Once again updated the OS on my $4k iMac and now I start my day, everyday, by sending the Apple the same crash report (attached). Yes, I updated the OS after unplugging all peripherals this time (the only usable advice I've received over the years). This happens every time there is an update now. I've spent hours and hundreds of dollars to try and fix.
I didn't see any of the usual suspects but did see one app that concerned me: GlobalProtect. Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint. Read these articles: Pubic VPN's are anything but private and Security Risks: The Dangers of Using Free VPNs (eccu.edu).
Additionally a new study ("Apple Offers Apps With Ties to Chinese Military”) is specifically about VPN apps in Apple’s App Store.
I recommend uninstalling the VPN according to the developer's instructions. Then you can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name. For the GlobalProtect files you'd do the following search(es):
1 - Name contains globalprotect
2 - Name contains palo alto
Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.
FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.
If you get warnings that the file can't be deleted because it is in use or used by another app boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac, run Find Any File again and delete from there.
Note: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.
I follow the others on make a Etrecheck report on this issue!
***
I have a 2013 iMac running Catalina 10.15.8 and is running, just so fine with, the Time machine Back-up!
Sorry my English!
[Edited by Moderator]
Yes I understand ,your are not being sarcastic, but truthful, " The OP´s machine is a 6 year old 27" iMac"
The OP´s machine is a 6 year old,so I suggested LINUX, Which isn't the worst option!
I am not being sarcastic at all,I am being truthful. The OP’s machine is a 6 year old 27” iMac according to the report he posted. AFAIK you not a mind reader so please do not comment on what I may or may not be thinking.
Thank you. This is what I heard last time as well. I will try and remove the VPN and see if that helps. It did not matter last time.
That VPN is from my employer (MIT) and I worked with the IS&T team there last time to make sure it was working properly. No one else in my lab has this issue on their devices.
I will try again. Same motions as last time.
I will report back here if there is a change in behaviour.
to try to be clear
this is limited to a morning wake from sleep issue?
-I thought is was crashing all over the place for some reason-
you should not have to turn SLEEP function off to prevent crashes...all my machines sleep and wake with no issues 10.6.8 2011 to 26.3.1 2023
I already took the machine to Apple Store and they did full diagnostic last time this happened. Came out clean. Also several reinstalls of OS since then. So far, exact same experience as last time, including the advice. I appreciate it, but no joy. It was the people at the Apple Store who recommended the UPS and plugging into that. I've only followed the advice from Apple folk.
What I have learned so far is to not buy expensive items like this as it is not worth the risk.
I already took the machine to Apple Store and they did full diagnostic last time this happened. Came out clean. They reinstalled the OS at the store. It has to be asleep for some time before it crashes. I can try the safe mode again. Thanks.
I appreciate your advice to turn off sleep and agree about UPS. Turning off sleep does indeed seem to work. But this is not the solution I was looking for. I was hoping to have the machine behave properly as what I purchased. Thank you!
This is great advice. I needed to hear this: "don't get caught up in this endless inconclusive "troubleshooting" cycle if a tech continues to waste your time, get your case number, your case notes confirmed, and call back". Thanks!!
Thank you for your thorough response. They said they tested the CPU, GPU and RAM, but I also did not feel confident in the diagnostic test. They did not install any 3rd party software when I got it back. It was after it crashed from getting the computer back from the store is when I bought the UPS, because I figured to best of my knowledge, computer is fine it must something else. A week later, the problem did go away for while after that, so I started adding my software and peripherals back. Then this last update started the problem all over again. Since then, I have not once again wiped the machine and started over again. I guess I will do that this weekend. Appreciate your time.
Grateful for the help. Thank you! I appreciate your time.
Thanks, I will give it a shot and send report to Feedback link next time I get one. Appreciate your time.
Left it like this for a while. It did not crash, as expected, I assume? It is when it goes to sleep that the problem happens. I do not want to leave my device like this from now on though.
If the VPN app is required by your employer then keep it. It's the public VPNs that are not secure.
No joy.
Another Update, another horrible experience with my iMac
