System Crash caused by Nvidia Driver

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Level 1

5 points

System Crash caused by Nvidia Driver

Hi.
I recently bought Multiwinia ( http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/games/role_strategy/multiwinia.html), a featured download for OSX.
The game starts fine, but the moment I click on anything, the application freezes. There is no possibility to quit. The moment I press ALT-CMD-ESC, the whole system freezes. I wrote the error syslog to Ambrosia Software, but they insist it is a firmware or OSX error.

Screenshot:
http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img3937.jpg

This is the error message from syslog (which repeats over an over again):

18.05.09 11:00:35 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0xd GR: SW Notify Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:39 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:40 kernel 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:40 kernel 0000000b
18.05.09 11:00:40 kernel NVDAOpenGL: Channel exception! status 0xffff info32 0x3 Fifo: Unknown Method Error
18.05.09 11:00:40 kernel 0000000b

iMac 24" 2.16Ghz 3GB RAM, late 2006, GeForce 7600GT, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Modell iMac6,1 Boot-ROM IM61.0093.B01

Posted on May 18, 2009 9:21 AM

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Answer 1

May 24, 2009 11:45 AM in response to Winfer

I have the exact same problem with my iMac (white ) core 2 duo.
But I don't even need to run a game. Any time a run an application that calls a bit of graphic usage : flash website , Apple Remote Desktop, …
The computer start to hang filing up system.log with lines like the one you have and I can't do anything, multicolor wheel…

My only way to reboot softly is to connect via SSH.

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Answer 2

May 25, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Winfer

I have the exact same problem too. For six months. Apple don't say nothing.

http://tyc314159.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/problemas-con-los-graficos-en-imac/

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Answer 3

May 30, 2009 8:28 AM in response to Winfer

Happening to me again too. Has been repaired twice by Applecare, hopefully this time they'll just replace the computer (iMac6,1/2.16Ghz/4GB RAM/NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 128MB). Here are the main triggers for me:

Opening World of Warcraft while any of the following are open and not hidden:

Java Apps (Vuze)
Flash (Safari/Firefox)
iTunes
iPhoto
XBMC

FWIW, anyone that is having this problem, the only fix is hardware. Take it in to the Apple Store.

Can sometimes be created by just opening several 3D Graphing calculator windows with a flash video in the background (like Youtube or Hulu) - that's what I did at the Genius bar to show them quickly what the problem was.

Good luck!

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Answer 4

Anixs

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2009 9:13 AM in response to Winfer

I have the same graphic problem and I'd formated my computer today, and at the very begining of my first restart it still appears... really disapointing... 😟

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Answer 5

Anixs

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2009 10:37 AM in response to Anixs

Update and Good news everybody!
I have the same graphic and freezing problems as you do on you Imac.
I've tried to set up my fans to cool up my mac.
It doesnt freeze or do strange and odd multicolors bars anymore.

I'm happy!
good day to you all!

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Answer 6

May 30, 2009 6:45 PM in response to Winfer

I am having exactly the same problem with my screen freezing, except it is not associated with games.
IIt appears to occur when something graphical occurs on the screen, for example, opening a program from the dock.
I have a white iMac 2.33, with a Nvidia Geforce 7600 GT 256Mb Ram.
Could this a hardware issue and covered by the 3 year Applecare warranty?
D D

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Answer 7

Anixs

Level 1

0 points

May 31, 2009 1:43 AM in response to DaveDowling

Have you tried to cool it down with your computer fan first?
I have found that my GPU was at 75-80 degrees celcius, and it was crashing all the time, doing strange horizontals bars, strange paterns over the screen, etc.
now it's at 40 degrees celcius and work perfectly. No problem since I fixed it earlier in the morning (more than 12 hours, it's really a record since my computer crashed at least 15-20 times a day before)
I use only photoshop, illustrator and some other designing programs, so I think if you cool it down you should be ok. ^^

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Answer 8

Jun 4, 2009 2:43 AM in response to Anixs

Thanks Anixs
I downloaded smcFancontrol and slightly increased the speed of the fans as you suggested.
The computer, and graphics, have not crashed for the last 60 hours!
I am hopeful this solution will continue to work until the next update from Apple.
Dave

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Answer 9

Jul 2, 2009 12:15 PM in response to Anixs

Channel exception! status = 0xffff info32 = 0x3 = Fifo: Unknown Method Error

I have the same problem with the iMAC crashing due to the graphics card with the same issue. I have contacted Apple, and taken it to the Mac store -- where of course the "genius" had no clue... other than to buy a new machine...

