Macbook Pro "shutdown because of a problem"

[Lynne326]

Hi everyone,

My mid-2010 macbook pro is shutting down or restarting randomly. One of these is what I see:

I have a feeling that it's because I have an outdated OSX, which is El Capitan, which I keep because I have some programs that won't work on a new version.

Can you give me your thoughts on if the outdated OSX is the problem? I also do have issues with certain websites giving me privacy connection errors, which I do think is because of the OSX.

Should I upgrade the OSX and lose my programs to solve the problem? Or is it time for new computer due to the age of my macbook?

Thanks so much!
Lynne

 

[kentzh]

The 2021 16-inch M1MAX also encountered a kernel panic in 12.2, which caused the problem to restart, and the problem could not be found for a while.

 

[Lynne326]

Is there a way to fix the problem I'm having?

 

[internetrando]

Your computer is nearly old enough to be a teenager. I would recommend upgrading just on the age alone.

I understand the desire to keep old apps, but staying on an outdated OS represents a security risk, and limits functionality. It only gets worse over time.

Without knowing what is causing the issue, I would recommend first entering recovery mode and running first aid on the drive.

If this does not solve the issue, reinstall the OS on top of the current data.

If this does not work, wipe the drive and reinstall from scratch.

Much beyond that, your options become limited.

 

[CopyCatz]

My 2021 16" Pro also suffers from random reboots lately. I was afraid it was hardware related but 12.2 issues seem more likely then?

 

[HDFan]

I understand the desire to keep old apps, but staying on an outdated OS represents a security risk, and limits functionality. It only gets worse over time.

Your computer is nearly old enough to be a teenager. I would recommend upgrading just on the age alone.

Agree. If you can afford it upgrading to a current system will give you increased performance and security.

Otherwise you can check console and look at the system crash logs to see if they tell you why it is crashing. Could be hardware, could be software.

 

[Lynne326]

So it's just the OSX that needs upgraded, not a whole new computer? Is this what you are saying? Thanks!

 

[internetrando]

So it's just the OSX that needs upgraded, not a whole new computer? Is this what you are saying? Thanks!

My recommendation is that you upgrade to a new(er) computer. My other suggestions were provided as a means to assist you with your current issues, should upgrading not be the choice you decide to make.

 

[HDFan]

So it's just the OSX that needs upgraded, not a whole new computer?

The problem is you likely can't upgrade to the latest OS due to the computer's age. To get the latest OS you'll need a fairly new computer, one release in the last few years.

 

[JPack]

Upgrade to High Sierra by installing fresh to see if the problem still happens. You have a seriously outdated OS and hardware and it’s difficult to diagnose without eliminating at least one variable.

 

[Lynne326]

Great! Thank you all SO much for your help!

Would someone give me their opinion on the refurbished Macbook?

https://www.backmarket.com/tested-a...re-i7-16gb-ssd-512-gb/25929.html#scroll=false

Or, if anyone knows somewhere else to buy a refurb one, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[JPack]

Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple

Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

 

[internetrando]

I can highly recommend Apple’s refurbished products. They’re indistinguishable from new, are eligible for AppleCare+, and have a standard one year manufacturer warranty.

Some argue that they may be better than factory new, since they were given individual attention, and completely tested. I tend to fall into that camp.

When it comes to the larger MacBook Pro models, I would highly recommend getting a 2019+ 16 inch model. You will thank yourself a thousand times over by avoiding the disaster that was the butterfly keyboard.

 

[locovaca]

Great! Thank you all SO much for your help!

Would someone give me their opinion on the refurbished Macbook?

https://www.backmarket.com/tested-a...re-i7-16gb-ssd-512-gb/25929.html#scroll=false

Or, if anyone knows somewhere else to buy a refurb one, please let me know.

Thanks!

That will have a butterfly keyboard that you do not want. In addition to Apple I have had good luck on Swappa.

 

[HDFan]

I can highly recommend Apple’s refurbished products

Agree. You may pay more, but you have Apple standing behind it.

If you are using a 3rd party seller be very careful. Make sure that you can return the unit if there are problems. Check reviews for the seller. Dunno where you are located but

Open-Box Computers & Tablets Outlet - Best Buy

Shop for Open-Box Computers & Tablets Outlet at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up

www.bestbuy.com

 

[Lynne326]

I can highly recommend Apple’s refurbished products. They’re indistinguishable from new, are eligible for AppleCare+, and have a standard one year manufacturer warranty.

