MacBook Pro crashing a lot

[braddicted2mac]

For a while I wasn't using my macbook pro. I started using it again in november and noticed that it crashes a lot now which it never did before.
I figured it was a HD issue because there was errors on the hard drive with files when I started backing everything up, ie movies, music and photos.

I replaced the HD with a Samsung 840 SSd and upgraded the ram to 8gb

Before the upgrade I noticed it happened every time I put the lid down and then opened on another occasion. but now even after the upgrade I'll use it randomly and it will crash. Ive tried re-installing mountain lion but still crashes.

I did a fresh install on SSD of Snow leopard and upgraded to mountain lion from there

Any suggestions?

[UnwiredTech]

If it happenes agaib post the log here.

Right now try install ONYX and do some maintenance.

[thekev]

Memtest the ram. I always do that right after upgrading it. Bad sticks come up often enough. It's part of the price we pay for the low cost of memory. I don't think it's always well tested prior to shipping. It can also cause the problems you've mentioned. Other common causes are firmware or driver problems, and a bad logic board. This is the kind of thing you want to track down. @UnwiredTech, running onyx isn't going to do anything. It's essentially a garbage collection app. Some of those optimizations stopped being relevant after 10.3 Jaguar.

[braddicted2mac]

Originally Posted by thekev

Memtest the ram. I always do that right after upgrading it. Bad sticks come up often enough. It's part of the price we pay for the low cost of memory. I don't think it's always well tested prior to shipping. It can also cause the problems you've mentioned. Other common causes are firmware or driver problems, and a bad logic board. This is the kind of thing you want to track down. @UnwiredTech, running onyx isn't going to do anything. It's essentially a garbage collection app. Some of those optimizations stopped being relevant after 10.3 Jaguar.

trying the memtest now.... How would I go about testing for firmware or driver issues? not sure how to do that on the OSX?

[thekev]

Originally Posted by braddicted2mac

trying the memtest now.... How would I go about testing for firmware or driver issues? not sure how to do that on the OSX?

I should have explained that better. I've had stability problems with peripheral devices before. This can include external hard drives, third party mice, etc. I had problems with Razer a while back. I'm not a gamer. I bought one because they made a left handed mouse, which isn't very common. If you're experiencing these problems when peripheral devices haven't been plugged in since the last reboot, they aren't the problem. Ideally you'd want to run memtest in single user mode for 5 or more cycles. I typically set it up to run overnight. Sometimes file system problems can cause the system to freeze up too, but it usually doesn't remain that way. It's more common if your boot drive is extremely full. You can get the spinning wheel when it's waiting on the drive. That is still an OSX problem as the file system used has a very poor directory system. This is something they should have fixed many years ago.

[braddicted2mac]

Originally Posted by thekev

I should have explained that better. I've had stability problems with peripheral devices before. This can include external hard drives, third party mice, etc. I had problems with Razer a while back. I'm not a gamer. I bought one because they made a left handed mouse, which isn't very common. If you're experiencing these problems when peripheral devices haven't been plugged in since the last reboot, they aren't the problem. Ideally you'd want to run memtest in single user mode for 5 or more cycles. I typically set it up to run overnight. Sometimes file system problems can cause the system to freeze up too, but it usually doesn't remain that way. It's more common if your boot drive is extremely full. You can get the spinning wheel when it's waiting on the drive. That is still an OSX problem as the file system used has a very poor directory system. This is something they should have fixed many years ago.

ok yes I'll check the peripherals. I just purchased a apple keyboard and trackpad. Also im using a vga out put maybe i'll go to the website see if I can update the drivers for the device. running a memtest 2 right now. the laptop is at work so I will check it in the morning. Is there some kind of reset? for when you get new ram installed?

[thekev]

Originally Posted by braddicted2mac

ok yes I'll check the peripherals. I just purchased a apple keyboard and trackpad. Also im using a vga out put maybe i'll go to the website see if I can update the drivers for the device. running a memtest 2 right now. the laptop is at work so I will check it in the morning. Is there some kind of reset? for when you get new ram installed?

I wouldn't suspect the Apple stuff. I've never seen conflicts with their own peripheral devices. That would probably result in very bad PR. If you're worried about those, check on the Apple Store site. The reviews would mention them. I'm a little doubtful on the VGA thing too. I've never seen a display out crash something. My bet is on ram that needs to be RMA'd or an external hard drive. Those are very common causes of crashes. The good thing is that the most common causes are cheap to fix.

