Level 1

14 points

Several sudden shutdowns on new iMac

My new iMac had several sudden shutdowns in the last 30 minutes.
Just normal use, open were mail, safari temp. monitor.
Here is a picture of the log just before crashing.
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/xx320/mariner4/Schermafbeelding2010-08-29om17 1649.png

Hope someone can make out something.

peterwillem

macbook pro 4,1; iMac 27" i7, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Aug 29, 2010 9:36 AM

136 replies

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Aug 31, 2010 7:44 AM in response to peterwillem

Ok,
so today I had a new sudden shutdown. I contacted Apple Care and the advised ,again, to do a complete new system install.
The auto sleep problem could be related to this shutdown problem, a kind of deteriorating problem.
They have a point, so when I have some time tomorrow I will do that.

peterwillem

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Aug 31, 2010 2:12 PM in response to peterwillem

Well I found out something new.
The so called improper shutdown , read in the log, was not caused by some hard/software failure of the iMac.
It was caused by me pressing the power/startup button behind the iMac, believing a sudden shutdown had occurred and I had to start the iMac again.
While actually it was in a sleeping mode, from which it could not be wakened by touching a key or mouse click which normally wakens the computer.
It sounds confusing after all I the posts I wrote about it .
So the problem has changed into this:

Sometime after the monitor is in sleeping mode the computer is going into a sleeping mode with no wake up possibilities but to start up again. My estimate is that it happens several hours after the sleeping of the monitor.

I have no clue as to what is causing all this.
I think I still do a complete system install, unless somebody has a better idea.

peterwillem

WZZZ

Level 6

13,238 points

Aug 31, 2010 3:32 PM in response to peterwillem

Might try moving this file to the Trash.
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist

Then restore your Energy Saver settings.

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Aug 31, 2010 3:42 PM in response to WZZZ

Thank you,
that was one of the things that Apple Care suggested before, but that did not help any as far as the auto sleep problem was concerned. Don't know about the waking up problem though.
So maybe I give it a try before new install.

peterwillem

Boyse

Level 1

0 points

Sep 7, 2010 2:22 PM in response to peterwillem

I just bought a new iMac a few weeks ago and I am having the sudden shutdown problem that seems to be happening to other people and I cant figure out what it is and nether can apple care, I have a 27" with the i7 chipset and 256 ssd w/ a 2T hhd and 16gigs on Ram, can I get some help please???
copy of log

8/27/10 11:16:24 PM shutdown[259] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1282976184 985648
8/28/10 9:30:06 PM shutdown[403] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283056206 836431
8/30/10 10:55:31 PM shutdown[582] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283234131 795816
9/1/10 2:37:07 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/1/10 2:37:08 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/1/10 2:37:10 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/1/10 3:42:29 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/1/10 3:42:29 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/1/10 3:42:32 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/1/10 8:53:07 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/1/10 8:53:08 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/1/10 8:53:11 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 0
9/2/10 12:24:42 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/2/10 12:24:43 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 12:24:45 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/2/10 2:19:10 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/2/10 2:19:10 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/2/10 2:19:14 PM com.apple.loginwindow[45] shutdown: / is busy updating; waiting for lock
9/2/10 2:19:17 PM shutdown[356] reboot by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/2/10 2:19:17 PM shutdown[356] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283462357 647192
9/2/10 2:19:37 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 2:19:39 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/2/10 2:31:05 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/2/10 2:31:05 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/2/10 2:31:18 PM com.apple.loginwindow[43] shutdown: / is busy updating; waiting for lock
9/2/10 2:31:21 PM shutdown[255] reboot by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/2/10 2:31:21 PM shutdown[255] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283463081 736105
9/2/10 2:31:41 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 2:31:43 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/2/10 8:52:47 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/2/10 8:52:48 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 8:52:50 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/2/10 8:53:47 PM shutdown[159] halt by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/2/10 8:53:47 PM shutdown[159] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283486027 31227
9/2/10 8:53:47 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/2/10 8:53:47 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/2/10 8:57:01 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 8:57:03 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 0
9/2/10 9:16:26 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/2/10 9:16:27 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 9:16:30 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/2/10 9:37:09 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/2/10 9:37:10 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 9:37:12 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 0
9/2/10 10:13:43 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/2/10 10:13:44 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 10:13:46 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/2/10 10:24:28 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/2/10 10:24:29 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/2/10 10:24:31 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/3/10 11:37:45 AM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/3/10 11:37:46 AM kernel systemShutdown false
9/3/10 11:37:48 AM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -2
9/3/10 9:58:04 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/3/10 9:58:05 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/3/10 9:58:08 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/3/10 11:29:32 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/3/10 11:29:33 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/3/10 11:29:36 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/3/10 11:29:32 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/3/10 11:29:33 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/3/10 11:29:36 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/4/10 7:43:37 PM shutdown[1786] halt by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/4/10 7:43:37 PM shutdown[1786] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283654617 90067
9/4/10 7:43:37 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/4/10 7:43:37 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/4/10 7:45:05 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/4/10 7:45:07 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 0
9/4/10 7:59:34 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/4/10 7:59:35 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/4/10 7:59:39 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/5/10 10:07:53 AM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/5/10 10:07:54 AM kernel systemShutdown false
9/5/10 10:07:57 AM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/6/10 1:19:28 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/6/10 1:19:29 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/6/10 1:19:33 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128
9/6/10 1:22:25 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/6/10 1:22:25 PM shutdown[168] halt by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/6/10 1:22:25 PM shutdown[168] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283804545 280047
9/6/10 1:22:26 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/6/10 1:30:38 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/6/10 1:30:40 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 3
9/6/10 1:31:18 PM shutdown[154] halt by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/6/10 1:31:18 PM shutdown[154] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283805078 94073
9/6/10 1:31:18 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/6/10 1:31:18 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/6/10 1:48:22 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/6/10 1:48:24 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 5
9/6/10 2:01:26 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/6/10 2:01:26 PM kernel systemShutdown true
9/6/10 2:01:43 PM com.apple.loginwindow[48] shutdown: / is busy updating; waiting for lock
9/6/10 2:01:51 PM shutdown[191] reboot by JasonBoyseiMac:
9/6/10 2:01:51 PM shutdown[191] SHUTDOWN_TIME: 1283806911 928184
9/6/10 2:02:13 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/6/10 2:02:15 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: 5
9/7/10 12:42:31 PM DirectoryService[11] Improper shutdown detected
9/7/10 12:42:33 PM kernel systemShutdown false
9/7/10 12:42:36 PM kernel Previous Shutdown Cause: -128

