Kernel: IOSurface buffer allocation size is zero

I tend to receive the above message when listening to Itunes, this message can cause itunes to pause the music and sometimes cause the whole system to crash. Although it does not affect spotify.


I have only recently found out what the problem is, this problem has been going on for a long time. it does get annoying after sometime that your music pauses.


The list of text below has been copied from my Kernel.log and shows that this problem is quite prominent.

Would there be a olution to this? I have previously reinstalled my Operating system, after the reinstallation the problem occurs again. Even after an upgrade to OS X Lion the problem is still there


Mid 2010 Imac, 2.8Ghz Quad Core i5, 8GB ram, 1TB HDD, ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB





rdbus=0)

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: [ PCI configuration end, bridges 8 devices 36 ]

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: FireWire (OHCI) TI ID 823f built-in now active, GUID e80688fffebe3be2; max speed s800.

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: mbinit: done [96 MB total pool size, (64/32) split]

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: Pthread support ABORTS when sync kernel primitives misused

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib kmod start

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless kmod start

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib load succeeded

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless load succeeded

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient: ready

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: Ethernet [AppleBCM5701Ethernet]: Wake reason GIGE - bonjour - service connect

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: Network wake from BCM5701Enet

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: USBMSC Identifier (non-unique): 000000009833 0x5ac 0x8403 0x9833

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: USBMSC Identifier (non-unique): 00001411A7BE 0x411 0x105 0x300

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: [IOBluetoothHCIController::setConfigState] calling registerService

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: F995335E-73C3-3050-9BE7-6AD137A3B0CA

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key>IOProviderClass</key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string></dict>

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: Got boot device = IOService:/AppleACPIPlatformExpert/PCI0@0/AppleACPIPCI/SATA@1F,2/AppleIntelPchS eriesAHCI/PRT0@0/IOAHCIDevice@0/AppleAHCIDiskDriver/IOAHCIBlockStorageDevice/IOB lockStorageDriver/ST31000528AS Media/IOGUIDPartitionScheme/NotQuiteMaxDisk@2

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: BSD root: disk0s2, major 14, minor 2

Jul 26 16:36:22 localhost kernel[0]: Kernel is LP64

Jul 26 16:36:23 localhost kernel[0]: BCM5701Enet: Ethernet address c4:2c:03:0f:54:8f

Jul 26 16:36:25 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: Previous Shutdown Cause: 5

Jul 26 16:36:25 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: ** Device in slot: SLOT--1 **

Jul 26 16:36:25 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: DSMOS has arrived

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.597048: ath_get_caps[4036] rx chainmask mismatch actual 3 sc_chainmak 0

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.597073: ath_get_caps[4011] tx chainmask mismatch actual 3 sc_chainmak 0

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601135: Atheros: mac 128.2 phy 13.027.601140: radio 12.027.601142:

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601146: Use hw queue 0 for WME_AC_BE traffic

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601152: Use hw queue 1 for WME_AC_BK traffic

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601158: Use hw queue 2 for WME_AC_VI traffic

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601163: Use hw queue 3 for WME_AC_VO traffic

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601169: Use hw queue 8 for CAB traffic

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601174: Use hw queue 9 for beacons

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601235: wlan_vap_create : enter. devhandle=0xd320c610, opmode=IEEE80211_M_STA, flags=0x1

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 27.601271: wlan_vap_create : exit. devhandle=0xd320c610, opmode=IEEE80211_M_STA, flags=0x1.

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: AirPort_AtherosNewma40: Ethernet address d8:30:62:59:e7:bd

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: IO80211Controller::dataLinkLayerAttachComplete(): adding AppleEFINVRAM notification

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: IO80211Interface::efiNVRAMPublished():

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: NTFS driver 3.8 [Flags: R/W].

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Down on en1. Reason 1 (Unspecified).

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 28.701894: setDISASSOC from disconnectVap

Jul 26 16:36:26 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: 28.701905: switchVap from 1 to 1

Jul 26 16:36:27 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: NTFS volume name BOOTCAMP, version 3.1.

