My MacBook Pro works continuously but only in safe mode

jastawa wrote:

I have a mid 2012 Retina 1398 using High Sierra 10-13-6.

I have erased and reinstalled a new OS but when I boot up without safe mode I get the message "your computer shut down for a reason" and gives choice to ignore or report.

I've been using it now in safe mode and I can do many things so it makes me wonder what's up? I've done all the diagnostic tests etc. and they all come back ok. I can do online games, get emails, get photos and edit them, download realestate and boating websites with many fotos and videos, etc. all in safe mode.

The only thing that seems not to work is the sound in safe mode. But its all really slow. I've been using Safari for the browser but today tried to download firefox and it would not. It was funny as I was trying to use a 'wordle' game that worked normally before it shut itself down, but then it would not work in safe mode so I tried to get another browser.

Anyhow, I love this computer. I'm 72 and don't really want to learn a whole new OS and/or can't afford a new computer so can yu help me??

SafeBoot mode is more a trouble shooting mode ...

sort many anomalies

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled.

Typically you Login and test. Reboot as normal and test. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

This test will tell you if third party interference; most extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode.

Kernel panics are either hardware or software, and It sound like you issue is your admin/user account software—

if you reinstalled the macOS and restored you user from backup—you may have re-introduced a conflict

—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 

You can get a good look at your User/System config. and reveal conflicts or issues, you can download/run this trusted utility https://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the editing toolbar below, in your reply.

jastawa wrote:

<computer shuts down, works only in safe mode w/o.log>

Thanks for the info. when I try to do that the computer shuts down before I can complete. I can only do the resport in safe mode. I will post report in 'additional text'.

Well in Safeboot — system accelerations are disabled

What I see you have a hardware issue—

2024-04-12 17:04:31 Kernel Panic (13 times)

First occurrence: 2024-03-22 12:17:54

Details:

panic(cpu 4 caller 0xffffff7f8dbf48d3): "GPU Panic

2024-04-14 06:11:30 Kernel Panic (3 times)

First occurrence: 2024-03-14 13:10:08

Details:

panic(cpu 6 caller 0xffffff7f8b7f48d3): "GPU Panic

Diagnostics Information (past 60 days):

2024-04-14 06:11:45 Kernel Panic (4 times)

First occurrence: 2024-04-13 15:15:18

Details:

panic(cpu 6 caller 0xffffff7f819cc5a2): "bool IOAccelDisplayMachine2

AcceleratorFamily-378.28/Kext2/IOAccelDisplayMachine.cpp

I suspect a 2012 can not justify the cost of a logic board replacement.

Apple will assess the issue, but will refuse the repair. Third party computer repair shop would take your money if parts are available. Typically a 90 -day limited warranty.

see vintage and obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Further—

I would test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support

This will tell you if it a universal issue or in the off chance it is software isolated to your user/admin account.  See if you can boot normally into this new account.

jastawa wrote:

thanks for the info...I can only post 5000 characters so which part of the report could you use to help me?

thanks to Old Toad, you can check out his user tip to post the entire report.

please see How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report

jastawa wrote:

thanks for the info...I can only post 5000 characters so which part of the report could you use to help me?

<  Safe mode - This computer is running in Safe Mode.>

Good reference posted above from jeffreythefrog see: Old Toads post for the low down.

From within your post use the 'editor tool bar' to post your complete report in the "Additional Text" box

if possible—

for best results you need run the Etrecheck report booted normally, not in the SafeBoot mode.

with the "Full Disk Access" option