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Sep 7, 2010 2:36 PM in response to Boyse

Really, Boyse, you should start your own new thread, but the problem is extremely similar.
Do you have the power button pushed in really really hard???
When I first got my iMac, I did not know how hard I should have it pushed in, and the power cable was wobbling in and out without my realizing it.

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 7, 2010 3:47 PM in response to TildeBee

O.k.,
I finally did a new system install with erasing the ssd.
The auto sleep is working correctly now.
But I still have an iMac which sometimes goes into sleep mode from which it won't wake up unless I press the power button. And that causes my so called "sudden shut down", mentioned before.
I contacted Apple Care about this and they advised that I should put back the original ram (4G) in place of the 16 G OWC ram which I placed inside my iMac at the beginning. And than check things for a week or so. This is in order to rule out bad new ram, even though I did an apple HWT which showed no problems in the ram. I also did not notice any signs of bad ram. I don't think it is a ram issue, OWC is supposed to be good ram according to many forum users. And this set of 16 G OWC ram is especially made for the mid 2010 iMacs.
I wonder if this HWT is reliable as far as ram testing is concerned?
Could the amount of ram (16 G) be a cause of the problems?
I will wait for a week and see what will happen.

peterwillem

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Sep 7, 2010 5:27 PM in response to peterwillem

peter --

Testing RAM is very dodgy, as best. The best way to test it, really, is to remove it and replace with other RAM. OWC is excellent, and will stand by their RAM should you discover that their RAM is not working.

I got curious about the -128 error code in your report.
According to googled results it's
-128 userCanceledErr User canceled an operation.

Have you also checked to see that your power cord it put in really really tight in the back of the Mac?
See my response to Boyse here.

EDIT: Check this out:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=889356

Message was edited by: ~Bee

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 7, 2010 10:40 PM in response to TildeBee

Thank you Bee,
I did remove the 16 G OWC ram and replaced it with the original ram that came with the iMac.
So far (12 hrs) everything looks ok.
The power plug is completely plugged in and when touching it a little nothing happens. Besides when the computer went into the sleeping mode by its self the power was still on and it only woke up after my pressing the power button, which caused the so called sudden (improper) shutdown shown in the log. The pressing of a keyboard key or mouse clicking did not do anything.
Oh, and in preferences, power management the sleeping mode computer is set to "never"
The going into sleeping mode is occurring irregular. Sometimes nothing happens for several days, sometimes it happens after several hours and sometimes it happens in less than an hour.

peterwillem

peterwillem

Message was edited by: peterwillem

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Sep 8, 2010 7:28 AM in response to peterwillem

Peter, I'm hoping it was the RAM.
It's easy to fix.
But the symptoms often just don't make any sense at all.
Which is certainly true in your case.
Fingers crossed.