Jul 26 16:36:27 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: nstat_lookup_entry failed: 2

Jul 26 16:36:28: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 16:36:27 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: Ethernet [AppleBCM5701Ethernet]: Link up on en0, 100-Megabit, Full-duplex, Symmetric flow-control, Debug [796d,2300,0de1,0300,45e1,0000]

Jul 26 16:36:29 Andrew-Purdys-iMac kernel[0]: macx_swapon SUCCESS

Jul 26 16:36:34 andrew-pc kernel[0]: [ffffff8015319c00][BNBMouseDevice::init][66] init is complete

Jul 26 16:36:35 andrew-pc kernel[0]: [ffffff8015319c00][BNBMouseDevice::handleStart][66] Done

Jul 26 16:36:35 andrew-pc kernel[0]: [ffffff8015a16000][AppleMultitouchHIDEventDriver::start] entered

Jul 26 16:36:35 andrew-pc kernel[0]: [ffffff8015a90d00][AppleMultitouchDevice::start] entered

Jul 26 16:36:56 andrew-pc kernel[0]: udf log: Allow bogus directory length

Jul 26 16:37:14 andrew-pc kernel[0]: AppleBCM5701Ethernet: 0 1 BCM5701Enet::replaceOrCopyPacket worked after N tries

Jul 26 16:40:27 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 16:41:22: --- last message repeated 2 times ---

Jul 26 16:41:40 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 16:43:52: --- last message repeated 6 times ---

Jul 26 16:45:16 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 16:46:22: --- last message repeated 2 times ---

Jul 26 18:25:18 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:26:23 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:32:19 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:34:08 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:34:45 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:36:22: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 18:37:53 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:38:52: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 18:39:27 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 18:40:17 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 19:27:48 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 19:28:45: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 19:28:45 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 19:29:15: --- last message repeated 2 times ---

Jul 26 22:53:21 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 22:56:56 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 22:58:28: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 22:58:28 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 22:58:58: --- last message repeated 6 times ---

Jul 26 22:59:00 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 22:59:30: --- last message repeated 5 times ---

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `CodeResources': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Growl': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Headers': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Resources': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Current': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Headers': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Resources': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Skype': 93

Jul 26 23:03:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: CoreServicesUIAg[590] Unable to clear quarantine `Current': 93

Jul 26 23:04:53 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:06:23: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:08:22 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:18:09 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:22:01 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:24:39 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:26:23: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:27:36 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:33:49 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:35:58 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:36:28: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:37:23 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:37:58 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:38:37: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:38:37 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:39:08: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:39:52 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:40:36: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:40:36 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:42:23 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:46:12 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:46:44 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:47:14: --- last message repeated 2 times ---

Jul 26 23:47:58 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:48:38 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:49:36 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:50:19: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 26 23:50:19 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 26 23:51:23: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 27 00:50:43 andrew-pc kernel[0]: HFS: Very Low Disk: freeblks: 0, dangerlimit: 154

Jul 27 14:07:46 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:09:00: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 27 14:09:00 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:13:16 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:15:07 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:15:50: --- last message repeated 3 times ---

Jul 27 14:15:50 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:16:24: --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Jul 27 14:16:26 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:16:56 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Jul 27 14:17:26: --- last message repeated 2 times ---

Jul 27 14:17:28 andrew-pc kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 27, 2011 6:29 AM

Reply
154 replies

Dec 14, 2011 5:41 AM in response to andrew011

Hi all,


Just want to share with you the following messages in the kernel.log


Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2 (11C74)


Using Safari 5.1.2 (7534.52.7) -> IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

Using Chrome 15.0.874.121 -> kernel[0]: nstat_lookup_entry failed: 2 (each 10 sec message)


While not using the browsers, the messages don't appear anymore in de kernel.log


Any thoughts about this?


