MacBook randomly shutting down

Black Ice

Mac OSX: 10.5.8
4 GB Memory 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Got this Macbook about a year and a half ago. It's had its fair share of problems, but things have been pretty good recently (minus the obligatory cracks in the palm rest - which is really common). However, I've left my Macbook on, come back a few hours later, and it's just off. It happened three times until it finally happened when I was present - all I was doing was listening to music; it had been sitting for about 15 minutes and just powered off.

I know this isn't a new problem but I have no idea what to do to fix it. Anyone know?

Avicus

This happens to my girlfriend's macbook as well. It is around 2 years old and it just randomly turns off.

I think it has something to do with the battery because it only ever happens when the laptop is not plugged into the wall.

Lewisham

Have you reset the SMC?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411

Eat it You Nasty Pig.

First concern is heat, and if you're pretty sure it's not heat then battery is next.

Have you noticed that it happens while plugged in, or do you have another battery you could swap in?

Black Ice

Lewisham wrote: »

Have you reset the SMC?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411

That looks promising, but I don't like this bit from the site:

An SMC reset should not be necessary except as a last resort in cases where a hardware issue with the power management system is suspected.

I'm afraid of turning a minor issue into a huge issue.

As for the heat, the Mac isn't abnormally hot or anything, and it's in a pretty well-ventilated area. The battery is borderline what I would call "hot" - it's certainly very warm. Unfortunately, I don't have another battery to test with, and fortunately, since the situation hasn't been occurring often, I don't know if I'd be able to test out whether or not it's a working solution. I really want to nip this problem in the bud before it becomes anything major, though. I probably need to back up this Hard Drive, too, while I'm able to right now!

Lewisham

I reset the SMU all the time, it's one of the first things I try when my power manaement is playing up. I don't know why they have that warning on there.

Try it.

Black Ice

Went ahead and tried it - so far, so good. Although there's no way of telling wither or not the SMU reset itself, is there? I took the battery out, disconnected everything, and held the power button down for over 5 seconds, so I'm assuming it was reset...

Lewisham

Black Ice wrote: »

Went ahead and tried it - so far, so good. Although there's no way of telling wither or not the SMU reset itself, is there? I took the battery out, disconnected everything, and held the power button down for over 5 seconds, so I'm assuming it was reset...

Yeah, it doesn't provide any indication that it reset, just that your laptop is working as expected. I tend to hold it down for 10 seconds just to be sure.

mts

would an SMU reset help with a battery life meter that doesn't seem right? i can leave it on the charger all night and when i unplug it , the indicator says i only have lik e2.5 hours. 100% battery health on a unibody macbook

Lewisham

Yes. You will also need to calibrate your battery afterwards (Google it).

However, 2.5 hours isn't a bad number, it's just that Apple's numbers for battery life are usually whack (like everyone's).

Black Ice

Problem just reoccurred last night. What should I do next?

Lewisham

Call Apple or go to your local Apple Store/Authorized Service Center.