Multiple Kernel Panics… How to avoid them for good?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Multiple Kernel Panics… How to avoid them for good?

Since I upgraded to ML a couple of months ago, I got several kernel panics… It cost me a new hard drive a few weeks back (well, it was under AppleCare, but I had to change it anyways) and now the kernel panics occured almost once or twice a week.

The latest one was today: I was listening to music on iTunes and I decided to check something on Safari. With Safari opened, I opened the System Preferences and the song playing on iTunes started to hiccup and my iMac restarted itself.

Here's the report I had upon restarting:

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 164464 sec

Panics Since Last Report: 1

Anonymous UUID: 178939EB-8692-5ACB-0A1F-5ADFB25B8AF9

Sat Nov 17 15:30:45 2012

panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff801c0a27aa): "pmap_pv_remove(0xffffff80477f1800, 0x7ffdfde87000, 0x7, 0x7e00, 0xffffff81ee7a3cf4, 0xfffffe9bbe91b438): pv not on hash, head: 0xffffff803ddf4c00, 0x1116bd000"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-2050.18.24/osfmk/i386/pmap_internal.h:826

Backtrace (CPU 2), Frame : Return Address

0xffffff81ee7a3bf0 : 0xffffff801c01d626

0xffffff81ee7a3c60 : 0xffffff801c0a27aa

0xffffff81ee7a3d20 : 0xffffff801c0a2b65

0xffffff81ee7a3d70 : 0xffffff801c066a1c

0xffffff81ee7a3e60 : 0xffffff801c06a8f0

0xffffff81ee7a3e90 : 0xffffff801c035a53

0xffffff81ee7a3ed0 : 0xffffff801c356607

0xffffff81ee7a3f40 : 0xffffff801c3563a9

0xffffff81ee7a3f50 : 0xffffff801c3e182a

0xffffff81ee7a3fb0 : 0xffffff801c0ced33

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: TabletFinder

Mac OS version:

12C60

Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 12.2.0: Sat Aug 25 00:48:52 PDT 2012; root:xnu-2050.18.24~1/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: 69A5853F-375A-3EF4-9247-478FD0247333

Kernel slide: 0x000000001be00000

Kernel text base: 0xffffff801c000000

System model name: iMac11,3 (Mac-F2238BAE)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 7271833876827

last loaded kext at 130088086699: com.apple.filesystems.afpfs 10.0 (addr 0xffffff7f9e1ba000, size 348160)

last unloaded kext at 127589063106: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 5.2.5 (addr 0xffffff7f9c917000, size 65536)

loaded kexts:

com.apple.filesystems.afpfs 10.0

com.apple.nke.asp_tcp 7.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch 75.15

com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60

com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.0.9f33

com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.69

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 122

com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.3.1f2

com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0

com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1

com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0

com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.2.11

com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.10

com.apple.kext.AMDFramebuffer 8.0.0

com.apple.AMDRadeonAccelerator 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0

com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.0.9f33

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.3.1f2

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.2.3

com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.0.33

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader 3.1.0

com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 320.15

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1

com.apple.BootCache 34

com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.5.1

com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.2.2

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.2.5

com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet 3.2.5b3

com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros40 600.70.23

com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.6

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.4.0

com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.4.1

com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.6.1

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.6

com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5

com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.6

com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.6

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 196.0.0

com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 4.0.39

com.apple.security.quarantine 2

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 196.0.0

com.apple.security.SecureRemotePassword 1.0

com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 4.0.9f33

com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver 235.28

com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.6

com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.3.1f2

com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.9fc10

com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.6

com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 86.0.3

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.0.9f33

com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.2.11

com.apple.iokit.IOAcceleratorFamily 19.0.26

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.4d2

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.2.0d16

com.apple.kext.AMD5000Controller 8.0.0

com.apple.kext.AMDSupport 8.0.0

com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.0.9f33

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.10d0

com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.3.1f2

com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.3.1f2

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4

com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.5

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.10d0

com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHIDKeyboard 165.5

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 165.5

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.1

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.5.0

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.2.5

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.5.1

com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.5.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.5.1

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.2.5

com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController 1.0.2b1

com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 500.15

com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.0

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.4.0

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.2.1

com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.6.1

com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.8.0

com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1

com.apple.security.sandbox 220

com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1

com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7

com.apple.driver.DiskImages 344

com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.21

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.6

com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7.2

com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4

com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0

Model: iMac11,3, BootROM IM112.0057.B01, 2 processors, Intel Core i3, 3.2 GHz, 16 GB, SMC 1.59f2

Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5670, ATI Radeon HD 5670, PCIe, 512 MB

Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x014F, 0x4A4D313333334B534E2D3447202020202020

Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x014F, 0x4A4D313333334B534E2D3447202020202020

Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM1, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x014F, 0x4A4D313333334B534E2D3447202020202020

Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM1, 4 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x014F, 0x4A4D313333334B534E2D3447202020202020

AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x8F), Atheros 9280: 4.0.70.23-P2P

Bluetooth: Version 4.0.9f33 10885, 2 service, 18 devices, 1 incoming serial ports

Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1

Serial ATA Device: ST31000528AS, 1 TB

Serial ATA Device: OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H

USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfa100000 / 2

USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader, apple_vendor_id, 0x8403, 0xfa120000 / 4

USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0xfa110000 / 3

USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x8215, 0xfa111000 / 5

USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfd100000 / 2

USB Device: Keyboard Hub, apple_vendor_id, 0x1006, 0xfd130000 / 5

USB Device: Apple Keyboard, apple_vendor_id, 0x0221, 0xfd132000 / 6

USB Device: Built-in iSight, apple_vendor_id, 0x8502, 0xfd110000 / 4

USB Device: IR Receiver, apple_vendor_id, 0x8242, 0xfd120000 / 3

Since I don't know jack about all this technobabble, can someone please tell me what's causing my kernels?

