macOS Sierra freeze on iMac late 2009 using Safari

Hey guys,

Since the installation of macOS Sierra on my iMac 27 inch late 2009, I'm experiencing freezes of the computer with the following symptoms:

- the freeze occurs when I scroll a webpage in Safari.

- The mouse cursor still moves but I can't click and manipulate the system ; the keyboard doesn't work, as well.

- A force reboot is mandatory to recover.

- I can establish a ssh connection from my MacBook to the iMac, suggesting that Darwin is still running well.

- The log indicates "userspace_watchdog_timeout.spin report for WindowServer version", suggesting that the problem is related to a crash of the WindowServer.

Somebody here with the same machine has the same problem?

Thanks!

VIN,iMac (27-inch Late 2009), macOS Sierra (10.12)

Posted on Sep 28, 2016 11:13 AM

473 replies

Dec 5, 2016 11:46 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

late 2009 imac 27" freezes while using safari

Dont know if this helps but...

When things started going slow I noticed a diskspaceefficiency process going crazy in the activity monitor. It was using all of my 12GB of RAM and using the hard drive. Did a google search and this process runs every once in a while(dont know how frequently). the iBooks app was backing up my books! I never told it to do this. It does it on its own. I have about 150 pdf books. I deleted all my books and files in iBooks (I dont even use this app anyhow).

Havent had the beachball or a slowdown in 3 days. Even while using safari with multiple users.

In safari just running adobe flash player and java. All other plugins are off.

Even if this doesn't solve this specific problem it may help in some other way.

Dec 6, 2016 11:18 PM in response to John Chapter 6

Hey guys,

I have also asked to the Apple Bug team the reason why the original bug was closed. Their response as following:

"

Thank you for contacting us.

The original report on this issue, Bug ID 26003116, is closed as not to be fixed.

If you still see the issue in a newer release, please file a new bug report."

Well, it looks confusing because they say that the bug is "closed as not to be fixed" and in the same time they say that I should submit a new report if the bug is still present in a newer release suggestion that the bug is actually fixed in an upcoming masOS update.

I thought about it and my opinion is that they have seen this bug before the initial bug (26003116) report get submitted. That's why they say that it's closed as not to be fixed, which is different to a statement like "bug won't be fixed".

And the good news boys is that this bug should be gone presumably in macOS 10.12.2.

Dec 9, 2016 2:53 PM in response to riadfromhabsheim

How do you report/communicate with Apple? I am using the Feedback Assistant to submit sysdiagnose reports. However, I have a different bug number than 26003116.
<Edited by Host>

Dec 7, 2016 4:23 AM in response to Arthur Drewitt1

@Arthur Drewitt1,

I communicate with them via the Apple Bug report:

What do you mean by "crash". A crash of Safari alone or freeze of the entire system as described in my first post of this thread?

Dec 7, 2016 4:58 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

When I say crash, I mean the exact same symptoms you describe in Your first post. All windows frozen, cursor moves but won't accept clicks, can SSH in from another machine etc.

Dec 7, 2016 5:03 AM in response to Arthur Drewitt1

This is not good.

You have submitted a bug to Apple bug reporter? It was closed as duplicate?

Dec 7, 2016 5:12 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Exactly the same **** with my iMac 2014 i7 AMD Radeon R9 1096MB! So what is the solution? Downgrade to Capitain? Or upgrade to PC?

Dec 7, 2016 5:18 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Almost one month using my 2009 iMac 27 with no freezes/crash, haven´t turned it off since then.

Just using Chrome instead of Safari. I wish I had found out it earlier...

Dec 7, 2016 5:23 AM in response to felipembr

I loved Safari, but those crashes just killed that love several times, I'll try Chrome then. Thanks

Dec 7, 2016 5:53 AM in response to tangoromeo

Yep same here, 2 weeks without a crash using Chrome but today was the first, better than 2 per day with Safari

Any sign of a fix??

Dec 7, 2016 6:22 AM in response to DavoSpain

Just, downloaded Chrome. Let's roll. 🙂 Will see. I need to admit, that would be to ridiculous, that Mac freezes because of browser...

Dec 7, 2016 6:44 AM in response to tangoromeo

Nope, same holly-molly fridge VUNDERFUL RAINBOW..

Dec 7, 2016 7:27 AM in response to ClarkDV

CarkDV, an update:

I have not had a problem with Safari since my November 28th uninstalls:

Java

Flash Player

Flip4Mac

Trusteer

Silverlight

Google Chrome

Its been about 8-1/2 days.

ClarkDV

Level 2

185 points

Dec 8, 2016 4:10 PM in response to Webhead1990

Keep us updated, I once went 3 weeks without a freeze, then it started again. Currently I'm at 34 days on this most recent solution.

aefivezz

Level 1

9 points

Dec 8, 2016 4:13 PM in response to ClarkDV

It's not a solution if it doesn't work for everyone, all these so called "solutions" only serve to confuse.

If you want to really find a solution, you send feedback using the Feedback Assistant in the betas.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

macOS Sierra freeze on iMac late 2009 using Safari