CS2 Quits CONSTANTLY!

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Level 2

151 points

CS2 Quits CONSTANTLY!

Hello.

we really like our Quad, 6gb of RAM, ut used to be ridiculously fast with CS2 and multiple files for a while and now it isn't. i am a photographer and i work with multiple files simultaneously. sometimes .jpg files, sometimes RAW. i apply a simple filter and it takes 30 seconds to a minute to apply it to a reasonably small .jpg file (3-5MB).

i found this post and cleared all my cache in addition to the things suggested here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=686939&tstart=15

operating temp for CPU's hovers around 50-58C, repaired disks with CD disk utility and disk utility from within the OS. i reset the PRAM. reseated the RAM. Still, i can not open more than 50 files in CS2 at a time, and filters take more time than my PC with CS2 loaded on it which presents an issue when working with .jpg files. fans are all working properly, reset mobo by unplugging. tried memtest, all = ok.

do i reinstall the OS at this point or what? i'm from the PC world, and am used to reformatting every month or so. if i have to do it every 3-4 months with my Mac, i'll learn to live with it.

i have 2 500GB hard drives which are not nearly full. slave = 60% and main = 20% full.

please help. i bought the Mac to stop troubleshooting and focus on our new company. so far, it has been great. the past month has been bumpy, but i hope someone out there in TV land can help us out.

kindest regards for your help in advance

G5 Quad, 6GB ECC RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Oct 14, 2006 10:09 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 14, 2006 10:34 PM in response to the1sen

if you've done everything in the other post, that really takes care of a lot. the only things that i think could be left could be either 1) a problem with the program itself, in which case a reinstall would be in order, or 2) something's up with the main drive, in which case it'd just be easier to backup and reinstall - you'd spend more time trying to figure out what's going wrong than you would reformatting.

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Answer 2

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 14, 2006 10:42 PM in response to the jackamo

ok.

so, reformat. <sigh> ok. before i do, anyone know how to export all my business e-mails and tasks from Entourage?

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Answer 3

arnie

Level 5

4,065 points

Oct 15, 2006 8:02 AM in response to the1sen

maybe try creating new user in System Preferences (give new user admin privileges), log in as new user and try doing exact same thing in CS 2.

if it works ok in new user, could be some software isue under original user setup.

if still not working properly, could be CS 2, OS or hardware.

if possible, try booting from second hard drive (you can install OS and CS 2 to second drive and boot from it anytime) and do same operation with .jpgs.

if it works, issue could be with software or hard drive problem on first drive.

if it does not work from another hard drive, could be something else like RAM, CPU or logic board.

whole thing should take less than an hour to try.

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Answer 4

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 15, 2006 9:38 AM in response to arnie

i think i will reformat.

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Answer 5

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 15, 2006 6:33 PM in response to arnie

so, before i reformatted, i saw that there was a diagnostic tool on the OS disc. i followed the directions on the disc and BAM...

"CPU A pump" is dead.

brought to Apple store, they ran their own diagnostic tool on the machine and came up with same results. said that memory passed, but CPU failed. said they ordered the CPU & Assembly ($12XX.XX?!?!?!?!?!?!?) said that more parts may be affected and to expect a 2 week turn around time in worst case scenario. I have ProCare and AppleCare, so we should be at the top of their lists.

funny thing is: i was going to reformat. reality check. CPU dead.

i am glad that it will be repaired and hope to continue business as usual when it returns. it'll be nice to have it back at 100% since it was running at 50% according to Apple. no wonder filters were so slow and rendering was taking forever!

one last question, will i need to reformat and install clean OS/programs when it gets back?

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Answer 6

arnie

Level 5

4,065 points

Oct 15, 2006 7:39 PM in response to the1sen

if it's CPU replacement, then no need to reformat, supposed to work if CPU was causing the problem.

(seen once bad CPU causing some features not to work in Photoshop as expected, was very strange thing)

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Answer 7

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 16, 2006 9:29 PM in response to arnie

yeah. nasty issue... i was shocked. i never thought that would happen.

are macs like PC's in that the CPU burning out is usually indicative of a larger problem? most PC's i have worked on not only had the CPU blow, but the Mobo, or PS on top of it.

thanks for replying.

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Answer 8

arnie

Level 5

4,065 points

Oct 16, 2006 10:01 PM in response to the1sen

G5 CPUs are quite complex and can fail on it's own without affecting other parts.

also, parts are very expensive if out of warranty, maybe consider AppleCare if do not have one yet.

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Answer 9

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 17, 2006 9:08 PM in response to arnie

we've got Applecare and Procare as well. does this mean the G5 Proc is prone to damaging itself under heavy use due to complexity of the chip, or would this be an anomoly? just got word from the store that parts are out of stock and they will not be here until next week sometime. if we are lucky

i've got to buy another machine in the meantime... thinking Macbook Pro, 15" with 2GB RAM. Intel Procs holding up well?

