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iMac crashing daily, why?

Quite frustrated as to why my iMac (early 2009) is crashing everyday, sometimes twice a day. Here are the technical details:


Using OS X vs 10.8.5

Processor - 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 duo

Memory - 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512 MB


I read that upgrading the OS would help but I use Adobe PS CS5 daily and can not afford to risk having problems using

that software. I can not afford (financially) to buy a new computer right now and prefer not to use cloud software.

Also, keeping in mind that perhaps it might be a memory issue, when I am using PS or Firefox, I try to not use them both

at the same time but even that doesn't matter. And, it seems to happen when using either program, not one or the other.

Maybe I should stop using Firefox for awhile and switch to Safari? Perhaps that would help?


Finally, is it possible just to upgrade to a newer version (compatible w/ PS CS5) w/o having to go to El Capitan?


Any suggestions out there?


Thank you in advance ~

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Jan 9, 2016 3:17 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 14, 2016 10:35 PM

Post a copy of your kernal panic report. There are experts here who can interpret. Sadly I am not one of them.

Mac OS X: How to log a kernel panic - Apple Support



Finally, is it possible just to upgrade to a newer version (compatible w/ PS CS5) w/o having to go to El Capitan?

You should contact Adobe Support and/or post in the Adobe Forums since it's their product.

















User uploaded file

22 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 14, 2016 10:35 PM in response to Robin8

Post a copy of your kernal panic report. There are experts here who can interpret. Sadly I am not one of them.

Mac OS X: How to log a kernel panic - Apple Support



Finally, is it possible just to upgrade to a newer version (compatible w/ PS CS5) w/o having to go to El Capitan?

You should contact Adobe Support and/or post in the Adobe Forums since it's their product.

















User uploaded file

Jan 15, 2016 5:15 PM in response to Robin8

This can be a hardware problem. Or this can be a software problem. In the event this is a hardware problem — or if there's a configuration or software or other problem that might mandate a reinstallation — please make certain you have a current backup of your system, before performing any other steps. This to preserve copies of your data. Then — in addition to one of the crashes — please post the output of Etrecheck. From Etrecheck, information such as the presence of anti-virus or anti-malware or cache-cleaners or performance-optimizing tools can be determined, as well as common adware and other junk, and some indication of whether the disk is logging errors.

Jan 15, 2016 7:31 AM in response to Robin8

What is posted is part of the Apple System Log (ASL), and shows some installed Google services yammering on about software updates, and that's very likely unrelated to the crashes.


Please post the Etrecheck data, and please post the text of the most recent of the four kernel panics — those are shown as "panic (system crashes) log" entries in the screen shot. Text is easier to examine and to search than are screen shot images, too.

Jan 15, 2016 5:44 PM in response to MrHoffman

Here is the report: (Another possibility, my husband's take is that the computer can't handle the large image files I work with, RAW files, an issue w/ the graphics card maybe?) But this doesn't explain when it crashes when I'm not using PS. :-/

EtreCheck version: 2.7.2 (232)

Report generated 2016-01-16 12:30:11

Download EtreCheck from http://etrecheck.com

Runtime 2:28

Performance: Excellent


Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Scan for adware] links for help removing adware.


Problem: Apps are crashing

Description:

What seems to be at random, whether I am browsing in Firefox, working in Photoshop or on a Skype call, my computer will begin doing one of the following at least once or twice daily: freeze, shut down then restart or any open windows begin flashing/vibrating/freezing/pulsing, difficult to describe exactly what it’s doing really.


Hardware Information: ⓘ

iMac (24-inch, Early 2009)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

iMac - model: iMac9,1

1 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core

8 GB RAM

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n


Video Information: ⓘ

NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 - VRAM: 512 MB

iMac 1920 x 1200


System Software: ⓘ

OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5 (12F2560) - Time since boot: about 3 hours


Disk Information: ⓘ

WDC WD1001FALS-40K1B0 disk0 : (1 TB) (Rotational)

disk0s1 (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 998.88 GB (444.99 GB free)

Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked

Core Storage: disk0s2 999.21 GB Online


OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5670S ()


USB Information: ⓘ

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple Inc. Keyboard Hub

Apple Inc. Apple Keyboard

Western Digital Elements 107C 3 TB

disk2s1 (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 315 MB

My Book (disk2s2) /Volumes/My Book : 3.00 TB (2.42 TB free)

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Mitsumi Electric Apple Optical USB Mouse

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Gatekeeper: ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers


Adware: ⓘ

Adware infection possible. [Scan for adware]


Launch Agents: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.epson.esua.launcher.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist ✓ [Support]


Launch Daemons: ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]


