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Level 3

654 points

Safari locking up entire OS

I've noticed a problem with Safari where it will randomly stop responding and take the entire Operating System and all open apps with it.

There doesn't seem to be a pattern to this however at least twice a day the browser will stop responding, I'll get the spinning beachball and I cannot switch application to Finder or do anything with the machine until I force it off and back on by holding the power button for 5 seconds.

I've tried re-formatting the hard drive and re-installing Mountain Lion however this doesn't fix the issue.

I've also noticed periodically that Safari will load sites but the window becomes unresponsive, you cannot click on any links until you quit the browser and relaunch it again.

This is happening on both a MacBook Pro & Core i7 iMac running OS X 10.8 (12A269) and Safari 6.0 (build 8536.25)

Any ideas?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 15" 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo

Posted on Aug 10, 2012 3:32 PM

25 replies

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Aug 11, 2012 7:36 AM in response to RJTUK

Before you do anything else, you have to make sure your backups are working. The log extract you posted showed a Time Machine failure. Was your last backup successful? You can tell by click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar.

RJTUK Author

Level 3

654 points

Aug 11, 2012 7:42 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

Time Machine backup has been completed since. Backup drive was disconnected at the time however this doesn't appear to make any difference as the lock up occurs regardless of the status of the time

Machine backup.

Still only happens when using Safari. No other apps trigger the problem I've tried not using safari and there are no problems, however as soon as I start using safari the problem returns.

Thanks

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Aug 11, 2012 10:08 AM in response to RJTUK

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:

Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).

*Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, you can’t boot in safe mode.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

RJTUK Author

Level 3

654 points

Aug 11, 2012 3:06 PM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

Thanks again, unfortunately still no luck, the machine crashed again this evening, here are the logs just before the crash.

11/08/2012 22:51:04.087 com.apple.SecurityServer[15]: Session 100019 created

11/08/2012 22:51:05.959 librariand[809]: MMe quota status changed: under quota

11/08/2012 22:53:00.105 Safari[777]: CGContextClipToRect: invalid context 0x0

11/08/2012 22:54:31.848 WebProcess[779]: *** WARNING: -[NSImage dissolveToPoint:fraction:] is deprecated in MacOSX 10.8 and later. Please use -[NSImage drawAtPoint:fromRect:operation:fraction:] instead.

11/08/2012 22:54:31.848 WebProcess[779]: *** WARNING: -[NSImage dissolveToPoint:fromRect:fraction:] is deprecated in MacOSX 10.8 and later. Please use -[NSImage drawAtPoint:fromRect:operation:fraction:] instead.

11/08/2012 22:54:31.849 WebProcess[779]: *** WARNING: -[NSImage compositeToPoint:operation:] is deprecated in MacOSX 10.8 and later. Please use -[NSImage drawAtPoint:fromRect:operation:fraction:] instead.

11/08/2012 22:54:31.849 WebProcess[779]: *** WARNING: -[NSImage compositeToPoint:fromRect:operation:] is deprecated in MacOSX 10.8 and later. Please use -[NSImage drawAtPoint:fromRect:operation:fraction:] instead.

11/08/2012 22:55:53.836 Safari[777]: CGContextClipToRect: invalid context 0x0

11/08/2012 23:01:30.000 bootlog[0]: BOOT_TIME 1344722490 0

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Aug 11, 2012 3:17 PM in response to RJTUK

Run the extended version of the Apple Hardware Test.

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

RJTUK Author

Level 3

654 points

Aug 12, 2012 4:51 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

Extended Apple Hardware Test has passed with no issues, been running the iMac without opening Safari for several hours with no issues.

Shortly after opening Safari again, same problem entire machine locks up, can't switch apps and have to force the machine to restart by powering off and on again.

System Logs:

12/08/2012 12:38:31.566 com.apple.usbmuxd[29]: _SendAttachNotification (thread 0x7fff7353a180): sending attach for device 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.: _GetAddrInfoReplyReceivedCallback matched.

12/08/2012 12:38:31.715 usbmuxd[29]: _AMDeviceConnectByAddressAndPort (thread 0x100781000): IPv4

12/08/2012 12:38:31.794 ath[644]: _AMDDeviceAttachedCallbackv3 (thread 0x7fff7353a180): Device 'AMDevice 0x10251a580 {UDID = 4f28851cdae4f15e6dca067fe8bbb27d5eec08bc, device ID = 41, FullServiceName = 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' attached.

