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Daily Kernel Panics. ARGH.

L

loudguitars

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 3, 2004
64
1
I'm having at least once-daily, grey-screen-of-death-inducing kernel panics. The logs are supremely unhelpful - 99% of the time the culprit is listed as kernel_task (once in a blue moon it's firefox_bin, but very rarely is it identifiable). There's also no backtrace of the stack, so all I've got is gibberish memory addresses with zero context.

I'll paste the one I just got below - can anyone make heads or tails of this? Is it possible that this is just being caused by a bad stick of RAM? Is there any way to test that other than "take out one stick of RAM, see how long it goes without kernel panicking, repeat"?

I'm also having all sorts of other problems (see my previous post re weird-ass giant logs, and I'm also having a year-old battery give me a "service battery" warning), so maybe it's the OS? This is about a 3.75 year old, heavily, heavily used computer so it could just be getting old and falling apart.

Any advice based on the log would be super-helpful. Thanks!

Code: 
Interval Since Last Panic Report:  615601 sec
Panics Since Last Report:          4

Tue Feb 15 01:41:02 2011
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x226b53): "thread_invoke: preemption_level -1, possible cause: unlocking an unlocked mutex or spinlock"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1504.9.26/osfmk/kern/sched_prim.c:1471
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x5735bd38 : 0x21b50c (0x5d4438 0x5735bd6c 0x223974 0x0) 
0x5735bd88 : 0x226b53 (0x58babc 0xffffffff 0x58ba54 0x226423) 
0x5735be08 : 0x227259 (0x8e2eb98 0x8e2eb98 0x5735be68 0x2329f0) 
0x5735be78 : 0x2272e7 (0x0 0x0 0x0 0x7) 
0x5735be98 : 0x221a0b (0x0 0x0 0x5735bec8 0x2a9a9a) 
0x5735beb8 : 0x48a049 (0x94ac680 0x0 0x9420e94 0x0) 
0x5735bf28 : 0x48a73c (0x0 0x0 0x0 0x94ac680) 
0x5735bf68 : 0x31d406 (0x9420e94 0x94ac680 0x0 0x9420eac) 
0x5735bfc8 : 0x2a06cc (0x9420e84 0x0 0x10 0x819aac4) 

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
10J567

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.6.0: Wed Nov 10 18:13:17 PST 2010; root:xnu-1504.9.26~3/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro3,1 (Mac-F4238BC8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 19527722319365
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.CSRHIDTransitionDriver	2.3.8f7 (addr 0x56f18000, size 0x12288) - last unloaded 2658578042619
loaded kexts:
com.cisco.nke.ipsec	2.0.1
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic	6.0 11992.625164
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge	6.0 11992.625164
com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect	6.0 11992.625164
com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook	6.0 11992.625164
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor	6.0 11992.625164
com.AmbrosiaSW.AudioSupport	2.3.6
com.apple.filesystems.afpfs	9.7 - last loaded 2596192150775
com.apple.nke.asp_tcp	5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor	1.9.3d0
com.apple.filesystems.autofs	2.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA	1.9.9f12
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC	1.13
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor	3.0.0d4
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X	7.0.0
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU	1.5.0d3
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient	3.4.5
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl	1.0.17
com.apple.iokit.CHUDUtils	364
com.apple.iokit.CHUDProf	366
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver	1.1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC	1.4.12
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros21	424.14.5
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelMeromProfile	19.1
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin	4.5.0d5
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight	170.0.34
com.apple.GeForce	6.2.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTrackpad	200.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyEventDriver	200.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard	200.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController	303.8
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient	2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.AppleYukon2	3.2.1b1
com.apple.BootCache	31
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib	1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub	4.1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage	1.6.3
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager	160.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort	2.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA	2.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI	4.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI	4.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM	1.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC	1.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET	1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI	4.7.1
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons	1.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS	1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC	1.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC	1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient	105.13.0
com.apple.security.sandbox	1
com.apple.security.quarantine	0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall	2.1.11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement	105.13.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib	1.9.9f12
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction	17
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction	10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction	14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction	10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction	10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction	20
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController	1.9.9f12
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily	1.9.9f12
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP	2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface	74.2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager	2.3.8f7
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily	10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.CHUDKernLib	365
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily	1.8.0fc1
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib	1.3
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family	312
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily	41.4
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC	3.1.0d3
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily	4.5.0d5
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal	6.2.6
com.apple.NVDAResman	6.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport	2.2
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily	2.2
com.apple.driver.CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController	2.3.8f7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController	2.3.8f7
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily	2.3.8f7
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver	4.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub	4.1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite	3.9.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice	2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily	1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily	1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily	1.6
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter	402.1
com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport	2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily	2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily	1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient	4.1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily	2.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily	2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily	4.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime	1.4.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily	4.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily	1.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily	1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch	1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet	6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages	289
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily	1.6.2
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform	1.3.5
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily	2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily	1.3.0
Model: MacBookPro3,1, BootROM MBP31.0070.B07, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.16f11
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, GeForce 8600M GT, PCIe, 256 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x87), Atheros 5416: 2.1.14.5
Bluetooth: Version 2.3.8f7, 2 service, 12 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
PCI Card: pci168c,24, sppci_othernetwork, PCI Slot 5
Serial ATA Device: Hitachi HTS543232L9A300, 298.09 GB
Parallel ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-857E
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.), 0x8502, 0xfd400000
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.), 0x8205, 0x1a100000
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.), 0x021a, 0x5d200000
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac  (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0x5d100000
 