I'll try this idea of putting another fan on it or better yet, use smcFanControl to increase the fan to keep it cool.

Any recommendations on which fan will keep the graphics card cooler? (Which fan should I increase -- the ODD, HDD, or CPU)

Thanks for the tip!

Message was edited by: shercutler

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Answer 10

Winfer Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 7, 2009 1:22 AM in response to shercutler

This annoying problem still exists in 10.5.8.! How can this be if so many people complain about it? All the NVChannel Exceptions are still the same!

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Answer 11

rtabish

Level 1

10 points

Aug 12, 2009 1:30 AM in response to Winfer

i wonder about other components that also suffer from over-heating. the small space the iMac provides for air flow is pretty easily interrupted by anything from a dust-filled machine to a lack of air flow around the outside of the case. a failing hard drive might start creating more heat than the fans can circulate out of the case, as well as a few other components. then, of course, there is the PSU, which can cause all manner of issues if it is even slightly out of kilter. turning up the fan speed might cool off the inside of the machine better, but it may mask other issues that are causing the over-heating in the first place.

has anyone found another cause for this heating problem that affects the video?

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Answer 12

Winfer Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 13, 2009 6:50 AM in response to rtabish

It is definitly no heating problem for me. My temperatures are all in the green.

I had my 7600GT replaced with a new one today. ROM-Version changed from 3021 to 3022. But unlike I hoped, nothing changed. I still have the following error which crashes my GUI:

+imac kernel[0]: NVDA(OpenGL): Channel exception! status = 0xffff info32 = 0x3 = Fifo: Unknown Method Error+

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Answer 13

rtabish

Level 1

10 points

Aug 13, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Winfer

WINFER, I wonder if maybe in your case the worse damage hasn't already been done. you may have had terminal overheating already, and while things may not be "too" hot now, something may be damaged beyond repair.

i just finished work on a customer's 20" iMac with this problem, but with his, it was only intermittent faulting. when he brought it to me, it only ran for about 10 minutes before it went "psychedelic" on me and froze up. i cleaned out a lot of the dust inside with canned air, installed the fan speed software, and turned all his fan speeds up to above 2700RPM. i ran it most of yesterday afternoon this way, running video, a few games, and multiple apps, and it seemed [with the exception of a few black lines once in a while] to run just fine. i did keep track of the temps, trying to watch for anything that ran up over 100°f. the highest temp i got after the modification was 112°f......i would think that would be well within operational range. my gaming PC sometimes gets over 140°, and that is with all it's fans, so i know there must be some leeway for overheating.

i have been reading the other threads on this subject of over-heating on these iMacs, and have come to the conclusion that the best solution is to "fix" the over-heating issue by opening up the case, one way or another. it seems, since these things will die anyway, you have little to loose by modifying the back side of the panel by drilling or cutting vent holes and maybe adding an extra fan. i know its not "what Steve would do", but if Mr. Jobs had done this right in the first place, instead of hawking iphones and ipods, this would not be an issue. i would rather have an "iMacinstein" that ran right, than throw away an otherwise good machine.

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Answer 14

Winfer Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 23, 2009 1:11 PM in response to rtabish

Thank you for your reply, but since I still have AppleCare, I will not cut any holes in my iMac. This was an expensive piece of hardware and they will get it to work for me. One way or another. Please see the ongoing story of my repair in the following thread.

http://discussions.apple.com/messageview.jspa?messageID=10035457

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Answer 15

Aug 31, 2009 8:43 AM in response to Winfer

FYI - the iMac Freezing thread you linked to
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1467276&tstart=0
has been archived. I have created a continuation of that thread here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2136365&tstart=0

Cheers.

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