MacBook pro keeps shutting down.

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mattcremerband

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Hi guys

I have a MacBook pro that keeps shutting down for no apparent reason. I don't think it is an overheating problem because sometimes it happens during something as simple as editing a small text file, while other times I can spend an hour or 2 plays games without fail.
Battery and charger have both been swapped, and appear to be working correctly.
Usually it starts right back up when I hit the power button, but sometimes it will shutoff quickly afterwards, very random.

Any suggestions? Anyone else had similar problems?
 
No, haven't seen similar behaviour. Why not RTM and run diagnostics off your install disk?
Or try to repair disk permissions.
Motherboard and component failures are not unheard of.
 
Insert your Macbook Pro install DVD
Reboot
Before you get the startup screen, press and hold "D"
You should see an old PC icon :)
After that it will load the AHT (Apple Hardware Test) - run the tests there..

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

If the problem still exists, try a fresh install of OSX
 
Semi On-Topic (but can be off).

Will Time Machine be able to restore a WHOLE OS? I do see alot of comments like "If the problem still exists, try a fresh install of OSX "...

Else would it be easier / better to create an "image" of your HDD with something like Carbon Copy Cloner (or make a few - 1st = all software installed - AND updated, 2nd = +google, etc settings saved, 3rd one each month)?

I am trying to figure out how best to be prepared for "disasters" as well as to minimise re-downloading updates should things go awry...
 
I havent tried a full system restore with Time Machine - but it can be done :

Insert your Mac OS X install disk, boot your Mac and double click the Install Mac OS X icon.

In the installer, choose Utilities > Restore System from Backup. At this point you will be asked to select your Time Machine backup volume and choose which Time Machine backup you want to restore (if you have multiple restore points).

However if you Time Machine backup has some corrupted files in them, you are back to square 1.. Hence a fresh install of OSX :)
I usually just download the combo updates from Apple's site and keep them as they contain the previous batch of updates too instead of downloading all again..
 
Last edited:
jasweb said:
Semi On-Topic (but can be off).

Will Time Machine be able to restore a WHOLE OS? I do see alot of comments like "If the problem still exists, try a fresh install of OSX "...

Else would it be easier / better to create an "image" of your HDD with something like Carbon Copy Cloner (or make a few - 1st = all software installed - AND updated, 2nd = +google, etc settings saved, 3rd one each month)?

I am trying to figure out how best to be prepared for "disasters" as well as to minimise re-downloading updates should things go awry...
Click to expand...

You are safe with time machine depending on the settings. If you have excluded certain parts of your drive to be backed up, well, then you'll lose it.

Back in ancient windows times I did it like you said, created and image after the clean windows installation and another one after installing software. Made my life so much easier since you have to reinstall windows 'every few hours' to keep it working smoothly.
 
Make a new user and see if the problem persists, this is definitely the easiest way and should rule out software problems.
 
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