iThread (AKA Apple Thread) (2011)

[DPMOmaha]

There is an app, though I don't know if it works or not.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ringtone-maker-make-free-ringtones/id390929278?mt=8

That worked.  The Green Hornet theme is now my ring tone.

[PatsNats28]

My laptop is suddenly having major issues. Macbook Pro, got it slightly more than two years ago. I was gone until Wednesday evening, since then it's been having these problems (occurring as I type). Basically, it will freeze at the slightest thing for over 30 seconds... sometimes I'll get the pinwheel, sometimes it just freezes. I've tried closing applications, et.c but nothing works. My music stops playing, all that stuff. It's happened three tiems in writing this post (make that 4!). Please help!

[Nathan]

Have you rebooted?  Have you tried opening activity monitor to see if there is an out of control process?

[PatsNats28]

I have rebooted, to no avail. I always have Activity Monitor open, and its showing continuously low activity. I have noticed (while writing this response) that it happens more often when I'm typing, as it's frozen right now...

[Nathan]

Didn't you have this exact same problem before?  Sounds like an issue with the shock sensor of the hard drive in that case.  Your typing is getting picked up as vibration, setting it off.

[PatsNats28]

I did have this problem, about two years ago, but it was mainly with the music... not with typing and stuff.

So what do you suggest I do about it?

[Nathan]

First I suggest checking apple's website for your model and see if there are any firmware updates.

Also, maybe this post will help if it sounds like the issue you are having:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2103941?start=0&tstart=0

It sounds like something with the sudden motion sensor parking the HDD, looks like some people reverted to a previous firmware that helped them.

[PatsNats28]

http://support.apple.com/downloads/#macbookpro

This is what I found on the Apple website, none of them seem to be particularly helpful.

Should I revert to that 1.6 version they mentioned? Because that post is from 2 years ago...

[Nathan]

Try this first, just to see if it's the SMS.

Open up a terminal (it's under Utilities or just use spotlight).

Issue this command:

Code: [Select]

pmset -g
Look for sms and see if it is set to '0' (off) or '1' (on).  If it's on, try turning it off.

Code: [Select]

sudo pmset -a sms 0
Use the first command again to verify that it's now turned off.  See if the freezing issue goes away.  If it does, then that is your problem.  Note that with sms off, sudden shocks while the computer is on could cause damage to your HDD.  BE CAREFUL!

Once you verify if that is or is not the problem, you can turn it back on with

Code: [Select]

sudo pmset -a sms 1
Here is the Apple article describing the SMS with the steps I posted.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1934

[PatsNats28]

It was already off (presumably from the last time I tried to fix this issue).

[Nathan]

Well then, I have no idea

[PatsNats28]

Okay well thanks