Exactly! I didn't even realize I had that problem until I started looking into my system logs. So far my erase & install + update hasn't cause any problem, but as megagorge said, the F@H program still crashes upon launch. It is so hard to actually reproduce the crash that it seems as if it happens so randomly.
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Penryn MBP Becomes Unresponsive / Freezes
- Thread starter megageorge
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Got another freeze: Left the computer running Photoshop and some other programs and when I came back my screen had turned itself off. I was able to move the mouse for a short period. I tried a force quit which turned the pointer into a spinning beachball and I was able to move it again, but not interact with the computer.
This appeared in my system.log:
May go to Apple store now. I hope they don't treat me as a lunatic who is making up problems.
This appeared in my system.log:
May go to Apple store now. I hope they don't treat me as a lunatic who is making up problems.
Which version of Photoshop are you running by the way? Any chance of knowing the steps that caused those errors again?
I use Photoshop CS3.
I left the computer. It turned its screen off but did not go to sleep. The system.log said it froze while I was away, not when I came back and moved the mouse.
I left the computer. It turned its screen off but did not go to sleep. The system.log said it froze while I was away, not when I came back and moved the mouse.
Had quite a few crashes since my last post.
One was using iTunes in coverflow.
One was using Photoshop.
Two of them were caused using this method:
Open a document in Photoshop and make sure Photoshop is the active application. Set your computer to turn its screen off after x number of minutes. Leave the machine to turn its screen off and then wait a while. (5 - 10 minutes after the screen turns off). When you move the mouse to turn the screen back on, the machine should have frozen.
This method might work for other people or it might not. It does not work when Photoshop is not the active application; i.e. running in the background.
Kinda off topic but does anyone know if you absolutely need to make a reservation for the Genius Bar? I plan on going to the one in Regents Street during the day so I don't think it will be very busy. Do I still need to reserve my place?
One was using iTunes in coverflow.
One was using Photoshop.
Two of them were caused using this method:
Open a document in Photoshop and make sure Photoshop is the active application. Set your computer to turn its screen off after x number of minutes. Leave the machine to turn its screen off and then wait a while. (5 - 10 minutes after the screen turns off). When you move the mouse to turn the screen back on, the machine should have frozen.
This method might work for other people or it might not. It does not work when Photoshop is not the active application; i.e. running in the background.
Kinda off topic but does anyone know if you absolutely need to make a reservation for the Genius Bar? I plan on going to the one in Regents Street during the day so I don't think it will be very busy. Do I still need to reserve my place?
Same here. However, I did get a freeze in iTunes Cover Flow and an NVChannel Timeout. The machine did come back after 5 minutes though. I have a Genius Bar appointment but I'm wondering if I should still go. I would have called it fixed until that freeze up.
The same happened with me when using the beta 10.5.3 seed drivers. I'd reckon it'll be wise to take it in for a fix if it still happens.
Firstly, apologies for posting this here; there did not seem to be a specific forum to discuss Applecare.
On to my issue:
I have a MBP purchased in March. It freezes occasionally, in seemingly random places. I would have thought 10.5.3 would fix it but it didn't. You can read more about this issue and stuff here [Mod note: Threads merged! ONE thread per topic, please!]
I have spend hours on the phone to Applecare who have taken me though their diagnostic crap and then told me to go to the Apple Store as they can do a hardware repair.
At the Genius Bar, I was told that I should ring customer services and ask for a replacement as my machine was customly configured on the internet and that they couldn't service it (what?). Guess what? They said no. They then transfered me back to Applecare on the phone.
This is my first Apple product and and most expensive item I have ever owned. I am only 14 years old, so maybe that it why they feel they can mess me around like this?
I currently have a laptop that I am not happy with because it freezes randomly. What should I do? Shall I call the Regent's Street Apple Store (where I brought to be fixed today) and thus who wrongly directed me to customer services? I honestly do not know.
Well, today I experience terrible service with Applecare.
I dunno what to do now.
On to my issue:
I have a MBP purchased in March. It freezes occasionally, in seemingly random places. I would have thought 10.5.3 would fix it but it didn't. You can read more about this issue and stuff here [Mod note: Threads merged! ONE thread per topic, please!]
I have spend hours on the phone to Applecare who have taken me though their diagnostic crap and then told me to go to the Apple Store as they can do a hardware repair.
