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Hi all, I purchased my Macbook pro 1.5 years ago in Aug 2010 (did not purchase Apple care for extended warranty) . Started getting kernel panics recently and after every panic attack the machine would beep 3 times repeatedly. However, after not bothering with it for many hours (busy with work) I would be able to turn the machine on and use it for 5-15mins and would experience another kernel panic. I recently took it to Genius Bar in UK and was advised it was a 3rd party conflict (Sophos anti-virus) issue. I was advised to delete Sophos and everything would be fine. But it wasn’t the case and I had to travel to go again. This time I was advised that the technicians would run a detailed diagnostic test and they suspected that it was a Logic Board or RAM issue. Today I was advised by a store personnel that it was a “Logic Board " fault and had to be replaced (costs approx 400GBP). I wanted the technical details of the fault emailed to me so I could get a second opinion. Instead, I get an email advising me that I have to physically go to the store to get the technical details of the fault.This is so disappointing. It has lasted just 1.5 years and as a student I just don’t have the funds to get this fixed (could probably get a decent PC for that money). On Monday the Apple store informed me it was my Logic Board. I wanted to find out the exact details of what’s wrong with the Logic Board and waited to hear from them for two days. Initially they said that I could not get this by email. Yesterday when I rang them again, I was advised that they were running more tests to make sure it was the Logic Board. Today I get a call advising me that their diagnostic test LO AND BEHOLD highlighted that their “GRAPHICS CARD” ( Nvidea ) had failed. When I pointed out the whole “NVIDEA-MACBOOK PRO SAGA” genius bar member ( she was nice and empathetic) said to me that the problem with my GRAPHICS CARD was not the same problem. So, I asked her to specify what the problem was with " my graphics card”. Apparently, they do not have the techinical knowhow (even it went to their factory or some sort of centre) to find out what was wrong with the GPU and all they do is plug in a gadget to test it. This seems like a party line that they have to tow. All in all, I will have to fork out 400pounds to get this fixed. However, I am not going to accept this and am going back to witness the diagnostic test. I would like to arm myself with as much info as possible about this whole NVIDEA saga. Spoke to Apple Centre and they were very helpful. However, the ultimate decision to put in a new Logic Board FoC depends on the store manager. People with new Macbook pro’s (Nvidia GT330M) and not just the old GeForce 8600M GT seem to experience this as well. Help and suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks
Save all documentation on this repair and watch for a new class action law suit. If there is one, you may be able to recover everything paid for this repair as were the users of the failed 8600 GPUs.
Here’s the PROPER fix to this issue: The issue with these laptops is not caused by the GT 330M GPU, but is instead the fault of a poly-tantalum capacitor near the CPU that supplies power to the GPU’s frame buffer. Poly-tantalum capacitors are quite unreliable, and when this capacitor intermittently fails, the voltage to the GPU drops, and it causes a kernel panic. The thing is, heating the board in an oven or reflowing the GPU will temporarily fix this issue by indirectly heating the capacitor, as capacitors are known to sorta fix themselves when heated up. Therefore, you can permanently fix this issue by replacing the affected capacitor, a 330µF 2.0V called “C9560” with another capacitor that isn’t a tantalum one. I recently fixed a laptop with this issue by replacing C9560, and it would die after 5 minutes of running Furmark. After replacing the capacitor, it has been running the same program for over 5 hours with no issues!
Kernel Panics are often corrupted memory blocks caused by a misbehaving process. While it’s possible the cause could be bad hardware (RAM or the GPU) I’ve seen more software causes than hardware failures. Did you upgrade your OS or add/upgrade any applications just before you started seeing the kernel panics? There have been reports of some video driver problems during the Lion upgrade process that cause odd kernel panics. I would first try isolating out the software causes. The easiest is by using an external HD (Firewire would be better than USB here) which has a fresh copy of Mac OS-X 10.6.8 on it (not Lion 10.7.x if that is what you had been using). Then select it as your boot disk (you can still use the internal HD’s apps). Did the problem go away? If that did make a difference you’ll need to make a full backup of your HD wipe it down completely then using an external HD to boot from install a fresh copy of OS on the internal and use the migration tool to copy back your files. One note here: if you did upgrade to Lion you want to boot under a straight Lion OS external HD not one had was upgraded or copied from an upgraded Leopard or Snow Leopard OS (to make sure you don’t copy over any of the older drivers). To prep and install the fresh copy of OS. If the panics are still happening after booting up under the external HD you could try exchanging out the RAM with a fresh set of SIMM’s. I wouldn’t spend the effort moving your current SIMMS from slot to slot or removing one, unless you upgraded the RAM after you bought your system (different manufactures). Otherwise I suspect one of your Apps has an issue, remember what apps you use and the order you use them after a fresh reboot to see what apps could be suspect then focus on making sure you upgrade these to the newest versions (don’t forget OS add-ons and virus checkers). As far as the Nvidia issues of the older MB Pro’s (‘08) Nvidia had a bad run of chips do to a design flaw. Depending on where your chip was located on the wafer the thickness of the layers are very slightly different. The inner core are thicker and the outer edge are thinner (think how centrifugal force works). The current theory is the dies (chips) closer to the edge just couldn’t hold up as well under stress as the others. Normally these outer edge chips get tested more fully and depending on what happens they are tossed out. Some how the process failed so some got released. As far as I know only the 8600M GT was effected. As your system has the 330M GT it does not relate as being the same problem. Check this out about the older Nvidia 8600 GT chip: http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/10/some… Bottom line here is your issue might be a new issue with the 330M GT chip which so far has not been acknowledged by Apple or Nvidia. So far no other system manufacture has had issues with this chip either as far as I can find. References: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeFo… http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeFo…
