Comments on: Putting an End to MacBook Air Core Shutdown

By: Real Fantasy

Real Fantasy — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:08:18 +0000

Just like Amr said “Just installing it without changing any of the default values solved the problem”

By: Amr

Amr — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:57:49 +0000

After months of searching for a solution for the Kernel_Task problem in my MBA I tried the CoolBook software given the increasing number of people who tried it and worked for them and… it just works. Just installing it without changing any of the default values solved the problem. I was facing this problem every time I run a 1080p video on my MBA. First I thought that the video processor is not capable or running such high resolution video but it did after installing the software.
It is clear for me that the problem is not overheating since I was getting this problem with temps in the 60s C. My only interpretation is that CoolBook replaced a faulty processor managing firmware. Still to my surprise why Apple didn’t solve this problem yet !

By: Критикую Apple | Яблоки Arwen

Критикую Apple | Яблоки Arwen — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:59:19 +0000

[...] новых ноутбуков Apple, наткнулась в блоге на такой комментарий: «Люблю Apple до смерти, но я никогда не куплю их продукт [...]

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:53:53 +0000

I just got a $999 refurb MBA. It seems to get hottest when you use it while it is charging. I got my voltages down to .90 at all speeds except 1600, which needed .9125. People should understand that undervolting does not reduce performance. Apple sets the voltages to what Intel says the chip needs. Intel tells Apple what the worst case voltages are. In most cases, the chip can run at lower voltage, which reduces heat output. The other fix you can do to a MBA is remove Apples over zealos application of thermal compound to the CPU and GPU and apply a more correct amount. While this won’t actually make your laptop cooler, it may allow the cpu to more efficiently dissapate heat, allowing it to run without the core shutdown problems. I have not attempted this, but it sounds like a fun project :)

By: Bruce Corson

Bruce Corson — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:02:09 +0000

Same problem with two 1G MBAs. I stumbled upon a solution without quite understanding why. I only knew that the worst-offending MBA was a water-damaged one I re-built. For various reasons I was concerned about the heat sink’s ability to cool this one. I installed “SMC Fan Control” on both computers and have not had a problem since. I’ve kept the rpm minimums at about 3900 minimum.

By: Menubar Icons — CornerBirch

Menubar Icons — CornerBirch — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:21:22 +0000

[...] with my MacBook Air overheating and crashing. I first learned of smcFanControl from Paul Stamatiou's post about his own problems/solutions with the Macbook Air. I've moved on to a MacBook Pro but [...]

By: Matthew Shelley

Matthew Shelley — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:26:03 +0000

This article is the only way to fix the damn air from locking up! Love it or hate it was burning my legs and it would crash skype video after 10 mins too…

I have the 1.8GHz version, here are my settings:

Adapter:

800 / 0.9000
1200 / 0.9000
1400 / 0.9000
1600 / 0.9375
1800 / 0.9500

Battery:

800 / 0.9000
1200 / 0.9000
1400 / 0.9000
1600 / 0.9.375
(I left out the 1800 setting as it saves battery life and I tend not to use CPU intensive apps. I guess you could go further and drop the 1600 too?)

Throttling: Medium
Temp: 75C

I found that setting the temp lower than 75 made the processor run a lot slower to keep cool. Without the temp control it will run at 1800 all the time but it does stabilise at 91C which if nothing else makes the air too hot to hold.

I’m now able to run skype full screen and watch video and it never locks up….
Cheers,

Matthew

By: Blake Perdue

Blake Perdue — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:53:55 +0000

@stammy thanks. just making sure it’s still working fine a week later.

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:08:49 +0000

@blake http://paulstamatiou.com/2008/05/11/putting-an-end-to-macbook-air-core-shutdown#comment-167122

By: Antonio Picone

Antonio Picone — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:05:21 +0000

I tried but it doesn’t work after firmware update :(

By: Blake Perdue

Blake Perdue — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:31:02 +0000

@stammy are you still running coolbook after the new update and not having any problems? I am holding back on the update to make sure people don’t report problems using coolbook w/this update. thanks.

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:29:38 +0000

@geminiimatt – I tried the update and while a core did not shut down, I did still experience the kernel_task issue where that process uses all system resources after initiating several processor intensive issues. I have gone back to using CoolBook and it works fine as usual (even with the new update).

By: geminiimatt

geminiimatt — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:10:02 +0000

apple finally addressed this issue! there is a software update 1.0 for macbook air owners. please be sure to inactivate coolbook controller if you use it and restart your macbook air before installing. from apple note

“Third-party software that modifies processor operating characteristics such as frequency and voltage is not supported and should be removed before installing this update.”

more on update here. http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbookairupdate.html

By: The death of core shutdown on MacBook Air? | michaelhong.com

The death of core shutdown on MacBook Air? | michaelhong.com — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:30:12 +0000

[...] this problem, I picked up CoolBook which undervolts the processor. I used Rob Randtoul’s (via Paul Stamatiou) settings to undervolt the MBA. Since that time, I’ve experienced no core shutdowns. Seems [...]

