Level 1

8 points

Early 2009 24" iMac CONTINUALLY crashes...

The system freezes and/or restarts at least once a day as well (usually more like 3-10x), seems to be worst in Safari, but also happens on waking from sleep and anything that is graphic-related (I almost typed graphic-heavy, but even small graphic files/sites/apps that have previously not posed any problem suddenly are), or now also video--whether it is flash/html5 viewed directly online or video files played from the hard drive. Any ONE of these things is enough to either slow the system to a crawl (like a 2-page InDesign document or loading FaceBook timeline--small things that should not be problem weighing the system down) or causing automatic restart or system-wide freeze for which the only solution is to hold the power button and do a hard reboot.

While there were issues before installing Mountain Lion (a clean install, btw, specifically to try to eradicate this problem), it seems no better and progressively worse since the upgrade.

Besides the clean install, here's what I've tried:
-MacKeeper clean

-PRAM reset

-freeing up hard disk space (there is 275GB free on a 640 drive)

-reboot in safe mode

-shut down and unplug all peripherals and power, reboot

-using fewer programs (I work in graphic design, so I almost ALWAYS need Safari, Mail, InDesign, and usually Photoshop open. A lot, I know, but they aren't large files, and it's an almighty MAC after all, it should be fine--and forget about iTunes or iPhoto, opening them almost always causes a crash too... so no music while I work, at least not from iTunes)

Apple care ran out on this machine nearly a year ago, but really, these things should be more robust than a 4-year use-life...

I am not a computer tech, nor do I have the time or interest to pick apart panic logs to figure out what it all means. I just want it to work. Wasn't that Apple's motto for a while, "It just works"? Hmmm... not right. I should not have to either learn how to be a Genius or haul my 24" iMac to the nearest retail store AND pay for the repairs (if any) on a machine that is only 3.5 years old. That's ridiculous. That can't be my only 2 choices.

Anyway, here are 2 of the crash logs, one from today, and one from a couple days ago:

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can pick them apart and find the possible cause(s)

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 427943 sec

Panics Since Last Report: 1

Anonymous UUID: DC16069D-6FA8-2D52-0018-D9CD86CFACC5

Mon Apr 22 00:42:59 2013

panic(cpu 1 caller 0xffffff7f8e8287f2): NVRM[0/2:0:0]: Read Error 0x00001308: CFG 0x26b8b260 0x26b8b440 0x00005376, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff808e2d5000 0x094700a1, D0, P2/4

Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address

0xffffff808dff3490 : 0xffffff800e01d626

0xffffff808dff3500 : 0xffffff7f8e8287f2

0xffffff808dff35c0 : 0xffffff7f8e9253b9

0xffffff808dff3620 : 0xffffff7f8ec7d475

0xffffff808dff3660 : 0xffffff7f8e9b1f9d

0xffffff808dff3680 : 0xffffff7f8e9b1f3d

0xffffff808dff36b0 : 0xffffff7f8ec3fdfa

0xffffff808dff3750 : 0xffffff7f8ebf429e

0xffffff808dff3870 : 0xffffff7f8e9ad74d

0xffffff808dff39b0 : 0xffffff7f8e9ad2f8

0xffffff808dff3ab0 : 0xffffff7f8ebf6f4a

0xffffff808dff3b50 : 0xffffff7f8ebf72c2

0xffffff808dff3ce0 : 0xffffff7f8ec42d35

0xffffff808dff3e00 : 0xffffff7f8e94bfe8

0xffffff808dff3e40 : 0xffffff7f8e830567

0xffffff808dff3ef0 : 0xffffff800e4467a8

0xffffff808dff3f30 : 0xffffff800e4452aa

0xffffff808dff3f80 : 0xffffff800e4453d9

0xffffff808dff3fb0 : 0xffffff800e0b2977

Kernel Extensions in backtrace:

com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1)[A26D2A3D-C06F-3A0F-BCFF-901A98C93C3D]@0xffffff7f8e7cb 000->0xffffff7f8ead8fff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffff ff7f8e698000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.7)[38C214C0-83C8-3594-8A4C-DC6AC3FEC163]@0xff ffff7f8e7b7000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.7)[74E3E50F-E50A-3073-8C96-06F854292A91]@0 xffffff7f8e774000

com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(8.1)[5F021999-8B18-3BD5-9B98-90617E638A63]@0xffffff7f8 eae6000->0xffffff7f8ee07fff

dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1.0)[A26D2A3D-C06F-3A0F-BCFF-901A98C93C3D]@0xffffff7f8e7 cb000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffff ff7f8e698000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:

