Your computer was shut down because of a problem--every single Startup since I bought the M1 Air

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Level 1

9 points

Your computer was shut down because of a problem--every single Startup since I bought the M1 Air

My M1 Air, which I bought new when they came out, has always given me the startup message "Your computer was shut down because of a problem," etc. and I have to click on cancel to continue. I've done a bit of diagnosis:

This does not occur in Safe Mode.
I therefore disabled all daemons and startup items in System Preferences and the problem returns.
I looked for any "Panic" items in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports but found none. I even deleted the entire contents of that folder and rebooted to no avail, the problem remains.

I'm mystified. The Air otherwise runs perfectly well in Ventura, and this is just a minor inconvenience. But it shouldn't be happening.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

sf

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Dec 31, 2023 12:34 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Cidrolin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 3, 2024 10:30 AM in response to HWTech

Well, I did look at those three things following your latest suggestions. Even removing them to the Trash (but not emptying it) and rebooting didn't fix the problem. So in the end, I just used the brute force method: I did an erase and install and transfer information from my iMac. I'm happy to say that that worked, it took about an hour, but now the problem is entirely gone.

Thank you all for taking the time to look at my log files carefully and for your good suggestions.

Happy New Year, everyone!

-sf

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Answer 2

Dec 31, 2023 7:21 PM in response to Cidrolin

Also look in the "Retired" sub folder of "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports" since macOS tends to place logs there very quickly on occasion.

Run the third party app EtreCheck and post the report here so we an examine it for clues.

FYI, you should not delete any of the system log files since they are not causing the problem...they are just reporting issues.

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Answer 3

Jan 2, 2024 7:03 PM in response to Cidrolin

Well DropBoxFileProviderCH, IDECacheDeleteAppExtension, and SIMBL Agent have crashed many times so these are the most likely items causing a problem or related to the problem.

The report shows an extremely high system load as well, so these apps/services are probably related.

It is possible some outside source is involved in the system load where the system must wait for some outside source to finish/go ready such as accessing data on external media (local storage or cloud).

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Answer 4

Jan 2, 2024 2:53 PM in response to Cidrolin

I might be wrong on this, but it appears you have more than one VPN client installed? (I've never been a fan of VPN clients, unless they're required to connect to an employer's server).

Before erasing this Mac and starting over, have you considered updating it to Sonoma 14.2.1, which is the latest MacOS?

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Answer 5

Cidrolin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 2, 2024 11:46 AM in response to HWTech

Hi, OK, I downloaded Etrecheck and ran it several times, removing files it indicated were problems or potential problems. This included two instances of potential malicious malware.

Even after doing that, the problem remains unchanged. I'm attaching the file below. But since every file I have on the Air is also on my M3 iMac which is running perfectly, and since I store all my documents in iCloud, I think I'll probably do a complete erase and re-install Ventura on the Air, unless one of you suggests a better solution.

Many thanks in any case!

-sf

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Answer 6

padams35

Level 4

3,613 points

Dec 31, 2023 3:05 PM in response to Cidrolin

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support ?

One other thought occurs to me… How are you shutting down? You are going to the Apple menu and selecting ‘shut down’ and not forcing a power cycle by pressing and holding the power button, right?

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Answer 7

Cidrolin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 2, 2024 3:01 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

Umm my mistake, it is running the latest version of Sonoma. But the problem also occurred with Ventura.

I use Amplifi Teleport to VPN back to my home network when traveling. I also have Nord VPN installed which I previously used but not recently. Neither are running now.

Thank you, it’s really a mystery!

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Answer 8

Cidrolin Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 31, 2023 4:06 PM in response to padams35

Thank you but I always shut down from the Apple menu.

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Answer 9

Your computer was shut down because of a problem--every single Startup since I bought the M1 Air

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