NVDA(OpenGL): Channel exception!

I started getting this error when I upgraded from Lion to ML 10.8.2. I've since done a fresh install of Lion where it persisted and am now running a fresh install of Snow Leopard. It does occur in SL as well, but its not as frequent. I'm concerned Mountain Lion may have caused a hardware fault. Otherwise it may be a firmware issue.

I'm running a late 2008 model Macbook Pro with the nVidia 9400m and 9600m GT graphics card.

I did a fresh install of ML and still get the error as well. It is not as frequent after the latest ML patch, but I still get it. Same behavior where the screensaver 3D graphics appears to trigger it. I unlock my screen and can move the mouse but continue to see a frozen image of the screensaver and have no access to any part of the OS. Hard shut down is only option and I lose all data that wasn't saved when it happens.

I had the same issue. It was related to my NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics card.

My fix:

I navigated to /System/Library/Extensions and moved all the files starting with NV and GeF to a backup directory on my desktop, then used Kext Wizard option "System/Library/Extensions" to Repair Permissions and to Rebuild Cache, then rebooted.

The computer restarted with no gray screen and no more NVDA(OpenGL) log entries.

I recommend that you try this.

One problem agrantfan, there is no visible files nor any hidden files in that folder, on any of my Macs (Nvidia or ATI). Zero.

I've had this issue for years and I barely took the time to look deep into it, and I'm also getting these log entries.

What seems amazing is that it's clearly a GPU issue that Apple just decided to ignore instead of doing a recall like they should have, hoping that we'll shutup and go away.

So right now, if I want this fixed by Apple, I have to pay a LOT of money. And if I want to sell it I practically have to give it away because since these iMacs (late 2006 in my case) have such a bad rep, nobody wants to buy them.

Great going Apple. Thanks a lot.

@dragonauta

Just one question. Is your browser Firefox?

I have this issue with all kinds of browsers and programs.

Ah. OK. I had this problem, which turned out to be a Flash and Firefox issue. I can reproduce it by simply having Firefox open on a site with Flash features.

My GPU is a GeForce 7300. I keep away from Firefox and use Clickto Flash on Safari, and all is good.

The problem still exists.

I have an early 2008 MacBook Pro 4,1 with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB. It started about a week ago. I can't really reproduce it. Sometimes it doesn't happen for days and then I can't do anything because it keeps happening.

Just happened again.

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro Retina.

My video freezes and the machine does not respond, however I can SSH into the machine and see:

NVDA(OpenGL): Channel exception! exception type = 0x1f = Fifo: MMU Error

The issue started the same evening that I installed 10.8.3 and updated VMware 5.0.3.

Having read this thread, has anyone resolved the issue though replacement of hardware?

Thanks

I have the exaxt same problem with my brand new 27 iMac. It's REALLY annoying. I brought it into the apple store, they tested it for two days but found nothing. At first I thought, it was of a faulty second monitor I attached, but even after removing it, the error reappears..........

After 2 weeks, this morning it started again. This time my MacBook Pro seemed to recover as it didn't actually freeze after the first Channel exception. I was able to use it for another few minutes, then it froze. After rebooting a couple of times and sometimes the Mac even crashing during the startup I was using the Safe Boot mode for a couple of hours. No problems there, which makes me think it's software related. On the other hand, after leaving the book powered off and letting it cool down for an hour or so I could boot regularly again, which makes me feel it's actually hardware related.

How annoying is that?!

Try install Cuda 5.0.59 drivers and after check console.

Cheers!

I installed Cuda 5.0.59 and the problem is persisting. I'm afraid Mountain Lion might have caused a hardware fault in my video card. This happens on Mountaion Lion 10.8.4 with everything as up to date as I can make it. It doesn't matter whether I keep it on integrated or discrete, it happens just as regularly. I think our only hope right now is Mavericks, but I'm doubtful.

So far my best solution is to run Snow Leopard. It happens much more intermittently. Rather than mulitple times a day it may happen only once or twice a week.

This issue happened for me for the first time today, after 3 years of use on my mac and also running Mavericks for months now. The one "new thing" I did yesterday was update Firefox.

I also found this right before the NVDA errors:

12/10/13 8:50:46.262 PM nobody[5224]: Flash Player Install: Installing Flash Player to /

12/10/13 8:50:46.266 PM nobody[5225]: Flash Player Install: Performing downgrade prevention check...

12/10/13 8:50:46.479 PM nobody[5256]: Flash Player Install: Downgrade prevention check passed.

12/10/13 8:50:46.814 PM nobody[5259]: Flash Player Install: Launching SAU Daemon...

12/10/13 8:50:46.876 PM nobody[5261]: Flash Player Install: Finalizing Plugin installation...

That happened while I was away from my computer.