MBP Grey curtain, freeze, restart! Help

Hello,

This is my first Mac and I've been getting the grey curtain 2-3 times a day for the last 3 days, I have been getting it for almost since I got it, but it only happened once a week or two and I didn't pay attention. I have been sending reports to apple but I haven't received any feedback. Also today for the first time I suddenly got lines of text on my screen and the mac restarted by itself, without even leaving a report after it reboots. By lurking through forums I learned that it's probably a Kernel Panic.

It's a 15 inch, 2.4Ghz Intel MBP, 4GB Ram. Actually it was a 2GB but another 2GB were fitted in the store when I bought it. I've had it for 4 months now, and installed Snow Leopard on it(it originally came with Leopard), although that didn't stop the Grey Curtains...

I am always using itunes and safari on my laptop, not necessarily flash applications (youtube) as the reports of other people getting grey curtains say.
Any tips on fixing the problem?
Thanks in advance!

Artemis

To trouble shoot kernel panics, start with opening up Console (in your Applications / Utilities folder) and go through it looking at the error logs. Sometimes you can determine which application is causing it, many times not.

If you are able to determine it's a 3rd party app causing them, simply removing it may clear it up. If not, it's time for a trip to the Apple store. It could very well be a hardware issue instead of a software one. It is not normal to be having kernel panics.

What you're experiencing is known as a "kernel panic", which is a severe crash of the OS itself. You typically wouldn't see this on a Mac unless there was a hardware failure or some sort or corruption in the operating system.

The first thing I'd do would be to run the Apple Hardware Test and see what that comes back with:

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

cwa107 said:

What you're experiencing is known as a "kernel panic", which is a severe crash of the OS itself. You typically wouldn't see this on a Mac unless there was a hardware failure or some sort or corruption in the operating system.

The first thing I'd do would be to run the Apple Hardware Test and see what that comes back with:

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

Click to expand...

Good idea also. Always forget because mine have always been unsupported software issues.

Thanks for the quick response guys.
I've just run the Apple Hardware Test, not the extended one though, and it didn't come up with any faults.
I've also tried looking through the error logs, which I have never done before, and can't really understand what is going on in there but what I noticed it that "Parallels Service.app" shows up alot.
I have Parallels installed with Windows XP, but I haven't used it for over a month, but it shows up in todays report. Could this be the problem?

?? Wouldn't think so, but check to see if Parallels has anything starting at boot up - Sys Preferences - Accounts - highlight your account and click on the 'Login Items' button.

If it does, highlight it and click on the minus button below to remove it. You can always add it back later if you want.

No, it isn't in the Login Items.
Would it help if I posted the report next time I get a grey curtain?

Just got another grey curtain...
Here is the report, hope it helps

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 73292 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 6
Anonymous UUID: C2A8E3F6-6E8D-4E1C-820D-8605F18ED020

Sun Dec 27 19:02:54 2009
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x2a7ac2): Kernel trap at 0x011a8444, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x3f774802, CR3: 0x00100000, CR4: 0x000006e0
EAX: 0x96d623c4, EBX: 0x526a60a4, ECX: 0x96d623e6, EDX: 0x000001a6
CR2: 0x3f774802, EBP: 0x5883bc58, ESI: 0x0804d400, EDI: 0x0081e0a4
EFL: 0x00010082, EIP: 0x011a8444, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x00000010
Error code: 0x00000000

Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x5883ba38 : 0x21b2bd (0x5cf868 0x5883ba6c 0x223719 0x0)
0x5883ba88 : 0x2a7ac2 (0x591c30 0x11a8444 0xe 0x591dfa)
0x5883bb68 : 0x29d968 (0x5883bb80 0x902298f7 0x5883bc58 0x11a8444)
0x5883bb78 : 0x11a8444 (0xe 0x7f50048 0x12e0010 0xffff0010)
0x5883bc58 : 0x11a1f14 (0x81e0a4 0x1a6 0x4e2b1cd7 0xe0)
0x5883bd38 : 0x11a34db (0x96720233 0x800001a6 0x0 0x0)
0x5883be08 : 0x2a8a3c (0xffffffff 0x7fffffff 0x4 0x84b7e0)
0x5883be28 : 0x225527 (0x84bc7c 0x9671fcd0 0x1a6 0x84bc68)
0x5883be88 : 0x2262fd (0x1 0x7ed97a8 0x7ed9c58 0x5883bec0)
0x5883bef8 : 0x226f11 (0x7ed97c4 0x23958139 0x5883bf18 0x2a0596)
0x5883bf68 : 0x227bb2 (0x227980 0x0 0x0 0x1a6)
0x5883bfc8 : 0x29d68c (0x0 0x1 0x10 0x8df6c60)
Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement(96.0.0)@0x11a0000->0x11bafff

