Q: Help with Kernel Panics
Since upgrading to Mavericks, I've been experiencing regular crashes, usually when doing graphically intensive things like playing certain games. The screen freezes and then the computer restarts. This normally occurs shortly after loading the affected software. Consulting the console system log yields a kernel faults each time it crashes. I would appreciate any advice to resolve this. Here's a log from the most recent such incident:
Anonymous UUID: 58902C54-4016-8634-B3A8-F28065590008
Fri Dec 27 16:56:53 2013
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff801d8dc19e): Kernel trap at 0xffffef801d833620, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x000000008001003b, CR2: 0xffffef801d833620, CR3: 0x0000000134b66000, CR4: 0x0000000000000660
RAX: 0x00000000004c4aa5, RBX: 0x0000000000000000, RCX: 0x0000000000000000, RDX: 0x0000000000000010
RSP: 0xffffff80f9256e48, RBP: 0xffffff80f9256f10, RSI: 0x0000000000000000, RDI: 0xffffff80329349e0
R8: 0x0000000000000000, R9: 0x00000000004c4aa5, R10: 0xffffff80f9256da0, R11: 0xffffffffffffffff
R12: 0xffffff8032934bd0, R13: 0xffffff801ded2ab8, R14: 0xffffef801d833620, R15: 0xffffff80329349e0
RFL: 0x0000000000210096, RIP: 0xffffef801d833620, CS: 0x0000000000000008, SS: 0x0000000000000000
Fault CR2: 0xffffef801d833620, Error code: 0x0000000000000010, Fault CPU: 0x0
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff80f9256ad0 : 0xffffff801d822f69
0xffffff80f9256b50 : 0xffffff801d8dc19e
0xffffff80f9256d20 : 0xffffff801d8f3606
0xffffff80f9256d40 : 0xffffef801d833620
0xffffff80f9256f10 : 0xffffff801d8cee09
0xffffff80f9256f50 : 0xffffff801d8e21c6
0xffffff80f9256f80 : 0xffffff801d8db75f
0xffffff80f9256fd0 : 0xffffff801d8f37c9
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: steam
Mac OS version:
13B42
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 13.0.0: Thu Sep 19 22:22:27 PDT 2013; root:xnu-2422.1.72~6/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 1D9369E3-D0A5-31B6-8D16-BFFBBB390393
Kernel slide: 0x000000001d600000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff801d800000
System model name: MacBookPro5,5 (Mac-F2268AC8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 12473290907467
last loaded kext at 295433788080: com.apple.filesystems.msdosfs 1.9 (addr 0xffffff7f9fbd4000, size 65536)
last unloaded kext at 356462159042: com.apple.filesystems.msdosfs 1.9 (addr 0xffffff7f9fbd4000, size 57344)
loaded kexts:
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 2.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.14.11
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 124
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.5.3fc1
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 4.2.0f6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU 2.0.4d1
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.5.3fc1
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0
com.apple.GeForceTesla 8.1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.13
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.1.12
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.2.0f6
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHWAccess 1
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.7.0
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.4d1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 240.2
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache 35
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 240.2
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 325.7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader 3.3.5
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.6.0
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 650.4.4
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.9
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.9.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 650.4.1
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 700.20.22
com.apple.nvenet 2.0.21
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 161.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI 650.4.1
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 216.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 153
com.apple.security.quarantine 3
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 216.0.0
com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl 3.4.12
com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.5.3fc1
com.apple.vecLib.kext 1.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.9.4fc11
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.14
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 4.2.0f6
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.5.3fc1
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.5.3fc1
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0
com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDANV50HalTesla 8.1.8
com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla 8.1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 91
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.7
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.2.0f6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.11d1
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.12d1
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.5.1d27
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.6
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.6d1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 240.6
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 650.4.4
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 650.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 650.4.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 650.4.4
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 600.34
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 2.0
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 650.4.4
com.apple.driver.NVSMU 2.2.9
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 2.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox 278.10
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 2
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 371.1
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily 21
com.apple.driver.AppleFDEKeyStore 28.30
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.8
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4
com.apple.kec.pthread 1
com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0
MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Late 2009 13" MacBook Pro
Posted on Dec 27, 2013 5:50 PM
That panic was not caused by third-party software. If the problem is recurrent, the possibilities are:
- A stale or corrupt kernel cache
- A damaged OS X installation
- A fault in a peripheral device, if any
- Corrupt non-volatile memory (NVRAM)
- An internal hardware fault (including incompatible memory)
- An obscure bug in OS X
You may already have ruled out some of these.
Rule out #1 by booting in safe mode and then rebooting as usual. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
You can rule out #2 and #3 by reinstalling the OS and testing with non-essential peripherals disconnected and aftermarket expansion cards removed, if applicable. Sometimes a clean reinstallation may solve a problem that isn't solved by reinstalling in place.
Corrupt NVRAM, which rarely causes panics, can be ruled out by resetting it.
If your model has user-replaceable memory, and you've upgraded the memory modules, reinstall the original memory and see whether there's any improvement. Be careful not to touch the gold contacts. Clean them with a mild solvent such as rubbing alcohol. Aftermarket memory must exactly match the technical specifications for your model.
Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test, though generally unreliable, will sometimes detect a fault. A negative test can't be depended on. Run the extended version of the test, if applicable.
In the category of obscure bugs, reports suggest that FileVault may trigger kernel traps under some unknown conditions. Most, though not all, of these reports seem to involve booting from an aftermarket SSD. If those conditions apply to you, try deactivating FileVault.
Connecting more than one display is another reported trigger for OS X bugs.
If your system is not fully up to date, running Software Update might get you a bug fix.
In rare cases, a malformed network packet from a defective router or other network device can cause panics. Such packets could also be sent deliberately by a skillful attacker. This possibility is something to consider if you run a public server that might be the target of such an attack.
Otherwise, make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. You may have to leave it there for several days. There isn't much point in doing this unless you can reproduce the panic, or if you can't, it happens often enough that it's likely to be repeated at the store. Otherwise you may be told that nothing is wrong.
Print the first page of the panic report and bring it with you.
Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you know how to restore, and you have at least two independent backups.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.
Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair
*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.
Posted on Dec 28, 2013 10:40 AM