Level 1

133 points

CTO iMac, 3.6Ghz i5, 8Gb RAM random freezes

Hello to you all,

from day 1, October the 13th, my CTO iMac freezes randomly; it has frozen a total of 8 times, 3 of them during the last Apple Keynote, on October the 20th.

When it freezes and there is sound going, it continuously repeats the last sounds, very fast, and the first time this scared me a lot: the first time I thought the loudspeakers broke up (loud scratchy noises, like bangs).
In the other cases, the iMac just freezes, stays there, no heat, no fans going. So here what I've already done:

(1) Contacted Apple, they suggested to (and I did):
(2) Check disk - no problems
(3) Check permission - no problems, solved some inconsistencies
(4) Zap PRAM
(5) Run Hardware Test (I ran the full HW test, all is ok)

And I:

(6) Updated to 10.6.5 and to what System Update was telling me to. (10.6.5 was updated from Combo, as I always do with large system updates)
(7) Checked the temperature of the processor and other temperatures, are all ok
(8) Stressed the iMac with Call Of Duty 4, with the help of a gamer, he played for two hours two times, no freeze.

Until the end of october I had the iMac connected to my router with a Ethernet to power line communication adapter, so thinking that the problem could be related to noise on the power line, I stopped using them and, until today, the problem seemed solved.

Today, after 22 days after the last freeze, I've launched a check of one of my external HD with Sophos Antivirus (I have some Windows files there) and went to lunch. When back, the iMac was frozen, keyboard unresponsive, black screen (should this coming from power save mode).

Details:

(a) iMac i5@3.6 Ghz 8 Gb RAM, all of them same brand (0x80AD)
(b) Bluetooth keyboard and mouse
(c) Time Machine active, the TM HD normally is off, I decide when to make it.
(d) I have the full system.log; there are some errors that I can't explain, but they not always are followed by the freeze.

I've deleted the Chrome App, that was active in some cases; and almost always Safari was running.

I report pieces of my system.log just before the freezes:

(I)

Oct 13 15:07:01 Bugfixer PubSubAgent[298]: SQL Error: SQLITE_CANTOPEN[14.0]: Database file not found
Oct 13 15:09:53 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Oct 13 15:09:57 localhost DirectoryService[15]: Improper shutdown detected

(II)

Oct 15 20:13:03 Bugfixer configd[13]: Hibernate Statistics
Oct 15 20:13:03 Bugfixer configd[13]: Kernel WDDMService com.apple.powermanagement.applicationresponse.cancelled
Oct 15 20:13:13 Bugfixer configd[13]: PMConnection mDNSResponder com.apple.powermanagement.applicationresponse.slowresponse 759 ms
Oct 15 20:13:49 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Oct 15 20:13:53 localhost DirectoryService[15]: Improper shutdown detected

(III, this happened TWO times in a very similar way)

Oct 20 18:53:44 Bugfixer [0x0-0x28028].com.google.Chrome[288]: objc[302]: Class TaskOperation is implemented in both /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/../../../Google Chrome Framework.framework/Google Chrome Framework and /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/PDF.plugin/Contents/MacOS/PDF. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Oct 20 18:53:44 Bugfixer [0x0-0x28028].com.google.Chrome[288]: objc[302]: Class WorkerPoolObjC is implemented in both /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/../../../Google Chrome Framework.framework/Google Chrome Framework and /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/PDF.plugin/Contents/MacOS/PDF. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Oct 20 18:54:49 Bugfixer [0x0-0x28028].com.google.Chrome[288]: 2010-10-20 18:54:49.788 Google Chrome Helper[302:207] __CFServiceControllerBeginPBSLoadForLocalizations received error 1100 from bootstrap lookup2
Oct 20 18:58:50 Bugfixer fontd[171]: query/build result time = 0.216912 sec
Oct 20 19:42:14 Bugfixer com.apple.backupd-auto[362]: Not starting scheduled Time Machine backup - time machine destination not resolvable.
Oct 20 19:51:37 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Oct 20 19:51:42 localhost DirectoryService[15]: Improper shutdown detected

(IV)