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Answer 10

Oct 22, 2006 7:06 AM in response to the1sen

I had both my CPUs replaced under warranty. I learned that the Quad was not designed to run continuously under high load, which is what I was doing. Since the replacement, I limit the processors to about 50% load for continuous or long projects. You may want to do something similar to avoid future issues.

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Answer 11

Oct 22, 2006 10:40 AM in response to Marryin' Man

Hi Marrin' Man;

I find your reply to be stange because I have been running my Quad with four copies of Folding@Home since last December which means my CPUs are running at 100% around the clock since then without any problems.

Who told you not to run a Quad at 100%?

Allan

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Answer 12

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 22, 2006 7:57 PM in response to Allan Eckert

i wouldn't say i am very nice to my machine, however, i bought it to work. not troubleshoot. i have PC's for that. since the Mac has come into our life, my business has expanded like you would not believe, and it's because i can concentrate on WORK instead of when i get to reformat next.

the reason i am mentioning this is because i sincerely don't want to run my Mac at 50%. i bought the quad because it bulldozed through everything i put in front of it like it wasn't even there. 2 of the CPU's blew. i had to troubleshoot it and get it repaired. (still at the Apple Store), and business has come to a screetching halt.

so, i suppose with all that said, should i expect to be replacing parts on the Quad more than i have already since it popped a CPU so early? how is Apple at replacing a unit if they sell you a "lemon"? since i spent over $5000 on my machine and since i run and own a small business, i can not afford to have a machine down. how are the new MacPro's? any better or that much worse?

i am thoroughly paranoid about getting my Mac back and having to go through this with Apple for the next 3 years over and over again. truth be told, the machine really IS that good, but this down time spot is killing me. of course i realize no one is a swammie and can predict the future... i simply wish there was a way for me to say, "go get a second Quad!" or "this one is just fine"...

anyways, after i finish paying this Mac off shortly, i suppose i will buy a second Quad with the Intel stuff in it. i'm also considering buying a Macbook Pro, so, we're talking cumulatively well over $12,000 in equipment i need for my business eventually. Service folks have been nice to us. really. but, i don't ever want to see them again (meant in no offense to them, i just hope the machine stays up and healthy until its time is over.)

so, if i have to run my quad at half power, i suppose i may as well return it because in my line of work, i can not. it is not possible for me to do so, and i shouldn't HAVE to anyways. can someone verify that this is in fact the case because if Apple sold me a machine with 4 CPU's that i can only run at 50% i am going to be one EXTREMELY UNHAPPY camper, and they're getting their unit back with a nice swift boot.

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Answer 13

Oct 23, 2006 7:17 AM in response to the1sen

Hi the1sen;

As I said my Quad has been running with all CPU going at 100% 7 x 24 since December without any problems at all. Hopefully, when they get your repaired it will run the same way. It always possible to get a bad unit from any manufacturer. Let them have a chance to repair it and see what happens with the new parts.

Who is telling you to run it at 50%? To me that sound like someone who is telling you tall tales. I know that isn't the case with my Quad.

Allan

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Answer 14

the1sen Author

Level 2

151 points

Oct 23, 2006 9:12 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Hi Allan,

i read it from another poster in this topic. i am glad that they are wrong.

hey, i appreciate you writing back, sir. i purchased a power conditioner for Mac to run off of also, as i want to rule out all surges as possible cluprits for hurting my machine when it gets back. a simple Surge Protector seemed inadequate... i am so backlogged with work right now, that Quad might explode when i get it back just for spite! 🙂

since December, eh... i will hope to have such wonderful results from our repairs. their treatment has been "Mercedes-Benz" quality; stellar. i think i will call today to ask for an update. it's been a week, that's not too terribly impatient. i may buy a MacbookPro while i am there just to get something done while i wait for the machine to come home. then again, it may be difficult to obtain W/A for such a purchase.

thanks again for your help Allan,

-joe

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Answer 15

Oct 23, 2006 3:23 PM in response to Allan Eckert

I was running SETI and Predictor@Home since last December, too. No one told me to run my computer at 50%, but I was told by the Help Desk at Apple that the machines were not designed to run at 100% capacity for 24/7. I choose to limit mine to 50% (for 24/7 with BOINC), but do go higher when I'm using iTunes or iMovie or whatever...I just don't run it 24/7 like that. Thankfully, I don't use mine for a business where I need to run them that way. Maybe the Apple rep mis-represented the facts to me. In my opinion, I imagine your ability to run yours maxed out 24/7 is the exception and not the rule. For me, it isn't worth all the hassle to get my Quad fixed again if it fails like it did the first time.

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