[braddicted2mac]

Originally Posted by thekev

I should have explained that better. I've had stability problems with peripheral devices before. This can include external hard drives, third party mice, etc. I had problems with Razer a while back. I'm not a gamer. I bought one because they made a left handed mouse, which isn't very common. If you're experiencing these problems when peripheral devices haven't been plugged in since the last reboot, they aren't the problem. Ideally you'd want to run memtest in single user mode for 5 or more cycles. I typically set it up to run overnight. Sometimes file system problems can cause the system to freeze up too, but it usually doesn't remain that way. It's more common if your boot drive is extremely full. You can get the spinning wheel when it's waiting on the drive. That is still an OSX problem as the file system used has a very poor directory system. This is something they should have fixed many years ago.

Memtest passed I only did memtest 2 as per the website suggestion do you think I should do a memtest 5?

also I did have an extrernal HD plugged in I have since removed it going to try to leave it out for a few days see how the system runs

----------

Originally Posted by thekev

I should have explained that better. I've had stability problems with peripheral devices before. This can include external hard drives, third party mice, etc. I had problems with Razer a while back. I'm not a gamer. I bought one because they made a left handed mouse, which isn't very common. If you're experiencing these problems when peripheral devices haven't been plugged in since the last reboot, they aren't the problem. Ideally you'd want to run memtest in single user mode for 5 or more cycles. I typically set it up to run overnight. Sometimes file system problems can cause the system to freeze up too, but it usually doesn't remain that way. It's more common if your boot drive is extremely full. You can get the spinning wheel when it's waiting on the drive. That is still an OSX problem as the file system used has a very poor directory system. This is something they should have fixed many years ago.

Thanks for the help btw !

[thekev]

Originally Posted by braddicted2mac

also I did have an extrernal HD plugged in I have since removed it going to try to leave it out for a few days see how the system runs

I'd try that. Is it set to do auto backups at a system level or in any individual program? Sometimes those can cause periods of unresponsiveness if they overtax a specific piece of hardware. I did a quick search and I can't find any stability related issues with the Samsung 840. I wanted to be sure there wasn't any kind of firmware problem there. These things are typically hardware related, like bad ram can cause hard drive errors. You did test it in single user mode right? That's way it can test as much of the sticks as possible. Also what I meant to ask before was are you getting endless spinning wheels or this? Hard drive problems commonly give you a spinning wheel. It's usually something else if you get the kernel panic screen. Some of the guys in the programming section of this site are better at reading kernel panic logs than myself, if that happens to be the case. The logs can be found in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports if you are getting that screen. Xbits has more information on them.

Originally Posted by braddicted2mac

Thanks for the help btw !

You're welcome. I just hope it's not a logic board problem.

[braddicted2mac]

[QUOTE=thekev;16790629]I'd try that. Is it set to do auto backups at a system level or in any individual program? Sometimes those can cause periods of unresponsiveness if they overtax a specific piece of hardware. I did a quick search and I can't find any stability related issues with the Samsung 840. I wanted to be sure there wasn't any kind of firmware problem there. These things are typically hardware related, like bad ram can cause hard drive errors. You did test it in single user mode right? That's way it can test as much of the sticks as possible. Also what I meant to ask before was are you getting endless spinning wheels or this? Hard drive problems commonly give you a spinning wheel. It's usually something else if you get the kernel panic screen. Some of the guys in the programming section of this site are better at reading kernel panic logs than myself, if that happens to be the case. The logs can be found in /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports if you are getting that screen. Xbits has more information on them.


Hey so just had another panic mode and yes it does come up with a reboot screen. ie press a button to reboot

I did not try the memtest all 5 in single mode will do that before i head home tonight. Check a SSD test everthing was fine.

In case it was a logic board problem what could they do replace it? is it expensive? or better to just buy a new mac lol Not that I want to spend the money.

here is the report on the last breakdown don't know if it can help you or not or tell you much I can't make heads or tails of it. !

