Robin8

Q: iMac crashing daily, why?

Quite frustrated as to why my iMac (early 2009) is crashing everyday, sometimes twice a day. Here are the technical details:

 

Using OS X vs 10.8.5

Processor - 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 duo

Memory - 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512 MB

 

I read that upgrading the OS would help but I use Adobe PS CS5 daily and can not afford to risk having problems using

that software. I can not afford (financially) to buy a new computer right now and prefer not to use cloud software.

Also, keeping in mind that perhaps it might be a memory issue, when I am using PS or Firefox, I try to not use them both

at the same time but even that doesn't matter. And, it seems to happen when using either program, not one or the other.

Maybe I should stop using Firefox for awhile and switch to Safari? Perhaps that would help?

 

Finally, is it possible just to upgrade to a newer version (compatible w/ PS CS5) w/o having to go to El Capitan?

 

Any suggestions out there?

 

Thank you in advance ~

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jan 9, 2016 3:17 PM

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Q: iMac crashing daily, why?

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  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),Helpful

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Jan 14, 2016 10:35 PM in response to Robin8
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 10:35 PM in response to Robin8

    Post a copy of your kernal panic report.  There are experts here who can interpret.  Sadly I am not one of them.

    Mac OS X: How to log a kernel panic - Apple Support

     

     

    Finally, is it possible just to upgrade to a newer version (compatible w/ PS CS5) w/o having to go to El Capitan?

    You should contact Adobe Support and/or post in the Adobe Forums since it's their product.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ezgif.com-resize.gif

  • by MrHoffman,Helpful

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Jan 15, 2016 5:15 PM in response to Robin8
    Level 6 (15,627 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 5:15 PM in response to Robin8

    This can be a hardware problem.   Or this can be a software problem.    In the event this is a hardware problem — or if there's a configuration or software or other problem that might mandate a reinstallation — please make certain you have a current backup of your system, before performing any other steps.  This to preserve copies of your data.    Then — in addition to one of the crashes — please post the output of Etrecheck.   From Etrecheck, information such as the presence of anti-virus or anti-malware or cache-cleaners or performance-optimizing tools can be determined, as well as common adware and other junk, and some indication of whether the disk is logging errors.

  • by Robin8,

    Robin8 Robin8 Jan 14, 2016 10:42 PM in response to Baby Boomer (USofA)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 14, 2016 10:42 PM in response to Baby Boomer (USofA)

    I took a screenshot of what I think the experts need to see? Thanks very much for the info.Untitled.jpg

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Jan 15, 2016 7:31 AM in response to Robin8
    Level 6 (15,627 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 7:31 AM in response to Robin8

    What is posted is part of the Apple System Log (ASL), and shows some installed Google services yammering on about software updates, and that's very likely unrelated to the crashes.

     

    Please post the Etrecheck data, and please post the text of the most recent of the four kernel panics — those are shown as "panic (system crashes) log" entries in the screen shot.  Text is easier to examine and to search than are screen shot images, too.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jan 15, 2016 8:48 AM in response to MrHoffman
    Level 6 (19,575 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 8:48 AM in response to MrHoffman

    Instructions for getting Kernel Panic reports from your system

    <http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2546>

    <https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201753>

  • by Robin8,

    Robin8 Robin8 Jan 15, 2016 5:18 PM in response to MrHoffman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 5:18 PM in response to MrHoffman

    Okay, thank you greatly, I'll give it a go w/ the Etrecheck

  • by Robin8,

    Robin8 Robin8 Jan 15, 2016 5:44 PM in response to MrHoffman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 5:44 PM in response to MrHoffman

    Here is the report: (Another possibility, my husband's take is that the computer can't handle the large image files I work with, RAW files, an issue w/ the graphics card maybe?) But this doesn't explain when it crashes when I'm not using PS. :-/

    EtreCheck version: 2.7.2 (232)

    Report generated 2016-01-16 12:30:11

    Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 2:28

    Performance: Excellent

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

    Click the [Scan for adware] links for help removing adware.

     

    Problem: Apps are crashing

    Description:

    What seems to be at random, whether I am browsing in Firefox, working in Photoshop or on a Skype call, my computer will begin doing one of the following at least once or twice daily:  freeze, shut down then restart or any open windows begin flashing/vibrating/freezing/pulsing, difficult to describe exactly what it’s doing really.

     

    Hardware Information: ⓘ

        iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        iMac - model: iMac9,1

        1 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

        8 GB RAM

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                4 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

     

    Video Information: ⓘ

        NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 - VRAM: 512 MB

            iMac 1920 x 1200

     

    System Software: ⓘ

        OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5 (12F2560) - Time since boot: about 3 hours

     

    Disk Information: ⓘ

        WDC WD1001FALS-40K1B0 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

            disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 998.88 GB (444.99 GB free)

                Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked

                Core Storage: disk0s2 999.21 GB Online

     

        OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S   ()

     

    USB Information: ⓘ

        Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

        Apple Inc. Keyboard Hub

            Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

        Western Digital Elements 107C 3 TB

            disk2s1 (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 315 MB

            My Book (disk2s2) /Volumes/My Book : 3.00 TB (2.42 TB free)

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Mitsumi Electric Apple Optical USB Mouse

        Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

     

    Gatekeeper: ⓘ

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Adware: ⓘ

        Adware infection possible. [Scan for adware]

     

    Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.epson.esua.launcher.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist ✓ [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [failed]    SOS.OnlineBackup.LaunchAgent.plist [Support] [Details]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Support]

