / 2Ghz black / may
4H6196 / 2Ghz white / may 20
4h6199n2u / ? / ?
4H6199X8U9C / 2.0 White / 20-05 / dane_peterson@mac.com
4H619ASPU9B /1.83 ghz, white /10-06 / email

4H620 / white, 1.83 GHz / 31-05 in SF/ email
4H620 / white, 2GHz, 1GB / ?
4H620 / Blackbook 2.0, 1.25GB RAM / May 24 / mikacooper@mac.com
4H6200UPU9D / 1.8 White / may
4H62002KVMN / Black added a gig of crucial ram / email
4h620025u9c / 2Ghz white / may 23
4H620033VMN /black macbook 2.0ghz / 19-05 /email
4H6201 / white, 2GB / ?
4h6201up / white 2.0 ghz 1gb ram / 5/16 /email
4h6202S0VMN / 2ghz black / may 18
4H6202 / 2Ghz black / may 30
4H6203BW*** /White, 2.0ghz, 2.0gb ram from OWC, 60gb/ email
4H6203YNVMM / 2ghz black / may 25
4H6204CDVMM / ??? / email
4H6204KKU9E / 2.0 1 GB fact / ?
4H62043EUxx / 2GHZ white / may 25
4h6204kku9e / 2ghz white / may 22
4H62045LU9C /* 2 GHz /*may 2006 email
4H6208TGVMM / Black 2.0, 1.25GB / May24 /mikacooper@mac.com
4H621BQSVMM / black / email
4H621 / ? / ?
4H621 / black / case#65194196
4H6210MZU9 / 1.83GHz white 1GB ram / May2006 USA /email
4H6210PEVMN / black 2Ghz / june 28
4H6210UZU / 1.8 white / june 6
4H6211 / ? / europe
4H6211RHU9C / 2 white / june 3
4H6211NGU9E / 2Ghz white / may
4H621276VMM / black / 10-6 in Germany case#67490518 /email
4H62128KVMN / black, 2 GHz, 1GB ram / 26-5 Canada /selkouri@mac.com
4H6212C4 / White 2Ghz / Italy / email
4H6212 / 2ghz white*/*july 4th
4H6212G9VMN - Black; 2Ghz; 1GB Ram-purchased May 2006, Canada
4H6213M / white / end of May
4h6215ueu9e / ? / ? /email
4H6216UYU9B / 1.8GHZ/512MB/60GB/Combo / 13-06 Perth, Australia /email
4H6217 / 2Ghz black / june 26
4H6218U4G8M / 2 GHZ white / July06

4H622 / ? / 13-06 / email
4H622EY7VMM /black / Purchased on 6/10/06*/ email
4H622C7YVMN / 2black / june16
4H6220xxxxx / 2ghz white/ 1gb/ 80gb hd/ july /email
4H6220KWVMN / 2Ghz black / june
4H622016U9E / White 2 GHz / 1 GB RAM / 80 GB HD / 31.05 / UK / email
4H6221XXXXX / 2.0Ghz MacBook White / USA / email
4H6221NFVMM / 2GHZ black / june 9
4H62211xxxx / 2ghz White, 1GB fact / 2-June australia / email
4H6228STU9C / white, 2 GHz, 2GB ram / 13-06 in Belgium /email
4h6228 / 1.8 white / june 29
4H62286RVMM /white / July 27 2006 / email / REPLACED
4H6229 / black 2Ghz / june 14

4H623 / ? / ?
4H6233*/ 1.8 white / June 24
4H6233*/ 2Gz black / ?
4H6232ESU9B / 1,83GHz, White. / 18-06 / email
4H6235 / 2Gz black / june 29
4H6235LGU9B /1.8 white/ ?

4H624 / white 2.0 GHz / 2 GB Crucial Tech RAM / 100 GB HD / July/email
4H62413RVMM / Black, 2GB / July*/ email
4H6242DPU9D / white, 1.83 GHz / 14-06 in France / selkouri@mac.com
4H6243 / 2ghz white / june
4H6244LXVMM / black 2GHz / july-10
4H6249CQU9C / White 2.0, 2G ram /Purchase date: 26 June 2006/email

4H625 / 1.8 white / july 10
4H625 / 2 GHz, 2GB ram / USA
4H625 / white, 2 GHz, 2GB ram / USA
4h6257xxxxx / white 2.0 /Houston / email

4H626 / White 2Ghz / France / purchase : 06/2006 / email
4H626/White 2.0GHz/July 1/tgruben@gmail.com
4H626B1AU9C / white 2 GHz/ 07 2006 in Germany / richmilde@web.de
4H6264T9U9D / 1.83 Ghz - 80 Gb - 1 Gb / June 11 /email

4H6283UJVMM / (black) 2.0GHZ/512MB/80GB /Late July /email

4H6290 / 2GHz white / july
4H62918BVMN /Black 2Ghz / 10-06 Antwerp, Belgium / email
4H6291D4VMN /Black 2GHz 1 GB RAM 120 GB / midjuly /email

