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System freeze on first boot of the day after OS update 12.6.7 - any solutions? Mac Pro 2019.

Mac Pro 7.1, 12-core. Worked fine with 12.6.6 but after 12.6.7 I get a complete system freeze within the first few minutes of first boot. If I leave it to see it it will get over whatever issue it eventually shuts off without any dialogue. The CPU clearly gets VERY hot - it smells - and on re-boot the fans take off like a jet engine. It may then start normally, or need a second go. After that - all seems fine, until the next day...


I've tried re-installing the OS from recovery, having checked all disks with Disk Utility. Also tried resetting PRAM and starting into 'Safe' mode - no difference. The power to the studio is off overnight, so it gets an SMD reset daily. The latest Safari update is also installed.


I'd like to go back to 12.6.6, but in trying to re-install the OS, my CCC backup ended up getting the new installation, so I don't have a 12.6.6 backup as such. I have a 12.6.5 USB installer, but can't face having to re-install all my software plugins if Migration Assistant refuses to import from the 12.6.7 backup.


Any solutions or means to re-install 12.6.5 WITHOUT wiping the Mac SSD would be most welcome.


I do have a Catalina partition on the Mac SSD, which I could update to 12.6.5, but it would also involve a LOT of updating of plugins... Not a nice option.


Thanks in advance.

WH Mac Pro

Posted on Jul 20, 2023 9:42 AM

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Jul 20, 2023 7:45 PM in response to martinnichols

All we can do is guess what the problem might be, but EtreCheck may provide some helpful information. A description and download link are here: How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report - Apple Community.


Post its report in a reply to this Discussion, in accordance with the above instructions.

Jul 21, 2023 12:58 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks John,


I've done as you suggested and (hopefully) the report is attached.


I've also been talking to Apple support, and on their suggestion tried a new user account to see if the issue was replicated. Sadly it was, but actually worse in that I had to reboot three times to get to the 'you quit because of a problem' notice, and at that point I switched back to the old account. Strangely, just before, and for the first few seconds of the freeze I could hear an internal hard drive working - Spotlight, perhaps?


Te EtreCheck report relates to the original user account, and did find kernel panic logs. Just a reminder, all was working perfectly before the 10.6.7 update (and subsequent fresh install of same).


Thanks again,


Martin.



Jul 21, 2023 4:28 PM in response to martinnichols

The EtreCheck report didn't post but I think it's a moot point. The symptoms you describe strongly suggest some kind of hardware trouble that will require a hands-on inspection.


The noise that sounds like a hard disk drive could be an inoperative exhaust fan, which would be a simple fix. The fact it only occurs upon initial boot seems to suggest it's having trouble starting from a cold start, after which it normally runs at a relatively inaudible idle speed.


Apple Diagnostics would be able to confirm that suspicion: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support.


In the meantime, if your Mac Pro happens to start up normally and the fan continues to work, I'd simply use the Mac and let it sleep instead of routinely shutting it down. Macs tend to work better that way anyway.


But, you should get it fixed. Start with the Support link below. If it's the fan I am optimistic it will be a painless repair.

System freeze on first boot of the day after OS update 12.6.7 - any solutions? Mac Pro 2019.

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