If I wanted this kind of crashing and upheavals, I would have bought a PC… 😝

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Nov 17, 2012 12:43 PM

Reply

Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Nov 17, 2012 1:13 PM in response to RemyGrondin

See

What is a kernel panic,
Technical Note TN2063: Understanding and Debugging Kernel Panics,
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ,
Resolving Kernel Panics, and
Tutorial: Avoiding and eliminating Kernel panics for more details.

Reply

Answer 2

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Nov 17, 2012 3:44 PM in response to RemyGrondin

That panic was not caused by third-party software. If the problem is recurrent, the possibilities are (1) a damaged OS X installation; (2) a fault in a peripheral device, if any; (3) an internal hardware fault; and (4) an obscure bug in OS X.

You can rule out the first two possibilities by reinstalling the OS and testing with non-essential peripherals disconnected. Probably there will be no change. In that case, make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. You may have to leave it there for several days. There isn't much point in doing this unless you can reproduce the panic, or unless it happens often enough that it's likely to be repeated at the store. Otherwise you may be told that nothing is wrong.

Print the first page of the panic report and bring it with you.

Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you know how to restore, and you have at least two independent backups.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

Reply

Answer 3

RemyGrondin Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 19, 2012 5:00 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks Linc for your pointers!

The problem is indeed recurrent. And it happens often when the computer is doing "nothing": last Sunday, I started a manual backup of my files, as I do every week, and went away for some shopping. A couple of hours later, I came back and found out a window opened on the iMac telling me that the computer restarted because of a (kernel panic). It was just copying files, with only the Finder running!

My hard drive was changed twice in a two-weeks period a few weeks back and I discovered recently that my iMac was under the recall program for faulty hard drives. Since the drive was changed twice, I surmise the iMac's hard drive doesn't need to be replaced.

I thought the problem was with my HP printer (I had some major problems with it in the past) and unplug it. Right now, I have external speakers plugged on the headphone jack and 3 USB devices: an Apple keyboard, a USB cable for my iPhone/iPad and a USB 3 cable I use for my G-Drive Slim external hard drive. That may be the cause of the bugs, so I'll try to disconnect the cable for a few days and see what will happen.

And to make matters worst, my Time Capsule is behaving badly since the panics, telling me that "Time Machine couldn't complete the backup to the Time Capsule because the backup disk image '/Volumes/Time Capsule/Rémy.sparsebundle' is already in use." It may be unrelated, but the message occured not long after a kernel panic…

I installed OS X a couple of times in the past weeks, following the hard drive incidents, settling on 10.7 and trying my luck with 10.8 afterwards. So far, with the panics and the periodic "crashing-for-no-reason" occurences on Apple applications (Safari quitting without saying a thing, iTunes connecting to the iTunes Store and quitting just like that, etc.), Mountain Lion is a big disappointement to me, enough to consider throwing away some of the features I was using to go back to Lion.

I… just… don't know what to do.

Reply

Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Nov 19, 2012 5:21 PM in response to RemyGrondin

If the hard drive was replaced twice, you probably have bad RAM or a bad logic board.

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 20, 2012 2:57 AM in response to RemyGrondin

Before making a trip to the Apple store, run the Apple

hardware test, with only keyboard, mouse, and monitor

connected.

Follow the instructions here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

See if there is a hardware fault causing the issue. If the

results say the hardware is okay, then it is an OSX or

driver issue.

Reply

Answer 6

a brody

Level 10

82,965 points

Nov 20, 2012 4:30 AM in response to Linc Davis

Often the underlying process is the problem. Tablet finder. Make sure your tablet drivers are designed for your operating system. Mac OS X 10.7 and above does NOT mean it is 10.8 compatible. It only means it is 10.7 and 10.7.1 compatible, and may be 10.7.2 through 10.7.5 compatible, and with luck is 10.8 and later.

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Answer 7

RemyGrondin Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 23, 2012 7:01 AM in response to woodmeister50

I've tried to run a AHT, but to no avail. I've held the D key for almost two minutes… and the Apple logo popped on. I've tried to run it from a Snow Leopard Install DVD and the iMac restarted immediately instead.

In the meantime, I've disconnected everything connected to the Mac (even the iPod cable), leaving only the Apple USB Keyboard connected and let the copmputer run by itself for a day. When I came back, I had a window telling me the "computer restarted because of a problem".

Without the ability to run a AHT myself, and considering that connected peripherals may not be the problem, the other possible culprit could be faulty RAM, as Linc suggested. Although my 16 GB of RAM installed are not the ones that cam with my iMac when I bought it, I never had problems with them before. And reverting from 16 GB to the default 4 GB I had is a bit… well, frightening.

This said, I remember that the Genius who took my iMac for repair the second time the hard drive was replaced was suspecting a problem with the logic board.

So, it seems my only solution would be, apart from lobotomizing my iMac, would be to contact AppleCare or my local Genius Bar and return the iMac (for a third time in 2 months) for inspection and repair…

Do you think that those recurring problems would be enough to demand a full computer replacement? 😉

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Nov 23, 2012 11:38 AM in response to RemyGrondin

I've tried to run it from a Snow Leopard Install DVD and the iMac restarted immediately instead.

AHT is on the Apps Install disc, not the OS install disc.

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