Force quit issues

Question

Force quit issues

I have a new mac mini ( 4 weeks old ) with all the updates. my problem is that my programs are not responding I get "Force Quit" instead of "Quit"

Mail fails to open emails, all running programs and newly started shows "Force Quit"

Sometimes Mail refuse to quit this stops the Mac from shutting down and I get an "Timed out error, log out"

I have to hold the power button to shut down the mac .

Mail will show emails in the inbox but double clicking on the email only shows the preview and won't open the email.

Rebooting fixes these problems for a few mins, however some reboots causes these problems to happen straight away

I have reformatted my computer 7 times full new install. full 7 pass erase disk

Permissions have been repaired.

This problem is intermittent in nature, some time programs will respond for a few mins but soon stop responding, this effects all programs BUT effects the mail program the most.

Is the problem hardware related?

Note Reformatting doesn't solve the problem, resetting the PMU etc fails to solve the problem

There are no 3 rd party programs running on my mac at the moment.

I have a USB hub, Firewire Extern HD,and Giffen iMic connected to my Mac.

I am new to the mac any help would be most welcome

Posted on Oct 22, 2005 3:56 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 22, 2005 5:39 AM in response to Colin Bartholomew

Colin, what you are experiencing is not how life should be on OSX. I am drawn to a couple of comments: "Reformatting doesn't solve the problem, resetting the PMU etc fails to solve the problem " which suggests to me that the cause (s) are hardware related.

It would assist if you were to post some information from logs (find these in Console -- in the Utilities folder). A crash log as well would help some (not me) help track problems down.

When you reformatted and reinstalled was this done with ONLY keyboard and mouse attached? As it is now, try to work without any of the devices and add one by one. Sometimes RAM iyself can be problematic (where did you get this?)

The Force Quit option -- did you do this via the Apple menu or the Dock? -- usually appears when the appplication is not responding. It may be that the system is busy doing other things (Spotlight?) although with 1G of RAM that ought to be enough (by far).

It sounds as if the system is much busier than it should be and that other processes might be taking over. Can you examine the Activiy Monitor and find out if something is taking more than a normal share of processing?

Also, are you connected to any network while this is occurring?

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Answer 2

Oct 22, 2005 6:39 AM in response to Graham K. Rogers

Graham
First of all thanks for responding to my problem, I am very disappointed I'm a windows switcher and I was hoping for fewer problems.

If I cant get these problems fixed I have to drive 60 miles to the service center here in Germany and they haven't a clue about english!

I went to the logs but was not sure which log you needed so I opted for a rather large system log, I don't know where the crash log is located.

I reformatted with everything disconnected only mouse and keyboard attached.

I gradually added each device but still the problem came back, I had the RAM installed at the same time as I placed my order, it was a custom install by Apple in Ireland and the mac was sent to me here in Germany.

The first two weeks presented no problems the first symptom was it took for ever for my Mac to save a file or attachment from that day on things have gone down hill .

What makes me puzzled is these problems are random I have taken screen shots with my camera to show some of the problems "In action"

The force quit option was from the Dock if that failed I had to use the apple menu to force quit and if that failed I was forced to use the power switch.

I haven't a clue about the activity monitor being new to the mac I don't know what processes should be running at the moment My OS is a new install with no other programs installed.

My mac is not connected to a network because I don't know how to do this.

My mac is connected direct in to my router, the same as it was when I bought the Mac.

You say it might be the RAM how can I test to see if the RAM is at fault, what are the symptoms of a faulty RAM?

Should I go to the service center and ask them to replace the RAM?
If you need any further information please let me know

