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Imac mid 2011 Crashing..... advice please....

My trusty mid 2011 27" imac has for the last few months started to crash, it will either restart to the white screen, sometimes crash to a balck screen with red pinstipes....

I have checked and all seems fine , running the latest os and plenty of ram and hdd space, is this imminent hdd death?

thanks in advance,

Ade

Posted on Nov 14, 2017 10:54 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 15, 2017 12:37 PM

Aidey,


In case it starts crashing again, there is one thing to consider--your RAM load-out:

16 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok


In iMacs of that generation there were persistent reports of odd crashes when four, 4GB RAM modules were installed in models like yours that can handle more RAM (the i5 and i7 models). Anything more or less than 16GB gave normal performance. Whether this is a true hardware bug or a problem with non-conformng RAM was never established. However changing the TOTAL RAM installed to anything than 16GB seemd to fix the issue.


If it starts again, pull ONE RAM module and test. Your iMac will run on three modules for test purposes.

12 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Nov 15, 2017 12:37 PM in response to Aidey

Aidey,


In case it starts crashing again, there is one thing to consider--your RAM load-out:

16 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok


In iMacs of that generation there were persistent reports of odd crashes when four, 4GB RAM modules were installed in models like yours that can handle more RAM (the i5 and i7 models). Anything more or less than 16GB gave normal performance. Whether this is a true hardware bug or a problem with non-conformng RAM was never established. However changing the TOTAL RAM installed to anything than 16GB seemd to fix the issue.


If it starts again, pull ONE RAM module and test. Your iMac will run on three modules for test purposes.

Nov 15, 2017 7:51 AM in response to rkaufmann87

EtreCheck version: 3.4.6 (460)

Report generated 2017-11-15 15:49:35

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 2:05

Performance: Excellent


Click the [Lookup] links for more information from Apple Support Communities.

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


Problem: Computer is restarting

Description:

Imac is restarting and crashing


Hardware Information: β“˜

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

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

iMac - model: iMac12,2

1 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-2600) CPU: 4-core

16 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Handoff/Airdrop2: not supported

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

iCloud Quota: 40.06 GB available


Video Information: β“˜

AMD Radeon HD 6970M - VRAM: 1 GB

iMac 2560 x 1440


Disk Information: β“˜

ST31000528AS disk0: (1 TB) (Rotational)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1 - MS-DOS FAT32) <not mounted>
[EFI]: 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2 - Journaled HFS+) /
[Startup]: 999.35 GB (853.83 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3 - Journaled HFS+) <not mounted>
[Recovery]: 650 MB


OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H
()


USB Information: β“˜

USB20Bus

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

hub_device

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

USB20Bus

hub_device

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader


Thunderbolt Information: β“˜

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


System Software: β“˜

macOS High Sierra
10.13.1 (17B48) - Time since boot: less than an hour


Gatekeeper: β“˜

Mac App Store and identified developers


System Launch Agents: β“˜

[not loaded] 9 Apple tasks

[loaded] 177 Apple tasks

[running] 102 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons: β“˜

[not loaded] 36 Apple tasks

[loaded] 182 Apple tasks

[running] 113 Apple tasks


Launch Agents: β“˜

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (? 6b4990f2 72ac4dde - installed 2017-09-15) [Lookup]


Launch Daemons: β“˜

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (? 2afb3af7 564efddb - installed 2017-10-20) [Lookup]

[not loaded] com.apple.installer.cleanupinstaller.plist (? 1963bf56 0 - installed 2017-11-08)

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Agent.plist (MacPaw Inc. - installed 2017-10-05) [Lookup]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (? 6d8cb30e a77a86d3 - installed 2012-11-05) [Lookup]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (Shell Script e3fefdd2 - installed 2017-07-22) [Lookup]


User Launch Agents: β“˜

[loaded] com.bittorrent.BitTorrent.plist (BitTorrent, Inc - installed 2017-08-14) [Lookup]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2017-09-28) [Lookup]

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Scheduler.plist (MacPaw Inc. - installed 2017-10-05) [Lookup]

[loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist (Spotify - installed 2015-04-20) [Lookup]


Internet Plug-ins: β“˜

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 144 build 01 (installed 2017-09-15) Check version

FlashPlayer-10.6: 27.0.0.183 (installed 2017-10-27) [Lookup]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2017-10-25)

Flash Player: 27.0.0.183 (installed 2017-10-27) Outdated! Update

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101737: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 (installed 2012-12-13) [Lookup]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.6.9 (installed 2016-10-21) [Lookup]

Unity Web Player: UnityPlayer version 3.5.6f4 (installed 2012-09-24) [Lookup]

Silverlight: 5.1.40728.0 (installed 2017-08-14) [Lookup]

MeetingJoinPlugin: Unknown (installed 2015-03-17) [Lookup]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (installed 2013-04-23)


3rd Party Preference Panes: β“˜

Flash Player (installed 2017-10-20) [Lookup]

Java (installed 2017-09-15) [Lookup]


Time Machine: β“˜

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 145.52 GB

Destinations:

My Book Ade [Local]

Total size: 999.86 GB

Total number of backups: 45

Oldest backup: 21/07/2016, 09:25

Last backup: 19/11/2016, 11:35

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 999.86 GB > (Disk used 145.52 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: β“˜

8%
mds

4%
kernel_task

2%
WindowServer

2%
mdworker

1%
mds_stores


Top Processes by Memory: β“˜

921 MB kernel_task

246 MB Google Chrome Helper

188 MB Google Chrome

164 MB Google Chrome Helper

115 MB photoanalysisd


Top Processes by Network Use: β“˜

Input Output Process name

7 KB 14 KB apsd

14 KB 5 KB cloudd

11 KB 6 KB mDNSResponder

522 B 354 B netbiosd

0 B 72 B SystemUIServer


Top Processes by Energy Use: β“˜

5.32 mds

4.76 WindowServer

1.80 makewhatis

1.20 mds_stores


Virtual Memory Information: β“˜

12.15 GB
Available RAM

9.90 GB
Free RAM

3.85 GB
Used RAM

2.25 GB
Cached files

0 B Swap Used


Software installs (last 30 days): β“˜

Adobe Flash Player:
(installed 2017-10-27)


Install information may not be complete.


