MacBook Issues

[yojitani]

Info: MacBook 1.83 CD (Sept 06), 2GB RAM

sigh... I'm usually able to sort these things out myself, but I'm at a bit of a loss. First, so I was just working on Fireworks.. several windows open working with bitmaps and layers etc. and as I was about to apply a gradient everything, not just the program, but the entire computer, froze. In all my years with macs, I've never experienced a freeze. Kernal Panics - yes - but this was like windows. Everything stopped!! So, I had to shut down manually. What happened?? Checking my log, I see that there is a long list of failures kind of like this one: kernel[0]: (356: ps)tfp: failed Not just at the time of the freeze, but even on this boot up.

Now, second, I have noticed that the system has been gradually slowing down. Firefox takes a good 20 - 30 seconds to open when before it would just zap up on my screen... it takes a good 10 bounces or so in the doc. This is not my main computer so does not get a whole lot of action - mainly just word processing and a bit of dreamweaver work for the most part. I have done all system maintenences possible, including zapping the pram... nada. Any suggestions why this is happening? Solutions?

Finally, I managed to get around to buying some iKlear and much to my dismay some of the spots I put down to dust, aren't dust. The worst is this very bright spot more or less right in the middle of my screen - what is that?? The other, and I know what it is, is a long line along the upper 1/3 of the screen - it's obviously from the keyboard - how do I get it off?? Can I??

would love some help here...

Thanks
YT

 

[infz]

The other, and I know what it is, is a long line along the upper 1/3 of the screen - it's obviously from the keyboard - how do I get it off?? Can I??

I noticed this happening on my first macbook... I was sooo worried/sad. But then I got iKlear and it actually got rid of the line... temporarily. Did that about once a week or less. It's sad because the sinked keyboard is supposed to save the screen from marks! but then it rises up to the trackpad and causes the problem. Some people sand that area down, and I know a girl who places a thin cloth there when she closes her macbook to protect the screen.

Me, I ordered a RadTech ScreenSavrz to protect my screen from that problem.

Best of luck...

 

[mattscott306]

This is not my main computer so does not get a whole lot of action - mainly just word processing and a bit of dreamweaver work for the most part. I have done all system maintenences possible, including zapping the pram... nada. /QUOTE]

PRAM was gonna be my suggestion, but since you have done that I don't know what to tell you. The thing that should be most concerning, is the very fact that this computer doesn't get a lot of use. That means (I'm assuming) that you aren't running a bunch of different apps and such as that which could slow it down. The only thing I can really think of is that dreamweaver isn't running natively yet on intels (I may be wrong on that one). You could also try a program like cleansweep, or something that helps clean up your OS.

If you still have applecare you might want to bring it in and see what they can do.

-- One more thing, you have the latest updates and all that correct?

 

[yojitani]

I noticed this happening on my first macbook... I was sooo worried/sad. But then I got iKlear and it actually got rid of the line... temporarily. Did that about once a week or less. It's sad because the sinked keyboard is supposed to save the screen from marks! but then it rises up to the trackpad and causes the problem. Some people sand that area down, and I know a girl who places a thin cloth there when she closes her macbook to protect the screen.

Me, I ordered a RadTech ScreenSavrz to protect my screen from that problem.

Best of luck...

Thanks - It was the iklear that actually mhttp://images.macrumors.com/vb/images/smilies/frown.gifade it more noticeable. I'll try a combination of cleaning regular + protection. That radtech cloth looks good..

One more thing, you have the latest updates and all that correct?

Yes...
I'll have a look at cleansweep. I've been using Onyx - I don't know how different the two are. Dreamweaver and Fireworks of course do slow things down a bit since they are running on rosetta, though the problem with firefox comes even if I have nothing else open . Luckily I am still covered under the first year warranty, but there isn't an apple store for over 100 miles from here.

Anybody know about what this bright spot might be? I'm attaching a quick pic I took. It's not very clear in the pic but is noticeable especially against a bright colored background.

Thanks
YT

 

[yojitani]

Update

OK so, I decided to call apple about this. Now one thing about the call I thought I'd ask about is that they want me to buy ac before they will help - just wondering I don't get this first year warranty thing. How are you supposed to determine there is something wrong with your computer without talking to someone first? I mean, I'm not asking how to connect to a network or something daft like that - it's a little annoying white dot!

Anyway, I ended up getting some help, and the first thing she had me do was take my battery out. Now, when I did this, the little metal ram guard popped out and one ram slot was wide open. It looks like the thread has been completely stripped on the screws! I have a meeting to go to so I cut the call short (also, I don't have a small screw driver with me). I'm supposed to call back later this evening. I did put in new ram like a week after I got the computer - and there were really no problems - how could this have happened? Also, I have to say I'm a bit worried that they are going to blame this on me. Could it have been my fault? I can't think what I have done wrong. I've pampered this computer since day one so this is quite a shock to me.

...I'm guessing that this might account for the slowdown and odd behavior of the computer... I bought my first apple in 2004 and have owned 5 since then. This is my first major problem -

 

[Cybergypsy]

OK so, I decided to call apple about this. Now one thing about the call I thought I'd ask about is that they want me to buy ac before they will help - just wondering I don't get this first year warranty thing. How are you supposed to determine there is something wrong with your computer without talking to someone first? I mean, I'm not asking how to connect to a network or something daft like that - it's a little annoying white dot!

Anyway, I ended up getting some help, and the first thing she had me do was take my battery out. Now, when I did this, the little metal ram guard popped out and one ram slot was wide open. It looks like the thread has been completely stripped on the screws! I have a meeting to go to so I cut the call short (also, I don't have a small screw driver with me). I'm supposed to call back later this evening. I did put in new ram like a week after I got the computer - and there were really no problems - how could this have happened? Also, I have to say I'm a bit worried that they are going to blame this on me. Could it have been my fault? I can't think what I have done wrong. I've pampered this computer since day one so this is quite a shock to me.

...I'm guessing that this might account for the slowdown and odd behavior of the computer... I bought my first apple in 2004 and have owned 5 since then. This is my first major problem -

Welcome to the macbook problems, I had 3 macbooks withen 6 months, all had issues....switched back to PCs for now....goood Luck