Macbook Pro Restarts Randomly When Connected to Monitor

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Hello there,

I have a 15" Macbook Pro, with a 2.4Ghz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB DDR3 memory, and running OS X 10.8.4.

When I connect my Macbook Pro to my Samsung monitor using the VGA to HDMI adapter it randomly restarts.

What could be causing this?

What could I check out on my Macbook Pro that would indicate the cause?

Thanks guys.
 
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Based on the specs of the machine I am assuming that this is a Mid 2010 laptop. The first thing that you can try is the Apple Hardware Test to see if it reports any issues.

Also, if you have another VGA adapter try to swap it out to see if the issue continues.
 
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Based on the specs of the machine I am assuming that this is a Mid 2010 laptop. The first thing that you can try is the Apple Hardware Test to see if it reports any issues.

Also, if you have another VGA adapter try to swap it out to see if the issue continues.

Thanks. Will do.

I actually made a mistake stating which cable it was. I'm actually using the MiniDisplay port to HDMI port. I just ordered a replacement for that cable; so I hope it works and makes the difference.
 
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I got my new MiniDisplay port to HDMI today. I used it, and within ten minutes it restarted randomly again.

I have also tried the Apple Hardware Test. After reading the instructions again, I saw that I had to press Option + D in order for it start. Once it did start, though, it said that "this machine does not support Apple Hardware Test."

I'm back to square one. Any advice guys?

Thanks. :)
 
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Based on the specs of the machine I am assuming that this is a Mid 2010 laptop. The first thing that you can try is the Apple Hardware Test to see if it reports any issues.

Also, if you have another VGA adapter try to swap it out to see if the issue continues.

I got my new MiniDisplay port to HDMI today. I used it, and within ten minutes it restarted randomly again.

I have also tried the Apple Hardware Test. After reading the instructions again, I saw that I had to press Option + D in order for it start. Once it did start, though, it said that "this machine does not support Apple Hardware Test."

I'm back to square one. Any advice guys?

Thanks.
 

chscag

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I have to ask.... why are you using a VGA to HDMI adapter from your MacBook Pro to the Samsung monitor? Your MacBook Pro has a MiniDisplay Port output which supports DVI. VGA is strictly analog while DVI is digital. I don't know for sure if that's your problem, but you might want to change adapters. If your Samsung monitor has a DVI input, that would be even better.
 
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I have to ask.... why are you using a VGA to HDMI adapter from your MacBook Pro to the Samsung monitor? Your MacBook Pro has a MiniDisplay Port output which supports DVI. VGA is strictly analog while DVI is digital. I don't know for sure if that's your problem, but you might want to change adapters. If your Samsung monitor has a DVI input, that would be even better.

I actually made a mistake stating which cable it was. I'm actually using the MiniDisplay port to HDMI port.

I got my new MiniDisplay port to HDMI today. I used it, and within ten minutes it restarted randomly again.

I have also tried the Apple Hardware Test. After reading the instructions again, I saw that I had to press Option + D in order for it start. Once it did start, though, it said that "this machine does not support Apple Hardware Test."
 

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Let me see if I understand exactly what you're doing....

You have a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter connected from your MacBook Pro to a HDMI cable, and then plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your Samsung monitor? Is that correct?
 
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Let me see if I understand exactly what you're doing....

You have a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter connected from your MacBook Pro to a HDMI cable, and then plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your Samsung monitor? Is that correct?

Yep. Correct. That's how I have it connected.

It randomly restarts, and I'm trying to figure out the cause.

My only guess is that I'm opening up my programs too fast. I only open programs like Safari, iTunes, Mail, and Microsoft Word. It should be able to handle opening up those programs right?

Would you happen to know how I can find the cause of the restarting? Some way to diagnose the MacBook Pro, maybe?

Thanks.
 

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I'm not clear exactly what is happening?

Are you getting a kernel panic, does the screen just black out and come back, the machine shuts down, or is it shutting down and restarting all on it's own (and you see the whole boot process and log in)?
 
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I'm not clear exactly what is happening?

Are you getting a kernel panic, does the screen just black out and come back, the machine shuts down, or is it shutting down and restarting all on it's own (and you see the whole boot process and log in)?

What happens is that when I'm connected to my Samsung monitor, my MacBook Pro will randomly restart. It may be 5 minutes into using it, or 20, or 40 minutes where it simply restarts without warning.

My only hunch as to the cause is that I'm opening too many programs at once. I've noticed that it sometimes triggers the restart.

As to the kernel panic, I don't really know what that is. If you're referring to that message you receive when the MacBook restarts that's written in different languages, then yes, I'm receiving that.
 

