You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

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

Top-ranking reply

riadfromhabsheim Author

Level 1

91 points

Posted on Feb 3, 2017 2:50 AM

Hey guys,

I have a good news. I asked through my bug report when this problem is supposed to be fixed.

Bug report team told me that the bug is still under investigation BUT they say also that I should test this issue on macOS 10.12.5.

Hopefully, a fix will be proposed in the coming macOS 10.12.5 update. 🙂

View in context

473 replies

Dec 31, 2016 4:50 PM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Thanks

Your non Voodoo workarround helps. No more issues.

Jan 3, 2017 12:11 AM in response to larisa pedroncell

No no, the workaround solely affect the ability of Safari to use the graphic card for accelerating processes.

Jan 4, 2017 12:29 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

It's been two days I use Safari and your solution seems to work perfectly! Thanks!

johpo01

Level 1

49 points

Jan 5, 2017 6:08 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Used your circumvention for two days now - without any freezes. Looks like you've found the needle. I'm back to using Safari. Thanks.

Jan 5, 2017 6:13 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Another one to say that I have also been using the @riadfromhabsheim (disable accelerated drawing) for several days with zero crashes in Safari.

Jan 5, 2017 6:20 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

The @riadfromhabsheim fix also has been working for me. Almost a week of having this fix in place and the crashes have stopped completely.

Jan 9, 2017 4:48 PM in response to riadfromhabsheim

You're a legend, @riadfromhabsheim. Thank you.

Jan 10, 2017 12:18 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

OK up to 3) Where is the debug menu? Excuse my lack of technoledge but I cant find how to go to the next step

Any help would be appreciated, assume I can just about switch on and off!!

Jan 10, 2017 12:33 AM in response to DavoSpain

Did you activate the debug menu with Terminal?

You need also to restart Safari. Then, the debug menu will be the last menu (after the Help menu) within the menu bar of Safari.

Jan 10, 2017 12:44 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

OK this time it worked and so far so good, thanks for your input, as you say something so basic could have been highlighted by Apple, lets see if this fix holds. Will report back if all goes well

Jan 10, 2017 1:45 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

You are probably right. The freeze just happened again (on this page) with all extension off and plugins on. I've disabled plugins again. Let's see what happens.

Jan 12, 2017 1:58 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Thank you so much @riadfromhabsheim, it seems working for me as well.

Jan 14, 2017 1:06 AM in response to riadfromhabsheim

Quite a few days now without a lockup after your advice @riadfromhabsheim, a great piece of work, back to using safari without fear, as CaptShabot says, a legend!!