12D78

Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 12.3.0: Sun Jan 6 22:37:10 PST 2013; root:xnu-2050.22.13~1/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: 3EB7D8A7-C2D3-32EC-80F4-AB37D61492C6

Kernel slide: 0x000000000de00000

Kernel text base: 0xffffff800e000000

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

System uptime in nanoseconds: 91770475661231

last loaded kext at 25343798434334: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC 4.1.23 (addr 0xffffff7f9031a000, size 16384)

last unloaded kext at 25406052891975: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC 4.1.23 (addr 0xffffff7f9031a000, size 12288)

loaded kexts:

com.zeobit.kext.Firewall 2.3.3

com.zeobit.kext.AVKauth 2.3.3

net.telestream.driver.TelestreamAudio 1.0.5

com.StreamOutputser.chaoyueme 1

com.displaylink.driver.DisplayLinkDriver 2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelProfile 97

com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch 75.19

com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60

com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.87

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 122

com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.1.3f3

com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1

com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0

com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.3.0

com.apple.GeForce 8.1.0

com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.10

com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.1.11

com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0

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 3.5.5

com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.3.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.5.5

com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.6

com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 614.20.16

com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.5.1

com.apple.nvenet 2.0.19

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.5.0

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI 5.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.7

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.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 97

com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 97

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDKeyboard 170.2

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 170.2

com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver 235.29

com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.6

com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.11d0

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5

com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.1.3f3

com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.9fc11

com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.6

com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 86.0.4

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.4d2

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0

com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 8.1.0

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.3.0d51

com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.3.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.11d0

com.apple.NVDAResman 8.1.0

com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.7

com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.7

com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.2.5

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.5.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.5.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.2.5

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.5.1

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 522.4

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.3.1

com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.0

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.5.5

com.apple.driver.NVSMU 2.2.9

com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.8.1

com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1

com.apple.security.sandbox 220.2

com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1

com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7

com.apple.driver.DiskImages 345

com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.21

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7.3

com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4

com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0

System Profile:

Model: iMac9,1, BootROM IM91.008D.B08, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.93 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.37f3

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

Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x80CE, 0x4D34373142353637334448312D4346382020

Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x80CE, 0x4D34373142353637334448312D4346382020

AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.16)

Bluetooth: Version 4.1.3f3 11349, 2 service, 18 devices, 1 incoming serial ports

Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1

Serial ATA Device: WDC WD6400AAKS-40H2B0, 640.14 GB

Serial ATA Device: OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S

USB Device: Built-in iSight, apple_vendor_id, 0x8502, 0x24400000 / 4

USB Device: USB to ATA/ATAPI bridge, 0x059b (Iomega Corporation), 0x0475, 0x24300000 / 3

USB Device: USB2.0 Hub, 0x05e3 (Genesys Logic, Inc.), 0x0608, 0x24100000 / 2

USB Device: MP620 series, 0x04a9 (Canon Inc.), 0x172f, 0x24130000 / 5

USB Device: IOGEAR External VGA, 0x17e9 (DisplayLink (UK) Ltd.), 0x0058, 0x26400000 / 2

USB Device: IR Receiver, apple_vendor_id, 0x8242, 0x04500000 / 2

USB Device: PL-550-U, 0x056a (WACOM Co., Ltd.), 0x0034, 0x06200000 / 3

USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0x06100000 / 2

USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x8215, 0x06110000 / 4

And:

Wed Apr 24 12:55:55 2013

panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f876287f2): NVRM[0/2:0:0]: Read Error 0x00001308: CFG 0x881a9520 0x881c9e60 0x00000800, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff80870cd000 0x094700a1, D0, P2/4

Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address

0xffffff808683b490 : 0xffffff8006e1d626

0xffffff808683b500 : 0xffffff7f876287f2

0xffffff808683b5c0 : 0xffffff7f877253b9

0xffffff808683b620 : 0xffffff7f87a7d475

0xffffff808683b660 : 0xffffff7f877b1f9d

0xffffff808683b680 : 0xffffff7f877b1f3d

0xffffff808683b6b0 : 0xffffff7f87a3fdfa

0xffffff808683b750 : 0xffffff7f879f429e

0xffffff808683b870 : 0xffffff7f877ad74d

0xffffff808683b9b0 : 0xffffff7f877ad2f8

0xffffff808683bab0 : 0xffffff7f879f6f4a

0xffffff808683bb50 : 0xffffff7f879f72c2

0xffffff808683bce0 : 0xffffff7f87a42d35

0xffffff808683be00 : 0xffffff7f8774bfe8

0xffffff808683be40 : 0xffffff7f87630567

0xffffff808683bef0 : 0xffffff80072467a8

0xffffff808683bf30 : 0xffffff80072452aa

0xffffff808683bf80 : 0xffffff80072453d9

0xffffff808683bfb0 : 0xffffff8006eb2977

Kernel Extensions in backtrace:

com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1)[A26D2A3D-C06F-3A0F-BCFF-901A98C93C3D]@0xffffff7f875cb 000->0xffffff7f878d8fff

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffff ff7f87498000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.7)[38C214C0-83C8-3594-8A4C-DC6AC3FEC163]@0xff ffff7f875b7000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.7)[74E3E50F-E50A-3073-8C96-06F854292A91]@0 xffffff7f87574000

com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(8.1)[5F021999-8B18-3BD5-9B98-90617E638A63]@0xffffff7f8 78e6000->0xffffff7f87c07fff

dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(8.1.0)[A26D2A3D-C06F-3A0F-BCFF-901A98C93C3D]@0xffffff7f875 cb000

dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.3)[1D668879-BEF8-3C58-ABFE-FAC6B3E9A292]@0xffff ff7f87498000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:

12D78

Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 12.3.0: Sun Jan 6 22:37:10 PST 2013; root:xnu-2050.22.13~1/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: 3EB7D8A7-C2D3-32EC-80F4-AB37D61492C6

Kernel slide: 0x0000000006c00000

Kernel text base: 0xffffff8006e00000

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

System uptime in nanoseconds: 8799847618954

last loaded kext at 4379189511215: com.zeobit.kext.AVKauth 2.3.3 (addr 0xffffff7f89117000, size 16384)

last unloaded kext at 4368043282836: com.zeobit.kext.AVKauth 2.3.3 (addr 0xffffff7f8909f000, size 12288)

loaded kexts:

com.zeobit.kext.AVKauth 2.3.3

com.zeobit.kext.Firewall 2.3.3

net.telestream.driver.TelestreamAudio 1.0.5

com.StreamOutputser.chaoyueme 1

com.displaylink.driver.DisplayLinkDriver 2.0

com.apple.driver.AppleIntelProfile 97

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch 75.19

com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0

com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60

com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.87

com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 122

com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.1.3f3

com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0

com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.3.0

com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.10

com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.1.11

com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0

com.apple.GeForce 8.1.0

com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 320.15

com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.5.5

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1

com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1

com.apple.BootCache 34

com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.3.1

com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.5.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.5.5

com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.6

com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 614.20.16

com.apple.nvenet 2.0.19

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.5.0

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBOHCI 5.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.7

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.7

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.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 97

com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 97

com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 97

com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver 235.29

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDKeyboard 170.2

com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 170.2

com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0

com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.9fc11

com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.6

com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 86.0.4

com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.6

com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.4d2

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.11d0

com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.3.0

com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4

com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.11d0

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5

com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.1.3f3

com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.3.0d51

com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.3.7fc4

com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 8.1.0

com.apple.NVDAResman 8.1.0

com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.7

com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.7

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHIDMouse 175.8

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.2.5

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse 175.8

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.5.1

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.5.5

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.2.5

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.5.1

com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.3.1

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5

com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 522.4

com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.0

com.apple.driver.NVSMU 2.2.9

com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.5.5

com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.8.1

com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1

com.apple.security.sandbox 220.2

com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1

com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7

com.apple.driver.DiskImages 345

com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.8

com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.21

com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.7

com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7.3

com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4

com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0

Any help is greatly appreciated 🙂

iMac, MacBook Air, iPhone 3GS, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Apr 24, 2013 10:40 AM

46 replies

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 25, 2013 6:21 PM in response to MBD999

After you download the app and it unzips, you drag the app to the applications folder.