Oct 20 20:19:47 Bugfixer Nikon Message Center 2[198]: terminate
Oct 20 20:19:47 Bugfixer com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[163] (com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-bugfixer@me.com-SharedServices[189]): Exited with exit code: 1
Oct 20 20:20:40 Bugfixer login[217]: USER_PROCESS: 217 ttys000
Oct 20 20:22:30 Bugfixer [0x0-0x17017].com.apple.Safari[223]: FlateDecode: decoding error: incorrect data check.
Oct 20 21:27:18 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Oct 20 21:27:21 localhost DirectoryService[15]: Improper shutdown detected
(V)
Oct 27 19:31:48 Bugfixer apsd-ft[204]: <APSCourier: 0x1022076f0>: Stream error occurred for <APSTCPStream: 0x102103e00>: Error Domain=kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork Code=2 UserInfo=0x10223f400 "The operation couldn’t be completed. (kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork error 2.)"
Oct 27 19:31:49 Bugfixer ntpd[25]: bind() fd 25, family 30, port 123, scope 4, addr fe80::cabc:c8ff:fe89:f4b8, in6is_addrmulticast=0 flags=0x11 fails: Can't assign requested address
Oct 27 19:31:49 Bugfixer ntpd[25]: unable to create socket on en0 (7) for fe80::cabc:c8ff:fe89:f4b8#123
Oct 27 19:31:52 Bugfixer configd[13]: network configuration changed.
Oct 27 19:31:52 Bugfixer configd[13]: Sleep: Success - AC - Software Sleep
Oct 27 19:31:52 Bugfixer configd[13]: Wake: Success - AC - EHC2
Oct 27 19:31:52 Bugfixer configd[13]: Hibernate Statistics
Oct 27 19:32:02 Bugfixer SoftwareUpdateCheck[351]: Checking for updates
Oct 27 19:32:05 Bugfixer apsd-ft[204]: <APSCourier: 0x1022076f0>: Received connected response OK
Oct 27 19:32:08 Bugfixer ntpd[25]: time reset -0.514471 s
Oct 27 19:32:22 Bugfixer loginwindow[35]: no spins reported for this wake
Oct 27 19:32:22 Bugfixer [0x0-0x31031].backupd-helper[343]: Not starting Time Machine backup after wake - failed to resolve alias to backup volume
Oct 27 19:33:59 Bugfixer SoftwareUpdateCheck[351]: SWU: scan found 0 products:
Oct 27 19:33:59 Bugfixer com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.suhelperd[352]): Exited with exit code: 2
Oct 27 19:33:59 Bugfixer com.apple.launchd.peruser.501[164] ([0x0-0x33033].SoftwareUpdateCheck[351]): Exited with exit code: 102
Oct 27 19:48:58 Bugfixer com.apple.backupd-auto[369]: Not starting scheduled Time Machine backup - time machine destination not resolvable.
Oct 27 19:52:50 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Oct 27 19:52:56 localhost blued[17]: Apple Bluetooth daemon started
Oct 27 19:52:56 localhost DirectoryService[15]: Improper shutdown detected
(VI)
Oct 29 20:35:23 Bugfixer [0x0-0x6c06c].com.google.Chrome[650]: objc[704]: Class TaskOperation is implemented in both /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/../../../Google Chrome Framework.framework/Google Chrome Framework and /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/PDF.plugin/Contents/MacOS/PDF. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Oct 29 20:35:23 Bugfixer [0x0-0x6c06c].com.google.Chrome[650]: objc[704]: Class WorkerPoolObjC is implemented in both /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Helper.app/Contents/MacOS/../../../Google Chrome Framework.framework/Google Chrome Framework and /Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/7.0.517.41/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/PDF.plugin/Contents/MacOS/PDF. One of the two will be used. Which one is undefined.
Oct 29 20:35:23 Bugfixer [0x0-0x6c06c].com.google.Chrome[650]: [650:24579:7185168778315:ERROR:/b/slave/chrome-official-mac/build/src/net/socke t/clientsocket_poolbase.cc(935)] No pending request for backup job.
Oct 29 20:37:14 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Oct 29 20:37:18 localhost DirectoryService[15]: Improper shutdown detected
(VII)
Nov 21 13:01:27 Bugfixer Safari[523]: Error: Embedded profile header length is greater than data length.
Nov 21 13:01:27 Bugfixer [0x0-0x43043].com.apple.Safari[523]: Sun Nov 21 13:01:27 Bugfixer.local Safari[523] <Error>: Error: Embedded profile header length is greater than data length.
Nov 21 13:01:27 Bugfixer Safari[523]: Error: Embedded profile header length is greater than data length.
Nov 21 13:01:27 Bugfixer [0x0-0x43043].com.apple.Safari[523]: Sun Nov 21 13:01:27 Bugfixer.local Safari[523] <Error>: Error: Embedded profile header length is greater than data length.
Nov 21 13:03:17 Bugfixer SafariSyncClient[535]: LightweightMallornLoginSession is registered.
Nov 21 13:03:17 Bugfixer [0x0-0x46046].com.apple.Safari[532]: 2010-11-21 13:03:17.506 SafariSyncClient[535:903] LightweightMallornLoginSession is registered.
Nov 21 13:06:43 Bugfixer mDNSResponder[26]: Double NAT (external NAT gateway address 10.35.235.89 is also a private RFC 1918 address)
Nov 21 13:37:19 localhost bootlog[39]: BOOT_TIME: 1290343027 0
Nov 21 13:37:08 localhost com.apple.launchd[1]: * launchd[1] has started up. *
Nov 21 13:37:21 localhost fseventsd[31]: event logs in /.fseventsd out of sync with volume. destroying old logs. (9521 14 10864)
Nov 21 13:37:21 localhost fseventsd[31]: log dir: /.fseventsd getting new uuid: ACDF7605-4E75-445B-8081-3DBAA31EE377
Nov 21 13:37:22 localhost DirectoryService[36]: Improper shutdown detected
Thanks for your attention.