Greetings

Dec 15, 2011 10:12 AM in response to Berend de Meyer

I found this in among console info from persistent VirtualBox crashes as well

discussion of that here:


Brief excerpt from Console:

Dec 15 09:54:09 Mac-mini kernel[0]: VirtualBox (map: 0xffffff800f251ae0) triggered DYLD shared region unnest for map: 0xffffff800f251ae0, region 0x7fff8c000000->0x7fff8c200000. While not abnormal for debuggers, this increases system memory footprint until the target exits.
Dec 15 09:55:37 Mac-mini kernel[0]: HFS: Very Low Disk: freeblks: 0, dangerlimit: 58 <--- THIS ONE
Dec 15 09:56:03 Mac-mini kernel[0]: VirtualBoxVM (map: 0xffffff80104c1e80) triggered DYLD shared region unnest for map: 0xffffff80104c1e80, region 0x7fff8c000000->0x7fff8c200000. While not abnormal for debuggers, this increases system memory footprint until the target exits.
Dec 15 09:56:04 Mac-mini kernel[0]: VBoxFltDrv: attached to 'en0' / c8 2a 14 57 f2 f4
Dec 15 09:56:04 Mac-mini kernel[0]: en0: promiscuous mode enable succeeded
Dec 15 09:58:17 Mac-mini kernel[0]: AppleBCM5701Ethernet: 0 1 BCM5701Enet::replaceOrCopyPacket worked after N tries
Dec 15 10:01:44 Mac-mini kernel[0]: aio_queue_async_request(): too many in flight for proc: 16.
Dec 15 10:03:06 Mac-mini kernel[0]: aio_queue_async_request(): too many in flight for proc: 16.
Dec 15 10:03:36: --- last message repeated 2 times ---
Dec 15 10:04:26 Mac-mini kernel[0]: aio_queue_async_request(): too many in flight for proc: 16.
Dec 15 10:05:56: --- last message repeated 1 time ---


followed by a complete freeze with text superimposed over the desktop.


I've done the hardware test, no problems found.

Dec 15, 2011 11:38 AM in response to davidh

For DavidH:


The Mac's hard disk has 85 GB free out of 500 GB

I don't think the disk is full.

But thanks for your suggestion.


I asked here because it looks like the same log message in a different context.


Sorry if you think it's hijacking.


Since it's being reported in several situations, I thought I'd mention this one.


I'll try elsewhere for support.

Dec 15, 2011 11:59 AM in response to ankhank

When people "pile on" with different issues it fails to help the poster (you, in this case) or anyone else with the original issue.


Yours is a new one. So best to start a new thread. Don't go "elsewhere" , I certainly didn't mean that !
But it's a different issue so please start a new thread. Maybe others seeing *YOUR* issue will offer some feedback. As for the "very low disk" error, it might not be your system disk. Got any dmg's mounted ? Could be the image for your VirtualBox VM. That's all I'll say about your issue(s) here in this thread, you do need to start a new thread/post/topic. Good luck !

Dec 15, 2011 3:47 PM in response to davidh

Hello davidh


You say that you see this message; "IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero" in your logs, but do you also experience hangups or freezes? Just wondering if people not experiencing these hangups/freezes also find these messages in their logs.


Ankhank: Have you searched in your log for the IOSurface-messages? Just out of curiosity i searched my kernel.log for the "HFS: Very Low Disk: freeblks: N, dangerlimit: N" messages. I found them too, appearing sporadically, often but not always right before or after "IOSurface"-messages.


I seem to have a lot of strange messages in my log, so I do not know if there is any connection between the IOSurface-messages and the "Very low disk"-messages. If you (Ankhank) find "IOSurface"-messages or anyone else experiencing the "IOSurface"-messages find the "Very low disk"-messages maybe there is a connection. And for the record I have only used about 100GB of my 200GB disk, and I do not have VirtualBox.