At the Genius Bar, I was told that I should ring customer services and ask for a replacement as my machine was customly configured on the internet and that they couldn't service it (what?). Guess what? They said no. They then transfered me back to Applecare on the phone.
This is my first Apple product and and most expensive item I have ever owned. I am only 14 years old, so maybe that it why they feel they can mess me around like this?
I currently have a laptop that I am not happy with because it freezes randomly. What should I do? Shall I call the Regent's Street Apple Store (where I brought to be fixed today) and thus who wrongly directed me to customer services? I honestly do not know.
Well, today I experience terrible service with Applecare.
I dunno what to do now.
I suggest you take your MBP back to the Apple store but this time have one of your parents or another adult accompany you. Let the store manager know that this is unacceptable and if they can not satisfy you by repairing your machine properly you should be given a new one.
Since the machine is only several months old it's covered under the one year warranty even before Apple Care takes over.
Regards.
Since the machine is only several months old it's covered under the one year warranty even before Apple Care takes over.
Regards.
Thanks chscag. I do feel that would be the best option but it still a long way to go and is quite an effort. Is there anything else I can do over the internet or phone? As I say, I've rung customer services but that was because I was told to by the genius, not because I was unsatisfied with the service I got. Would anything become of ringing them or is there someone else higher up to contact? Or is my problem solely with the Regent's Street store and its manager?
This for the most part is true. They generally will not work on built to order machines or custom configured machines.
They CAN however work some minor issues.
For a custom built machine it more than likely will have to be shipped off to be repaired.
I glanced through your other post. Yours sounds like the issue us iMac Alum owners had with grahics freezes in the latter part of last year which has been fixed for some time now (due to graphics firmware).
The only thing custom about my MBP is my screen. (hi-res).
Also, I can assure you my problem is not fixed :] The issue got better with 10.5.3 (a program that always crashed up opening doesn't crash anymore) but I still get crashes in the operating system. I have screen shows of the Console showing NVChannel errors to prove it.
I am just very unsatisfied with Apple's support. I've gone all the way to the Apple Store to be told to ring customer services because they refused to repair my machine, only to be told to go back to the Apple store. For a company that has the reputation of having some of the best customer service in the whole of tech industry, I would have expected better.
I do realise that my problem is intermittant and that it is difficult to prove that the hardware is infact faulty, and I understand that if I owned a company like Apple I would not want to lose money by replacing parts that are actually working. Still, I have a problem and would like it fixed.
I don't blame you. The personal visit you had might have had something to do with your age. Bet my iMac that if you were older the experience might have been different.
Also you can try a different Genius. They are capable of taking the machine and sending it off (if need be) and they CAN run it up and try to duplicate the issue.
A few tips, calm and curtious, nice always wins over rudeness.
Make an appointment to be seen, have an adult with you if need be, explain in detail what you have done, who you have talked to, and if you get to the point where they start it up, try to duplicate the issue. I know you said random times, but maybe you'll get lucky.
Also ask if you can boot in target disk mode with one of their known good OS X disks, then try to duplicate the issue again.
Something to mental note is when did all of this start happening? Did you install something and THEN it started, if so it might be an app. Follow?
Definitely if you feel one genius is giving you ***** you CAN ask for a 2nd opinion or have their manager present during the conversation. Remember, they're here to assist us, so a brush off or runaround is unacceptable.
I have never had anything but good experiences with anything Apple Care related so not all of it is like what your going through.
I wish you luck.
I'm sorry but that is not correct in the slightest. The only Macs I have ever owned have been BTO'd from Apple website and any issues I have had the Apple retail store will service them.
I just had a HDD failure in my Alu iMac and I took it to my local Apple retail store and the genius kept it for 2 days and replaced the HDD right on location and it's now working perfectly.
Maybe you got lucky? I only based this on what others have mentioned Genius's refusing to service BTO's as well as a few I have talked to.
Maybe the genius I talked to was missinformed as well?
Either way, my previous post would still stand as viable actions taken regardless of BTO or not.
So is going to the Regent's Street Apple Store the only thing I can do? I don't think I can get my parents to come (busy with work) so I guess I'll have to go alone. Would ringing them first be a good idea?
my local Apple store's genius bar in los angeles repaired my customized imac.....maybe you're confusing whether the stores will make BTO's for sale, as opposed to fixing BTO's that were bought online?
I was under the impression that the Apple Store would fix all problems in store, as that's what the guided tour on the website states. If there were any parts needed, they would just order them in.
Hate to be rude, but could I please put this thread back on track?