iMac 3.6Ghz i5,8Gb - iPhone 3G, iPad, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Nov 21, 2010 12:30 PM

135 replies

Bugfixer Author

Level 1

133 points

Dec 1, 2010 9:44 AM in response to Bugfixer

Ok, another freeze, this time I have a real indication that USB may be involved. The iMac was booting with USB and mouse (Apple) connected, I had played with Bootcamp.

I made my login and after that, WHILE still coming up the Finder, I UNPLUGGED the keyboard and mouse.
I surfed for 2/3 minutes with the Bluetooth k&m, and while answering to an e-mail, FREEZE. There is no track of this in system.log, nothing.

Weird.

Dec 1, 2010 11:13 PM in response to Bugfixer

Hi Bugfixer

In your logs you can see something about low power ethernet or something similar? Research in other forums I have seen some freezes this message in the logs. In my case I have ever appeared, but not if the cause of the freeze.
By the way, Growl is not the problem in my case, once Growl are removed the freezes succeeded. Now I reinstalled mac osx, I will be reporting.

Greetings

Bugfixer Author

Level 1

133 points

Dec 1, 2010 11:58 PM in response to navginrau

navginrau wrote:
Hi Bugfixer

In your logs you can see something about low power ethernet or something similar? Research in other forums I have seen some freezes this message in the logs. In my case I have ever appeared, but not if the cause of the freeze.
By the way, Growl is not the problem in my case, once Growl are removed the freezes succeeded. Now I reinstalled mac osx, I will be reporting.

Greetings

navginrau,

No, nothing seems to be related to low power ethernet, sorry to hear you had to reinstall; thanks for your reporting.

Dec 2, 2010 6:58 AM in response to Bugfixer

Count me in. Same configurations, same random freeze and loud static noise. Had 2 HD and 1 logic board replacement and still freezing. Really regret buying this thing. Brought my iMac in August and reinstalled the operating system about 5 times. I've given up and gonna ask Apple for a new machine. I think it's something to do with the internet because I can guarantee a freeze watching the Apple Keynote. Even the technician had a freeze watching it. Here's a video of my machine freezing and the noise it makes. http://d.pr/yfMp

Bugfixer Author

Level 1

133 points

Dec 2, 2010 7:06 AM in response to Kal Verdi

Kal Verdi wrote:
Count me in. Same configurations, same random freeze and loud static noise. Had 2 HD and 1 logic board replacement and still freezing. Really regret buying this thing. Brought my iMac in August and reinstalled the operating system about 5 times. I've given up and gonna ask Apple for a new machine. I think it's something to do with the internet because I can guarantee a freeze watching the Apple Keynote. Even the technician had a freeze watching it. Here's a video of my machine freezing and the noise it makes. http://d.pr/yfMp

Kal,

that's EXACTLY what happened to me, just watching the last keynote... If replacing the logic board this happens again, there are 2 chances:

(1) A hw project problem (Apple MUST fix it)
(2) A sw problem (Apple MUST fix it anyway!)

If you read back this thread, after I've stopped using Ethernet AND a USB hub, things are going much better. Are you connected through WiFi or Ethernet?

