Desktop crashing with CPU CAT ERROR

Desk top keeps crashing with

CPU CAT ERROR detected

iMac 27″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 4:02 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 5:23 PM

Contact Support, because that Mac is suffering from a hardware fault.


CATERR = catastrophic error condition

MCA = machine check architecture


Not that any of it matters. Those errors are the result of a serious internal failure of the Mac's CPU. For those with too much time on their hands, https://software.intel.com/content/www/us/en/develop/articles/intel-sdm.html#combined

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 4, 2026 5:23 PM in response to CARRANZOOMZOOM

Contact Support, because that Mac is suffering from a hardware fault.


CATERR = catastrophic error condition

MCA = machine check architecture


Not that any of it matters. Those errors are the result of a serious internal failure of the Mac's CPU. For those with too much time on their hands, https://software.intel.com/content/www/us/en/develop/articles/intel-sdm.html#combined

Desktop crashing with CPU CAT ERROR

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