Spontaneous Rebooting Woes

[James Steele]

Well this is weird. Can't remember exactly what I was doing in DP, but screens went black, audio just got in "stuck CD" mode and my Mac spontaneously rebooted itself after a screen similar to a kernel panic. When it came back up it asked me to send an error report to Apple and I copied what looked like the critical info. Never saw this before and the mention of CPU makes me worried if something is going on with the new chip I put in? I have no idea. Could also be something else completely, but if anybody knows what this means, I'd appreciate it a hint. Hopefully it won't happen again tonight.



UDPATE: Went to MOTU and downloaded and installed the MOTU Audio Installer 64254 from 10/17/14. I had 64208 from 10/15/14. Jeepers... that was odd. I don't think I've had that happen to me before.

[mikehalloran]

There are firmware issues with the ATi 5770 cards in many Mac Pros and iMacs and the Cocoa Graphics Framework. It's pretty much a given that this will never be fixed. I have posted the complete list before.

One of the issues is that MOTU Audio Setup.app may crash your Mac if left open. The workaround is easy: Close the app when you have made any changes. According to MOTU support, I was the first to report this issue and they confirmed it was real. I have never been told if it was fixed.

Many apps including TechTool Pro had issues with this as well. Most of these were re-worked to get around this once they realized that Apple was never going to address the issue. With TTP, it was v 7.3 that finally had an acceptable workaround – Micromat disabled certain functionality in 6.3-7.2 to prevent crashing.

[mikehalloran]

FWIW, I don't think this has anything to do with the new processor. It appears related to having a third display connected to my ATI 5770 and I'm suspecting it MAY only happen when mirroring one display onto another.

I suspect you are right. The 5770 has some latent issues:

http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... 9&start=30

[James Steele]

I'm chugging along now and haven't had an issue yet. All I could do is try to recall what changes I made to my system just before the problems began. I took out cards, re-seated them, that didn't help. I booted from the Recovery partition and reinstalled OSX. Still had the problem. Downgraded MOTU Audio Driver. No love there.

This is the top portion of the report from the last time it happened:

