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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

Jul 27, 2011 12:02 PM in response to andrew011

I have the same exact issue. My MacBook Pro would freeze up once in a while, so I noted the time when it did and then went back to check the console when the system became responsive again (sometimes it didn't and I had to use the power button to shut it down). At the time of each freeze it says "buffer allocation size is zero." I called apple and they had me reset a couple things and check my hard drive which had no issues. I was then told to call them back if it happens again. They think since it's kernel related doing a reinstall of Lion may fix the issue.

Jul 28, 2011 3:24 AM in response to RPM1123

While this issue seems to be Flash-Player related, it also affects the 10.3 and 11.0 versions of the player (32bit and 64bit). Furthermore, this issue also showed up in Mac OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard, while lots 10.7 Lion users seem to currently have this issue!


We posted a blog entry, as well as a thread in the Adobe Support Forums for this. Please, see if the error is reproducible on your system and post your results!

http://www.nanofunk.net/mac-osx-lion-10-7-system-freezes-kernel-iosurface-buffer -allocation-size-is-zero-console-message/

Jul 28, 2011 2:33 PM in response to andrew011

Apple, any word? I'm getting 2000 of these messages per minute, so many it's slowing my system to a crawl and spinning up my fans.


MacBook Pro 2008

OS X 10.7.0

Flash 10,2,152,26


Update: I installed the Flash 11 beta and the messages are down to about 3 per minute. Still troublesome but I can live with it.


Flash 11,0,1,60

Aug 17, 2011 5:04 AM in response to millerrh512

I'll add to this, as I am getting the same buffer allocation size is zero rather periodically, also. Now here's the catch.. I'm not running iTunes, or Google Mail or any of those things. Mine throws them out for no particular reason.


The only apps I have open are Safari, the console and Thunderbird (mail). I'll go spurts of several minutes and get several a second...then it stops.


Very annoying.

Aug 19, 2011 6:22 PM in response to soehn

soehn wrote:


I get one of these messages each time I open a new page in this forum. I did not notice this happens when I do anything else.

Anybody else can proof this?


After seeing your post, I checked, and I too get those messages every time I open a page on this forum. For example:


8/19/11 8:20:48.000 PM kernel: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero


Odd, and troubling.

Kernel: IOSurface buffer allocation size is zero

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