Hate to be rude, but could I please put this thread back on track?
Apple stores DO repair BTO's. You got screwed either because you're 14, the "genius" was an anus, or the store manager is lazy or an idiot. Go back in there, with an adult of lawsuit age, try again, and if they give you a problem demand to see the manager. At the very least get the names of everyone you deal with.
Just got an email from Apple asking them to fill out a survey on my trip to the Apple store. I filled that out expressing my unhappiness with the visit and ticked the box to allow them to ring me. Hopefully something good will come of that.
The small print says I had to be 15+ to fill out the survey however, so should I lie about my age if they ring me or what? It's only 6 months 'till my birthday
The small print says I had to be 15+ to fill out the survey however, so should I lie about my age if they ring me or what? It's only 6 months 'till my birthday
The small print says I had to be 15+ to fill out the survey however, so should I lie about my age if they ring me or what? It's only 6 months 'till my birthday
Well, they lied to you.
I'm glad to report that the 10.5.3 update..
.. did not solve the problem at all. At best it gave more serious errors, I've even encountered CoreGraphics related crashes in QuickTime and now it shows psychedelic patterns and freezes that require a hard reboot. More NVChannel(GL) errors.
Will be getting Apple Store next week once I'm finished with my uni assignment.
.. did not solve the problem at all. At best it gave more serious errors, I've even encountered CoreGraphics related crashes in QuickTime and now it shows psychedelic patterns and freezes that require a hard reboot. More NVChannel(GL) errors.
Will be getting Apple Store next week once I'm finished with my uni assignment.
Assuming I don't get a phone reply from them reguarding my questionarre, what, apart from going back to the Apple Store, would be a good course of action? I am really disappointed that I have recieved this poor customer service from them and would like to share this with them and have them do something about it.
If I don't get a phone call from them reguarding the questionarre by the end of the week, would an email to the legendary Steve Jobs email be a good idea?
If I don't get a phone call from them reguarding the questionarre by the end of the week, would an email to the legendary Steve Jobs email be a good idea?
Freezing Issues With MBP - Genius Bar Did Nothing
Hi,
I bought a hi-res, 17", 2.5Ghz MBP in the middle of March of this year. Since then, I've been experiencing random/intermittent freezing (NVChannel Timeouts, for those who have heard of the problem before).
After hours spent on the phone to Applecare, I brought my machine in to the Apple Store. On the first visit, I was basically refused service for no apparent reason, and was told to call Customer Services for a replacement. They refused to give me a replacement. (Although I cannot reproduce the bug in front of the Geniuses, I have screenshots of the Console showing NVChannel errors).
I took the machine back to the store after a phonecall from the Manager of the Genius Bar. They took my machine in and replaced the logic board.
I took the machine back and then discovered that the problem was still occurring.
I am now stuck with a machine which freezes intermittently, sometimes requiring a restart of the computer, causing me to lose all my work. I do not know who to go to next; returning to the Store for the forth time is not very enjoyable and will probably be a waste of time.
This is my first MBP and first Apple product, and unless this gets sorted, probably my last one as well. I find it unacceptable that a £1800 ($3600) laptop has had all these problems and caused me such inconvenience.
I am UK based and went to the flagship store in Regent's Street.
What can I do next?
Hi,
I bought a hi-res, 17", 2.5Ghz MBP in the middle of March of this year. Since then, I've been experiencing random/intermittent freezing (NVChannel Timeouts, for those who have heard of the problem before).
After hours spent on the phone to Applecare, I brought my machine in to the Apple Store. On the first visit, I was basically refused service for no apparent reason, and was told to call Customer Services for a replacement. They refused to give me a replacement. (Although I cannot reproduce the bug in front of the Geniuses, I have screenshots of the Console showing NVChannel errors).
I took the machine back to the store after a phonecall from the Manager of the Genius Bar. They took my machine in and replaced the logic board.
I took the machine back and then discovered that the problem was still occurring.
I am now stuck with a machine which freezes intermittently, sometimes requiring a restart of the computer, causing me to lose all my work. I do not know who to go to next; returning to the Store for the forth time is not very enjoyable and will probably be a waste of time.
This is my first MBP and first Apple product, and unless this gets sorted, probably my last one as well. I find it unacceptable that a £1800 ($3600) laptop has had all these problems and caused me such inconvenience.
I am UK based and went to the flagship store in Regent's Street.
What can I do next?