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OK, that's a better definition of what's going on. Random restarts are usually triggered by faulty hardware such as a bad power supply, failing memory, or overheating. I don't believe your Samsung monitor by itself is the cause by very likely adds to the cause when attached. May be a bad or overheating video chipset that acts up when the monitor is attached. ?? That's a tough one to track down.
 

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What I'm trying to get at:

1. Do you get the kernel panic (yes, it's that multi-language screen) that tells you to power the unit off and restart. You have to hold down the power button to shut it off and then press it again to restart the computer.

versus:

2. the computer actually shuts down and reboots - no error - no warning - just all of a sudden it's re-started itself

versus:

3. the computer just shuts down - no error - no warning
and you have to press the power button to restart it

Or some combination of the above.

Opening a whole bunch of applications by itself would not cause any of the above.

If number 3 - that is a typical overheating issue and my first question would be, what is the computer sitting on when you have it connected to the TV?

If number 2 - almost always a hardware issue, though I have seen some bad applications do it on rare occasions.

If number 1 - is typically hardware, although it can be software related. Would tend to agree with chscag's assessment, that running the external monitor is just exacerbating the issue.

Try posting the log of the error - can be found in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

Also try running the machine in Safe Mode to see if it still happens.
 
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What I'm trying to get at:

1. Do you get the kernel panic (yes, it's that multi-language screen) that tells you to power the unit off and restart. You have to hold down the power button to shut it off and then press it again to restart the computer.

versus:

2. the computer actually shuts down and reboots - no error - no warning - just all of a sudden it's re-started itself

versus:

3. the computer just shuts down - no error - no warning
and you have to press the power button to restart it

Or some combination of the above.

Opening a whole bunch of applications by itself would not cause any of the above.

If number 3 - that is a typical overheating issue and my first question would be, what is the computer sitting on when you have it connected to the TV?

If number 2 - almost always a hardware issue, though I have seen some bad applications do it on rare occasions.

If number 1 - is typically hardware, although it can be software related. Would tend to agree with chscag's assessment, that running the external monitor is just exacerbating the issue.

Try posting the log of the error - can be found in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

Also try running the machine in Safe Mode to see if it still happens.

Hey there guys.

Thanks for the feedback!

The issue happened today again. I went to the /Library/Logs/Diagnostics. I have copied the entire error code. Please forgive me if I wasn't supposed to copy and paste the entire thing. I don't know what is relevant and not relevant to post about the error.

Here it is (and many thanks!):

Sun Sep 1 22:01:01 2013
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f9ebf1f1a): "GPU Panic: [<None>] 3 3 7f 0 0 0 0 3 : NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x00000100: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff810d917000 0x0a5480a2, D0, P2/4\n"@/SourceCache/AppleGraphicsControl/AppleGraphicsControl-3.4.5/src/AppleMuxControl/kext/GPUPanic.cpp:127
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff810d64add0 : 0xffffff801ca1d626
0xffffff810d64ae40 : 0xffffff7f9ebf1f1a
0xffffff810d64af10 : 0xffffff7f9d15ff1e
0xffffff810d64afd0 : 0xffffff7f9d23412d
0xffffff810d64b010 : 0xffffff7f9d23418e
0xffffff810d64b080 : 0xffffff7f9d4faed0
0xffffff810d64b1b0 : 0xffffff7f9d25ca75
0xffffff810d64b1d0 : 0xffffff7f9d166d50
0xffffff810d64b280 : 0xffffff7f9d1647d0
0xffffff810d64b480 : 0xffffff7f9d16610a
0xffffff810d64b550 : 0xffffff7f9e1824a8
0xffffff810d64b690 : 0xffffff7f9e181f94
0xffffff810d64b6a0 : 0xffffff7f9e145348
0xffffff810d64b6b0 : 0xffffff7f9e1453bd
0xffffff810d64b6c0 : 0xffffff7f9e12643c
0xffffff810d64b700 : 0xffffff7f9e128b6c
0xffffff810d64b730 : 0xffffff7f9e17c15d
0xffffff810d64b7b0 : 0xffffff7f9e1633e0
0xffffff810d64b810 : 0xffffff7f9e163cc1
0xffffff810d64b860 : 0xffffff7f9e164214
0xffffff810d64b8d0 : 0xffffff7f9e1649d3
0xffffff810d64b910 : 0xffffff7f9e12fe2f
0xffffff810d64ba90 : 0xffffff7f9e160f0f
0xffffff810d64bb50 : 0xffffff7f9e12e8c8
0xffffff810d64bba0 : 0xffffff801ce66e69
0xffffff810d64bbc0 : 0xffffff801ce68410
0xffffff810d64bc20 : 0xffffff801ce65e2f
0xffffff810d64bd70 : 0xffffff801ca98c01
0xffffff810d64be80 : 0xffffff801ca20b3d
0xffffff810d64beb0 : 0xffffff801ca10448
0xffffff810d64bf00 : 0xffffff801ca1961b
0xffffff810d64bf70 : 0xffffff801caa6536
0xffffff810d64bfb0 : 0xffffff801cace9e3
Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl(3.4.5)[49FEF732-D7A3-327B-A7AA-6AC5A6E3DCFF]@0xffffff7f9ebe4000->0xffffff7f9ebf6fff
dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert(1.0.4)[1D0BB11E-7D71-34CF-ACC3-57DF01CADA08]@0xffffff7f9ebdf000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffffff7f9d068000
dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl(3.4.5)[4A2C8548-7EF1-38A9-8817-E8CB34B8DCA6]@0xffffff7f9ebcb000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[A35915E8-C1B0-3C0F-81DF-5515BC9002FC]@0xffffff7f9cfe8000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.7)[6C8CFC18-75F0-3DEF-86C7-CEB2C1FD6BB1]@0xffffff7f9d0ea000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.7)[990D1A42-DF16-3AB9-ABC1-6A88AC142244]@0xffffff7f9d0a7000
com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1.2)[96AE69DE-8A37-39D0-B2D3-D8446A6AA670]@0xffffff7f9d0fe000->0xffffff7f9d3a3fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffffff7f9d068000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.7)[6C8CFC18-75F0-3DEF-86C7-CEB2C1FD6BB1]@0xffffff7f9d0ea000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.7)[990D1A42-DF16-3AB9-ABC1-6A88AC142244]@0xffffff7f9d0a7000
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(8.1.2)[988EAF3A-3318-3787-8A5A-844830FA1522]@0xffffff7f9d3af000->0xffffff7f9d683fff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1.2)[96AE69DE-8A37-39D0-B2D3-D8446A6AA670]@0xffffff7f9d0fe000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffffff7f9d068000
com.apple.GeForce(8.1.2)[7EC545A4-4B57-32F1-8DC3-C31023AFBDCB]@0xffffff7f9e11c000->0xffffff7f9e1e9fff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1.2)[96AE69DE-8A37-39D0-B2D3-D8446A6AA670]@0xffffff7f9d0fe000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.7)[6C8CFC18-75F0-3DEF-86C7-CEB2C1FD6BB1]@0xffffff7f9d0ea000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffffff7f9d068000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.7)[990D1A42-DF16-3AB9-ABC1-6A88AC142244]@0xffffff7f9d0a7000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: WindowServer