Anonymous UUID: 2DA290E6-1A1E-04D4-3751-676CF37112F0

Wed Jan 7 13:21:32 2015

*** Panic Report ***
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff800b179458): "a freed zone element has been modified in zone kalloc.128: expected 0xdeadbeefdeadbeef but found 0xdeadbeeedeadbeef, bits changed 0x100000000, at offset 24 of 128 in element 0xffffff8039c33900, cookies 0x3f00115868903c86 0x5352118c45e1551"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-2782.1.97/osfmk/kern/zalloc.c:496
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff82d241aca0 : 0xffffff800b13a811
0xffffff82d241ad20 : 0xffffff800b179458
0xffffff82d241ae50 : 0xffffff800b142ef1
0xffffff82d241ae80 : 0xffffff800b65e513
0xffffff82d241aec0 : 0xffffff800b6ed261
0xffffff82d241aee0 : 0xffffff7f8bdacf60
0xffffff82d241af30 : 0xffffff7f8bdad231
0xffffff82d241af70 : 0xffffff7f8bdaa000
0xffffff82d241ba90 : 0xffffff7f8b9f066e
0xffffff82d241bad0 : 0xffffff7f8b9ef1a4
0xffffff82d241bb00 : 0xffffff7f8bda7b43
0xffffff82d241bb30 : 0xffffff7f8b9ee689
0xffffff82d241bb60 : 0xffffff7f8bda7fd7
0xffffff82d241bb80 : 0xffffff800b6b57ed
0xffffff82d241bbc0 : 0xffffff800b6b530f
0xffffff82d241bc40 : 0xffffff800b6b01f3
0xffffff82d241bc80 : 0xffffff800b6afe51
0xffffff82d241bcc0 : 0xffffff800b6afcd3
0xffffff82d241bd00 : 0xffffff7f8bac6029
0xffffff82d241bd30 : 0xffffff7f8bac6a43
0xffffff82d241bdd0 : 0xffffff7f8c317208
0xffffff82d241be00 : 0xffffff7f8c316868
0xffffff82d241be40 : 0xffffff7f8c3164e9
0xffffff82d241be70 : 0xffffff800b6b57ed
0xffffff82d241beb0 : 0xffffff800b6b530f
0xffffff82d241bf30 : 0xffffff800b6b01f3
0xffffff82d241bf70 : 0xffffff800b6b5f83
0xffffff82d241bfb0 : 0xffffff800b2192c7
Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(705.4.14)[E15E9DC8-410F-3612-8371-E5FECD939E0D]@0xffffff7f8baae000->0xffffff7f8bb12fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[766FC23F-452C-3B74-951C-598BB17BCF06]@0xffffff7f8b924000
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite(705.4.9)[8E052C83-2E50-3632-AC11-0524DFAF2449]@0xffffff7f8c315000->0xffffff7f8c31efff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(705.4.14)[E15E9DC8-410F-3612-8371-E5FECD939E0D]@0xffffff7f8baae000
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily(200.6)[2ED56C8A-6B84-3B50-9B0A-67EEB8EF3FE3]@0xffffff7f8b9eb000->0xffffff7f8ba19fff
dependency: com.apple.vecLib.kext(1.2.0)[BBD5DF5B-D295-3151-ABBE-1EDF8A5EF556]@0xffffff7f8b974000
com.line6.driver.xtaudio(7.3.7)[438BAC2D-0AA5-37B6-BA34-75B77F293070]@0xffffff7f8bda4000->0xffffff7f8be61fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily(200.6)[2ED56C8A-6B84-3B50-9B0A-67EEB8EF3FE3]@0xffffff7f8b9eb000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(705.4.14)[E15E9DC8-410F-3612-8371-E5FECD939E0D]@0xffffff7f8baae000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
14B25

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 14.0.0: Fri Sep 19 00:26:44 PDT 2014; root:xnu-2782.1.97~2/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 89E10306-BC78-3A3B-955C-7C4922577E61
Kernel slide: 0x000000000ae00000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff800b000000
__HIB text base: 0xffffff800af00000
System model name: MacPro5,1 (Mac-F221BEC8)

I don't know what this stuff means, and I see a lot of issues with USB. I actually misread "iokit" as "ilok" is guess and it reminded me that I just upgraded to the latest iLok driver prior to the issue, plus moved my iLok key to the built in USB hub of my 30" cinema display... WHICH is connected to a mDP port on the 5770 with an active Apple mDP-to-DVI adapter, which is drawing power via USB and I had connected the USB connector for the 30" monitor's built in hub to the USB pass thru on that adapter. I also had they keyboard attacked to the 30" monitor hub too for a while.

Anyway, when you get in trouble start undoing the things you did in reverse order I guess. I moved my iLok back to a powered hub on a different USB port and decided to downgrade to the previous version of the iLok extenion and strangely this is the longest I've gone now without issue. I'm going to have to stress test it.

I know my methods are totally guesswork. I wonder if having peripherals like my keyboard and iLok on the pass-thru USB connector of the active mDP-to-DVI adapter was momentarily robbing the adapter of adequate power? I have no clue. One symptom that was happening to me as well was Cue Mix's window would disappear and then come back in a split second... like an eyeblink, and that would precede the reboot. Also once it did it as I was opening a finder window and the window was in "mid-zoom" as it was coming open and it froze and then the reboot.

Yeah... feels like SOMETHING was affecting the graphics and causing it. I'm okay for now, like I said, but don't know if this will hold. Any suggestions on a decent graphics card that won't break the bank. I'd like to use FinalCutProX like I do now and perhaps be able to do 3 monitors.

