Sep 09
I’ve detailed some of this in “Manic Depressive Mac” and “Sick Mac” from my own blog. Here’s the long, detailed version …
- Bought my 2G White MacBook literally days after they came out. I was at a conference at the time, so I had to wait until Memorial Day weekend to play with it.
- The Windows-Mac OS draw proved to not be practical, though I hope Parallels can eventually fix all my woes there.
- Some screwiness started early. Desktop Manager — that cool visual effect that lets you switch from screen to screen — wasn’t working quite right. Labeling was off, and the windows didn’t move from desktop to desktop as they were supposed to. And things tended to crash. So first step … uninstall desktop manager.
- The RSS issue occurred almost from the moment I booted up, but it was rare and easy to blame on my own activity (lots of installs, lots of things open). I figured when I had money to add to the factory RAM, things would change.
- In early August, there was a software update. Although I have no evidence that that was the trigger, it started a period of frequent random shutdowns. Again, I thought this was attributable to how I was using the computer (i.e. too many things open, without the RAM to handle it properly; too much Macromedia running). But it happened when I was working, and when I wasn’t, when I had lots of things open, and when I didn’t. The only way to fix it in the short term was to completely shut it down, wait a couple minutes, and then bring it back up. It also seemed to be tied to having the power cord in; it never happened with the battery (which, granted, I didn’t use for long periods of time or very frequently).
- When this proved too annoying — I was heading overseas to a conference and needed a reliable machine — I rushed into my local Apple dealer (great guys), and they did the diagnostics tests. Nothing out of the ordinary there, so they suggested a logic board replacement. … Unfortunately, this was not a part they kept in stock (in fact, there is some window where they have to make the repair and then send it back or face some penalty). I figured I would just try to use it, making some CD backups in case I had to use another machine.
- Right before I left, another auto update came up, a firmware upgrade. I ran that, and everything went fine. In fact, I used it until Sept 7 without any further RSS incident
- Because they had already ordered it and recommended making the switch out anyway, the Apple dealer had me come back last Thursday to get the logic board replaced. The new one didn’t recognize the battery at first, required multiple PRAM zaps to get going (something the tech said was common) and then had some other issues. The tech took it back, wound up taping up some parts to avoid contact issues with the circuitry, and gave it back. Seemed OK …
- … for about two hours. The first time I tried to restart it, I got a blank screen with Matrix-like vertical lines increasing the longer I left it in that state. I called back and mentioned that the logic board had detected and had requested the firmware update (the same one that had worked so well before). He had me try the firmware update. I did, got more lines, but PRAM zapped my way back to a desktop. I was fine using it at that point until a new piece of hardware could come in …
- … but then came another crash. The computer lock-ups on this Mac are like none I’ve experienced since OS6 or 7. The mouse moves freely, but everything else is completely non-responsive. Including the keyboard. I lost changes to a wiki I was editing and had enough.
The current state of my Mac is that I still have it, but likely will try to get a completely new one. I’ve got an old Windows laptop that I’ll be forced to use until this can be resolved. Not optimistic that will be soon.
Vertical Line Fix:
Reset PRAM (so unit boots again) then alter the resolution and back. Bug fixed.
Excellent. Way to go, Collective Intelligence.
I’ve restarted twice since that display resolution toggle – no vertical lines.
I’ll assume problem solved, but will post if it comes back. Thanks.
UPDATE:
Problems resurfaced, including an inability to use or charge my battery. The computer left for Apple on Tuesday for a complete overhall where they would have access to all the parts.
i feel your PAIN!! I bought a mac book at the beginning of june. it worked well for about a week and then everyting took a crap. first it started freezing up for no reason then shuting down randomly at the worst times (ie: well taking notes in class) and there was major discoloration of the wrist pads. After I finaly got mac to “fix” it. it worked for about 2 hours and now i have NO screen not even lines. The worst part is I have got no help from mac despite my 3 years of apple care that I purchased. needless to say I am very frustrated and starting to think a dell would have been a better choice
adam
i got mine black 2G MacBook in mid june, and worked wonderfully for the 1st month or so. But one night it just shuts down for no reason. After that, it may be 3 times a day, 5 times a day. It go to the point that I just left the computer off, because its really driving me nuts.
