New-to-me 2017 iMac restarting because of a problem

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Level 1

4 points

New-to-me 2017 iMac restarting because of a problem

Hi. I just bought a used 2017 iMac with an SSD. I have not transferred any files or apps to it. It just has system software (Ventura) and so far I've only used it for web browsing,, saved a few TextEdit files and sent a few messages. The last two mornings when I signed in, I had the message that the computer restarted because of a problem. Even my 2011 limping iMac rarely restarts itself. I have saved the problem reports from the last two days. Should I run any tests to check the system? I want to know now if I should return it before I start transferring files. I'm not a techie, but did just run Apple Diagnostics (which found no issues). Should I run Etre Check or anything else to check it? Only have attached an old Apple keyboard, a random wired mouse, and a lightning cord. I've attached my problem report. Also, why does the hard drive have five volumes? (see attached images)(Sorry if this is an obnoxious amount of info to include).

computer was restarted because of a problem

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac 21.5″

Posted on Jan 31, 2024 7:08 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

55,133 points

Jan 31, 2024 1:08 PM in response to ChrisDtn

Whenever you acquire a used device, you should always perform a clean install of the OS by first erasing the whole physical drive followed by installing macOS. This way you know you have a clean pristine installation of the OS without any nasty surprises that may be lurking from the previous owner. Plus a clean install of macOS will reveal whether the Mac has a firmware password lock enabled and possibly even whether the device is still being managed by a previous owner. Both are bad and indicate the device was not properly prepared for resale....plus there is nothing you can do about either one so return it for a full refund if that is the case. Some iMacs may have a Fusion Drive, so erasing the Fusion Drive item is the way to go although I personally would break the Fusion Drive and issue the command to recreate the Fusion Drive. Here is an Apple article for what a person should do when selling a Mac:

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Even if the previous owner did those steps, I personally would still perform a clean install of macOS myself just to make sure it was done properly and to make sure that the previous owner has not locked or left it in a managed state.

The kernel panic indicates an issue with configuring the power state of the GPU. Hard to say if this is a hardware or possibly software issue since the OS is unknown. If you perform a clean install and still get these Kernel Panics, then it would most likely be due to a hardware issue.

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Answer 2

ChrisDtn Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 16, 2024 12:01 PM in response to Barney-15E

I had a thumb drive attached and an aftermarket lightning cord (plugged into a really old iPhone) when it restarted once overnight two nights in a row with a kernel panic. (come to think of it, I now have that cord plugged into my older iMac, and it has been restarting once a day or so but not giving a kernel panic message) I reinstalled the system software and it hasn't restarted since Jan 30/31. Still just using it for web browsing, and I need to return by the 26th if I'm going to. If I got another iMac, the specs for the same price wouldn't be as good. I'd love to keep it, but not if it's a problem. I'm just not sure if the reports give enough info to say it's GPU or something else. I'm not a techie. According to HWTech "Hard to say if this is a hardware or possibly software issue since the OS is unknown." I'd hate to return it because I had plugged a bad cord into it or something.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,324 points

Jan 31, 2024 12:52 PM in response to ChrisDtn

Do you have any audio equipment attached? If so, disconnect it and see if you still get panics. If no other equipment is attached I would return it if you can.

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,324 points

Feb 16, 2024 5:42 PM in response to ChrisDtn

If it works now that you’ve disconnected the cord, seems like it is fine.

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