4H630767U9E / 2.0 / 2x512 / 100gb / email
4H6307VSU9B / 1.8 white / aug-25

4H631F / 2Ghz white / aug 14
4H631HD8U9B / 1.83 / 31st, Aug,2006 Australia / email
4H631KXTU9B / 1.83Ghz / 19-8 / email
4H6314LNU9E / 2GHZ white / sept 1st
4h6316 / 2ghz white / aug 15
4H6317RR / 2 GHz, 100G HD, 1 GB / 4-8 / email
4H6333 / 2Ghz white / may 24
4H6331WLVMM / Aug 25 2006 / email
4H6233 / 1.8 white / june 24
4H635276VMM / 1.8 white / july 6

some example of the problem:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cWsPzS5eK...book problem
or
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vThy5yF-3...book problem

A lot of users are reporting problems even after repair.

ONE ADVICE: CALL APPLE AND REPORT THE PROBLEM AS SOON AS RANDOM SHUTDOWN ARE NOTED.

Time for a recall ?

Thanks
Stephane Elkouri, Montreal, Canada
 
...Maybe Solved...

*SHORT VERSION*
Started having random shutdowns yesterday. Pulled battery and unplugged AC for several hours. Ran through PMU process. Booted, and no problems yet... Even running 2 yes sessions.

*LONG VERSION*
Okay, I know a lot of people say they think they figured it out, but I don't know so far, so good...

So I got my MacBook in June, ordered from the online apple store. This machine has worked great for the past months. Then a couple weeks ago, I open my lid and the machine awakens, but all the sudden my airport card is "gone." So I pop the battery out and wait a few minutes... Power back on and everything is as it was...

So yesterday, I have my MacBook hooked up to my stereo, and I listen to several hours of music. I close the lid, go to Grandma's for dinner, and come back 4 hours later to all the sudden have these random shut downs... And they were coming fast and furious... I couldn't even boot and open firefox before it would shutdown.

So today I'm doing all the PRAM & PMU stuff, and nothing's fixing the problem... So I get the bright idea to pop my battery out for several hours... then I ran through the PMU stuff, and booted up, and I haven't had a problem since... I've also been running the two yes terminal sessions for several minutes as I create this post...

I guess time will really tell, but to any one else... care to try this out and report back??

Thanks,
Russ
 
what should Apple do ?

Is it fair or legal for Apple to offer to recent Macbook owners with the Random shutdown syndrome only the repair option ? Should they offer immediate replacement and keep the diseased Macbook, repair it and resell it as a refurbished computer ?

Is Apple managing this crisis the way it should ?

I am trying to get to speak to somebody at Apple about this question... so far, nobody at Apple would answer me on this.

Those who bought their computer from other stores than Apple got new Macbook either immediately or after calling their credit card company...

Will reach 100 probably before the end of the week.

Another day without my two macbook.

SE
 
My First RSD

I had my first (and second, and third) RSD tonight. At first I freaked out. Well no, first I figured it was Microsoft's fault since I was running Parallels/WindowsXP when it first died. Then I freaked out. So now, oddly, I am happy to see I am not alone and that it is a know issue.

I was having trouble rebooting, but I found holding down the power button for 4 or 5 seconds made the LED flash like crazy and then it booted -- that worked each time.

And it seems Apple has finally -- if tersely -- acknowledged the problem.http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304308

But my problem is I am traveling out of the country and cannot use the 1-800 number. Anyone know a number with an area code I can use to contact AppleCare?
 
Freaking apple...I gave my macbook to the apple store to repair on the 25th of august. Its been at the repair center since the 29th. I called today and the lady said that its awaiting a new heatsink and that they arn't going to get those in til friday. So it will be more than 2 weeks when I acutally get my computer back.:( :mad:
 
Update

Okay, so I went 24 hours without a single random shutdown. Then, with my machine being completely cool, I opened the lid, and with in 5 minuts, random shutdown... I tried to power on several times, and once I even got to the logon screen. I then went through the PMU process again, and so far so good after several hours...

I'm going to contact AppleCare, but I'll keep updating here...

Thanks,
Russ
 
Bought my MacBook (black) in late July, started experiencing the RSD while at PAX'06 (Penny Arcade Expo). Just got off of the phone with Apple Support, they're sending a box for me to send it in. They didn't say anything other than it definitely needs to come in for repair.

Sent an email to add me to the list.

So far I've got a Mini(PowerPC) that refuses to sleep, and now a MacBook that refuses to turn on and stay on. OS X makes it all worth it though, and I'm still happy I switched. Hopefully Apple has a proper fix, or I just get lucky and get a repair/replacement that works flawlessly.

Microsoft isn't any better at least, I just had to get my Xbox360 replaced as well (3 red lights of death).
 
Hi I've got the RSS problem and my macbook it's being repaired. They told me that they are going to replace the logic board.

Is there any evidence that the problem stays or fixes up by replacing it????

I don't want to have the same problem again!!!