SYSTEM LOG

Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: standard timeslicing quantum is 10000 us
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: vm pagebootstrap: 251765 free pages
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: mig table_maxdispl = 70
Oct 21 13:49:07 localhost mDNSResponder-107 (Mar 20 2005 20: 31:47)[60]: starting
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Copyright (c) 1982, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Oct 21 13:49:08 localhost DirectoryService[58]: Launched version 1.8 (v346)
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: using 2621 buffer headers and 2621 cluster IO buffer headers
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Extension "com.apple.driver.KeyLargoATA" has no kernel dependency.
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: FireWire (OHCI) Apple ID 31 built-in now active, GUID 001451ff fe096dc0; max speed s400.
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: CSRHIDTransitionDriver::probe
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost lookupd[65]: lookupd (version 365) starting - Fri Oct 21 13:49:10 2005
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: CSRHIDTransitionDriver::start before command
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Security auditing service present
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: BSM auditing present
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: disabled
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: F86FE03F-38EE-3EAD-AA70-77D538B33666
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key>IOProviderClass</key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string></dict>
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Got boot device = IOService:/MacRISC2PE/pci@f4000000/AppleMacRiscPCI/ata-6@D/AppleKauaiATA/ATADev iceNub@0/IOATABlockStorageDriver/IOATABlockStorageDevice/IOBlockStorageDriver/ST 9808210A Media/IOApplePartitionScheme/Apple HFS_Untitled1@3
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: BSD root: disk0s3, major 14, minor 2
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: CSRHIDTransitionDriver::stop
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: [HCIController][start]
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: [AppleUSBHCIController][StopIsochPipeRead] - mInt1IsochIn

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Answer 3

Oct 22, 2005 6:51 AM in response to Colin Bartholomew

Hello Colin:

I would definitely take your new Mac in for service. You have well documented the problems and what you have tried (take a printout of this thread with you).

If you wish to try something first, you might run the hardware checker that is on your install DVD.

AS indicated, you definitely should not be having the kind of problems you have indicated. I have
b never
reinstalled OS X on any of my systems.

Barry

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Answer 4

Oct 22, 2005 6:52 AM in response to Colin Bartholomew

SYSTEM LOG

Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: standard timeslicing quantum is 10000 us
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: vm pagebootstrap: 251765 free pages
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: mig table_maxdispl = 70
Oct 21 13:49:07 localhost mDNSResponder-107 (Mar 20 2005 20: 31:47)[60]: starting
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Copyright (c) 1982, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Oct 21 13:49:08 localhost DirectoryService[58]: Launched version 1.8 (v346)
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: using 2621 buffer headers and 2621 cluster IO buffer headers
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Extension "com.apple.driver.KeyLargoATA" has no kernel dependency.
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: FireWire (OHCI) Apple ID 31 built-in now active, GUID 001451ff fe096dc0; max speed s400.
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: CSRHIDTransitionDriver::probe
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost lookupd[65]: lookupd (version 365) starting - Fri Oct 21 13:49:10 2005
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: CSRHIDTransitionDriver::start before command
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Security auditing service present
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: BSM auditing present
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: disabled
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: F86FE03F-38EE-3EAD-AA70-77D538B33666
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key>IOProviderClass</key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string></dict>
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Got boot device = IOService:/MacRISC2PE/pci@f4000000/AppleMacRiscPCI/ata-6@D/AppleKauaiATA/ATADev iceNub@0/IOATABlockStorageDriver/IOATABlockStorageDevice/IOBlockStorageDriver/ST 9808210A Media/IOApplePartitionScheme/Apple HFS_Untitled1@3
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: BSD root: disk0s3, major 14, minor 2
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: CSRHIDTransitionDriver::stop
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: [HCIController][start]
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: [AppleUSBHCIController][StopIsochPipeRead] - mInt1IsochInPipe = 0 - numReadsPending = 0
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: [start] 1
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: HFS: created HFBT on Mac HD
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Jettisoning kernel linker.
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Resetting IOCatalogue.
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Matching service count = 0
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Matching service count = 0
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Matching service count = 0
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Matching service count = 0
Oct 21 13:49:10 localhost kernel[0]: Matching service count = 0
Oct 21 13:49:12 localhost kernel[0]: UniNEnet: Ethernet address 00:14:51:09:6d:c0
Oct 21 13:49:12 localhost kernel[0]: AirPortPCI: Ethernet address 00:11:24:a1:61:93
Oct 21 13:49:12 localhost diskarbitrationd[53]: disk0s3 hfs F86FE03F-38EE-3EAD-AA70-77D538B33666 Mac HD /
Oct 21 13:49:13 localhost launchd: Server 291f in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: "/usr/sbin/lookupd"[65]: exited abnormally: Hangup
Oct 21 13:49:14 localhost lookupd[82]: lookupd (version 365) starting - Fri Oct 21 13:49:14 2005
Oct 21 13:49:16 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified Computer Name; using default Macintosh-001451096DC0 instead
Oct 21 13:49:16 localhost mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified local hostname; using default Macintosh-001451096DC0.local instead
Oct 21 13:49:17 localhost kernel[0]: [HCIController][setupHardware] AFH Is Supported
Oct 21 13:49:17 localhost kernel[0]: ATY,RockHopper2_A: vram [9c000000:02000000]
Oct 21 13:49:17 localhost mDNSResponder: Adding browse domain local.
Oct 21 13:49:18 localhost kernel[0]: UniNEnet::monitorLinkStatus - Link is up at 100 Mbps - Full Duplex
Oct 21 13:49:21 localhost /System/Library/CoreServi

