Random mac OS X shutdown

[Defunct Lizard]

A few minutes ago I was watching a YouTube video and waiting for my ubuntu Linux to install an my VM when it randomly shut down

 

I felt the back of the computer and it was very hot, so maybe it shut down under workload.

 

Any help is appreciated Thanks!

[Creed1]

Does it boot back up? Any Logs of the crash such as a quick kernel panic? Run Some stress tests for 30 minutes or so and report back temps

[Zando_]

What Mac do you have? What specs? 

[Defunct Lizard]

Yes it boots back up and it said something along the lines of " the system shut down because of an error".

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, floppy disk mayhem said:

Yes it boots back up and it said something along the lines of " the system shut down because of an error".

does it give you a error?

 

What mac?

[Defunct Lizard]

I ha

Just now, Zando Bob said:

What Mac do you have? What specs? 

Late 2009 21.5 inch 2x core duo, 16 GB ram, 256 mb  nividia vid card.

[BestPCBuilder2017]

What version of OS X?

[Defunct Lizard]

1 minute ago, NCIX Lampy said:

What version of OS X?

I have El Capitan.

[knightslugger]

3 minutes ago, floppy disk mayhem said:

I ha

Late 2009 21.5 inch 2x core duo, 16 GB ram, 256 mb  nividia vid card.

when was the last time you cleaned it inside? i bet it's filthy!

[Defunct Lizard]

9 minutes ago, knightslugger said:

when was the last time you cleaned it inside? i bet it's filthy!

It's a apple product they put special software to clean it 

 

(XDXDXDXDXDXDXD)

[knightslugger]

5 minutes ago, floppy disk mayhem said:

It's a apple product they put special software to clean it 

 

(XDXDXDXDXDXDXD)

don't hate, it's against the rules... (ex mac user for a reason)

[DrMacintosh]

check disk integrity with Disk Utility, update if possible. 

[Zando_]

35 minutes ago, floppy disk mayhem said:

I ha

Late 2009 21.5 inch 2x core duo, 16 GB ram, 256 mb  nividia vid card.

Can you check it it's dusty inside? It'd be pretty freaky pulling the screen off, but it should be held on by magnets. Check iFixit for instructions if you want to try it. 

[knightslugger]

1 hour ago, Zando Bob said:

Can you check it it's dusty inside? It'd be pretty freaky pulling the screen off, but it should be held on by magnets. Check iFixit for instructions if you want to try it. 

there's... extensive... disassembly involved. i've done it LOTs of times.

[JakeNTech]

If you have not change the thermal paste then I recommend the following:(And follow an ifixit guide)

I suggest reapplying the thermal paste like this:

1- Get some arctic silver 5 , Its the best I have found. 

2- Once you have taken the heat sink off, put some TIM remover onto some tissue, toilet paper will be fine, and gently wipe over the CPU. until there is no paste left. 

3- Wait 2-3 minutes

4- Wipe all the surfaces you have just cleaned with a material like your t-shirt

5- Apply a line of thermal paste in a parallel line to the longest edge on the CPU.

6- Spred it out, you want a thin layer over the whole die, making sure that you can't see the die. 

7- Place the heat sink down and wait for about a minute to let the air escape

8- Put the screws back in a star like pattern, don't tighten them too much until they are all in, you don't want the heat sink to move at all. 

9- Make sure that it is all tight and reassemble you computer.