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 8, 2010 8:56 AM in response to TildeBee

Bee, talking about the symptoms you maybe right. The irregular , long and short intervals between the unwanted sleeping modes do not point at a ram failure , I think.
But right now it has been already 24 hrs in which the iMac has been good.
It may be easy to fix a faulty ram cause, but I still have to convince OWC that their ram is at fault ( if at all). And I paid a substantial amount of money on that. (> $500)
Cross that bridge when it comes.

peterwillem

TildeBee

Level 7

31,923 points

Sep 8, 2010 9:25 AM in response to peterwillem

I don't think you'll have any problem with OWC.
Just show them this thread.
By the way, it might be just one of the four.

Anyway, right now, you can just enjoy the absence of crashes & KPs.
🙂

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 14, 2010 3:31 AM in response to TildeBee

Ok, here I am back again. I tried the 4G apple ram for 7 days. And I have had no problems whatsoever.
So it looks like the OWC ram is the cause. I will contact (mail) OWC and ask for advise, probably a RMA.
and I will show them this thread.
(to be continued)

peterwillem

peterwillem Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 23, 2010 7:33 AM in response to peterwillem

Ok, the RMA to OWC was no problem for them, but I had to pay for the transport costs myself.
From The Netherlands to USA by Fed EX including insurance is about $130,-
And meanwhile I have received a bill from Fed Ex with VAT and import duties, ($130_).
OWC said in their mail that most returned ram turned out to be perfectly ok.
This and the costs made me do some more testing.
To make it more clearly I will write down the steps I have done already and the ones I am going to do.

Step 1) A new and clean system install.

Result: Autosleep problem solved, but unexpected/unwanted sleep mode still there.

Step2) Put the original apple ram (4G) into the iMac according the method/place described in the
manual.Tried and tested (AHT and Rember test) it for one week.
Result: No problems whatsoever.
Step 3) Replaced the apple ram(4G) by 2 pcs (each 4 G) OWC ram. Tested and tried it out for one
week.
Result: No problems whatsoever .
Now the steps I am going to take:

Step 4) Replace the 8 G OWC ram with the 2 pcs ( 4 G each) of the left over OWC ram.
Test and try it out for one week.

If the result turns out to be that their were no problems, than
Step 5) I put back the already tested 8 G of OWC ram into the open ram slots. And try it out and
test, the all together 16 G, it for one week.

If the result is going to be that the problems returns, than I am left with
2 possibilities :1) the ram-slot ,closest to the screen, is at fault.
or 2) the iMac can not handle 16 G ram.

In both cases I will contact Apple Care.

And if miraculously the result is going to that there were no problems whatsoever,
than I will blame it to one of those mysterious and unexplainable things that some times happens with computers.

(to be continued)

peterwillem

Sep 29, 2010 7:46 PM in response to TildeBee

I am interested in your final results (@peterwillem and ~bee). I started out on the thread that Berry with an "A" (for attitude, maybe?) had started, not realizing that their was such a finite discrimination from machine to machine, as far as the threads go anyway. My issue so far has only been the sudden shutdowns. Occasionally accompanied by a faint "TICK" or "pop" sound, but not always. Likewise, sometimes there was heat behind the upper left corner, not always. Sometimes, with Safari and/or Flock open, and/or Aperture3.

I also have the kernel Previous shutdown cause: -128 error.

I also have the OWC branded 16GB upgraded from the original Apple RAM.
Mac OS X version 10.6.4 - Build 10F2061
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac11,3
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.93 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 8 MB
Memory: 16 GB - 1333 MHz - DDR3
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: IM112.0057.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.59f2
Intel 5 Series Chipset:
Vendor: Intel
Product: 5 Series Chipset
Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Negotiated Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Description: AHCI Version 1.30 Supported

Hitachi HDS722020ALA330:
Capacity: 2 TB (2,000,398,934,016 bytes)
Model: Hitachi HDS722020ALA330

Intel 5 Series Chipset:
Vendor: Intel
Product: 5 Series Chipset
Link Speed: 3 Gigabit
Negotiated Link Speed: 1.5 Gigabit
Description: AHCI Version 1.30 Supported

HL-DT-STDVDRW GA32N:
Model: HL-DT-STDVDRW GA32N
Revision: KC12

Login Items:
iTunesHelper
VMware Fusion Helper
Drobo Dashboard
LMILaunchAgentFixer
IntegoStatusItemHelper (All Users)

The SMC reset, which I call the cold, hard boot or say that I am depleting the capacitors, did not work for my situation (and now I understand why).

I very much would like to avoid rebuilding my computer from scratch and it would be inconvenient (but do-able) to work through the whole RAM swapping thing.

I hope that we all get this answered correctly for each of our explicit machines.

Message was edited by: Rojer W. W.

Message was edited by: Rojer W. W.

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Several sudden shutdowns on new iMac