When you double click to launch it, it should put an icon in the top right of your main menu bar to click on and a drop down appears showing all of the fans and the RPMs. You edit the speed of the fans by moving the sliders or inputting a direct RPM number into RPM box.

MBD999 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 25, 2013 6:37 PM in response to MichelPM

Found it 🙂

It is running cooler now, so that's good!

GPU is under 60, HD is around 57

Still seems a bit slow, but so far no crash signs (hasn't been long since my last restart tho, either)

Is the GPU replaceable? Is it worth it?

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 25, 2013 6:50 PM in response to MBD999

If the GPU can be replaced, you would need to call Apple, make an appointment so they can diagnose the issue and if it is the GPU, hopefully they still have replacements.

It won't be cheap! Maybe $300-400 to remove, reinstall a new one.

If you have to have the GPU replaced, find out from Apple if you are able to install a faster VRAM GPU that was available for that model that year.

If you need to ramp the fans up more, you can go as high as 1800 RPMs, but I wouldn't, personally, push the speed any higher. The faster the fans spins, the more dust, lint and dirt they can suck into the iMac, plus you run them too fast ( say faster than 2000+ RPMs) you risk premature burn out of the fans.

If you can cool down the GPU farther, hopefully, the screen artifacts will disappear. No guarantee a this stage, though.

iF-red

Level 1

4 points

Apr 26, 2013 7:37 AM in response to MBD999

join the club

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2384136?start=1080&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3938355

its a driver problem! the only solution is running windows on your apple :S

then everything works fine

apple is ignoring this error. a big fail!!

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 26, 2013 7:53 AM in response to iF-red

Thanks IF-red!

This may indeed may help the OP here. The OP's iMac is still running very warm and that can cause a variety of issues, as well.

But thanks for posting these links. If it's an issue with Lion and Mt. Lion, the OP may want to consider going back to Snow Leopard.

😉

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 26, 2013 8:05 AM in response to MBD999

iMac are not designed and their GPUs are not designed to handle multiple monitors.

So, with,,essentially, three monitors, you maybe pushing beyond the limits of the GPU causing much higher internal operating temps. iMacs do fine with only two monitors. So, if you have a Wacom Cintiq, you need to use another monitor OR the Cintiq but not both. The GPU simply can't handle a third video source, Just because a video driver was developed, doesn't mean the actual GPU hardware can handle the extra load.

MBD999 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 26, 2013 10:10 AM in response to MichelPM

If I have to go back to Snow Leopard just to fix this issue, I expect a software refund from Apple for Lion and Mountain Lion. That's ********. I've always felt that it was a software/driver problem.

However, judging by the threads listed above, it is indeed a driver problem, and it's APPLE's drivers! I am not going to go buy parallels just so I can run Windows on a Mac. If I wanted Windows, I'd have bought a PC--at a quarter of the price.

MichelPM, I really appreciate all your input, some of it HAS helped. At least so far, it seems to be a little faster and crashing less... but it still hangs quite a bit.

I also understand and respect what you're saying about extra screens, but:

-Macs are supposed to be THE designer's computer

-if iMacs aren't built to handle additional screens, including just a second screen, why the minidisplay port? It's usually NOT casual users who just surf and do e-mail that use additional screens, it's power users who use a second (or more) screens

-I see people using 3 or 4 screens all the time, without difficulty, and they are doing WAY heavier stuff than I am, running Final Cut Pro (or equivalent) for complex video and sound editing. I am ONLY doing letter-sized (for print) or standard screen sixed (for web) documents with rarely more than 20 layers, and usually without any layer effects, linked files, smart objects, etc etc etc, in Photoshop, and more text-based (though still graphic-related) documents of no more than 30 pages per doc--in fact, the project I'm working on now is only 2-page docs (one page, front and back). I'm not building flash, doing video or sound editing, nothing really complicated enough to justify these problems