THis is my first Mac ever, I was really sick of windows and especially the bugs. but now Macbook is even worse !! ???
I saw on the apple support site that someone still think this problem happens to few machine but it isn’t true. I returned my book to HK Applecentre for repair and its been over 2 weeks already.
I cannot understand why Apple ignore this problem. The longer they remain silent, the more incompetent they seem.
What really bothers me is that the OS X itself seems to be a lot better then Windows, I am actually very pleased with the software. But the hardware is simply a major disapointment. Hope Apple would admit the problem and take action soon.
My computer has been gone for two weeks now. My local apple dealer says they are instructed not to pester the big company until at least 14 days have gone by, so today is the day he gets to start making calls.
Apple does realize now that this isn’t just a small, random problem — like that should matter — and is inundated with trying to solve this problem. It’s complicated because they fix one thing, and it often reveals new problems (like the battery detection, or the video glitches).
My understanding is that this is specific to the line of Macbookss released starting in May. One of the things I will explore is if I can just pick up a new kind of machine. I wasn’t using the Windows boot-up anyway, given the inconvenience and lack of file/network sharing. I was going to try again when Parallels became a full-fledged release for the Mac, but I’d rather have a stable computer than a dual-boot one.
UPDATE:
I got my Mac back, about 20 days after having it sent back to Apple. Items serviced (read: replaced) were new MLB, Heatsink, IO Shield, Bezel, top case, and battery connector. I restarted it when I got home and got more of the matrix lines, but doing what MacBook Boyfriend suggested above, that went away quickly. Crossing fingers that everything is OK.
According to my local dealer, Apple has a good handle on the hardware issues … in part because they have been inundated with repair work this quarter, mostly on the initial batch of Intel MacBooks released in May and June. But there are two other issues dealing with firmware and the MacOS that are also causing problems.
The dealer had me shut off the automatic software updates in the preferences and told me NOT to do any updates unless there is a major problem again (in which case, bring it in and they will monitor it) or until two weeks after the next OS update 10.4.8 comes out, to see if the problems have been addressed. Since my computer problems ramped up severely after doing a firmware update in August, I can buy that logic.
[...] Yesterday, at the end of a long week, I got a call from Joshua at the local Apple dealer. “Your Macbook is in.” A few hours later, the latest chapter in the saga of my computer had ended. Despite getting matrix-like lines on my first restart, a web-based suggestion corrected that. Now, fingers are crossed there will be no sequel. (Of course, I tried that before with Back to the Future, and that didn’t work.) [...]
Hi. I just had my MacBook repaired at the NYC SoHo store. I picked it up today and was extremely happy that the problem (random shutting down) was fixed. I got home a few hours ago, excited to use my Mac again, and NOW there is a NEW problem – the vertical lines against a white screen, they are quite colorful and sort of pretty but DAMN!!!! I need my computer!
Any suggestions? I read the PRAM reset comment but I don’t know how to do that. I’ve just been forcing shutdown and restarting after 10 minutes or so, but nothing is fixed. Just a rainbow of vertical lines against a white screen!
Please help if you can..
It feels like you might be applying a Vulcan neck pinch, but to reset the PRAM you have to hold down Command-Option-P-R all at once (easiest if you don’t try using the command and option on the same side of the spacebar). You do this after the Mac has powered down and is starting up again.
PRAM zapping will get you a big dramatic startup “Bonnnnggggg” to let you know it has happened, and the computer will startup again. Keep the keys down until you hear the startup sound four times, then let go and let it restart.
The trick though is from the first comment in this thread: go to the system preferences, open up the display control, change the resolution, change it back, then restart again.
[Someone correct me if this isn't right.]
Dear Maria,
I’ve got my random shutdowm fixed. I experienced the same problem of colourful vertical lines. It was fixed after an installation of OS X 10.4.8 and a patch that the service centre recommended. So far (touch wood) so good.
Try that.
I also had problems with Quicktime player (there was no sound when I play RSS feeds or MP3 streaming), I just got that fixed by using the regular Software Update where I updated the Quicktime player with the latest version.
Hope this helps.
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