My next step in trouble shooting was going to be to swap out the graphics card with one from my office MacPro and see what happens, but it's not a good solution for me as FCPX doesn't support that card, so if the 5770 is hopeless, I'd have to buy a new card.

[James Steele]

I just did it again and I don't have time to deal with this today:

Anonymous UUID: 2DA290E6-1A1E-04D4-3751-676CF37112F0

Wed Jan 7 14:28:43 2015

*** Panic Report ***
panic(cpu 4 caller 0xffffff8010179458): "a freed zone element has been modified in zone kalloc.128: expected 0xdeadbeefdeadbeef but found 0xdeadbeeedeadbeef, bits changed 0x100000000, at offset 24 of 128 in element 0xffffff80588b8380, cookies 0x3f001121325637ce 0x535218a61041dc3"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-2782.1.97/osfmk/kern/zalloc.c:496
Backtrace (CPU 4), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff82ccdfb710 : 0xffffff801013a811
0xffffff82ccdfb790 : 0xffffff8010179458
0xffffff82ccdfb8c0 : 0xffffff8010142ef1
0xffffff82ccdfb8f0 : 0xffffff8010662c78
0xffffff82ccdfb920 : 0xffffff8010662e76
0xffffff82ccdfb960 : 0xffffff80106631a3
0xffffff82ccdfb990 : 0xffffff80106b4c6c
0xffffff82ccdfba10 : 0xffffff80106b01f3
0xffffff82ccdfba50 : 0xffffff80106afe51
0xffffff82ccdfba90 : 0xffffff80106afcd3
0xffffff82ccdfbad0 : 0xffffff7f90db5d18
0xffffff82ccdfbb00 : 0xffffff7f90da7bb2
0xfffff


Model: MacPro5,1, BootROM MP51.007F.B03, 6 processors, 6-Core Intel Xeon, 3.33 GHz, 24 GB, SMC 1.39f5
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770, ATI Radeon HD 5770, PCIe, 1024 MB
Memory Module: DIMM 1, 8 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54333147523741465234432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 2, 8 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54333147523742465234432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 3, 8 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54333147523742465234432D48392020
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x87), Atheros 5416: 4.0.74.0-P2P
Bluetooth: Version 4.3.1f2 15015, 3 services, 19 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en2
PCI Card: ATI Radeon HD 5770, Display Controller, Slot-1
PCI Card: Universal Audio UAD-2 Duo, Other Multimedia, Slot-4
PCI Card: pci137a,5, Audio, Slot-3@4,0,0
Serial ATA Device: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB, 250.06 GB
Serial ATA Device: HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH41N
Serial ATA Device: WDC WD6401AALS-00L3B2, 640.14 GB
Serial ATA Device: ST500DM002-1BD142, 500.11 GB
Serial ATA Device: SAMSUNG HD103SJ, 1 TB
Serial ATA Device: WDC WD6400AAKS-41H2B0, 640.14 GB
USB Device: USB2.0 MFP(Hi-Speed)
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: Apple Cinema HD Display
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: PODxt
USB Device: Keyboard Hub
USB Device: USB Receiver
USB Device: Apple Keyboard
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: iLok
USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller
USB Device: AlphaTrack
FireWire Device: built-in_hub, Up to 800 Mb/sec
FireWire Device: Liquid Mix, Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd (design by Sintefex Audio Lda), Up to 400 Mb/sec
Thunderbolt Bus:

There are too many things that worry me now. Could it be the graphics card? I can swap it out with my office Mac and test it. If it's NOT that... then could this be related to the hexcore upgrade I installed and new firmware? I could also try a totally clean software install.

This all sort of sprung up last night after I installed SwitchResX and started playing with mirroring to a third monitor. Not happy.

Next up, I guess, graphics card swap. Also, see if I don't remember if I had MOTU Audio Setup open during the stress test. I don't think it has anything to do with this but I can try. Might try to run without audio interfaces on as well.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Sorry about your mess. I'm still dealing with my transition and just got my 8 core back with a new graphics card. It just up and quit one day and that was that!

