iMac 5K crashes when selecting large jpegs

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Hello gregoriod11, you're not alone. I have the exact same problem. This problem did not exist before the 10.3 upgrade, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. I first noticed the problem when I double-clicked (to launch to Preview) a large jpeg file from Canon of their new 50 megapixel camera. My iMac 5K suddenly rebooted (aka kernel panic). Other large jpeg files could also cause Preview to unexpectedly quit or instead a kernel panic. I also couldn't select the file from Photoshop's Open menu. Once you clicked the file, boom! I have been in contact with Apple Support since yesterday and again this morning. Here's what I recommend:

First, reinstall OS 10.10.3. This cleared about 80% of the problem. No more kernel panics and Photoshop, Bridge, and Apple's new Photos app all successfully opened several large jpeg file. Only Preview is still gagging on the large jpeg files. Preview either quits suddenly or momentarily displays the image then it goes blank (but doesn't quit).

Apple downloaded a lot of diagnostic data from my computer and is sending it to engineering. I should hear something in 4 or 5 days. The problem seems to be associated with the graphics driver. I suggest you also call Apple (if for any reason just to experience the most awesome technical support in existence). Furthermore, referenced my case number (778797925) and that John Kraus is handling it. This may save you a lot of "try this, try that" time.

I believe the fix for this will be in some future system upgrade, so you may have to live with it for a while.

Very unlikely a hardware problem, especially when it happens right after a major OS upgrade. You can run Apple's diagnostics and the Disk Utility to feel better. Running Disk Utility might not be a bad idea since I'm not sure if kernel panics can honk-up the disk any. Nevertheless, this all behaves like a classic software problem.

I too had no problem opening humungous non-jpeg files. Only very large jpeg files (so far) seem affected. I've spotted a few posts that complained about crashes with the iMac 5K during intensive gaming, so there still may be few more weaning issues to sort through with the 5K display. This is bit da ja vu. When OS 8.2 was released, all my Canon raw files on my iPad acted like they were corrupted. Then OS 8.3 immediately comes out and, poof, problem goes away. Likewise, I'm not expecting Apple to get back to me with any miracle cure. If they do, I'll try to remember to post it here. Otherwise, just wait for the next OS upgrade.

It could be where the .jpg was created. Are you aware there are different .jpg's. This is by the compression variation that is used. Have a look here and see if this doesn't help you understand a little better.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPEG

Cheers

DON

I am having exactly same issue on my iMac 5K. When Spring loading or Previewing an image which is above a certain size (resolution) the system crashes with a kernel panic. Opening image in Safari does't reproduce crash and it only happens with built in Preview app. It was working fine before I did a clean install of 10.10.3.

What's interesting is, it worked fine before clean installing OSX Yosemite. When I bought the iMac a week ago, it loaded these images just fine even after update. But had performance issues so after a clean install, performance is quite good but this bug appeared. I'll update if I find a solution.

Try opening the same files with Photos App. Didn't crash for me. If I open the image in anything other than Preview app, it doesn't crash. At least the problem is reproduced for many users so it's unlikely it has something to do with hardware. I am downloading 10.10.3 combo update (A user on another forum suggested the problem resolved after combo update, but his problem was crashing Mail app, doesn't hurt trying).

Also how much RAM do you have. I suspect 10.10.3 has something to do with memory allocation when using preview app.

My temporary solution is to only navigate JPG folders in the Finder in list view. If I scroll through them in columns view, it activates the thumbnail preview and immediately panics. It's not ideal, but that's the only way I can open them in Photoshop. Photoshop doesn't have a single issue with the large jpgs. They're not corrupt files. It's an OS 10.10.3 problem, absolutely.

I just did a clean install of 10.10.3 about 10 minutes ago. The very first thing I did was to open the problematic jpeg file experiencing immediate kernel panic. You are right as long as these jpegs aren't read by Finder or opened in Preview, the crashes don't happen. My alternative is to use some third party image viewing app for a while and see it someone finds the solution.

I got my iMac 5K a week ago and 10.10.1 was preinstalled on it, which didn't have any problem. It only started after 10.10.3.

Combo update didn't solve the problem. Even a second clean install, with nothing but the first thing I did was open the jpeg file. The problem reproduced instantly.

I suspect it's not OS X but AMD Driver which comes with it is bugged. What I am not clear about is how much RAM does other users have. And if they are using R9295x with 4GB of video RAM. This helps because such large images need huge memory to load.

I am in same boat as you. Just gave up and using Photos app to view the images which doesn't have any problem displaying same files which are causing Preview app to crash. Just wait it out and see if Apple patches the problematic code.

I have narrowed down the problem to video driver which has been updated with 10.10.3. I opened the same Images with Photos app and Memory foot print of the app instantly increases to 500+ MB. All of the kernel Panics are related to Apple's own Kernel extensions.

A good way check the possibility of GPU driver issue is to open the same images on older iMacs with Nvidia GPUs. or M9 R295X if newer retina iMac.

If you google the Kernel Backtrace, the only results you get are all related to 10.10.3 update. none of these problems existed before the update.

PS: This is something like memory leak issue with Preview app. I have been an advanced windows user for long time and this is typical Driver type issue with Blue Screens. However UNIX works differently.

If only Apple would share an insight or come up with a workaround. Till them we need to live with the bug.

It's not restricted to AMD drivers. I'm running a late 2013 iMac 27" with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M - I have the same issue that you have. My colleague, who is using a late 2012 iMac 21.5" with NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M, doesn't have the problem when opening the same jpg files.

We both updated the OS to 10.10.3 yesterday and the problem has only occured since then. Has anyone seen this issue on a 21.5" iMac?

Apple released a supplemental update today to 10.10.3, but it does not fix the problem. Still waiting.