Mac OS version:
12E55

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 12.4.0: Wed May 1 17:57:12 PDT 2013; root:xnu-2050.24.15~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 896CB1E3-AB79-3DF1-B595-549DFFDF3D36
Kernel slide: 0x000000001c800000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff801ca00000
System model name: MacBookPro6,2 (Mac-F22586C8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 3137920077364
last loaded kext at 269448888069: com.apple.filesystems.msdosfs 1.8.1 (addr 0xffffff7f9ecf3000, size 65536)
last unloaded kext at 417892303247: com.apple.filesystems.msdosfs 1.8.1 (addr 0xffffff7f9ecf3000, size 57344)
loaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.87
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.1.4f2
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.3.7fc4
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.10
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphics 8.1.2
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1
com.apple.GeForce 8.1.2
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.4.5
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl 3.4.5
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphicsFB 8.1.2
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 122
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCPDRC 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU 2.0.3d0
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.1.4f2
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.3.7fc4
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.1.11
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.3d1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 237.1
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 320.15
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader 3.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 237.1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache 34
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.5.5
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.5.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.5.5
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 615.20.17
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet 3.6.1b4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 161.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 196.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 4.0.39
com.apple.security.quarantine 2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 196.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.6
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.3.7fc4
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.9fc11
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.6
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 8.1.2
com.apple.NVDAResman 8.1.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 86.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.1.4f2
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.4.5
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0
com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.3.0d51
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.3.7fc4
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.3.7fc4
com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.1.4f2
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.11d0
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.11d0
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.4d2
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 237.3
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.5.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.3.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 530.4
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController 1.0.2b1
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.8.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox 220.3
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 345
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.21
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7.3
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4
com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0
 

bobtomay

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bobtomay

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Even if it does work currently and only crashes when using an external - it's definite sign of a struggling GPU.

Unless, the MBP is maybe sitting on the floor on carpet or something else soft that would be blocking the air vents causing it to overheat only when it's connected to the external monitor.

Since Apple is already aware of the issue with this particular graphics card - I'd be calling them.

Sucks to be Apple in this case - had a problem with an ATI card in an earlier model so went with nVidia in the next model and have the same problem again.
 
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Go to Apple service....

I agree. Apple is quietly (LOL) replacing the logic boards on the 2010 PB Pros.

Owners of such machines having such problems should take themselves there and politely but firmly insist on a thorough checkout - maybe twice or thrice.
 
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