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Answer 5

Oct 22, 2005 6:58 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Barry thanks for your input

I bought the mac mini because I know people who bought the mini, very few had problems and none had to do a reinstall in the first few weeks!

I will make a print out and include them with my screen shots, I just hope I get somewhere with the german service centre as they don't speak any english!

Colin

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Answer 6

Oct 22, 2005 7:54 AM in response to Colin Bartholomew

hi colin!
your problem may be linked to the lookupd-bug that was introduced in 10.4.2

check the info on these sites or google "lookupd bug":

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20050921061826456
http://www.dreamlight.com/insights/bugs/Apple/lookupd.html

i've installed a thing called "unlockupd", and haven't had any probs since...
http://www.dshadow.com/software/unlockupd/

cheers
phil

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Answer 7

Oct 22, 2005 8:24 AM in response to philip powell

Hi Phil

Thanks for the info and the link

I'll give it a try

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Answer 8

Oct 22, 2005 8:21 PM in response to Colin Bartholomew

Colin, with no sarcams or irony intended, you write that you were a Windows user. I sometimes see users who have switched who are still using Win habits on OSX and cause problems. Fewer problems? My eMac has been on for 16 months and my newer PowerBook since March; and there are many here with similar tales. I am not taking anything away from the obvious problems you are experiencing, but you are correct: fewer problems should be the norm.

Is there anything unusual installed (I see a line including "rockhopper" in your log and this I do not know (Spotlight comes up with one reference on my disk: the forum digest I am working from)?

I am not skilled at reading logs, but there are others here who are. If you click on the logs icon (top left of the Console screen) a list will appear and you can choose. Try Library Logs> Crash Reporter and any that you find in there. In the Console logs you might also look for times/dates that match when you experienced a problem.

When you added each item of equipment and the problem returned, how long were you using each item separately before the return? A period of time might allow analysis (I have done this with motorcycle faults): add some equipment, play with the machine, repeat actions that have caused problems in the past, and if nothing happens, try the next.

RAM can go wrong (I read on these forums) even if it is factory installed. What is interesting is that it was OK for the first two weeks and then
something happened. The cause may be there: what changed? What did you do last before the problem began (software, update, hardware addition, driver, etc.)?

I note what you write about the sequence of force quitting. After these quits, was any maintenance carried out? Can we see some of the screen shots (online or mail them)?

With the Activity monitor, there are several ways to select process viewed. Use the button at the top. Perhaps Hierarchically would be useful as that might show what is taking up more of the processor.

I am unsure what you mean by "My mac is connected direct in to my router, the same as it was when I bought the Mac. " as you wrote before that it is not connected to a network. Is the router connected to a network?

Have you considered creating another User account? It may be that the problems occur only with your current account settings. That could help narrow down the causes.

Testing RAM is not for the home user apart from the Hardware test that comes with the install disks. And that does not always come up. What are the symptoms? Erratic running, kernel panics, general misbehaviour; but these symptoms could also have other causes.

If you can go to a service center, I would certainly consider that. Whether they will replace the RAM immediately is not something I could answer -- but certainly ask.

Let us know how things progress.

