Several issues on my 1.5 years old MacBook

Claustrophobe · 8th June 2008, 14:30

Hi all,
I've had a 1.83 GHz Macbook with 512 mb memory for a year and a half. It's all going smooth and fine, but then things started going wrong. My computer started switching off on its own. This happens only when I watch videos or I have more than one window running flash player (like youtube). This has never happened to me before, and I'm hundred percent sure that I was able to run more than 3 windows with flash player running. But now, the machine started switching off on it's on whenever I attempt to do something memory intensive. I know that I'm on a 512 memory, but it was working just fine and dandy before with 512 mb. Why is this happening? How can I solve this problem?

Second thing: sometime during this year, I switch on my laptop on a nice, silent friday morning, and then... BZZZZZZZZZZZZ! The fan is producing some kind of noise. The computer is working just fine, I do my usual stuff, but now I have to adapt to this new noise. Over this, my computer started having convulsions. Whenever I place it on a table, the whole table feels vibrating. Again, what causes this and how to solve this problem?

Third, and hopefully last thing: my computer is emitting some kind of odor that doesn't really make me feel comfortable. It smells like chemical burning. I've adapted to that by wearing a gas-mask but I still think that there should be a way to solve this naturally, right?

Also, some other minor issues I've had: camera's light turning on without opening photobooth/imovie hd, screen flickering (becomes less bright, then back to normal), screen colors changing all of a sudden.

I would be more than grateful if someone would tell me how to solve these issues.

Thanks

Magnus · 8th June 2008, 14:35

You're seriously wearing a gas mask when you use your Mac? Something is very, very wrong...

To me, and I might be wrong, I'd say, take it in for service. One or two of those issues, and I might say 'ok, we can look at figuring that out', but all of it, no. Listen, like with any manufacturer, Apple's products are not perfect and from time to time they produce lemons. As harsh as it sounds, your MacBook might be one of them.

The problem with video playing might have to do with low memory, but also bad memory. You could try putting in a different RAM stick and see if that helps. But upgrading is a definite must in your case to at least 1GB.

When the fan revs up, have you looked at Activity Monitor to see what's running and how much CPU it uses up?

The smell I would worry about to the point that I wouldn't run that computer again until it's been serviced.

fangpyre · 9th June 2008, 14:44

Usually, in all computers, a "chemical smell" is a sign of something melting.
This would explain all your other problems.

Stop using your machine.

It can start a fire at any moment.
I would worry more if it happened on your lap or while you were away.

8th June 2008, 14:30	#1 (permalink)
Claustrophobe Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14	Several issues on my 1.5 years old MacBook Hi all, I've had a 1.83 GHz Macbook with 512 mb memory for a year and a half. It's all going smooth and fine, but then things started going wrong. My computer started switching off on its own. This happens only when I watch videos or I have more than one window running flash player (like youtube). This has never happened to me before, and I'm hundred percent sure that I was able to run more than 3 windows with flash player running. But now, the machine started switching off on it's on whenever I attempt to do something memory intensive. I know that I'm on a 512 memory, but it was working just fine and dandy before with 512 mb. Why is this happening? How can I solve this problem? Second thing: sometime during this year, I switch on my laptop on a nice, silent friday morning, and then... BZZZZZZZZZZZZ! The fan is producing some kind of noise. The computer is working just fine, I do my usual stuff, but now I have to adapt to this new noise. Over this, my computer started having convulsions. Whenever I place it on a table, the whole table feels vibrating. Again, what causes this and how to solve this problem? Third, and hopefully last thing: my computer is emitting some kind of odor that doesn't really make me feel comfortable. It smells like chemical burning. I've adapted to that by wearing a gas-mask but I still think that there should be a way to solve this naturally, right? Also, some other minor issues I've had: camera's light turning on without opening photobooth/imovie hd, screen flickering (becomes less bright, then back to normal), screen colors changing all of a sudden. I would be more than grateful if someone would tell me how to solve these issues. Thanks

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8th June 2008, 14:35	#2 (permalink)
Magnus Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dubai Posts: 8,333	You're seriously wearing a gas mask when you use your Mac? Something is very, very wrong... To me, and I might be wrong, I'd say, take it in for service. One or two of those issues, and I might say 'ok, we can look at figuring that out', but all of it, no. Listen, like with any manufacturer, Apple's products are not perfect and from time to time they produce lemons. As harsh as it sounds, your MacBook might be one of them. The problem with video playing might have to do with low memory, but also bad memory. You could try putting in a different RAM stick and see if that helps. But upgrading is a definite must in your case to at least 1GB. When the fan revs up, have you looked at Activity Monitor to see what's running and how much CPU it uses up? The smell I would worry about to the point that I wouldn't run that computer again until it's been serviced.

9th June 2008, 14:44	#3 (permalink)
fangpyre Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,388	Usually, in all computers, a "chemical smell" is a sign of something melting. This would explain all your other problems. Stop using your machine. It can start a fire at any moment. I would worry more if it happened on your lap or while you were away.