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NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 Kernel Panics/Freezes in Lion & late Snow Leopard

I've found some other reports of these freezes scattered about the forums, but usually other people come in and post something about unrelated video cards. So this thread is specific to NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 running OS X Lion (10.7-10.7.3), to avoid confusion and cross-polination of different issues.


Hardware Overview:


Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac9,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 3.06 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: IM91.008D.B08

SMC Version (system): 1.37f3


NVIDIA GeForce GT 130:


Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 130

Type: GPU

Bus: PCIe

PCIe Lane Width: x16

VRAM (Total): 512 MB

Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)

Device ID: 0x062e

Revision ID: 0x00a1

ROM Revision: 3370



Since upgrading to Lion I have had many issues with crashes and kernel panics characterized by the following symptoms, listed here in detail so that people can find them when they search:


  • Pixellation - colored pixels appear in different areas of the screen, in seemingly random bunches.
  • Mosaics - squares appear redrawn in the wrong part of the screen. Sometimes these squares are large, other times tiny.
  • Recovery - sometimes the system recovers once it starts doing these. Other times it just keeps going until it freezes/panics.
  • Kernel Panics - I've only had the "grey screen" appear once or twice. Usually there is a complete system lockup before this can happen, and I have to reboot the system manually.


Some solutions/attempts to solve:


  • Turn off Energy Saving - This is horrible for the monitor and can lead to burn-in, but I found that many of my crashes occured when the system was trying to recover from "screen sleep". So now I run a screen saver instead, which doesn't seem to trigger it as much.
  • Screen Saver - Sometimes I can "refresh" the system by turning on the screen saver and then coming back. Other times, this doesn't work and the pixellation/mosaic remains. Sometimes I can't even initialize the screen saver at all (in which case a total freeze usually occurs right after).
  • Rebooting - seems to clear things up for a while, but inevitably, the problem resurfaces.
  • Running Windows - Not really a solution, but I have had absolutely no issues with this behavior while running Windows 7 on this same machine (under Bootcamp).
  • Downgrading to Snow Leopard - I have not attempted this, but I've read others say that their crashes went away when they did. I would like some more concrete evidence on this if anyone has it.


My diagnosis so far:


OS X Lion's NVIDIA driver kernel extensions (kexts) seem to be faulty with this GPU. The Windows drivers for this GPU work better on Apple's own hardware than OS X Lion's. Anectodal evidence indicates that Snow Leopard's drivers (at least up to 10.6.3 – more confirmation needed) do not display this issue. I can confirm that this never occurred in Snow Leopard until Lion was released and I upgraded to it.


My request for help and information:


  • If you are running this GPU (GeForce GT 130) and OS X Lion, please contribute to this thread offering any solutions you may have or, at the very least, listing your hardware and GPU profile.
  • If you can, post crash logs so that we can compare common issues (NVDA Resman seems to be a huge recurring kext in the crash logs, for instance).
  • Post screen shots or pictures taken of the pixellation (colored pixels) and mosaic (squares drawn in the wrong place) phenomenon, so we can build a body of evidence regarding this issue. I will continue to update this thread with the same.


I feel Apple has ignored these issues for far too long, and required too many people to simply purchase new computers and new GPUs. If we can build a solid body of evidence regarding this specific issue, it will be a thread that Apple Support can be referred to.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 3.06 Ghz (Early 2009 – iMac9,1)

Posted on May 9, 2012 8:15 AM

Reply
468 replies

May 6, 2015 5:17 AM in response to gmartins81

Well graphic cards overheat and die after 5 years. It seems that this Nvidia one is the weakest component in the system but something has to be the weakest. I am not sure that buying a brand X box will get you longer life or more satisfaction.


I am not sure that I would call it negligent attitude. (Actually attitude is not negligent, actions are) But it would have been helpful to have diagnostics that could spot the hardware failure and not have us spend a lot of time trying drivers.

May 6, 2015 6:37 AM in response to gmartins81

Wait! What? NO! If you have been following this somewhat long and meandering thread, I found to my surprise that a new graphics card did fix the issue! There were many indications that it was a software driver issue since given the title it seemed to manifest itself during a system update. Possibly that system update put more usage strain on the graphics and caused heat damage or revealed previous damage. Don't know.


Folks tried Nvidia native drivers with various results. You provided very little info but Yosemite precludes that option. Since you are moving on to non Mac systems you may find more and varied drivers. Each with their own quirks.


I have had many graphics cards and fans on graphics cards wear out over the years and don't consider it a major issue. Just expected replacement parts. I also purchase low end completely convection cooled systems for long time reliability but they are limited performance.