User Launch Agents: ⓘ

[failed] SOS.OnlineBackup.LaunchAgent.plist [Support] [Details]

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist ✓ [Support]

[loaded] com.infrascale.OnlineBackup.scheduledBackup.plist [Support]

[running] com.nchsoftware.expressinvoice.agent.plist [Support]


User Login Items: ⓘ

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)


Other Apps: ⓘ

[running] [0x0-0x5005].org.mozilla.firefox

[running] [0x0-0xe60e6].com.etresoft.EtreCheck

[running] com.hp.devicemonitor


Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 3.1.0.24 - SDK 10.8 [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 51 Check version

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

Flash Player: Version: 20.0.0.267 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.13 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.1

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 [Support]

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8


User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Support]


3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

Flash Player [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV [Support]

Growl [Support]

Java [Support]


Time Machine: ⓘ

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 998.88 GB Disk used: 553.89 GB

Destinations:

My Book [Local]

Total size: 3.00 TB

Total number of backups: 40

Oldest backup: 11/6/15 4:40 PM

Last backup: 1/16/16 11:52 AM

Size of backup disk: Excellent

Backup size 3.00 TB > (Disk size 998.88 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

4% Dock

3% WindowServer

2% fontd

2% firefox

0% blued


Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

852 MB firefox

123 MB mds

115 MB Finder

82 MB WindowServer

74 MB coreservicesd


Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

2.14 GB Free RAM

5.86 GB Used RAM

7 MB Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

Jan 16, 2016, 08:50:58 AM Self test - passed

Jan 14, 2016, 01:28:46 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Install Adobe Flash Player_2016-01-14-132846_[redacted].crash

com.adobe.InstallAdobeFlashPlayer - /Volumes/VOLUME/Install Adobe Flash Player.app/Contents/MacOS/Install Adobe Flash Player

Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 15, 2016 7:00 PM in response to Robin8

Okay; that looks fairly normal for a configuration, though it's odd that the Adobe Flash Player software installer is crashing. Remove Adobe Flash Player using the flash removal tool download available from the Adobe web site, reboot, then download the current Adobe Flash Player kit from the Adobe web site, and re-install that. (If you need Flash. Otherwise, just remove it.)


The contents of the most recent crash might be interesting — that's from last week, obviously.

Jan 15, 2016 7:15 PM in response to Robin8

See these files:

Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

Please copy and paste the contents into replies to this thread

Jan 17, 2016 8:14 AM in response to Robin8

The 2 places I’ve seen recommended most to buy reliable RAM are below. I have purchased RAM several times from Other World Computing and have always been very satisfied with the product and service. They have on-line instructions on how to replace the RAM. OWC has also tested RAM above what Apple states is the maximum. I now have 6GB installed on a early 2008 iMac supposedly limited to 4 GB and noticed an improvement.


Crucial


Other World Computing

Jan 31, 2016 6:46 PM in response to BobHarris

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're looking for. I already copied and pasted into the thread I thought? Do you mean more details with regard to

these files? I don't know if I can as I did not save the report. Give it time though as I'm sure there will be another crash coming... ;-/

Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 31, 2016 8:33 PM in response to Robin8

Robin8 wrote:


I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're looking for. I already copied and pasted into the thread I thought? Do you mean more details with regard to

these files? I don't know if I can as I did not save the report. Give it time though as I'm sure there will be another crash coming... ;-/

Jan 10, 2016, 02:32:08 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 9, 2016, 08:17:49 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic [Details]

Jan 8, 2016, 01:50:40 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic [Details]

Dec 31, 2015, 11:51:42 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic [Details]

We want to see the panic reports. We want to see what is inside these files.


I think all you need to do is click on the [Details] link in the EtreCheck report. You may have to run EtreCheck again to get the report with the live links.


If that does not work, then do it the hard way


a) Start an Applications -> TextEdit session, and leave TextEdit running.

b) Finder -> Go -> Go to Folder -> /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/

You should see a Finder window with the various Kernel*.panic files in it (along with other stuff)

c) Drag and drop Kernel_2016-01-10-143208_[redacted].panic on the TextEdit icon in the dock

This will open a new TextEdit window with the contents of the kernel panic

TextEdit -> Edit -> Select All

TextEdit -> Edit -> Copy

d) In a Reply to this thread, Paste the contents of that TextEdit document into the edit box.

e) Click the Reply button at the bottom of the edit box to add the information to this thread.

f) go back and do the same thing to Kernel_2016-01-09-201749_[redacted].panic

g) go back and do the same thing to Kernel_2016-01-08-135040_[redacted].panic

h) go back and do the same thing to Kernel_2015-12-31-115142_[redacted].panic

iMac crashing daily, why?

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