Computer Help

"TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut" (twincharged) 11/03/2014 at 01:18 • Filed to: Helpings

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My late-2011 Macbook Pro's been recently having problems where it freezes unexpectedly. Sometimes, it freezes when I try to load a bunch of YouTube videos, or when I'm loading a fullscreen app. Sometimes, it freezes between switching spaces with coloured lines running across my screen, either vertically or horizontally. I'm forced to manually shutdown and when I restart, a number of evenly spaced violet coloured lines run across my screen. Sometimes, it takes my computer two tries to restart. All the while, the CPU gets stupidly hot and the fan cranks up to max.

I think it's my graphic card which needs replacing. Anybody have any other ideas?

Manuél Ferrari > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 01:25

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I have a theory I can't prove. I feel like Macs need to be reinstalled from scratch every couple years just like Windows does. This didn't used to be the case. But now my Macs seem to get buggy and slow just like windows laptops do after a couple years.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 01:28

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Is it a 15" model? If so, it may be the GPU. Have you ever opened it up?

I think it may be the HDD failing... time to invest in an SSD ;)

TheHondaBro > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 01:28

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I have the newer Retina MacBook Pro. This piece of shit crashes if I rest my elbow on it.

I am NOT joking.

Anyway, your screen is probably worn down.
Take a look at this:
http://www.macrumors.com/2014/10/28/mac…

All Motor Is Best Motor > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 01:29

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You're saying sometimes it freezes and you get colored lines running across the screen?

If that's the case, it's definitely a videocard issue. You can try to reinstall Windows the OS, but you may end up with an unusable computer if it decides it's just going to stay nice and broken. I'd say prepare for the possibility of needing a new computer.

GhostZ > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 01:35

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Definitely sounds like graphic cards, but the heated CPU is a problem. There's a guy around here who knows Macs really, really well (has an apple logo as an avatar) and can probably help you.

Me? I'd just find a way for you to buy a more powerful computer for much less money by offering replacement suggestions. No good advice here on Mac hardware, I won't try to diagnose what I don't know.

GhostZ > Manuél Ferrari 11/03/2014 at 01:39

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Windows doesn't if you do regular maintenance, the problem is that Microsoft doesn't offer that maintenance and when you buy a new computer, they come with all sorts of programs that do cause ongoing problems.

Basically, start with a clean install of windows without bloatware, keep an eye on your registry and regularly clean your temporary data and stuff and it should run beautifully and indefinitely. It's literally like changing your oil every few thousand miles instead of replacing your engine every twenty thousand miles.

The exception is windows Vista, where you may not actually be able to clean it because it's got leftovers from XP and shit that builds up. Windows 7 will too, if you upgrade from Vista. Fresh Win7 or 8.1 is pretty slick.

Manuél Ferrari > GhostZ 11/03/2014 at 01:41

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it's the registry that I hate

But I swear Mac has a secret registry too now

I'm gonna switch to Linux one day ...

GhostZ > Manuél Ferrari 11/03/2014 at 01:45

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CCleaner is beautiful.

And yes, we all secretly wish to move to Linux and join the master race.

Manuél Ferrari > GhostZ 11/03/2014 at 01:47

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Can CCleaner also clean our cars?

The only reason I haven't done the switch is cause I need MS Office for my job. If G Docs or Open Office would suffice I would already be a penguin.

GhostZ > Manuél Ferrari 11/03/2014 at 01:50

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CCleaner will only clean your Mercedes C-Class.

Manuél Ferrari > GhostZ 11/03/2014 at 01:53

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Does that mean it would work on the 190E too?

Me gusta the 190E

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 02:07

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2011 Macbooks have been known to have graphics problems. my brother just replaced the logic board on his, which was bricked for about 2 months.

TheOnelectronic > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 04:15

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Definitely sounds like a GPU problem, although the heat issues make me wonder if it isn't a cooling problem, as those are problems you'll get with an overheated GPU. Maybe open it up (or have someone else do it if you aren't comfortable) and check that the fans aren't clogged. If they're fairly clean, it could be that the thermal transfer compound needs to be replaced.

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 05:15

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Im having weird things too. And im 2011 as well.

Almost Every time after opening the sleeping laptop. The lockscreen diplay is divided in 2. One half is in black, purple and green lines. The other half is fine.

Ive had had to do manual shutdown just once when i restarted it.

This had never happened to me before i had Yosemite. So i think the problem is the OS. Not the hardware. But dont quote me on that i know almost nothing bout computers.

Meatcoma > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 08:22

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It probably needs to be cleaned out. Surely you can look up a youtube vid of someone opening it up and dusting it out with a can of air.

Or since you got a mac maybe you can take it in. - not a mac guy so I'm not sure how those things work. I'd just take my pc apart and dust it out with a can of air for $3.

GTI MkVII > Manuél Ferrari 11/03/2014 at 09:10

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Multiple Mac owner and user for 9+ years - have never done a clean install and have never had any issues.

GTI MkVII > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 11/03/2014 at 09:12

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Even if the HDD isn't failing, I'd still go SSD haha. Bets investment you could possibly make on any machine. 8GB or more of RAM is a good idea too.

edu-petrolhead > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 11/03/2014 at 09:15

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Open it?

Is it possible to open a current-gen mac/iThing?

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 09:39

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What version of OSx are you on?

Also what sized model is it?