By: Chris Webb

Chris Webb — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:44:18 +0000

I have a macbook air and to date have never experienced core shutdown, I even tried rigging it up to a 22″ monitor while, running AOL, firefox and iTunes running a video. It was also running a 4 port USB hub and backup drive using time machine.

The CPU got warm about 68-70 degrees C, but it didn’t crash or lockup, it was noisy but at least it was working. I only noticed it was a little slow in use that was all. Once time machine finished the temp dropped to 58-60.

So far I have been very impressed with the macbook air, it’s light and very portable. I have a large Macbook Pro for main work but the Air is ideal for travelling with. I think for now I will leave the machine as it is, it’s working great for me.

By: Chris Webb

Chris Webb — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:09:53 +0000

I admit my Macbook Air has not suffered core shutdown as of yet, although it is used for travel only and only handles word, excel and some itunes music and movies. Even on hot days it hasn’t had any issues, my MBP gets the most use and despite a hot case it performs flawlessly.

I will give my MBA a good work out and see if I get a core shutdown. Be interested in seeing what Apple do about this issue.

By: John From Berkeley » links for 2008-07-09

John From Berkeley » links for 2008-07-09 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:32:34 +0000

[...] Putting an End to MacBook Air Core Shutdown – PaulStamatiou.com (tags: mac hardware tips hacks) [...]

By: MacBook Air Core Shutdowns and Freezes | Tongfamily.com

MacBook Air Core Shutdowns and Freezes | Tongfamily.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:26:21 +0000

[...] like Paul Stamatiou say that this happens with lots of graphics like watching a movie because the GPU and the CPU share [...]

By: Yuhong Bao

Yuhong Bao — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:06:51 +0000

“They call it “bleeding edge” because it hurts ;-)
Love Apple to death but I never buy their v. 1.0 products.”
Remember the first PCI Macs in 1995? These shipped with bleeding edge system software. The part that had the most problem was a then-bleeding edge networking software called Open Transport, and this was probably much worse than this issue. System 7.5.3 and the Open Transport 1.1 shipped with it fixed most of the problems.

By: phil

phil — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:09:41 +0000

Got my 3rd Macbook Air today from Apple – all of them exhibited the same core shutdown problem. I purchased the coolbook to give it a try – because I really like the Air. Paul is right that the little coolbook utility prevents the Air from shutting down one of the cores. The problem is though that it switches off the temp limit as well. With the settings above my Macbook Air goes to sleep automatically after about 5-10 minutes of importing AVCHD video (even though the sleep is disabled). The Macbook Air sits on a straight wooden table in a well ventilated room. The CPU temperature goes above 100 degrees Celsius – which is I think unacceptable. Looks like the fan in Air can not keep the CPU cool while performing more demanding tasks. Looks to me like a design flaw and even this 3rd Air goes back to Apple – and I want my money back.

Will probably wait for a 2nd generation of Macbook Air until this gets fixed. The desing is lovely – yet the functionality kinda sucks.

By: george

george — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:31:51 +0000

Spoke with AppleCare about MB Air “stalling” when in single core mode. He had me do a power management reset by shutting off the computer, holding SHIFT-CONTROL-OPTION and firmly pressing the power key. Nothing will happen, no tone or flash. Just restart. Single core mode is much less frequent, only during heavy stress and only momentarily. Programs are responsive while in single core (much more than before the reset when the entire computer would beach ball). SO far, it’s seemed to do the trick and I’m back to loving my Air. He (Applecare dude) sad they expect to have a more elegant fix in 10.5.4. Thanks Applecare dude.

By: tbrooks

tbrooks — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:10:33 +0000

Blake- let me know if you’re interested in a MBA. I’ll sell you mine… I’m going back to a MBP.

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:17:51 +0000

@Blake – yeah this is still an issue. Although no real complaints from me after CoolBook. :-) I always have my MBA hooked up to my 24-inch and it works fine for that and watching movies, with CoolBook. As long as they aren’t 720 or 1080 you’re fine.

By: Blake Perdue

Blake Perdue — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:12:49 +0000

I’m curious about an update to this post. Did a firmware update fix this, or is this still a problem? I’m considering buying a MBA or a MBP to hook up to a 24″ monitor. I don’t want the Air if I can’t watch movies on it, have to buy CoolBook and always have it running, or if it gets very very hot.

Any word on what’s happened with this? Thanks!

By: Lynn Marentette

Lynn Marentette — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:36:34 +0000

I will look into Coolbook