May 6, 2015 11:18 AM in response to Scott Hannahs

"The machine is completely usable and does not kernel panic. I doubt this is going to be a great class action suit. I suggest you get the graphics card replace, it was not all that expensive as I recall."


Hello Scott.


Yes, I have being following this thread for a long and trying SMC fan control and other solutions posted with no actual fix I thought of replacing the hard drive after this comment posted a few weeks ago... Today I called an Apple Store and they said the iMac is now obsolete and they will not repair it. I also called another store and they said that they can reballing the hard graphics card and it might do the trick... Have you heard of this solution elsewhere?


Thank.


GM

May 6, 2015 11:36 AM in response to gmartins81

@Scott,


this is my iMac's GPU configuration:


NVIDIA GeForce GT 130:

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 130

Type: GPU

Bus: PCIe

PCIe Lane Width: x16

VRAM (Total): 512 MB

Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)

Device ID: 0x062e

Revision ID: 0x00a1

ROM Revision: 3370

Displays:

iMac:

Display Type: LCD

Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Built-In: Yes

May 7, 2015 8:30 AM in response to gmartins81

I can't answer this. I have the same information you do. It appears that you have the same machine (i.e. 9,1) and the same graphics card as have the others in this thread. It appears to be a somewhat heat related problem with the graphics card. I had complete success by replacing the card through our campus apple repair about a year ago. Others have reported that the problem returned after replacing the graphics card.


Obscure hard drive problems cause slowdowns but if it is panicking due to a hard drive, most diagnostics will pick that up and the crash report will not point to the video card drivers.


Reballing is an option and makes logical sense that the heat and thermal expansion have cracked a bad solder joint under the card. But I haven't seen anyone try it. Replacement is still an option though it is out of warranty. A replacement video card is less than $200 and the labor would be the same for installing as re-balling. Your call.


According to google it is the part number for the GT130 costing $189.

http://www.macpalace.com/661-4990-card-video-nvidia-geforce-gt130-w/512mb-gddr3. html

Jun 10, 2015 1:05 PM in response to David Portela

Hi David,


You're very lucky. I've talked to someone from executive relations. He said that this model is vintage. They can't fix the problem. The advice is to buy a new iMac. On many news sites they say it's a software problem. This problem is caused by a faulty kernel. Apple Hardware Test reports by both the simple as the extended test that everything works fine. I've upgraded Techtool to work with Yosemite. I've ran Techtool and no problem shows up. And still I have kernel panics and freezes.


User uploaded file


Anonymous UUID: 3B224808-6641-DAE2-40A5-CCD0FFB02629


Tue Jun 9 10:49:32 2015


*** Panic Report ***

panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f891a4bb4): NVRM[0/2:0:0]: Read Error 0x0061002c: CFG 0x00000000 0x0c07001b 0x00000140, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff81142fd000 0x094700a1, D0, P1/4

Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address

0xffffff8111993bc0 : 0xffffff800852bda1

0xffffff8111993c40 : 0xffffff7f891a4bb4

0xffffff8111993d00 : 0xffffff7f8926e18e

0xffffff8111993d40 : 0xffffff7f8944591c

0xffffff8111993d60 : 0xffffff7f8924254b

0xffffff8111993d80 : 0xffffff7f892e5a43

0xffffff8111993e00 : 0xffffff7f8918cc4e

0xffffff8111993ec0 : 0xffffff7f8915a845

0xffffff8111993f00 : 0xffffff800855e759

0xffffff8111993fb0 : 0xffffff80086125b7

Kernel Extensions in backtrace:

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla(10.0)[796AE430-39FB-3255-8161-D52AFA28 EE2B]@0xffffff7f89154000->0xffffff7f893bdfff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[52E715FC-521D-3869-B2EA-5228FA4BEA34]@0xffffff 7f88d24000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.4.1)[C0B8A85D-B32A-3F24-B4FC-B62B3BBF9E57]@0xff ffff7f89144000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.4.1)[82EAD591-67E3-39CB-A232-A8095CA30E92]@0 xffffff7f890fd000

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDANV50HalTesla(10.0)[7FE40648-F15F-3E18-91E2-FDDDF4C DA355]@0xffffff7f893c8000->0xffffff7f89671fff

dependency: com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla(10.0.0)[796AE430-39FB-3255-8161-D52AFA 28EE2B]@0xffffff7f89154000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[52E715FC-521D-3869-B2EA-5228FA4BEA34]@0xffffff 7f88d24000


BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task


Mac OS version:

14D136


Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 14.3.0: Mon Mar 23 11:59:05 PDT 2015; root:xnu-2782.20.48~5/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: 4B3A11F4-77AA-3D27-A22D-81A1BC5B504D

Kernel slide: 0x0000000008200000

Kernel text base: 0xffffff8008400000

__HIB text base: 0xffffff8008300000

System model name: iMac9,1 (Mac-F2218FC8)


System uptime in nanoseconds: 89730406033798

last loaded kext at 79745949255660: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC 4.3.3b1 (addr 0xffffff7f8acc3000, size 20480)

last unloaded kext at 79806012475465: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC 4.3.3b1 (addr 0xffffff7f8acc3000, size 16384)

loaded kexts:

com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 3.0.1

com.apple.filesystems.afpfs 11.0

com.apple.nke.asp-tcp 8.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch 85.3

com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.70

com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0

com.apple.driver.AGPM 110.19.5

com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.3.4f4

com.apple.driver.AppleOSXWatchdog 1

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 124

com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 272.18

com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.6.1

com.apple.GeForceTesla 10.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 272.18

com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.7.3

com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.1

com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleHWAccess 1

com.apple.driver.AppleHV 1

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelSlowAdaptiveClocking 4.0.0

com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 4.3.4f4

com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.7.4

com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.2.11

com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 327.5

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1

com.apple.BootCache 36

com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.7.5

com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.7.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 705.4.2

com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 5.5.2

com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 3.1.2

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 705.4.14

com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 800.20.24

com.apple.nvenet 2.0.22

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI 656.4.1

com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 3.1

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 2.1

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 3.1

com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 218.0.0

com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 161

com.apple.security.quarantine 3

com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 8

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 218.0.0

com.apple.security.SecureRemotePassword 1.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDKeyboard 176.2

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 176.2

com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 4.3.4f4

com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver 263.9.1

com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl 3.10.22

com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 11

com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 272.18

com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.15

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDANV50HalTesla 10.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 272.18

com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 272.18

com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 203.3

com.apple.vecLib.kext 1.2.0

com.apple.nvidia.classic.NVDAResmanTesla 10.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.12d1

com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 97.4

com.apple.iokit.IOSlowAdaptiveClockingFamily 1.0.0

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 4.3.4f4

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.3.4f4

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 705.4.0

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.6

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.9.1d7

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.1.0

com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.9

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.13d1

com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.4.1

com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.4.1

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 705.4.0

com.apple.driver.CoreStorage 471.20.7

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 705.4.0

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 705.4.9

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.7.5

com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.6.1

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.7.5

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.6

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.7.5

com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 730.60

com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.2

com.apple.driver.NVSMU 2.2.9

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 720.4.4

com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 2.0

com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 2.0.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1

com.apple.security.sandbox 300.0

com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1

com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 2

com.apple.driver.AppleMobileFileIntegrity 1.0.5

com.apple.driver.AppleCredentialManager 1.0

com.apple.driver.DiskImages 396

com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 2.0

com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily 31

com.apple.driver.AppleFDEKeyStore 28.30

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 3.1

com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.9

com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4

com.apple.kec.Libm 1

com.apple.kec.pthread 1

com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0

Model: iMac9,1, BootROM IM91.008D.B08, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 3.06 GHz, 8 GB, SMC 1.37f3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 130, NVIDIA GeForce GT 130, PCIe, 512 MB

Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x0198, 0x393930353432382D3138322E4130304C4620

Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x0198, 0x393930353432382D3138322E4130304C4620

AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.24)

Bluetooth: Version 4.3.4f4 15601, 3 services, 27 devices, 1 incoming serial ports

Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1

Serial ATA Device: WDC WD1001FALS-40K1B0, 1 TB

Serial ATA Device: OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S

USB Device: Built-in iSight

USB Device: iPhone

USB Device: IR Receiver

USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub

USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Bus:


It is unpredictable when this problem occurs. The problem always shows up when it's not the right moment. I think more people have this problem seeing that customers posting to this thread up to 2015. What can Apple do to fix this problem? Since this is a common problem and no parts are available, forcing customers to buy a new iMac is unacceptable. I've talked to a repair center for Apple products and they said to me some things I hope they're not true. My legal expert is looking into it.


Don't get me wrong. I think Apple still is the best manufacturer to buy products from. I only think they underestimate this problem. I'm still hoping this issue is getting fixed.


I'm glad you've got this problem solved David.