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist ✓ [Support]

        [loaded]    com.infrascale.OnlineBackup.scheduledBackup.plist [Support]

        [running]    com.nchsoftware.expressinvoice.agent.plist [Support]

     

    User Login Items: ⓘ

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        AdobeResourceSynchronizer    Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)

     

    Other Apps: ⓘ

        [running]    [0x0-0x5005].org.mozilla.firefox

        [running]    [0x0-0xe60e6].com.etresoft.EtreCheck

        [running]    com.hp.devicemonitor

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.1.0.24   - SDK 10.8 [Support]

        FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 51 Check version

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1

        SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

        iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

     

    User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Support]

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

        Flash Player  [Support]

        Flip4Mac WMV  [Support]

        Growl  [Support]

        Java  [Support]

     

    Time Machine: ⓘ

        Mobile backups: OFF

        Auto backup: YES

        Volumes being backed up:

            Macintosh HD: Disk size: 998.88 GB Disk used: 553.89 GB

        Destinations:

            My Book [Local]

            Total size: 3.00 TB

            Total number of backups: 40

            Oldest backup: 11/6/15 4:40 PM

            Last backup: 1/16/16 11:52 AM

            Size of backup disk: Excellent

                Backup size 3.00 TB > (Disk size 998.88 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

             4%    Dock

             3%    WindowServer

             2%    fontd

             2%    firefox

             0%    blued

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

        852 MB    firefox

        123 MB    mds

        115 MB    Finder

        82 MB    WindowServer

        74 MB    coreservicesd

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

        2.14 GB    Free RAM

        5.86 GB    Used RAM

        7 MB    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

        Jan 16, 2016, 08:50:58 AM    Self test - passed

        Jan 14, 2016, 01:28:46 PM    ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Install Adobe Flash Player_2016-01-14-132846_[redacted].crash

            com.adobe.InstallAdobeFlashPlayer - /Volumes/VOLUME/Install Adobe Flash Player.app/Contents/MacOS/Install Adobe Flash Player

        Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Jan 15, 2016 7:00 PM in response to Robin8
    Level 6 (15,627 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 7:00 PM in response to Robin8

    Okay; that looks fairly normal for a configuration, though it's odd that the Adobe Flash Player software installer is crashing.  Remove Adobe Flash Player using the flash removal tool download available from the Adobe web site, reboot, then download the current Adobe Flash Player kit from the Adobe web site, and re-install that.   (If you need Flash.  Otherwise, just remove it.)

     

    The contents of the most recent crash might be interesting — that's from last week, obviously.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jan 15, 2016 7:15 PM in response to Robin8
    Level 6 (19,575 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 15, 2016 7:15 PM in response to Robin8

    See these files:

        Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

    Please copy and paste the contents into replies to this thread

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Jan 16, 2016 11:09 AM in response to Robin8
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    Jan 16, 2016 11:09 AM in response to Robin8

    8 GB RAM

    Max out your RAM that your model iMac can take & you can afford.  Download Mactracker which will tell you.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    ezgif.com-resize.gif

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jan 17, 2016 8:14 AM in response to Robin8
    Level 9 (72,371 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 17, 2016 8:14 AM in response to Robin8

    The 2 places I’ve seen recommended most to buy reliable RAM are below. I have purchased RAM several times from Other World Computing and have always been very satisfied with the product and service. They have on-line instructions on how to replace the RAM. OWC has also tested RAM above what Apple states is the maximum. I now have 6GB installed on a early 2008 iMac supposedly limited to 4 GB and noticed an improvement.

     

    Crucial

     

    Other World Computing

  • by Robin8,

    Robin8 Robin8 Jan 31, 2016 6:46 PM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 31, 2016 6:46 PM in response to BobHarris

    I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're looking for. I already copied and pasted into the thread I thought? Do you mean more details with regard to

    these files? I don't know if I can as I did not save the report. Give it time though as I'm sure there will be another crash coming... ;-/

        Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Jan 31, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Robin8
    Level 6 (19,575 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 31, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Robin8

    Robin8 wrote:

     

    I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're looking for. I already copied and pasted into the thread I thought? Do you mean more details with regard to

    these files? I don't know if I can as I did not save the report. Give it time though as I'm sure there will be another crash coming... ;-/

        Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

        Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

    We want to see the panic reports.  We want to see what is inside these files.

     

    I think all you need to do is click on the [Details] link in the EtreCheck report.  You may have to run EtreCheck again to get the report with the live links.

     

    If that does not work, then do it the hard way

     

    a) Start an Applications -> TextEdit session, and leave TextEdit running.

    b) Finder -> Go -> Go to Folder -> /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/

         You should see a Finder window with the various Kernel*.panic files in it (along with other stuff)

    c) Drag and drop Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic on the TextEdit icon in the dock

        This will open a new TextEdit window with the contents of the kernel panic

        TextEdit -> Edit -> Select All

        TextEdit -> Edit -> Copy

    d) In a Reply to this thread, Paste the contents of that TextEdit document into the edit box.

    e) Click the Reply button at the bottom of the edit box to add the information to this thread.

    f) go back and do the same thing to Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic

    g) go back and do the same thing to Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic

    h) go back and do the same thing to Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic

  • by Robin8,

    Robin8 Robin8 Feb 1, 2016 2:36 PM in response to Baby Boomer (USofA)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 1, 2016 2:36 PM in response to Baby Boomer (USofA)

    Thank you, I will definitely look into this!

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