Recurring error: A graphics problem has been detected.

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flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Recurring error: A graphics problem has been detected.

All of a sudden I'm now getting:

A graphics problem has been detected. Click "Report" to submit report...

[Ignore] [Report]

And if I click any of the choices it comes right back pretty soon.

(It's less annoying just leaving the error message there.)

This is on a MBP 15" Retina late 2013 running latest Yosemite OS X 10.10.

This model switches graphics card/GPU when running on battery.

I've tried both safe booting and ran disk check and permissions check from Recovery.

It all started when the display server/loginwindow or something froze. I could move the mouse pointer around, but nothing registered with clicking mouse/touchpad or keyboard.

It happened after/when I plugged in an external screen with the mini-dp/thunderbolt-to-DVI adapter.

(Which have never been a problem before ...)

Any hints as to what may be the problem? Hardware or software?

(I'm aware that Yosemite is still beta, but I assume it's still OK to ask. Couldn't find the dedicated error reporting tool anymore.)

MacBook Pro with Retina display, Other OS, Yosemite 10.10

Posted on Oct 14, 2014 6:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 14, 2014 7:50 AM in response to flips01

I also tried booting into Diagnostics and some other stuff.

Then I tried creating a new user, and found that the error was user specific.

So I logged back into my user and found all the files named

Kernel_<datestamp>_<computername>.gpuRestart

in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports. And I just moved away those files, and the error popup disappeared ...

Case solved, I guess. 🙂

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Answer 2

Oct 14, 2014 9:34 AM in response to flips01

I'm assuming that you can file a bug report on this condition. In which case, file a report. I don't run beta OS's.

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Answer 3

flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 14, 2014 12:50 PM in response to Mark Jalbert

Yes, at first I couldn't find the right program, as I didn't remember that it's called Feedback Assistant.

(I guess I have too many programs/apps ... 😀)

Bug report is filed ... 🙂

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Answer 4

flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 15, 2014 4:49 AM in response to flips01

There also was a symlink in /var/db/GPURestartReporter/ that repeatedly triggered a log message (as it tried launching the reporter but didn't find the log file I moved away) ... FYI 🙂

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Answer 5

waltz777

Level 1

0 points

Oct 18, 2014 2:50 PM in response to flips01

Hey:

I have EXACTLY the same problem! Same laptop and everything! You're saying that removing those log files fixed the issue?

That doesn't seem to make much sense. Can you elaborate?

Like I said ... exactly the same issue, same hardware.

Thanks!

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Answer 6

flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 19, 2014 12:32 PM in response to waltz777

Yes, moving away the log files and the symlink in /var/db/GPURestartReporter fixed the issue.

My guess is that the problem was the reporter crashing all the time, not that the GPU had to be restarted all the time.

(That would probably have been more visible.)

I haven't had any issue since I removed the files. Case closed on my part (unless it resurfaces) ...

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Answer 7

alex.ozr

Level 1

0 points

Oct 20, 2014 9:19 AM in response to flips01

I have same issue on Mac mini 2012 connected to Yamaha receiver -> TV.

Every day I start TV to watch something on XBMC and get this annoying 'A graphics error has been detected' dialog box error.

And it started since I've installed OS X Yosemite!

May be there is some workaround to do not show such kind of error? just restart GPU without noticing me.

Deleting log files didn't help anyway.

Thanks in advance.

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Answer 8

flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 20, 2014 12:01 PM in response to alex.ozr

I didn't only get the error upon starting, I got it repeatedly, like the error reporting itself got stuck in a loop ...

So I guess you have a different issue, then.

Do you see anything in Console.app?

(I assume you selected "Ignore" and the error came back upon reboot/next boot ...)

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Answer 9

Oct 20, 2014 5:23 PM in response to flips01

I have exactly the same error... although with a 2012 mac mini.... is a nightmare as I am using this machine as a HTPC

I did have the error on the Yosemite Beta... I rolled back to Mavericks and problem disappeared.

With the full release of Yosemite I did a fresh install and error is coming up again so it is very much OS specific.

In my case the error is very much repeatable. If I switch the AV output on my Philips receiver from TV and back to the Mac Mini I get the error.... ether ignore or report result in the message reappearing later.

As an alternative, is there any way to supress these error messages?

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Answer 10

mfhl

Level 1

0 points

Oct 21, 2014 4:20 AM in response to Paulelescoces

I also have the same problem with my Mac Mini 2012 and Yosemite.

"A graphics error has been detected" dialog box error appear daily.... 😟

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Answer 11

flips01 Author

Level 1

17 points

Oct 21, 2014 4:30 AM in response to mfhl

I suggest that you guys with this second problem use Feedback Assistant (if you have that available) to report the issue and also if you have.

If anyone have applecare or something, I suggest you also report it directly to Apple.

Since my problem (what started this thread), I'll unsubscribe to this thread ... Hopefully you'll have your problem fixed. 😎

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Answer 12

Oct 21, 2014 5:23 AM in response to flips01

Indeed I have done so also during the Beta period.

For now I have tried the following: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/6078/how-do-i-disable-this-message-the- disk-was-not-ejected-properly

Basically involves completely disabling notifications, will see if it helps.

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Answer 13

Jouri

Level 1

21 points

Oct 21, 2014 9:13 AM in response to Paulelescoces

I've also got this problem with my Late 2012 when turning on the TV. Very annoying since I have to get my laptop and take over the screen to fix it.

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Answer 14

Oct 22, 2014 2:55 PM in response to flips01

I'm having the same problem Late 2011 Macbook Pro- It only presents itself when plugging an external monitor into the Thunderbolt port, but now seems to be randomly affecting the graphics processor as well- random freeze ups and lines...

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Answer 15

bramkas

Level 1

0 points

Oct 22, 2014 7:57 PM in response to Strings81

I'm getting the same error...for last 2 days...

I had to shutdown the mac completely to recover.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)

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