Jun 14, 2015 11:46 AM in response to bijl107

NVIDIA GeForce GT 130:


Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 130

Type: GPU

Bus: PCIe

PCIe Lane Width: x16

VRAM (Total): 512 MB

Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)

Device ID: 0x062e

Revision ID: 0x00a1

ROM Revision: 3370

Displays:

iMac:

Display Type: LCD

Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Built-In: Yes

I'm very glad I found this thread. Seems like I'm not alone after all.


Does anyone know anywhere in the UK where I can get a new GPU to replace the current one?


I've installed smarten and that appears to be helping, but like everyone else, it appears to be a temporary work around rather than a proper fix.


Good luck everyone - hopefully someone will find a cure for this incredibly frustrating issue.


Matt

Aug 4, 2015 8:04 PM in response to gmartins81

I have the same issue with my Early 2009 24" iMac. I have purchased countless Apple products (iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacMini and MacBook Pro) my first was a MacMini and it is now 11 years old and it still WORKS! My iMac, however, has the screen flicker issues which began 6 months ago. I will assume at this point (based on this thread) the issue is caused by overheating. I am running Yosemite, and the moment I do anything graphic intensive, a crash will soon follow. I have considered a graphic card replacement, and based on this tutorial https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+Graphics+Card+Replaceme nt/13765 it can be done, but how long will it last?


I loved my Mac, I loved Apple products, but today, I'm falling out of love. My iMac was the most expensive computer I have ever purchased and it has served me well for 5 years, but I will soon give up using it. I considered at one point purchasing the gorgeous 5K iMac, but it will eventually have the same fate as its predecessor. So, unless they include a 5 year free warranty and guarantee on the new iMac's, I ain't buying.


Apple needs to check their priorities. They're no longer in touch with their true customers and they're just concerned about winning over Android fans. Apple began as a computer company like no other on the market, but these past few years, all they care about is iPhone, iPad, selling music and Apps. Get back to giving a **** about your computers and the people who purchase them!


(microphone drop)

Aug 6, 2015 1:38 PM in response to attyx1

@attyx1,


attyx1 wrote:


NVIDIA GeForce GT 130:


Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 130

Type: GPU

Bus: PCIe

PCIe Lane Width: x16

VRAM (Total): 512 MB

Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)

Device ID: 0x062e

Revision ID: 0x00a1

ROM Revision: 3370

Displays:

iMac:

Display Type: LCD

Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)

Main Display: Yes

Mirror: Off

Online: Yes

Built-In: Yes

I'm very glad I found this thread. Seems like I'm not alone after all.


Does anyone know anywhere in the UK where I can get a new GPU to replace the current one?


I've installed smarten and that appears to be helping, but like everyone else, it appears to be a temporary work around rather than a proper fix.


Good luck everyone - hopefully someone will find a cure for this incredibly frustrating issue.


Matt


You say you installed smitten... Why is that? Is that still working for you?


Thanks.


GM

Sep 8, 2015 6:10 AM in response to Alogico

Yeah, I've been having this problem for three or four years now, and gave up about three years ago and replaced my iMac with a Mac mini and later a MacBook Pro and relegated the original iMac into service as an iTunes server. It's worked mostly fine in that role – since the screen is off almost all of the time, nothing pushes the video card so the problem doesn't occur, although if I'm brave enough to approach the machine to actually try and do something directly on it, it goes crazy and locks up in about 5 minutes.


That said, it's a pretty big machine to have kicking around for no reason other than to handle iTunes content for my Apple TVs, so I've finally decided to retire it in favour of the Mac mini. I'm going to try and sell it off for parts, or somebody who wants to take a stab at repairing it themselves. I still can't bring myself to just throw it into the trash bin, even though that's probably where it belongs with all of the frustrations I've had with it over the years 🙂

Sep 12, 2015 3:38 PM in response to Wren_fr

I cannot believe I read this WHOLE thread.


I am SOOO frustrated.

I have a Nividia card in my 2008 Imac, using Snow Leopard. All of sudden, constant kernel panics.

My screen gets these squiggly worms and then it freezes. I have kernel panic reports.

After trying EVERYthing, I decided to make an appt.for Monday at the Genius Bar.

OWC thinks it is my graphics card.


But now, I am wondering what if they don't have this card anymore? Or, will these guys/gals at the Apple Store have any idea what a Kernel Panic even is?


I love my Imac. And I cannot believe it is going down due to some defect in the original logic board. So annoying.


I guess I am posting here to make sure that for most of us, replacing the graphic card worked as long as you don't upgrade to ML?


Thank you!!

NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 Kernel Panics/Freezes in Lion & late Snow Leopard

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