07-24-2010, 10:21 AM

I figured instead of posting multiple threads about this, I'd just post one that has them all.

First off, my MacBook Pro is overheating. It has gotten to the point where it goes to sleep - I just click my mouse and it comes back on, but it still goes to sleep. When it wakes up, it's usually at 100+ degrees Celsius.

I use a Heatsink Cooling pad. I use SMC and have the fans running at max, but still my MBP overheats. This happens when I play CS:S and an MMORPG RuneScape (java based, browser based).

Second, for whatever reason my MBP is telling me my C&C Generals Zero Hour disk is actually a blank disk. I've tried popping in a regular DVD and it worked fine. I've popped the C&C disk into my dad's iMac (running 10.5.8) and it worked fine (I'm running 10.6.4). No idea why it's doing that.

Third, for some reason my MBP is now unable to connect to the internet via wireless. It connects to my network (the Airport icon is completely full) and I can see the other computers on my network via Finder, but nothing loads. I also cannot access any other computers via Finder (I can normally remotely control my little brother's MBP). I have our network set up so that our Time Capsule broadcasts a signal, which I then extend with my own AEBS. I've tried connected to the AEBS via Ethernet and just wireless and I get no internet. I am however able to get internet when I connect via Ethernet to the Time Capsule.

I have no idea how to fix any of these problems. I do not have Apple Care, and have obviously past my warranty.

07-24-2010, 12:42 PM

As you stated, it seems there are numerous issues with your machine. However, you should deal with them one at a time of which the most serious is the overheating.

A core temperature of 100 + degrees C is enough to boil water and that's not good. Your machine is shutting itself down (sleep) in order to prevent damage, but each time that occurs it can shorten the life of critical components.

If you think that you can work on the machine by yourself, it may be worth while to open it up and take a look inside. There may be an accumulation of dust and dirt preventing the fans from working correctly or the vents may be blocked. Using SMC to ramp up the fans is not a good idea because of the additional wear and tear it places on them.

Since your machine is not under warranty, go to the iFixit: The free repair manual web site and look up the take apart instructions for your model MBP. If you don't think that you want to do it yourself, then by all means bring it to an Apple store or another authorized Apple repair place and have them trouble shoot it for you.

After the overheating and shutting down problem is dealt with, you can tackle the other issues you're having.

Regards.

07-26-2010, 02:31 AM

Ok, I'm getting it checked out later today.

Hoping that it's just dust that's collected over time that can be cleaned out easily. But I've had a heating problem (not to the point of shutting down) for a while. Just having a few applications running (not being used, but they had they were active) would bring my MBP to temperatures in the 70s. And using Chrome/FF, iTunes and Pages would bring it near 80.

Lately it's been idling at far lower temperatures, but still having the problem of shutting down during gameplay.

I've also noticed that my superdrive will not recognize game disks. I've put in two different games and both were read as blank, but a regular DVD (movie) was read fine.

UPDATE:

After going to the store and having them take a look, they determined that the battery was OK, so it wasn't contributing to the overheating problem. Once logging in, they saw I had SMC installed, and with no applications running except Quicksilver my temperature was at a cool 45 degrees Celsius with the fans at about 4500 rpms, so he felt the they were working as they should. So, he didn't want me to think it was absolutely positive, but it could be likely that it's my logicboard that's the problem, because if the fans are working as they should and I'm still able to get my MBP to put itself to sleep just playing CS:S, then something is wrong.

Do you feel that's a logical assumption to make?

I haven't sent my MBP in yet because I want to make sure I've backed up all my important files. But I plan to just to make sure that it's the real problem.

07-28-2010, 12:46 PM

I was playing CS:S today, and got my MBP to shut down again.

Finally decided to set up my iPhone and just let it record while I played and sure enough, 5 minutes and 36 seconds in, my MBP cut to black. I let it run again and it tried to shut down twice in 14 minutes.

So, I'd still like to just get some other people's opinions.

07-28-2010, 12:56 PM

Maybe the games are just too much for your Macbook to handle? How old is your Macbook?

Specs would be helpful.

07-28-2010, 01:21 PM

It's a late '08 model.

2.8GHz C2D
4GB RAM
320GB HDD 7200rpm
10.6.4

07-28-2010, 02:50 PM

So, he didn't want me to think it was absolutely positive, but it could be likely that it's my logicboard that's the problem, because if the fans are working as they should and I'm still able to get my MBP to put itself to sleep just playing CS:S, then something is wrong.

Do you feel that's a logical assumption to make?

Yeah, unfortunately it is a logical assumption. The CPU, GPU, associated heat sinks, and other controlling circuitry plus main chipset is on the logic board. A problem that is leading to overheating is more than likely originating and caused by something not working right on the logic board.

You're also running your fans at 4500 RPM to keep the temp normal. The fans should be running at the factory preset of 1800 RPM for normal temps. Playing games is naturally going to drive up the temperature but your MBP should be able to handle that easily without shutting down. So something is indeed wrong and it probably is on the logic board.

Logic board replacement for a machine not under warranty is going to be expensive. So if you decide to go that route, shop around. By that I mean get price estimates from several authorized Apple repair service centers.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

07-29-2010, 02:57 AM

I would get multiple price estimates, but in the Philippines, there is really only one store that is an authorized Apple repair center. They said that replacing the logicboard would cost nearly $600-700, that's not even considering fans if they need to be replaced and my DVD drive seeing as it's choosing to reject certain types of DVDs.

At the same time we have another MBP (the model before they went unibody) and it's got a defective DVD drive as well, but instead is rejecting any sort of disc we try to put in it.

It's definitely cheaper to get both repaired, but seeing as we could very well spend nearly $1000 repairing the late '08 model MBP, would it just be better to spend more and get a better computer and repair the older MBP since it only has one problem? And then just use this MBP until it gives out completely as a desktop substitute?