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 325871 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 6
Anonymous UUID: 091CBAD1-35B3-D4BD-9DED-34669800801C

Tue Feb 5 14:21:12 2013
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f84b6bb25): NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error 0x0010a4c8: CFG 0xffffffff 0xffffffff 0xffffffff, BAR0 0xd2000000 0xffffff81180d5000 0x0a5480a2, D0, P3/4
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff80f4923190 : 0xffffff800441d626
0xffffff80f4923200 : 0xffffff7f84b6bb25
0xffffff80f4923290 : 0xffffff7f84c654b3
0xffffff80f49232f0 : 0xffffff7f84f9e393
0xffffff80f4923310 : 0xffffff7f84c5922d
0xffffff80f4923340 : 0xffffff7f84c594c7
0xffffff80f4923380 : 0xffffff7f84ce63cc
0xffffff80f49233f0 : 0xffffff7f84f9e19a
0xffffff80f4923430 : 0xffffff7f84f7aa53
0xffffff80f4923570 : 0xffffff7f84c8b659
0xffffff80f49235a0 : 0xffffff7f84b758da
0xffffff80f4923650 : 0xffffff7f84b70fac
0xffffff80f4923840 : 0xffffff7f84b72ade
0xffffff80f4923920 : 0xffffff7f85c47ad5
0xffffff80f4923960 : 0xffffff7f85c5d507
0xffffff80f4923980 : 0xffffff7f85c7c353
0xffffff80f49239c0 : 0xffffff7f85c7c3b1
0xffffff80f4923a00 : 0xffffff7f85c62c43
0xffffff80f4923a50 : 0xffffff7f85c1d0fc
0xffffff80f4923ae0 : 0xffffff7f85c18efa
0xffffff80f4923b10 : 0xffffff7f85c16aab
0xffffff80f4923b40 : 0xffffff80048650c3
0xffffff80f4923bc0 : 0xffffff8004867153
0xffffff80f4923c20 : 0xffffff8004864b8f
0xffffff80f4923d70 : 0xffffff80044981e1
0xffffff80f4923e80 : 0xffffff8004420aed
0xffffff80f4923eb0 : 0xffffff8004410448
0xffffff80f4923f00 : 0xffffff800441961b
0xffffff80f4923f70 : 0xffffff80044a5b16
0xffffff80f4923fb0 : 0xffffff80044ced53
Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.NVDAResman(8.0)[A4C53A36-22B6-3075-82B9-9DE612A9C015]@0xffffff7f84b04000->0xffffff7f84e06fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.2)[B1B77B26-7984-302F-BA8E-544DD3D75E73]@0xffffff7f84a72000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.5)[86DDB71C-A73A-3EBE-AC44-0BC9A38B9A44]@0xffffff7f84af0000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.5)[803496D0-ADAD-3ADB-B071-8A0A197DA53D]@0xffffff7f84aad000
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal(8.0)[9F3D09B5-3158-3D9E-BDA3-E71576AAD3B7]@0xffffff7f84e14000->0xffffff7f85136fff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(8.0.0)[A4C53A36-22B6-3075-82B9-9DE612A9C015]@0xffffff7f84b04000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.2)[B1B77B26-7984-302F-BA8E-544DD3D75E73]@0xffffff7f84a72000
com.apple.GeForce(8.0)[2E56ED9A-D848-3795-9E52-56BABDC9000C]@0xffffff7f85bfe000->0xffffff7f85cc0fff
dependency: com.apple.NVDAResman(8.0.0)[A4C53A36-22B6-3075-82B9-9DE612A9C015]@0xffffff7f84b04000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.5)[86DDB71C-A73A-3EBE-AC44-0BC9A38B9A44]@0xffffff7f84af0000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7.2)[B1B77B26-7984-302F-BA8E-544DD3D75E73]@0xffffff7f84a72000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.5)[803496D0-ADAD-3ADB-B071-8A0A197DA53D]@0xffffff7f84aad000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: WindowServer