With my very limited log reading skills, and my lacking grasp of english (at least when it comes to "computer language"), it seems like both messages could have something to do with hard drives. The "Very Low Disk: freeblks: 0" means that the system cant find any free blocks on the hard drive to write too. While the "buffer allocation size is zero" could mean that the buffer (which is a temporary memory area connected to the RAM?) could not allocate space on the permanent memory (wich is the hard drive?). If I read these messages wrong, please enlighten me.


And last, I do agree with you davidh, if these two issues do not seem to have any connection a new thread for the "Very Low Disk"-messages seems like a good idea.

Dec 16, 2011 8:24 AM in response to ankhank

ankhank wrote:


Apple store kept my machine at least overnight to do hardware tests, longer if they find a problem. I'll open my own thread if and when I have anything that might be useful to others.

Apple store took in mine too. System is completely unreliable and freezes randomly, sometimes a couple times a day and then not for a week or so. Here's what I've been through so far:


First visit to apple store: they wiped my system back to 10.6 and then installed 10.7 as to remove the possibility of it being a software issue. Errors and freezes still occur so they conclude it must be a hardware issue.


Second visit: They run diagnostics on laptop all day, find nothing wrong with hardware. I tell them it seems to be flash player related and they run "stress tests all day" on it but cannot recreate any freezing, so they give it back to me with flash player reinstalled (like I wanted that, right?)


Third visit: The day after "repair" from second visit. Computer completely locks up coming out of sleep mode. First time this has happened so now I'm pretty upset. I go back to apple store and talk to an employee from repair staff. We stand there for about 30 minutes as he tries to recreate any type of freezing issue. Nothing (just my luck). I ask him about the kernel messages in console and he is very vague in his answer, saying that they are not the problem. When I asked them what they are he sort of changed the subject, as if he either didn't have an answer or didn't want to tell me. He offers to wipe the system again, but that didn't do anything the first time so I declined. I tell him I will document freezes with my phone and show them videos. I currently have 3 videos of freezes that occurred within 2 days. I will be back to the store very soon.


So what do I have now? A 2.7k macbook pro that has the reliability of a 200 dollar windows netbook. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because this problem apparently isn't software or hardware related. Unbelievable.

Dec 16, 2011 9:33 AM in response to RPM1123

The problem is not new and they already released two OS updates from when it was reported initially.


My impression is that Apple is already aware about the issue and this may a hardware issue but as with antenagate and other cases, it much easier not to confirm it, and try to hide it with software if possible.


I bought my MacBook Pro (early 2011, just before the update) few months ago, and it is slower than my early 2010 model.

Dec 20, 2011 7:18 AM in response to andrew011

Just a little update from me. Have not had a crash in 6 days now. The "IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero" is still showing up in my kernel.log (the last one only 2 hours ago), but no hangups or freezes. During these six days I've been watching youtube-videos, both flash and h264, low resolution and hd, no problems. Hopefully these freezes have now, somehow, disappeared permanently.


I've read that other people experiencing these freezes or hang-ups have had the same experience as me - that after some time the problem seems to disappear.


Will post back if I experience more problems.

Dec 21, 2011 1:12 AM in response to joostein

Hello everyone,

I own a MacBook Pro 2011 (13 inch model) i5 and never had a crash (or randomly freezes) but the log reports

- HFS: Very Low Disk: freeblks: 0

although it remains 327.65 Go of free space on my hard disk

- IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

No problem with YouTube videos or Flash... The only application I own that behaves weirdly is Aperture 3.2.2.

I don't know if it helps...

Dec 23, 2011 12:16 PM in response to andrew011

This is really such a bad thing - i posted a blog entry in july 2011, which still gets over 200 unique visits per day and lots of people commenting about similar issues. I also posted to the Adobe Forums and there still is no official answer from Adobe yet.


This issue has clearly something to do with Adobe Flash and Adobe AiR. How we are supposed to use the kernel.log for anything else, if Flash is spamming the console? Not to mention the overhead this produces on the disk usage (which is bad for owners of SSD drives).


Please, people: post to the Adobe Forum thread and voice your concerns! This is unacceptable!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Kernel: IOSurface buffer allocation size is zero

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