—current Systems Admin, certified Apple repair tech previously 2013

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 11/03/2014 at 09:42

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Not hard drive this is video and memory related, the OSx updates they push out typically fry components. I worked in a FTZ Apple repair facility for 6 months last year and this is typical, the gpu units are insanely weak and prone to burnout, in which case you had better hope for warranty coverage because in order to replace a gpu, you must replace an entire logic board.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > GTI MkVII 11/03/2014 at 09:43

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Non apple certified memory will void warranty and also, OSx notices when you have installed non-Apple certified memory and likes to fry itself. Macbooks are vindictive like latte sipping, Ugg wearing hipster college girls.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > TheHondaBro 11/03/2014 at 09:44

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HDD cables are prone to wearing out as they are not protected from the friction of the bare aluminum bottom case

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/03/2014 at 09:50

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I'm currently running Mavericks, my school won't let us update to Yosemite just yet because of a printer network issue. Also, it's a 15 inch model.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 11/03/2014 at 09:51

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Never opened it up, I'm no electrician and I'm afraid I'll hurt something. But yes, I've been thinking about an SSD too, although my HDD doesn't seem to be suffering from any major issues right now.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > edu-petrolhead 11/03/2014 at 09:52

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It is possible to open them up and do work yourself - I asked at an Apple store about changing from a HDD to an SSD and they said it was a job that I could do myself.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > OkCars- 22k Crossroads 11/03/2014 at 09:54

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[[frowns]] I haven't updated to Yosemite yet and I have these problems already.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > All Motor Is Best Motor 11/03/2014 at 09:54

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Secretly, I'd love a new Retina Macbook, but seeing as they're pretty pricey and that my computer is still capable with i7 and 8GB of RAM for all my school needs, I don't think it's that much of a necessity.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > GhostZ 11/03/2014 at 09:56

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The CPU and fan only goes berserk once it freezes. Normally, unless I'm running six apps and lots of windows at once, it just hangs around the 50º-60ºC range. On good days, it dips below 50ºC.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > TheOnelectronic 11/03/2014 at 09:57

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I've got iStat Menus so I can control my fans. Usually I turn it up higher than default just to ensure that everything really is cool. Plus, the CPU normally isn't as hot, only when my computer freezes and then it goes berserk.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Meatcoma 11/03/2014 at 09:57

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Interesting. I do live in a house that's quite dusty. Maybe that's worth a look when I get a chance to open it up.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 11/03/2014 at 09:58

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That's quite enlightening! I think you're probably right...

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/03/2014 at 10:21

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Yeah, I'd go with this...

I forgot about my 2007.5 MacBook Pro :(

Worked for 7 1/2 years and then one day I turn it on, and it boots but the screen wouldn't turn on, and it wouldn't connect to an external display...

Dead GPU

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/03/2014 at 10:21

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That's why you buy memory that is confirmed to work with Macs ;)

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > edu-petrolhead 11/03/2014 at 10:23

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Not a Retina model, but Non-Retina MacBook models all have bottom panels that unscrew easily.

However to change something on an iMac, you have to remove the front glass plate, which is a real PITA

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 10:25

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They aren't too fragile. However if you spill water on it, yeah it will be fried :/ Just don't be too rough on it and you'll be fine

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 10:25

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Mavericks had a burnout matrix somewhere near 3 out of 5. Meaning that out of every 5 updated to mavericks, 3 would burn out their boards. It is possible to continue using without replacing the board but I highly do not recommend that, it will continue to degrade in performance until it fully bricks. Heat and over reliance on the gpu by the OS are to blame for this failure, but people keep buying them so they never correct the flaws properly or permanently.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 11/03/2014 at 10:27

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Yes suh!! Or you know buy a real computer....I mean if you plan on doing more than one thing at a time. Unless you vm the shit out a mac with like 5 or 6 windows virtual boxes.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/03/2014 at 10:31

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I am typing this on an Windows 8 Desktop with 8 Cores (FX8320) 16GB Ram (8GB Corsair and 8GB G.Skill) and a decent graphics card (R9 270) with a 120GB SSD (Kingston v300) and 2.5TB of HDD storage (2 WD Black 1TB and 1 Seagate Barracuda 500GB) ;P

For school I bought a late 2012 MBP 13" with an i7, 8GB ram, and stuck a 256GB Crucial M4 SSD in it ;)

I love them both...

EDIT: Forgot to mention I payed $575 for said MBP 2 months ago and built the PC for around $800 in April

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 11/03/2014 at 10:38

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PC MASTER RACE!!!!!!

Saving moneys, playing better games, making mods and apps and sweet videos

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/03/2014 at 10:42

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Oh, and I forgot, motherboard is an Asrock 990FX Killer ;)

The PSU was an EVGA Supernova 750G2... but it broke 2 months ago after 1 month of use ;( Still haven't RMA'd it yet.

It's a pretty sweet computer, the problem with it though is that when playing BF4 it turns into a space heater LOL

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet 11/03/2014 at 13:20

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So would you recommend that I change my logic board then? Because every day, it freezes at least once forcing me to restart. I still think that there's plenty of life left in it though.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 11/03/2014 at 13:23

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I would replace the board, but do it with a factory reconditioned unit as they carry better warranty and replacement options, plus they are also handled better and assembled with better thermal paste and capacities than they are when they come from Foxconn in China.

Just my $0.02

Manuél Ferrari > GTI MkVII 11/03/2014 at 14:09

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Lucky! I just got a new Mac. My last one was a 13" MacBook Pro that I got in mid 2010. It had 4GB RAM and an SSD.

It used to feel SO fast but it got slower and slower. I considered upgrading the RAM but decided against it because the laptop still felt super slow even after a reboot. I would just open one app at a time and it still dragged.

I couldn't figure out why it was so slow and didn't have time to backup my data and reinstall the OS because I was going on a business trip so I just got a new laptop and moved my data over.