Some argue that they may be better than factory new, since they were given individual attention, and completely tested. I tend to fall into that camp.

When it comes to the larger MacBook Pro models, I would highly recommend getting a 2019+ 16 inch model. You will thank yourself a thousand times over by avoiding the disaster that was the butterfly keyboard.

Thank you. Yes, the last 2 laptops and iPod I bought were refurbished and purchased from the Apple store. I've had great luck with them. Thanks for the heads up about the butterfly keyboard, I had never heard of it before.

 

[Lynne326]

Thank you. Yes, the last 2 laptops and iPod I bought were refurbished and purchased from the Apple store. I've had great luck with them. Thanks for the heads up about the butterfly keyboard, I had never heard of it before.

Also, I'm used to my 17" macbook, so I would want the 16". I'm a graphic designer, so the more screen the better.

 

[Fishrrman]

DO NOT buy a "refurbished" Mac from anywhere except Apple's own refurbished pages.

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

 

[Lynne326]

Thanks very much for your advice and recommendations, Fishrrman! I do appreciate it.

 

[Lynne326]

Thanks very much for your advice and recommendations, Fishrrman! I do appreciate it.

DO NOT buy a "refurbished" Mac from anywhere except Apple's own refurbished pages.

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

Hi Fishrrman,

Interestingly, my Macbook has not had the shutdown issue since I first posted this. But, I wanted to ask your recommendation on a refurb Macbook Air. What year is good to buy for the "magic", not butterfly keyboard? Thanks so much!
Lynne

 

[TiggrToo]

Hi Fishrrman,

Interestingly, my Macbook has not had the shutdown issue since I first posted this. But, I wanted to ask your recommendation on a refurb Macbook Air. What year is good to buy for the "magic", not butterfly keyboard? Thanks so much!
Lynne

I love my M1 Air and TBH should have gone refurb but like a total numbskull, I didn't.

I use a 2019 MBP at work with 32GB Ram and my personal M1 Air runs longer, quieter (no fan) and almost close to the same workflows faster than the Intel based MBP.

 

[Lynne326]

Thanks. Can I ask you what you think of this one? I think it has the magic keys.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/FGND3LL/A/refurbished-133-inch-macbook-air-apple-m1-chip-with-8‑core-cpu-and-7‑core-gpu-gold?fnode=e935366b800fdf8359085ee77960a58392b469f23c86b9b34867fdb85fdf0891585896090359c5f4cfbad624483b6b736a984397fb63a779a31f97bf53f8d249475f35a349ffa360d0fb06a9a319c82a

I know it's only 250 GB, but I don't plan on using it for storing many programs and files.

 

[Fishrrman]

That looks ok, but it only has 8gb of RAM, which can be limiting with the m-series Macs.

How about this one, which looks to be the same model, but with 16gb ???

Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air Apple M1 Chip with 8‑Core CPU and 7‑Core GPU - Space Gray

Originally released November 2020|13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch|16GB unified memory|256GB SSD1|Touch ID sensor|720p FaceTime HD Camera

www.apple.com

 

[Lynne326]

Yes, that sounds like a good option. Thank you very much, Fishrrman!

 

[Ruggy]

Something that happens really often with old computers is their vents fill up with lint.
When this happens, they overheat and when they overheat the bios shuts them down.
It appears to be random but it depends really on what is running. If it's an intensive program they heat up quicker.
I don't know your model but if there are any slots or vents underneath in the first instance you just blow through them and see what comes out. It's a quick fix. You'll probably see a cloud of dust and an improvement for a while. That' a sure sign it's full of dust or worse:lint but I'd be really surprised if it isn't on a 12 year old machine.
If you can take the bottom of the case off (but if you do just make sure you are wearing natural fibres, take your shoes off and make sure you're not on a synthetic carpet: anything that can charge you with static electricity in other words) and clean everything out. Really gently. Blow it if out if possible - canned air for instance- and maybe clean the fans but don't touch any circuit boards unless you have to. Just blow them off.
It's usually worth giving it a go before you do anything else especially just blowing through the vents.