All of you are wrong, the problem and resolution is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzcgT_fi…
You’re going to love this… It is very probable that issues with panicky GT 330M’s isn’t actually a problem with the GPU as many have thought. According to this amazing thread on MacRumors: “Apple made the same mistake they made with the 820-2610 and 820-2330 where they ran out of space on the motherboard for C7771 so they made it a tantalum one. This is not suitable for a rail that is always on, as C7771 is for an S5 rail - so it dies. Voltage fluctuates, and eventually the machine stops turning on. On the 820-2850, that same 330uf tantalum capacitor re-appears on the framebuffer power supply for the GPU and the VRAM.’’ One possible fix is to replace the dodgy cap with a regular type, however in the mentioned thread you’ll find a soft workaround, which involves patching the Info.plist of AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext. And the best bit…. I got my GPU Back!!
kernal panic always come due to Ram. took out the 1 ram from the laptop and run the laptop. check kernal panic is coming or not . if coming then remove that one and put back the old one. if still same problem then reinstall the mac means first back up all your data the reinstall the mac with restore dvds or retail dvd. it will solve you problem. i have a same mac core i5 mid 2010 15 inch. i already faced this problem of kernal panic . this was solved by changing 1 ram . i m happy becoz my mac is covered with apple protection plan. try this will help you
remember the sale of good act gives up to 6 years protection… http://conversation.which.co.uk/technolo…
Dude, this has been a pain in my particular side for a couple of years. I am an old Systems Integrator in the US back when it was all bleeding edge technology and there were no schools to certified you (actually, Apple did have us certified at both personal tech levels and then my company being Apple authorized) because we were the ones figuring it out between the Mac/Apple OS, DOS & eventual every variation of windows fun plus the different flavors of Unix. My world was integrated them all together when “that can’t be done!” Bah Ha Ha, watch me. Anyway, all I’m saying is I know enough about all of these to be dangerous. The thing is, there are enough similar where you know what to look for when diagnosing issues and at the very least, ruling out WHAT IS NOT WRONG. With the new Apple OS’s, my knowledge of UNIX has been very helpful. Now, my !&&* with my MacBook Pro. During its warranty period, no problems of course. Then I started having the bizarre issues of it scrambling the screen and unable to get it to a startup screen or even a prompt thru safe mode or verbose. I was essentially retired so I no longer had my usual contacts in the industry as I had also relocated. I did my usual due diligence to rule out what was NOT the problem and being a little lazy, decided to take it to the local “Apple Store” along with the list of what was not the problem AND the info on the known issue with the logic board and their double secret probation recall program. Now, I understand how leary places as this do not like to be told what joe blow thinks is wrong and especially when it’s a woman. I gave them a copy of the recall issue and they essentially scoffed. It took them over a week to finally reach the same conclusion I did and they ordered the logic board that took longer than it should have based on my knowledge of how well Apple does with turn around when they know it’s a known issue - they kick butt to get you back up and running. After the amount of time it took them to diagnose the issue and how they did it gave me my first thought of “hmmm, this feels wrong”. After the amount of time it took to get the replacement, it really made me wonder if I shot myself in the foot by just bringing it in to this store before calling Apple direct. When I got the exorbitant bill and the non technical cashier conveniently couldn’t locate a service ticket detailing the Service call and all that was done set off my bullshit meter plus the numerous smacks to my own head for following the route I took. I realized I had let a store that goes out of their way to look so official that they were actually not an authorized service center. I still do not know where they got the replacement board. I originally chalked this up to my laziness and stupidity for knowing better and letting this happen but it worked and I just let the episode fester in my head. Then, a year later, after the “double secret probation recall” had expired, I started having a similar issue. Again, I went thru many gyrations of ruling out every possible problem that left it with an obvious video board issue which was also being recalled in my model. I called Apple support this time and after listing all I did and the results, they agreed and after I told them of the local store that was not authorized and I was unwilling to go 90 miles to another, they gladly set up the shipping swap. EXTREMELY helpful and based on having used this same processed years earlier on a warrantied different macbook mother board failure, I knew this was the way to go and again kicked myself for my mistake the year before. They had me a shipping box the NEXT day and had it not been a holiday weekend, I’d probably have it back today. There is still the Murphy’s law chance that it started working for them or it gets lost in transit or that I jinxed the whole process, but I’m feeling pretty confident I’ll get a happy laptop back in a day or so and a refund of the “deposit” I put down since it is out of warranty. Once this is done, I do hope I can find out a way to have Apple look into this store I used and their actions. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will probably never get any $ back from my stupidity of not calling Apple first and they could have given me the heads up that they did not see this location as one of their blessed stores - but at the very least, I hope they can look into them and make them make sure to inform future customers they are not working with APPLE. Shame on them and shame on me because I, more than the average bear, should have known better!!
