Multiple SMC kSMCKeyNotFound Console Errors

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DJ Pumpkin Author

Level 1

9 points

Multiple SMC kSMCKeyNotFound Console Errors

I have the followng startup errors appearing in console:

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcReadKeyAction ERROR: smcReadData8 failed for key LsNM (kSMCKeyNotFound)

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcReadKeyAction ERROR LsNM kSMCKeyNotFound(0x84) fKeyHashTable=0x0

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcGetLightshowVers ERROR: smcReadKey LsNM failed (kSMCKeyNotFound)

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcPublishLightshowVersion ERROR: smcGetLightshowVers failed (kSMCKeyNotFound)

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcInitHelper ERROR: smcPublishLightshowVersion failed (kSMCKeyNotFound)

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcInitHelper ERROR: MMIO regMap == NULL - fall back to old SMC mode

17/05/2014 08:32:26.000 kernel[0]: SMC::smcReadKeyAction ERROR: smcReadData8 fai

I'm running Mavericks 10.9.3 on a Mid 2010 MacBook Pro 15". The errors also appeared on 10.9 but did not show up under the previos installed OS - 10.6.8

I have tried resetting the SMC by (holding right side shift, ctrl, alt and power button). I've tried a safe boot and a clean install but the issue persists. My main concern is that this could be another hardware issue as this machine was one of the 2010 15 " MacBook Pro batch with the faulty Nvidia graphics card. Last year I took it to the Apple store where they replaced the motherboard.

Does anyone know what 'kSMCKeyNotFound' actually means and how it can be fixed?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3), Mid 2010 15" MacBook Pro

Posted on May 17, 2014 1:02 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

May 17, 2014 9:02 AM in response to DJ Pumpkin

If you're running a third-party system monitor (e.g., "iStat") or fan-control application (e.g., "smcFanControl"), remove or disable it according to the developer's instructions and see whether there's any change.

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Answer 2

DJ Pumpkin Author

Level 1

9 points

May 17, 2014 9:20 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for the suggestion.

I've used both of those utilitites in the past, but removed them over a year ago. I've checked for startup items, launch agents / daemons and the like and can find nothing. I have a clean install - with my user folder items migrated from a TimeMachine backup. I've created test user accounts and booted then logged on as guest and still find the errors.

This afternoon I ran the apple hardware test included on my MAcBook Pro Install / Applications DVD - that didn't report any sensor or SMC related probelms (although I'm not sure that it would).

I think I will try a clean install without importing any user folders and test for errors. Perhaps Migration assistant is importing stuff into the System as well?

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Answer 3

DJ Pumpkin Author

Level 1

9 points

May 19, 2014 1:09 PM in response to DJ Pumpkin

Well a clean install resulted in the same errors. I'm not sure what hardware 'smcGetLightshowVers' relates to - I've tested the auto-dim 'automatically adjust brightness' function - it works fine.

I've done a web search and don't seem to be able to find anyone else with the same error messages so I suppose this must mean I have a MacBookPro with either an unconnected cable on the motherboard - or somekind of component failure.

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Answer 4

DJ Pumpkin Author

Level 1

9 points

May 26, 2014 11:15 AM in response to DJ Pumpkin

I found a solution to this by searching through the Apple support community pages. Basically I replaced the AppleSMC.kext with AppleSMC.kext from Mountain Lion 10.8.4 Not only did this stop the errors in the console - but it also significantly sped up boot time and shutdown time.

Shutdown time has decreased from over 10 seconds to just 2 seconds - which is what I would expect with an SSD drive. Perhaps the latest / later AppleSMC.kext is optomised for newer Apple hardware? Who knows.

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Answer 5

Jun 10, 2014 2:47 AM in response to DJ Pumpkin

Hi DJ Pumpkin,

I'm having the same problem! Would you mind pointing me to more specific instructions on how to go about replacing the AppleSMC.kext?

Thanks so much!

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Answer 6

DJ Pumpkin Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 13, 2014 2:48 AM in response to partofthejob

Here is the thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5312981

I used Pacifist http://www.charlessoft.com/ to open the Mountain Lion Combo Update v10.8.4 http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1659 and install AppleSMC.kext

I then cleared the caches by running Onyx http://www.titanium.free.fr/download.php?sid=d8727ad529a9125743b1e32f7bae1ffe and restarting.

If your console log is not getting swamped with kSMCKeyNotFound messages then it's probably not worth bothering tp do this as the system fallsback to using the 'default' SMC anyway. It could be that my slow shutdown issue was fixed by Onyx clearing the caches - so you might want to try that on its own first.

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