This might be interesting for you: I migrated what I thought were stable systems to the Mac Pro bucket, but I was seeing (you guessed it) graphics slow downs and crashes. Especially in iTunes and sometimes in DVD player, but also in DP. True crashes, not just the slowdown (which usually followed). After three sessions with second tier Apple enterprise techs, we narrowed it down, somewhat. The issues went away after creating a new partition on the SSD and installing the OS (Yosemite) fresh.

The presumption (which I also accept) is that I had migrated from as far back as Tiger (maybe even earlier than that) and some "legacy" launchers were active and interfering with the current system. I don't have time to deal with it all right now and I have the new machine fairly stable. As soon as I get through the next three projects (roughly early Feb) I'll do a clean install of everything and have a fresh system. I haven't done that since the G5 over 6 years ago (maybe more) so it's time.

Lesson learned. Don't migrate across machine architectures. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I finally found a nice SATA to TB dock today. Can't wait to pop that bad boy in for the VIs. Sure wish I could do all SSDs but at 13+TB of disks that's more than I want to spend at the moment.

Good times!

[James Steele]

Sounds like a plan. I'm backing up my boot disc with CCC just to have it, and I think I'll probably have to wipe my SSD, to a fresh install, and then slowly move stuff over. Also, I move my old 2006 MacPro1,1 to my office and I had vowed to move all non-studio tasks over to it, and keep the MacPro5,1 a dedicated studio music/creative/video machine with minimum of junk on it. Just Digital Performer, FCPX, Photoshop and only necessary ancillary software. Treat it like an appliance that is meant for very limited tasks.

[James Steele]

The PITA will be all the reauthorizing that I'll need to do. Honestly... it's why I like the iLok. I'm actually hoping a clean install will get the graphics card to settle down. I'm going for a good run now with no issues, but I don't know that will last.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Yeah, authorizations are what concern me most. All but proprietary autos are on my iLok. It's the machine authorizations that get wonky, as well as any older apps that no longer have authorization routes on the new machines (i.e.- installers that won't work under Yosemite).

I'm a composer, Jim, not a damn technician!

[James Steele]

Well, I've tried just about everything now, different graphics card, etc.

I've wiped the SSD boot drive after backing up and now I'm going to do a fresh install. Now he's where it gets tricky. I'm giving serious thought to retreating to Mountain Lion.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

ML or Mavericks?

[James Steele]

ML or Mavericks?

I guess I could do Mavericks. Final Cut Pro X requires that as the minimum. I'm wondering if it's more stable than Yosemite. At least I won't have to worry about zapping NVRAM and forgetting to turn Trim off. Decisions, decisions.

[James Steele]

Might be a good idea. After I go through all the heartache of reinstalling apps and authorizations, I could make a clone of a Mavericks boot drive and then I have an easy way home if I move on to Yosemite and don't like it. Hmmmm...

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I found Mavericks to be quite stable on my 8 core. Yosemite is a PITA on many levels but I really don't want to drop back on the new machine. I have to reinstall everything from scratch in a couple of weeks and have confidence things will shake out in a few months. I don't want to migrate again at that point- just move on and get work done. A couple of Yosemite and DP updates and maybe a few other apps and I think things will be fairly stable after that, but you know know...

[James Steele]

I found Mavericks to be quite stable on my 8 core. Yosemite is a PITA on many levels but I really don't want to drop back on the new machine. I have to reinstall everything from scratch in a couple of weeks and have confidence things will shake out in a few months. I don't want to migrate again at that point- just move on and get work done. A couple of Yosemite and DP updates and maybe a few other apps and I think things will be fairly stable after that, but you know know...

Yeah... I'm already mostly done with a long 5GB download of the Yosemite Installer. I'll probably just do the same thing and hope we see a 10.10.2 before long.