I tried Gfxcardstatus version 2.0.1, it resolved my GPU issue on my Macbook mid 2010. after running the app, choose Integrated only. I recommend the usage of this old version 2.0.1 instead of the last version, it works perfectly on OS El Capitan - Mac mid 2010.
I ’ve never heard of this quality program, too bad cuz my MBP has stated to kernel panic since the release of Mavericks (before it was stable on snow leopard). Now i have found a remedy for this problem is to install the gfxcardstatus, mine is version 1.8.1, and for Sierra you need another version, this software forces your mac to use the integrated intel graphic card and not the Nvidia which causes the panic, so when the software is installed you have to select intel graphic card only in preferences. Another solution is to change the tantalum capacitor that is the real cause of the problem. I haven’t done this cuz i don’t have the tools, but the gfxcardstatus works fine for me. I have also noticed that google chrome is causing the panic, so use safari of firefox instead along with gfxcard status
Had the same problem–apple genius, after video test, reported GPU failed, replace logic board. They offered a replacement logic board for $310 (including two way overnite shipping and labor). Told me that free fixes ended 12/2013. I had the fix done and I’m hoping for reimbursement either via executive letter or class action. Now I’m looking for a torture test for the Nvidia 330M gpu.
Worked for me. I baked for 10 minutes at 385 degrees F. Make sure that there is plenty of silver compound between the heat syncs and the processors, as my fans initially ramped way up and a hardware test (“D” key upon startup with install disk 1 inserted) identified a system error related to the temp sensor failure. After removing the previously baked motherboard a second time, adding silver compound to each of the three heat syncs, and reinstalling e motherboard, then the three processors made better contact and the issue was solved. My Mac has never been as fast as it is now! Simply incredible!
gfxcardstatus has been my answer - allows you to manually force the integrated or discrete graphics. Free software - download and try it. Once installed, I stopped having kernel panics. You will also want to go to system preferences, energy saver and turn off automatic graphics switching.
i have MBP mid 2010 330m , i remove the internal fan and use external fan,it won’t crash anymore, i think the fan Interference the signal in vram that should fix for now : )
How to fix-> It start failed in my computer after Update to el capitan but rarely but after update to Sierra restart every time. Just use gfxcardstatus and choose intel only and whoala not restart anymore. Cannot use the switch must choose one intel or nvidia Thanks
Does anyone had this issue but didn’t solved it with GFXcardstatus 2.0.1?
I decided to approach my Macbook 15” 2010 kernel panic issue from a hardware standpoint by replacing a faulty capacitor which resolved the problem, although a lot of people have successfully fixed it through software.
FYI this issue is only present in the 15” models. The 17” 2010 i5 and i7, are not affected (Mine has been working fine for the past 8 years).
I had the same problem with a mid 2007 macbook pro running under Mavericks, i played some music on it on a friday noon, i went to the gim for about 1 hour, i did put the macbook pro in sleep modus, and when i got back from the gim and when i opened the lid of my computer, it wouldnt wake up anymore, i removed the power cord and battery, i tried to reboot this macbook pro, nothing, just a boing, and my screen stayed black, i tried everything, booted it up with the ram removed, only powercord, only battery, harddrive disconnected, and when i searched the web with my iphone, i realised it whas the GPU that failed, an Nvidia chip, i disassembled the complete macbook and i did a logic board reflow in the oven ad 200 degrees celcius for about 7.30 minutes, hoping and praying offcourse, and when i putted it back together . . . It jus booted up like nothing happened . . . Crazy, why is this happening to computers that costs SO much money? I have an old pc, with a Nvidia chip also and i had NEVER the kind of problem i had with my old macbook, now i am using a 17 inch macbook pro with a dual Nvidia chip and i am just scared that it would happen again over time so my fans are blowing ad full speed all the time, i clean out the dust once a month and i have a temp monitoring app and cpu activity monitor installed now . . . I hope that this macbook doesnt die on me . . .