Diagnostics Events (last 3 days for minor events): β“˜

2017-11-15 15:43:05 Last shutdown cause: -128 - Unknown



Nov 15, 2017 11:55 AM in response to Old Toad

Ok i have had a clean up and removed the cleaning tools etc, here's the updated report, thanks

EtreCheck version: 3.4.6 (460)

Report generated 2017-11-15 19:52:03

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 1:44

Performance: Excellent


Click the [Lookup] links for more information from Apple Support Communities.

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


Problem: Computer is restarting


Hardware Information: β“˜

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)

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

iMac - model: iMac12,2

1 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-2600) CPU: 4-core

16 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM1

4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

Handoff/Airdrop2: not supported

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

iCloud Quota: 40.06 GB available


Video Information: β“˜

AMD Radeon HD 6970M - VRAM: 1 GB

iMac 2560 x 1440


Disk Information: β“˜

ST31000528AS disk0: (1 TB) (Rotational)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1 - MS-DOS FAT32) <not mounted>
[EFI]: 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2 - Journaled HFS+) /
[Startup]: 999.35 GB (860.90 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3 - Journaled HFS+) <not mounted>
[Recovery]: 650 MB


OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H
()


USB Information: β“˜

USB20Bus

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

hub_device

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

USB20Bus

hub_device

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Internal Memory Card Reader


Thunderbolt Information: β“˜

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


System Software: β“˜

macOS High Sierra
10.13.1 (17B48) - Time since boot: less than an hour


Gatekeeper: β“˜

Mac App Store and identified developers


System Launch Agents: β“˜

[not loaded] 9 Apple tasks

[loaded] 179 Apple tasks

[running] 100 Apple tasks


System Launch Daemons: β“˜

[not loaded] 36 Apple tasks

[loaded] 187 Apple tasks

[running] 108 Apple tasks


Launch Agents: β“˜

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist (? 6b4990f2 72ac4dde - installed 2017-09-15) [Lookup]


Launch Daemons: β“˜

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (? 2afb3af7 defea098 - installed 2017-10-26) [Lookup]

[not loaded] com.apple.installer.cleanupinstaller.plist (? 1963bf56 0 - installed 2017-11-08)

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (? 6d8cb30e a77a86d3 - installed 2012-11-05) [Lookup]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist (Shell Script e3fefdd2 - installed 2017-07-22) [Lookup]


User Launch Agents: β“˜

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2017-11-15) [Lookup]


Internet Plug-ins: β“˜

FlashPlayer-10.6: 27.0.0.187 (installed 2017-11-15) [Lookup]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (installed 2017-10-25)

Flash Player: 27.0.0.187 (installed 2017-11-15) [Lookup]

iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 (installed 2013-04-23)

JavaAppletPlugin: Java 8 Update 144 build 01 (installed 2017-09-15) Check version


3rd Party Preference Panes: β“˜

Flash Player (installed 2017-10-26) [Lookup]

Java (installed 2017-09-15) [Lookup]


Time Machine: β“˜

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 999.35 GB Disk used: 138.44 GB

Destinations:

My Book Ade [Local]

Total size: 999.86 GB

Total number of backups: 45

Oldest backup: 21/07/2016, 09:25

Last backup: 19/11/2016, 11:35

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 999.86 GB > (Disk used 138.44 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: β“˜

2%
WindowServer

1%
kernel_task

1%
fontd

0%
Google Chrome Helper

0%
Google Chrome


Top Processes by Memory: β“˜

990 MB kernel_task

291 MB Google Chrome Helper

225 MB Google Chrome

156 MB Google Chrome Helper

110 MB Finder


Top Processes by Network Use: β“˜

Input Output Process name

55 KB 11 KB mDNSResponder

21 KB 3 KB netbiosd

5 KB 10 KB apsd

7 KB 2 KB cloudd

665 B 653 B kernel_task


Top Processes by Energy Use: β“˜

4.80 WindowServer

2.68 mds

0.94 Google Chrome Helper

0.78 mdworker


Virtual Memory Information: β“˜

12.34 GB
Available RAM

9.58 GB
Free RAM

3.66 GB
Used RAM

2.76 GB
Cached files

0 B Swap Used


Software installs (last 30 days): β“˜

Adobe Flash Player:
(installed 2017-10-27)

Adobe Flash Player:
(installed 2017-11-15)


Install information may not be complete.


Diagnostics Events (last 3 days for minor events): β“˜

2017-11-15 19:11:48 Last shutdown cause: -128 - Unknown


Files deleted by EtreCheck: β“˜

2017-11-15 19:29:16 - /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Agent.plist - Unknown


Nov 15, 2017 10:37 AM in response to Aidey

It could be the GPU however first you have some serious issues. Mac OS was designed to be extremely secure and elegant and does not require any third party cleaning, antivirus or any other "maintenance" apps. You have CleanMyMac3 installed which MUST be uninstalled. Locate the developers instructions for uninstalling immediately and execute the instructions.


Next, you have BitTorrent installed. This is commonly used to pirate software, which comes with a high degree of risk!! If you use the BitTorrent for this please uninstall and begin buying your apps. At the very least please uninstall BitTorrent.

Imac mid 2011 Crashing..... advice please....

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