12/08/2012 12:38:31.794 ath[645]: _AMDDeviceAttachedCallbackv3 (thread 0x7fff7353a180): Device 'AMDevice 0x106000d80 {UDID = 4f28851cdae4f15e6dca067fe8bbb27d5eec08bc, device ID = 41, FullServiceName = 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' attached.

12/08/2012 12:38:31.795 iTunes[640]: _AMDDeviceAttachedCallbackv3 (thread 0x11492c000): Device 'AMDevice 0x7f9dcf6ad720 {UDID = 4f28851cdae4f15e6dca067fe8bbb27d5eec08bc, device ID = 41, FullServiceName = 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' attached.

12/08/2012 12:38:32.079 ath[644]: _AMDDeviceAttachedCallbackv3 (thread 0x7fff7353a180): Device 'AMDevice 0x10052b640 {UDID = 4f28851cdae4f15e6dca067fe8bbb27d5eec08bc, device ID = 41, FullServiceName = 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' attached.

12/08/2012 12:39:11.202 com.apple.usbmuxd[29]: _SendDetachNotification (thread 0x7fff7353a180): sending detach for device 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.: _BrowseReplyReceivedCallback got bonjour removal.

12/08/2012 12:39:11.202 iTunes[640]: _AMDDeviceDetached (thread 0x11492c000): Device 'AMDevice 0x7f9dcf6ad720 {UDID = 4f28851cdae4f15e6dca067fe8bbb27d5eec08bc, device ID = 41, FullServiceName = 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' detached.

12/08/2012 12:39:11.202 ath[645]: _AMDDeviceDetached (thread 0x7fff7353a180): Device 'AMDevice 0x106000d80 {UDID = 4f28851cdae4f15e6dca067fe8bbb27d5eec08bc, device ID = 41, FullServiceName = 3c:d0:f8:0a:b8:84@fe80::3ed0:f8ff:fe0a:b884._apple-mobdev._tcp.local.}' detached.

12/08/2012 12:39:11.203 ath[644]: _NotificationSocketReadCallbackGCD (thread 0x7fff7353a180): Unexpected connection closure...

12/08/2012 12:44:24.000 bootlog[0]: BOOT_TIME 1344771864 0

Safari appears to be the only application that triggers this problem with the machine, if I don't use Safari everything runs fine.

I'm at a loss as this only started happening after upgrading to Mountain Lion from Lion, I've already tried a clean re-install of Mountain Lion and not restoring anything from backup and the problem still occurrs with Safari.

I've also ensured there are no browser extensions installed, I've rebooted into the Recover Partition and Repaired the disk as well as repaired permissions. The problem appears to be with Safari, for some reason it is able to crash and take all other processes with it.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Aug 12, 2012 6:27 AM in response to RJTUK

To be clear, did you get the same crash while booted in safe mode, or after rebooting out of safe mode? If it happened while in safe mode, you should reinstall OS X. If it still happens after reinstalling, you should do a clean installation after erasing the boot volume.

RJTUK Author

Level 3

654 points

Aug 12, 2012 6:29 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

The problem did occurr when runnning in Safe Mode as well, will re-install OS X and run it without restoring from backup for a while to see if the problem persists.

Thanks

RJTUK Author

Level 3

654 points

Aug 12, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hi Linc,

I've formatted the drive and re-installed OS X Mountain Lion, haven't restored any backups or additional apps to test a clean install on the machine.

I did pick up the following message that started appearing in the system logs every 5 seconds which lead me to a possible culprit. I used to have MobileMe sync my settings and bookmarks, while I have migrated to iCloud it appears the MobileMe preference files are still installed by Mountain Lion during setup and cause problems.

12/08/2012 17:10:49.408 AppleIDAuthAgent[282]: SERVER Removing certificate for Apple ID "ro...on@??.???" dsID="REMOVED" because it has expired or been revoked. (renewCertificateForAccount()/AppleIDAuthd.cpp #143) accountCheckDispatch

After deleting the files outlined in this post and restarting the messages no longer appeared in the console logs and I've not had any further problems.

I'll continue to monitor this and let you know if I see any further problems or if the lock-ups re-occurr.

iCloud is set up on the machine and does sync bookmarks and settings for Safari

Aug 15, 2012 11:30 AM in response to RJTUK

I am having exactly the same symptoms with preview.app, and again the console has not been showing the hang / crash. Safari has not been a problem.

I am disabling the icloud support for "Documents & Data" and will see what effect this has, and then let you know... this may shed some more light on the problem.

Safari locking up entire OS