Dec 2, 2010 7:51 AM in response to Bugfixer

I feel your pain man. I've used both ethernet and wifi connecting to my Airport Extreme. It doesn't make a difference. I've used Safari, Chrome and Firefox and it still freezes. The longest I've gone without a freeze is a week. Which was a miracle.

Dec 2, 2010 9:37 AM in response to Kal Verdi

This is my freeze too!!

When you installed Mac OSX, created a new profile? Or be reloaded from a backup from time machine with the same user??

Dec 2, 2010 9:46 AM in response to navginrau

I started from scratch. Complete erase and install. Still froze! Made another account to test if it was a problem with my main Admin account and the thing froze again.

Dec 2, 2010 9:53 AM in response to Kal Verdi

In this thread http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2628694&tstart=0&start=30

One person has gotten freezes disappear changing the RAM in an authorized service center.
When you wear it, They didn't found problems with RAM? In my case they told me that all my HW was Ok but I'm still having freezes. 😟

Dec 2, 2010 10:03 AM in response to navginrau

I did a hardware test and it came up clean. First time it went for repair they tested it for about a week and found no problems. Second time again tested it and found no problem. I then told the technician to watch my video and watch the Apple Keynote. BANG! It froze. There is something seriously wrong with these machines. I did test my RAM and it was fine might run the machine on 4Gb's. I've tried everything else! But I shouldn't have to do all this crap to get this thing working properly.

Bugfixer Author

Level 1

133 points

Dec 2, 2010 12:23 PM in response to Kal Verdi

Kal Verdi wrote:
I did a hardware test and it came up clean. First time it went for repair they tested it for about a week and found no problems. Second time again tested it and found no problem. I then told the technician to watch my video and watch the Apple Keynote. BANG! It froze. There is something seriously wrong with these machines. I did test my RAM and it was fine might run the machine on 4Gb's. I've tried everything else! But I shouldn't have to do all this crap to get this thing working properly.

I agree. In the meanwhile I hope that somebody in Apple read this (and other) threads, we need help; we need help first of all to KNOW what is exactly the problem is; so if there is a fix, this should be applied, hardware or software it is.

You know, Kal, I'm scared to use Safari to watch videos on the Internet? This is stupid, but the noise was so loud and scary... And it happened 3 times in half an hour (when I saw the last keynote).

So: we have suspects, some ideas, but at this time we need SUPPORT.

RSHFX

Level 1

5 points

Dec 2, 2010 12:44 PM in response to navginrau

I believe the issue (or at least my freezing issue) is related to the latest update for Safari and how it conflicts with Office 2011 (specifically Outlook connected to Exchange - and I believe the same is true for Entourage and Exchange although I haven't tested it). The more activity I have between my machine and the exchange server - the more frequent the freezing becomes BUT only when I'm running Safari at the same time. I stopped using Safari today, forced a pile of exchange activity and.....NO FREEZING!

Bugfixer Author

Level 1

133 points

Dec 2, 2010 12:52 PM in response to RSHFX

RSHFX wrote:
I believe the issue (or at least my freezing issue) is related to the latest update for Safari and how it conflicts with Office 2011 (specifically Outlook connected to Exchange - and I believe the same is true for Entourage and Exchange although I haven't tested it). The more activity I have between my machine and the exchange server - the more frequent the freezing becomes BUT only when I'm running Safari at the same time. I stopped using Safari today, forced a pile of exchange activity and.....NO FREEZING!

Thanks RSHFX for your contribute. There is something also involving Safari, please continue to report if you have more info about your freezes.

Are you using WiFi or Ethernet?
Do you have USB peripherals connected to your iMac?
USB hubs?

RSHFX

Level 1

5 points

Dec 2, 2010 1:07 PM in response to Bugfixer

I am connected via ethernet. I have USB peripherals connected both directly and through a USB hub. Removing the Hub from the equation did not stop the freezing.

Bugfixer Author

Level 1

133 points

Dec 2, 2010 1:14 PM in response to RSHFX

RSHFX wrote:
I am connected via ethernet. I have USB peripherals connected both directly and through a USB hub. Removing the Hub from the equation did not stop the freezing.

Thanks. If you can, try to use Wifi instead of ethernet and let's see what happens. I had no more freezes for more than 20 days.

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CTO iMac, 3.6Ghz i5, 8Gb RAM random freezes