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
10C540

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.2.0: Tue Nov 3 10:37:10 PST 2009; root:xnu-1486.2.11~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro5,1 (Mac-F42D86C8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 1815007032329
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.AppleFileSystemDriver 2.0 (addr 0xfec000, size 0x12288) - last unloaded 217407691956
loaded kexts:
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic 4.0 3846.436708
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge 4.0 3846.436708
com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect 4.0 3846.436708
com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook 4.0 3846.436708
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor 4.0 3846.436708
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.2d0 - last loaded 34989501761
com.apple.filesystems.msdosfs 1.6
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.9.3
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.7.9a4
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 1.7.9a4
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.1.0
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.0d4
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.1.0
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU 1.4.5d1
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.1.2
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 2.8.16
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPenrynProfile 17
com.apple.driver.NVSMU 2.1.8
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 4.0.1d0
com.apple.GeForce 6.0.6
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.4.9
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 1.8.0b4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 1.8.0b4
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 251.1.4
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.6.0
com.apple.BootCache 31
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 160.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.4.0
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx 411.91.20
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 3.8.4
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.0.1
com.apple.nvenet 1.0.69
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 3.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI 3.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 96.0.0
com.apple.security.sandbox 0
com.apple.security.quarantine 0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 2.1.11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 96.0.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.7.9a4
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.4d0
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 6.0.6
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 17
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 20
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 73.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.2.4f3
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.7.2fc1
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.7.9a4
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.7.9a4
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 41
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.0.1d2
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 4.0.1d0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.4d0
com.apple.NVDAResman 6.0.6
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 204.9
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.2.4f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.2.4f3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.2.4f3
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 3.8.4
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 3.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.7.5
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 402.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 1.2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.1.7
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 310.6
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 3.8.5
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.0.2
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 3.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 281
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.3
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.3.0
Model: MacBookPro5,1, BootROM MBP51.0074.B01, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.33f8
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, PCIe, 256 MB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, PCI, 256 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x8D), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.91.19)
Bluetooth: Version 2.2.4f3, 2 service, 0 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Ethernet, Ethernet, en0
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Network Service: Parallels Shared Networking Adapter, Ethernet, en2
Network Service: Parallels Host-Only Networking Adapter, Ethernet, en3
Serial ATA Device: Hitachi HTS543225L9SA02, 232.89 GB
Serial ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-868, 3.79 GB
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8507, 0x24400000
USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0x06100000
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8213, 0x06110000
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x0237, 0x04600000
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0x04500000

Based on that one, I'd probably try an SMC reset. Bottom of the page has directions based on whether you have a removal battery or non-removeable.

After that I'm looking at RAM. Since you are under warranty and have all Apple installed memory, I'd suggest you go ahead and take it in.

You can try experimenting by removing different sticks or run memtest.

I've tried the SMC reset and it still did it today...
I've run memtest and it said there is no fault.
Still I took out one stick and will see the results.
I am on a trip right now and won't have access to an apple store for 3 weeks so this is my only choice.

I believe the problem was the extra stick that was added at the apple store...
1 day passed and still no curtain Thanks for your help.

But another question. If I go to the apple store with my mac, should I put the ram stick back in it?

Shouldn't matter if you put it back in or not.

Keep using it like that for a couple of days to make sure your kp's are cured.

It also could be the slot that is not functioning properly. So, while you're in a testing mode, pull a 2nd stick and put the 1st one you already yanked out in it's place. If problem returns, you've most likely identified the problem. If it doesn't return, add the 2nd stick in the first slot and see what happens.

It'll help out when you can make it to the store to have narrowed it down as to whether it occurs only when an individual stick is in the machine or when any stick is in a particular slot.

I'll keep my fingers crossed you've found it on the first try.