-the crashes occur MOST frequently not in Photoshop or any other Adobe program, but in SAFARI while doing simple browsing, though granted, more often for sites that are more image-based than text-based (and I'm not really even talking about sites that contain many live elements, flash, animations, videos, etc, JUST images)

-if it is indeed Apple's drivers, it makes perfect sense to me that an additional 3rd party graphics card (for the cintiq) would confuse the GPU. But come on, again, it's supposed to be the computer for DESIGNERS. Cintiqs are not brand new, cutting-edge technology that Apple hasn't had a chance to catch up with yet. I'm certain that there are 1000's, if not 1000000's of users who have similar or even more complicated setups, and who do much heavier work than I do, and dont have any problems.

And, I reiterate: these problems began WAY before I got the Cintiq--they've been happening since last summer (shortly after AppleCare ran out, of course), at which point I just used the iMac less and less and less until I stopped using it around October of last year. Most of what I needed to do, I could do on my measly 128GB MacBook Air with NO difficulty, and MUCH faster (I know, it's a newer machine, and I understand that's an important detail... and I did not have a 2nd display connected). I started using the iMac again around mid-February, and for a couple weeks it was buch better, but the problems weren't totally gone. Yes, they could be related to my 2nd display, as I have had it for a couple years, but the PROBLEM is not adding the Cintiq, and I truly believe that IF the graphics driver were functioning correctly, adding the Cintiq would not drive the system into a tizzy.

Anyway, I've ordered the additional RAM, hopefully it'll come early next week and I can see if that helps it at least run faster between crashes, even if it doesn't solve them. I'll also keep an eye on the temps, which have been cooler since I installed the smcFanControl.

I'll work without the Cintiq at least until the RAM comes and see how it goes, and I'll look into downgrading to Leopard or Snow Leopard. I would like to know that Apple is looking into this driver issue, as I've lost countless hours of work due to these problems (at least with CS6 Photoshop has autosave--FINALLY! YAY!). I think they have a responsibility to their users, even after AppleCare runs out--especially if it's an issue with THEIR software, supposedly made for THEIR machines.

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 26, 2013 11:08 AM in response to MBD999

I did say that iMac CAN handle dual monitors, just not three.

The Cintiq, is a form of a third monitor.

As far as others using more than two monitors, are these people using newer Macs or even Mac Pros instead of iMacs? Makes a difference as Mac Pros can handle the additonal screens with additonally added extra graphics cards.

You are trying to run, essentially, three monitors from a single graphics hardware source and this is putting a strain on the CPU, GPU, Logic Board, and, perhaps, even the power supply.

Cintiqs could be used by both PC users and users who have Mac Pros.

Serious professionals usually are using the Mac Pro and not always iMacs.

Just some info about me, I am a designer, technical illustrator, writer and musician and I haven't needed to use multiple screens for any work I have done. I get by fine with a single monitor. Especially so since going from a 20 inch screen monitor to the iMac with its 27 inch screen. The 27 inch monitor is plenty of screen real estate for me and I design a lot of large format projects for print out on large format printers and plotters.

The crashing in Safari might be either an Adobe Flash issue or Java issue or the fact that if you have this running alongside OS X and Adobe apps with only 4 GBs of RAM, could be crashing as a result of insufficient RAM.

Oh, you mentioned Photoshop CS6, yeah, that version also needs to see certain video cards and drivers, too!

There is nothing you can do about this if you have an older iMac that doesn't meet the needed GPU requirement, either. If your iMac doesn't have the appropriate GPUs, then this could also be putting extra strain on your iMac, as well.

It is, usually, a good idea befpre updating software to check the system and hardware requirements to make sure that your iMac meets both all of the software and hardware specs

MBD999 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 26, 2013 11:33 AM in response to MichelPM

I know that the Cintiq is, in effect, a third monitor. I have only had it for 2 weeks, though, and the problems have been occurring since last summer, and have continued to persist since removing the Cintiq and the drivers.

Hence: the Cintiq is not the problem.