Mac OS version:
12C60

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 12.2.0: Sat Aug 25 00:48:52 PDT 2012; root:xnu-2050.18.24~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: 69A5853F-375A-3EF4-9247-478FD0247333
Kernel slide: 0x0000000004200000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8004400000
System model name: MacBookPro6,2 (Mac-F22586C8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 16779096555365
last loaded kext at 16466395548364: com.apple.filesystems.ntfs 3.10 (addr 0xffffff7f8680d000, size 368640)
last unloaded kext at 16544511090642: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC 4.1.22 (addr 0xffffff7f8680a000, size 12288)
loaded kexts:
com.apple.filesystems.ntfs 3.10
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch 75.15
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.60
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.69
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 122
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU 2.0.2d0
com.apple.GeForce 8.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.3.1f2
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.3.1f2
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCPDRC 1.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.2.11
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleMuxControl 3.2.11
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.10
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.0.33
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphics 8.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHDGraphicsFB 8.0.0
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.2d6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 235.4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader 3.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 320.15
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 235.4
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache 34
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.5.1
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.2.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.2.5
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 602.15.22
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet 3.2.5b3
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.4.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 161.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 196.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 4.0.39
com.apple.security.quarantine 2
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 196.0.0
com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver 235.28
com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.6
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.3.1f2
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.9fc10
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.6
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 86.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.0.9f33
com.apple.iokit.AppleBluetoothHCIControllerUSBTransport 4.0.9f33
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.10d0
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.2.0d16
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.2.11
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.3.1f2
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.3.1f2
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.10d0
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 8.0.0
com.apple.NVDAResman 8.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.5
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.4d2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHIDKeyboard 165.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 165.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 3.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 235.7
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 500.15
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController 1.0.2b1
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.5.5
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.8.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox 220
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 7
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 344
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.21
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7.2
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4
com.apple.kec.corecrypto 1.0
Model: MacBookPro6,2, BootROM MBP61.0057.B0F, 2 processors, Intel Core i7, 2.66 GHz, 8 GB, SMC 1.58f16
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics, Intel HD Graphics, Built-In, 288 MB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, PCIe, 512 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x0198, 0x393930353432382D3030352E4130324C4620
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 4 GB, DDR3, 1067 MHz, 0x0198, 0x393930353432382D3030352E4130324C4620
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x93), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.81.22)
Bluetooth: Version 4.0.9f33 10885, 2 service, 18 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Ethernet, Ethernet, en0
Serial ATA Device: Samsung SSD 840 Series, 250.06 GB
Serial ATA Device: MAT****ADVD-R UJ-898
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfa100000 / 2
USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader, apple_vendor_id, 0x8403, 0xfa130000 / 6
USB Device: BRCM2070 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0xfa110000 / 5
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x8218, 0xfa113000 / 9
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, apple_vendor_id, 0x0236, 0xfa120000 / 4
USB Device: Keyboard Hub, apple_vendor_id, 0x1006, 0xfa140000 / 3
USB Device: Apple Keyboard, apple_vendor_id, 0x024f, 0xfa142000 / 7
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2514, 0xfd100000 / 2
USB Device: IR Receiver, apple_vendor_id, 0x8242, 0xfd120000 / 5
USB Device: Built-in iSight, apple_vendor_id, 0x8507, 0xfd110000 / 4
USB Device: My Passport 0730, 0x1058 (Western Digital Technologies, Inc.), 0x0730, 0xfd130000 / 3


GL and thanks again.

[thekev]

Originally Posted by braddicted2mac

here is the report on the last breakdown don't know if it can help you or not or tell you much I can't make heads or tails of it. !

That is really to be expected. I'm also terrible at analyzing these things, but they do provide information. The only area where I'm reasonably certain is that you have a hardware related problem. If it doesn't get any responses here, you could try the programming section of the site or something of that sort. I'm not sure where to post troubleshooting. The idevices have troubleshooting sections, yet that isn't the case with Macs.

[mike5065]

in the backtrace:

Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.NVDAResman
...

and a variety of graphics kexts/drivers appear as well.

does this not suggest NVidia graphics?

[duervo]

Either wait for 10.8.3 which might fix it (fingers crossed), or try updating your graphics drivers with this:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda-mac-driver.html

Some people have suggested that disabling graphics switching solves that crash, but reports seem to be mixed on the accuracy of that claim.

I would try the updated nVidia driver, if it were me.

[braddicted2mac]

Originally Posted by duervo

Either wait for 10.8.3 which might fix it (fingers crossed), or try updating your graphics drivers with this:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda-mac-driver.html

Some people have suggested that disabling graphics switching solves that crash, but reports seem to be mixed on the accuracy of that claim.

I would try the updated nVidia driver, if it were me.

thanks I will try the update driver.. Mac been running smoothly lately only one or two crashes a day. Usually right when I use my mac for the first time in the morning. But nothing this morning. thanks for the help

[braddicted2mac]

Originally Posted by duervo

Either wait for 10.8.3 which might fix it (fingers crossed), or try updating your graphics drivers with this:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda-mac-driver.html

Some people have suggested that disabling graphics switching solves that crash, but reports seem to be mixed on the accuracy of that claim.

I would try the updated nVidia driver, if it were me.

I notice a lot when I just shut my my mac down while still running and when I open it back up it usually crashes

any sugguestions

[duervo]

Did you ever try using the system without your external Western Digital drive attached to it? It's possible that the drive could be causing issues when the system goes into or comes out of sleep mode.

You said you'd unplug it it for a few days to see if it stabilized, but I don't notice any mention about it since then.