Thanks
 
NO, but product specialist on the phone today told me that the engineers have figured out what the problem is and that is why apple has 'admitted' that we have 'intermittent shut downs'. And assured me that my computer is not going to be a guinea pig being ripped apart to see whats wrong with it.:rolleyes:

i've finally have caved in. box should be coming on monday.

i hope the guy was not lying to me.
 
just wanted to add the info i have here to this . . . . my local apple store sent my macbook in for repair (they sent it to canada, i think). i went in and talked to the manager of the store today to ask questions (as it's been in repair for a week) and she said that they are basically replacing everything inside the macbook except for the hard drive and ram. (the applecare hotline still tells me that th repair is on hold and they are waiting for a part.)

so, basically the manager at the apple store hinted that apple has found the problem, but has decided to replace all internal parts of the defective machines. (minus ran and hdd) i guess only time will tell.

good luck to all!
 
New/different issue?

I have the random shutdown problem too. But, I haven't sent the laptop back to get fixed yet because I'm in the middle of a project.

About the same time that OS X update patch was installed, and random shutdowns started, I started having issues with running programs spontaneously shutting down on me. The Macbook didn't shutdown, but the program I'm using shuts down on it's own and then an error message is reported by the OS. I think it said something like "program shutdown unexpectedly". First it happened while using Excel, then when I was using address book - so it doesn't appear to be program specific.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Newby
 
contacting apple about macbook shutdowns

figued i'd email steve about this one (knowing full well i wouldn't get a reply from him but figured some monkey would reply on his behalf).
heres the email i sent:

Dear mr. jobs.
I respect your company enormously and have been deeply disappointed by the unwillingness of your company to acknowledge the issue of macbooks suddenly shuting down repeatedly.
After browsing the web i have found hundreds of reports of this happening, see

http://www.macbookrandomshutdown.com/log-my-rss.php for details.

my macbook started to shutdown randomly a week ago (it is 3 1/2 months old). i have contacted apple customer support who wanted to charge me for a consultation as my applecare expired 2 weeks ago. I don't need to pay £35 to be told to reset my PRAM and PMU. i have done all that already. I don't want to be without mhy computer for weeks while it is sent back to china, i just want your company to find the fault and offer a fix. Everyone who has returned their mac for repairs tells a different story of which component was blamed.

Please act responsibly and acknowledge this issue publically, or at least if people present with this issue please then acknowledge that you know about it. I don't want to send my mac in until you know to fix it!!

Thanks in anticipation...


heres the reply i got less than 24 hrs later:

Hello Dr.
Thank you for your correspondence to Apple concerning an issue with your MacBook. We feel that your issue would be best handled in a phone conversation.

If you have not yet resolved the issue, please contact me at 00800 2775 2775 ext. 83*** Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. GMT, or you may send me an e-mail including a preferred time of contact.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Kind regards,

Colin Scannell
Executive Relations Europe
Apple

so hoepfully when i phone him tomorrow things will get sorted. I won't return my macbook until he can assure me that the problem has been found and they know how to fix it.

If you want to get some action here RE THE EMAIL ADDRESSES I SENT THIS MESSAGE TO:
STEVE@APPLE.COM, AND SJ@PIXAR.COM
 
xonimiro said:
Hi I've got the RSS problem and my macbook it's being repaired. They told me that they are going to replace the logic board.

Is there any evidence that the problem stays or fixes up by replacing it????

I don't want to have the same problem again!!!

Thanks
Click to expand...

I brought my macbook in two weeks ago for the same issue (but by that time it had gotten to the point where it would no longer turn on), they diagnosed a bad logic board and swapped in a new one. I just turned my macbook back in today after having another week of RSDs. The Genius was skeptical when I casually sat down and asked him to send my book back, and so ran a battery of tests and spent a long time scrolling through the log file. He eventually took it, but made it seem like they were going to replace the logic board again.

Third time's the charm. I'm drafting my letter to Apple right now just in case.
 
Unfortunately most of the help at the genius bar are idiots. They should be reading these message boards and be more aware than anyone of what problems people are experiencing. I called Applecare today and they said that the engineers have discovered the cause of the problem. They wouldn't tell me what they were fixing but said I would have a shipping box tomorrow. I asked if the parts were in stock to repair my macbook and the guy couldn't answer me.
 
gdga said:
Thanks for the pointer, Russ.

I've seen that list, but the closest country is 1,500 miles away. And I'll be back in the U.S. in a couple of weeks and want to get it taken care of then. So I'm still looking for a U.S. contact number with an area code.
Click to expand...


I had the same phone problem since I'm in Thailand. I'll be back in the States next week for a visit, but my phone support ends in 3 days. (DOH!) Low and behold Skype offers free connections to 1800 numbers in the United States. Skype's connection generally sucks, but this time it was good enough to sort out the details with Applecare and get a box shipped to my US address so I can ship my macbook in as soon as I arrive. Once the Apple box arrives at your address you have 30 days to ship it out.

Good luck!
 
khunsanook said:
Once the Apple box arrives at your address you have 30 days to ship it out.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


lucky you. the mac guy in the uk said i have to pack my macbook infront of the ups guy and he will take it away from me immediately. its going to be like one of those sims scene when you forget to feed your kids and social services come and take them away immediately.
 
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