Still freezing (!)

Question

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2294629&tstart=195
I posted a thread a few weeks ago, explaining the issue I was having with my macbook pro 15". The computer would freeze, for a stretch, almost once each day, while I was simultaneously running the following programs: iTunes, Safari, Skype, last.fm, Mail (sometimes), and Colloquy (IRC client, sometimes). The computer would freeze, without spinning wheel, and I would not be able to click anything.
On the advice of several folks here, I took a few measures to help things. I ran AppleJack, which seemed to help things, until the comp froze again a few days later, and began to freeze again. I also ordered an additional GB of RAM, doubling from 1GB to 2GB. I was certain this would help things, and the install went fine, but it still seems to freeze once every couple of days, when I'm doing somewhat innocuous things.
So here's my question: what more can I be doing to help troubleshoot this? I'm willing to share any of my computer's specs with the folks on the forums, because the obvious solutions I thought would help still seem to be failing.
(Also, a quick note: is it possible that my battery life is impacting the overall performance of my comp, even though I always run it plugged in to the adapter? I have had the machine for almost 4 years, and my battery is on a 211 cycle count officially, though if I try to operate without being plugged it, I only get a couple of minutes out of it before the whole thing powers down. I know it isn't best for the battery to have it plugged in nearly all the time, but since I use an external hard drive almost always, I rarely take the comp out of thte house, so typically just leave it plugged in. Could this be the source of what is wrong?)
Thanks in advance for the help!

Answer 1

Without reading through the other thread's posts to see if someone asked about
the status of the MacBook/Pro's internal hard disk drive, re: unused capacity or
free-space verses the used amount, as percentages of the total hard drive size.
The lack of adequate free or unused hard disk drive capacity can affect the Mac
when multi-tasking; as the computer automatically uses as much free space as
it needs, whenever it wants it (if available) as Virtual Memory and temp files.
Extra chip RAM always helps, but the system keeps VM in reserve for most every
app you have run and in some cases, holds a percentage of possible drive capacity
as VM even if the app has not been run recently. (See Activity Monitor details.)
The battery should be replaced. If you do not have a known-good spare, then you
may never really know. Also, if you do not run the computer from the battery once
in awhile, and cycle it, the battery will eventually fail anyway with a low cycle count.
So, to cycle the battery (recharging it before it shows super low remaining duration
per charge will not count against the total suspected cycle-count) all the way down
on occasion, maybe a few times a year, and recalibrate it per Apple Support data-
base for your model computer. Since you rely on the AC Adapter, as do most users
of portable computers and perhaps more often than most at a desktop, a spare
adapter may also be a wise idea. Then you can check the computer with both a
known good battery and have a spare adapter on-hand. (The magnetic end of the
adapter has been a subject of some discussion, for some MacBook owners.)
With a known-good battery, a good AC power adapter, and no more than 70%
of the hard disk drive's capacity in use, the computer should not freeze; esp.
when also given a reasonable amount of chip RAM installed. More than 2GB.
IF you can make a complete backup of your computer's hard disk drive content
to an external hard drive capable of booting Mac OS X and making a good clone,
then I'd suggest to consider wiping the computer's internal hard disk drive and
use Secure erase to over-write the drive at least One-Pass zeros, then reformat it.
There may be some low-level corruption on the drive due to using it near capacity
and file damage or sector damage may have resulted in the odd behavior. If you
have DiskWarrior, you could use it to check & repair the hard drive's directory &
maybe perform a few other tests that the booted OS X Disk Utility won't do.
The booted Disk Utility, however, it a major tool at your disposal to use when you
are prepared, and have a suitable backup, to start over and build up a new OS
in the computer, on a truly wiped, zeroed, & reformatted hard disk drive.
Of course, if the computer has seen significant use, the original (or older upgrade)
internal hard disk drive may need to be replaced with a new one. In as little as
three years, a portable computer's hard disk drive could wear out.
In any event, this topic follows on the path of your previous thread's posts to a degree.
Hopefully something relatively easy is involved, but the Mac may need a few new parts.
Good luck & happy computing!