From the thread iF-red posted, it appears that it is, in fact, a NVIDIA driver problem. I'm just in the process of trying that, and an additional fix posted there that appears to have helped a lot of people experienceing the same problem (whether they use external displays or not).

As for MY requirement to use more than one screen, as I mentioned, I'm usually working between Ps and Id. Constantly switching back and forth (even if they are assigned to separate spaces) proved to be an inefficient workflow, which was why I got the second display to begin with. I don't know what everyone I've seen who has more than one additional screen is using, but I know that I've seen people running 2 cintiqs and a display from a MBPro. A friend's husband, who does video and sound editing, has a total of 4 screens, and does his video and sound editing on an iMac at least as old as mine, not a Mac Pro.

Sigh... Anyway, I'll post the links and the detailed post from the user who found the NVIDIA (direct from the NVIDIA site) drivers to be the problem if they work.

Gotta restart... BRB

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 26, 2013 12:38 PM in response to MBD999

Well, at least we are both trying to get to the bottom of your issues and trying to find a resolution.

I can be difficult with a stubborn issue as this to be sure.

I hope the additonal RAM will help, though. I know it will help with a lot of the multitasking issues.

I may not help with graphics issues.

One thing you could try, if you can do this is try running the Cintiq as your second monitor and then your other Monitor as the third monitor. Try a different order. You could see if that helps with your monitor and crashing issues.

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 26, 2013 1:01 PM in response to MBD999

The statement about Apple computers being computers for designers still holds, but I feel to remind you that the iMac was considered at one time a consumer oriented Mac. A consumer computer appliance (sortof what the new 21 inch screen iMac is now). A Mac for the masses and not, necessarily for prodessionals or designers. The G5 line were the only Mac Towers that were still within affordable price ranges for professionals and creative people. When Apple made the Intel switch and only now had the Mac Pro at a much higher price point and the introduction of the Mac Mini, the iMac now became a mid range "prosumer" Mac that had enough model variants features and price ranges that were put in the more affordable range for consumers and more average working professionals.

The iMac is now filling the missing mid priced range Mac that should've had been filled by a more affordable priced expandable Mac tower model, instead.

Just a thought.

Keep is up to date on your issues and progress.

MBD999 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 28, 2013 2:09 PM in response to MichelPM

So... it appears that it is indeed (at least partially) a driver problem, despite having the latest version of Snow Leopard (which theoretically *should* have the latest drivers) and downloading the latest driver direct from NVIDIA.

But following and001's post from a similar thread, I downloaded CUDA from the NVIDIA site https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-downloads , which I guess is a driver extension to maximize the GPU's driver and take strain off the CPU.

After downloading it, there was a noticeable difference in responsiveness, web pages were almost *snappy* and I didn't realize how slow my machine had been until even scrolling on a webpage seemed WAY faster!

There were still some hangs, and I had to force quit Safari a couple of times, but no pixelation/mosaics/artifacts, and no system-wide freeze!!! 😀

Since there were still some hangs, I also tried this: http://blog.krzysztof-turek.com/apple-imac-8-1-freeze-problem-solution-en/ even though none of the drivers are for MY GPU which is a NVIDIA GeForce 130... but, I loaded all of them (I know, overkill) and since then, I have not had to force quit ANYTHING at all. Safari crashed once, but it was a simple, prgram-specific crash, and on reopening, no problems. It still hangs every once in a while, but nothing compared to what had been happening before. For now, I'm attributing the hang-ups to not having enough RAM, so I'll see how that chnages when my extra RAM arrives next week.

As of now, a full 48 hours later, NO CRASHES!!! This is a significant difference, considering the machine would crash a bare MINIMUM of once a day.

I have not yet tried reconnecting the Cintiq and the DisplayLink (which I've all along thought were not the problem, since the problems existed before I even got it... even if those problems were, perhaps, exacerbated by the extra hardware and driver). I'll give it another couple of days, maybe wait until I have the extra RAM, before reconnecting. If everything is fine after I do reconnect the Cintiq, we will know that it was the combination of wrong drivers FOR MY INTERNAL GPU FROM APPLE, and insufficient RAM.