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Answer 9

Oct 23, 2005 12:09 PM in response to Graham K. Rogers

Before I bought my mac I spoke to a mac mini user, checked out mac mini web sites I also joined the various mac podcasts, being a windows user didn't matter as I knew i was dealing with a completely new OS and I made sure that I knew the basics at the very least.

I tried to send the full log through the forum but most of the log was cut off I guess there must me a limit on the size of posts.

The logs are very large, I cant seem to find the item "Crash Log" there doesn't seem a way I can attach the logs and screen shots in the forum, if anyone is able to read logs i would be happy to send them by email.

The apple tech advised me to add each item one by one though there wasn't much time to run the equipment, also I have been using the same equipment since I bought the mac mini and it was working fine for the first 2 weeks.

The software updates where installed on the first day I ran my mac mini no problems where reported after the updates permissions where repaired , Setting up another user account didn't help the same issues became apparent.

The problem of programs not responding is very random and intermittent sometimes I can go 2 hours before I hit problems , restarting the Mac fixes the problem but only for a limited time

Greetings Colin

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Answer 10

Oct 23, 2005 12:10 PM in response to Graham K. Rogers

here is the activity log

Active Memory: 145.42 MB
Free Memory: 626.94 MB
Wired Memory: 72.30 MB
Used Memory: 397.06 MB
Inactive Memory: 179.34 MB
Total VM: 3.49 GB
Number of processes: 45

ID Process Name User CPU RSIZE VSIZE
0 kernel_task root 0.80 58.01 MB 869.88 MB
1 launchd root 0.00 436.00 KB 27.67 MB
21 dynamic_pager root 0.00 164.00 KB 26.61 MB
25 kextd root 0.00 892.00 KB 27.54 MB
29 configd root 0.00 1.80 MB 29.08 MB
30 coreaudiod root 0.00 1.35 MB 28.43 MB
31 diskarbitrationd root 0.00 1.11 MB 27.12 MB
32 memberd root 0.00 632.00 KB 27.64 MB
33 securityd root 0.00 1.54 MB 28.52 MB
35 notifyd root 0.00 468.00 KB 27.20 MB
36 DirectoryService root 0.00 1.87 MB 29.45 MB
38 KernelEventAgent root 0.00 756.00 KB 27.57 MB
39 mDNSResponder root 0.00 1.02 MB 27.90 MB
40 netinfod root 0.00 580.00 KB 26.93 MB
41 syslogd root 0.00 428.00 KB 26.63 MB
44 blued root 0.00 1.80 MB 36.90 MB
46 distnoted root 0.00 816.00 KB 27.01 MB
47 coreservicesd root 0.00 5.89 MB 39.77 MB
59 update root 0.00 220.00 KB 26.60 MB
71 WindowServer windowserv 5.90 49.71 MB 144.45 MB
73 ATSServer colin 0.00 2.66 MB 60.19 MB
74 loginwindow colin 0.00 3.76 MB 90.66 MB /System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app
83 pbs colin 0.00 1.75 MB 53.62 MB
88 Dock colin 0.00 5.26 MB 122.52 MB /System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app
89 SystemUIServer colin 0.00 9.88 MB 128.09 MB /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemUIServer.app
90 Finder colin 0.00 16.48 MB 133.70 MB /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app
104 iTunes Helper colin 0.00 1.86 MB 107.71 MB
106 lookupd root 0.00 1.37 MB 28.50 MB
121 ntpd root 0.00 376.00 KB 26.85 MB
136 nfsiod root 0.00 184.00 KB 28.61 MB
145 rpc.lockd root 0.00 192.00 KB 26.66 MB
149 automount root 0.00 1.10 MB 29.00 MB
160 automount root 0.00 1.06 MB 28.71 MB
171 crashreporterd root 0.00 204.00 KB 26.60 MB
204 mds root 0.00 4.81 MB 44.60 MB
210 unlockupd root 0.00 376.00 KB 27.10 MB
229 AppleSpell colin 0.00 2.28 MB 37.72 MB
325 iCal colin 0.00 14.24 MB 129.63 MB /Applications/iCal.app
328 Firefox colin 0.40 35.73 MB 300.17 MB /Applications/Firefox.app
335 Safari colin 0.00 25.90 MB 136.86 MB /Applications/Safari.app
337

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