I don't know what's causing your kernel panics, but there are a couple less-invasive things you can try.

To test your memory, you can download memtest (http://www.memtest.org/). Burn the image file to CD, boot off it, and let it run all night.

You could also disconnect any peripherals like printers, USB hubs, memory card readers, etc. Strip your system down to the basics and see if it still panics. I've heard of older systems crashing when too many firewire devices were connected because they collectively sucked too much power. Not saying this is what's happening, but just listing it as an example of things that can go wrong.

Try that and let us know how it goes.
 
It panicked overnight when I had it out in the living room with only the power cord plugged in, so device overload ain't it. I've definitely heard of that with other systems myself, but that doesn't seem to be the problem here.

Unfortunately, one of the other issues my laptop has is that the burning portion of my SuperDrive doesn't actually work, and it seems like a lot of the diagnostics can only be run off CDs, not USB sticks.

I decided I'm just going to have to suck it up and take it to the Genius bar and take advantage of their diagnostic tools - I'll let you guys know if they can pin down the problem.
 
That's probably a good solution, but if you haven't done that yet and want to try something at home, Rember will work from your drive to test the RAM. It's recommended that you log out of your regular account and use a new fresh account, to limit the amount of programs running simultaneously, as it will be able to test the RAM better. It's actually just a front-end to memtest, but I found it easy enough to use.

jW
 
Oh, try checking the various internal temperatures -- maybe it's filled with dust and is overheating. I use the free iStat Pro widget.
 
Yeah, I run iStatPro and haven't seen any out of range temperatures.

Apple store hardware diagnostics came back clean (except for the battery, but it's soon enough before I'm buying a new computer that I'm not going to spring for a new one), so I'm doing a complete OS reinstall. Zeroing out the disk before I do it just to be sure.

We'll see if that fixes it or if there's still a gremlin in there.
 
That sounds like a good plan. I kind of doubt that Apple's diagnostics would have caught bad memory though, so it may still be worthwhile running memtest or equivalent.

Good luck, and please report back how it goes!
 
Still testing out everything to make sure it's all working, but it looks as if the OS reinstall did the trick - everything is running significantly faster and I somehow now have 30GB of free space more than I did before the reinstall - and I can't find anything that's missing.

Anyway, I'll post back if it all goes to hell again, but the improvement in performance is kind of ridiculous. Things must have gotten insanely corrupted.
 
That's great news, glad your system is back on its feet. That's weird about the extra disk space, though. But hey, 30 extra GB and a faster system, who's complaining, right?
 
Yeah, the extra disk space is very odd. The only thing I can think of is that maybe when I deleted an old Parallels VM, the space didn't properly get marked as free. Only thing I can think of that's the right size and that I wouldn't miss if it was gone.
 
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