Apple seriously needs to look at this issue, because it is widespread across models, OSX versions, and GPUs. Nearly everyone who posted on the other thread--the one I found both Turek's fix and and001's suggestion about CUDA on--had their GPUs replaced (even when diagnostics showed nothing) and the problems persisted for many users after replacement. It's gone beyond oversight when this many users have the same issue.

Below is and001's post in another thread (with nearly 100 pages of posts, most of them by users with similar issues):

From: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2384136?start=1050&tstart=0

and001

Re: 24" iMac Screen Freezes since 10.6.3 update - pls help!

Apr 8, 2012 7:12 AM (in response to Fritos_Chips)

Dear all,

I've had a very similar problem with my 20" iMac 9,1 early 2009 model. This has the Nvidia Geforce 9400 GPU chip installed. All worked fine until the update to 10.6.3 then the seemingly random screen freezes started occurring - at first I thought this was a HDD problem because of file corruption (That was caused by frequent powering down to reset, I later realised).

After reading very many other related support threads, Cleanly re-loading the OS and all updates and etc etc, up to 10.6.8 and even running MacKeeper, I was not able to completely fix the issue - until now. Here's my posting from another thread - I hope it helps some of you too:

>>> Meantime, I've had an issue with the iMac 20" 2009 model crashing with graphics-intensive operations (Such as when running Minecraft, Google earth, Safari & etc). This took ages to figure out - it appears to be caused by an update to SnowLeopard 10.6.3 as many others have experienced. The issue is caused by the original Nvidia graphics chip (Geforce 9400) drivers being incompatible with - or not included in - the OSX update.

It was solved for me by uploading the drivers needed directly from the Nvidia website, as I learned in another thread. You must first load the Nvidia "Cuda driver", and then the package of drivers "Nvidia retail Mac Driver 256.02.25f01" Open the package contents with a right click to get past the incompatibility warning dialogue box and run the install programs manually one at a time. A couple of restarts should then enable the drivers to operate. The system preferences pane will also be updated with a Cuda dialogue Icon.

As many 2009 iMacs will now be out of Apple care warranty this shouldn't be a problem - if you still have Apple care then this approach is not recommended and you should take the machine to Apple (who might replace the GP card with a later - and better supported - version).

I understand these Nvidia-sourced drivers may have to be re-loaded or replaced with updated versions as each new OSX release comes out, at least until Apple decides to include them again. Other threads indicate they were not available in the OSX 10.7 Lion upgrade... (this may have changed by now - don't know 'cos I'm not running it as yet) however OSX Lion is certainly supported by Nvidia...

I would suggest those of you with ATI GP cards look into this driver update possibility as well.

I don't want to pre-suppose built in obsolesence - more likely this is an oversight by Apple. You can draw your own conclusions, but getting under the hood like this should really be the preserve of Microsoft Windows enthusiasts IMHO. As a broadcast engineer with over 25 years experience I have fewer qualms than most about having a go myself.

Apart from finally fixing the screen freezing issue (this machine will now readily run minecraft, safari and replay you tube videos simultaneously) you will be happy to learn it has also corrected the overheating caused by incorrect use of the GP chip.

Good luck to you all,

Andy

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Apr 28, 2013 2:19 PM in response to MBD999

This is great to hear!

I am glad your iMac is performing much better for you.

The extra RAM will, also, be a plus to your iMac, too!

Glad that your iMac is pretty much back to a usable and productive condition.

Keep us updated and let us know if your additional monitor and Cintiq return to a good working condition.

Great News!!!

🙂

MBD999 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 28, 2013 2:29 PM in response to MichelPM

Thanks, I'm really happy too!

Thank you too for all your suggestions, I'm sure that the combination of EVERYTHING has contributed to it all working better now.

I'll post again once I've used it a few days with the extra RAM, and once I reconnect the Cintiq 🙂

Hopefully more people who experience a similar issue will also be helped with these fixes!

Jun 13, 2013 2:47 PM in response to MBD999

I was wondering if your machine is still working? I have the same GT 130 card in a 27" 2009 iMac and have not been able to meet with your success. CUDA actually locked up the machine so it would not boot and I had to restore it from TM. Really disappointed with Apple and their collective heads in the sand - but hey they are making record profits!!

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Early 2009 24" iMac CONTINUALLY crashes...