Mountain Lion keeps logging user out...

Any word if Apple has even recognized the issue yet?

I am experiencing this as well, Mac Pro 2009, 10.8.1, Radeon 6870 + nVidia GT120. It seems I need to switch spaces away and then back to "home", and then at some point later on I will get logged out at a random time. I'm hoping just not using Spaces will cure this for me until Apple can fix it, since I need the multiple cards for the number of monitors I have. Will report a bug once I get home to the machine with its configuration info.

Similar problem here. After installing mountain lion, it ran fine for about 2 weeks, then while working out of nowhere my screen went a little brighter, than to the grey booting screen, and then back to Mac OSX. All the apps closed and reopened slowly. At first I had no idea what was happening but since I only have one user I guess this is a logout but with immediate login afterwards.

This happend roughly 20 times in 7 hours. In the crash logs, the crashing application alternated between WindowServer and Adobe-Software, depending what I was using at the time.

Once I read this thread and disabled multiple desktops in mission control, didn't touch it since, the problme's gone for now.

I installed the third party program TotalSpaces after installing Mountain Lion, after noticing out what functions where gone from Mission Control (I hate Mission Control with multiple monitors!), that where in the original spaces in 10.6. I disabled the app after expiencing the first few crashes, but that didn't fix the problem. However, since the app alters the Dock, it might be related.

Specs:

Mac Pro

Early 2008

Processor 2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

Memory 12 GB 800 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM

Graphics ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256 MB

Software OS X 10.8.1 (12B19)

I got two graphics cards installed and four monitors plugged in.

i just stopped using spaces / mission control and this fixed the problem completely

Stopping the use of spaces also means you can't use full screen apps btw. I stopped using spaces but if I put a app into full screen I usually get logged out pretty quick.

I'm still patienty wait a bug fix.

D

I was watching a movie and moved my mouse to my hot corner where I have mission control set and BAM! I was logged off. WoW! It's hard to believe that Apple is not aware of the problem. I can't tell any how great the now OS is because the OS is logging me off. Maybe one of the last updates was a time limt to use the OS?

Not using spaces does "fix" the problem. As does only having one video card, but both of those are throwing out much of the advantage of working on a dektop. Losing multiple monitors or the use of spaces is disastrous for me. It completely inhibits my workflow. Fixing it by not using spaces is like a car with only first gear. Yes it works. You can still get places, but it sorta defeats the purpose of the machine.

This is getting really old. 😠 I did a check on updates and again I was logged off / crashed. I wonder if Apply is aware of the problem? I thought about going to the Apply store to see if they can give me any in-site of the the problem, but you know how that might turn out.

Please fix.

hey guys, so I've been experiencing the same problem and found a solution by complete fluke! Hope it works for some of you too..

If you head to System Preferences>Security&Privacy then at the very bottom click on the Advanced button, you'll find an option that says "Log out after XX minutes of activity". Make sure the option is unticked and voila!

Well it helped me anyway, worth a try.

What people are reporting here (and what I'm experiencing) is a different problem. It's not a settings issue, it's an actual, low-level crash: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57485204-263/mac-pro-users-experiencing-ran dom-log-outs-in-mountain-lion/

That is exactly correct, guywithabike! The problem that the OP (and several other of us) have is NOT solvable through any settings change. Good find on that article!

I'm having the same windowserver crashes while the box was unticked. So I don't think this is a solution for all of us. Anyway thanks for trying !!

This is definitely a mountain lion issue. When the F**K is apple gonna fix this issue. I'm getting logged out 5 times a day for over 2 months ....

Apple support team !!! Are you there ????? FIX this !!! **** I'm gonna install ubuntu ....

Exact same problem Frequent Logouts Terrible- Reminds me of Old vista crashes and the reason I switched from Windows to mac in the first place. Someone please find a fix to this very annoying problem.

Early 2009 Mac Pro

8GB 2x4 1066 / DDR3

2x GT120 NVIDIA Graphics

Would you suggest upgrading video cards yet or just waiting for Apple to finally fix this issue.

I don't have heavy graphic needs but enjoy multiple monitors and spaces

Verry annoying

Thanks for your post

Quin

I posted several weeks back on this issue. I filed a bug report with Apple on the issue. They contacted me a few weeks ago asking that I send in crash reports and logs from my system. They quickly identified and said the problem was one being worked on. I'm assuming the near release of 10.8.2 will address this issue. The developers forum has been reporting this version has corrected the battery drain issues, etc.. and many have said the delay in it's release is to address all issues such as the one posted here. I personally upgraded my video card as it was simply time for me. My work is graphic intensive so it made sense. However, if you can wait and simply turn off spaces for the next week or so, I suspect the next update will take care of the issue. When Lion was released it took a couple months to get it rock solid. Patience and it'll be worked out and better for the trouble.

For those just seeing this thread, and not wanting to read all 10 pages.. the issue has been isolated to users with multipe graphics cards (one/multiple monitors plugged into each card)... single cards with two monitors are not experiencing this. Random, and frequent kernel panics are occuring when you access mission control, or change spaces while using multiple monitor/multiple graphic card combinations.

Others on this thread are experiencing issues with their settings being incorrect, and some similar kernal panics, however the original issue here has been identified by several here, as well as acknowledged by Apple.

To avoid reading this entire thread, I will sumarize again to make it simple...

If you have two graphic cards, with one or more monitors plugged into each, and use Spaces with Mountain Lion 10.8 and 10.8.1, and are experiencing random logging out and shutting down of your applications... your system is experiencing a kernel panic based on a software bug Apple is currently working to fix. Below is a summary of the work arounds others and myself on this thread have used in order to remain productive while we wait for Apple to fix the bug...

• Systems with cards that allow multiple montiors - plug monitors into single graphics card (no need to remove other card). If you have two Apple Displays that require Mini Display Ports, your card will need to have two ports. For older cards such as GeForce GT120 (which only has one Display port, and one Dual Link DV.. you'll need to use monitors that support this, or go with a single monitor.)
  
• Another solution here that I have not tested but seems to work.. go into Expose and delete all Desktops except one. This will essentially keep the system from using Spaces.

I was fortunate enough to have an ATI 5770 at home which I could swap out at the office (swapped out two GT120s for the one 5770 giving me the ports I need on a single card). This allowed me to connect my two Apple LED Cinema Displays and keep up my workflow..