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iMac Pro Everything freezes up, but the mouse cursor

gr8pics

gr8pics

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 20, 2008
173
4
My imac pro is 2 months old, and latelly it has starting to freeze up every week or so.
No warning or indications, it just happens, especially when in Safari.
Only solution is to force quit with the power button, which im not very happy with.

Ive seen posts with the same issue as far back as 2010, but no solution.
Anyone else happen to know what causes this?
Im on the latest OSX and everything else latest...
 
gr8pics said:
My imac pro is 2 months old, and latelly it has starting to freeze up every week or so.
No warning or indications, it just happens, especially when in Safari.
Only solution is to force quit with the power button, which im not very happy with.

Ive seen posts with the same issue as far back as 2010, but no solution.
Anyone else happen to know what causes this?
Im on the latest OSX and everything else latest...
Click to expand...

I just went through the same, or similar, situation with a trash can Pro. The cursor (pointer) would freeze, and the trackpad I use (Apple) would cease being operable. The only way to get out of this was to power down by pulling the plug, and restart. The report pane consistently showed the instance as a "panic". I assume this means kernel panic. I tried everything I could think of, but couldn't cure it by myself after emptying the cache, clearing the browser history, and restart. Since I couldn't keep a browser running I couldn't research an answer on the web. It happened in Safari browser windows, as well as in Chrome windows. I called support at Apple, and they recommended a fresh install of Mojave. I checked my iCloud backups and went through the fresh install with their guidance, in safe mode. After a few failed attempts, I got to the point of being prompted to choose a location for the install. Big problem, as there wasn't any available location - no choices available. Support advised that it was a hardware problem, and to take the unit in to a store or authorized repair center. I took it in today, and won't find out the situation for 24-48 hours. Luckily I've still got Apple Care on the unit. I'll respond after the repair center finds the cause and repairs (hopefully) it.
 
fmenard said:
I just went through the same, or similar, situation with a trash can Pro. The cursor (pointer) would freeze, and the trackpad I use (Apple) would cease being operable. The only way to get out of this was to power down by pulling the plug, and restart. The report pane consistently showed the instance as a "panic". I assume this means kernel panic. I tried everything I could think of, but couldn't cure it by myself after emptying the cache, clearing the browser history, and restart. Since I couldn't keep a browser running I couldn't research an answer on the web. It happened in Safari browser windows, as well as in Chrome windows. I called support at Apple, and they recommended a fresh install of Mojave. I checked my iCloud backups and went through the fresh install with their guidance, in safe mode. After a few failed attempts, I got to the point of being prompted to choose a location for the install. Big problem, as there wasn't any available location - no choices available. Support advised that it was a hardware problem, and to take the unit in to a store or authorized repair center. I took it in today, and won't find out the situation for 24-48 hours. Luckily I've still got Apple Care on the unit. I'll respond after the repair center finds the cause and repairs (hopefully) it.
Click to expand...

Wow, what a mess, but it sounds like you have the oposite problem of mine. Cursor is the ONLY thing responding, but no click or keyboard button will respond to anything.
 
Ha!

You even posted "Ive runned all my Macs for weeks, even months, for 15 years without rebooting, this is not the issue." without my telling you the problem first. Good. You saved us both some time.

Don't worry, enough armchair experts will likely descend on this thread with all sorts of nonsense telling you why I'm wrong and you're right—that can't be the problem.

Except that it is. A Mac freezing with the cursor still working is the exact symptom of not having enough free RAM available and you confirmed my suspicion.

That is exactly the issue. Reboot daily. You won't have it anymore. I promise.

Memory leaks are a fact of life and I don't care that you don't believe. Neither do I know the cause of yours—again, I don't care.

My 2010 iMac had 32GB and would freeze after 30–36 hours unless I rebooted daily. My 128GB iMac Pro takes 5–6 days to do the same thing, In my case, I know the causes of the leaks but I can't do anything about it. Except reboot every few days.
 
I am having similar issues with a new 2019 iMac i9 with 2TB SSD. I suspected memory was at fault, but have replaced the stock 8G, with 32G, and purchased a second set of 32G with continued freezing in all possible memory combinations. Freezes and/or reboots occur about once every day or two ... sometimes a couple in the same day. Can not be restarted without a SMC reset (power cord pulled).

I have the exact same program configuration in a 2017 iMac i7, 2TB SSD which has had "zero" issues like this in 2 years ... usually fresh booting once or twice a week at most (normally just left on to sleep when unused). This was the source for system migrations as part of fresh OS X Mojave install to the new iMac.

I tried several OS reloads, including a fresh install of Mojave and fresh download/install of the programs I regularly use and nothing else. Same problem ... usually dies with just Safari and Mail open, usually while browsing the MacRumors forum.

It has now been in an Apple shop for 2 weeks ... 1/3 of my total ownership time.

Frustrating !!!
 
Last edited:
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hfg said:
I am having similar issues with a new 2019 iMac i9 with 2TB SSD. I suspected memory was at fault, but have replaced the stock 8G, with 32G, and purchased a second set of 32G with continued freezing in all possible memory combinations. Freezes and/or reboots occur about once every day or two ... sometimes a couple in the same day. Can not be restarted without a SMC reset (power cord pulled).

I have the exact same program configuration in a 2017 iMac i7, 2TB SSD which has had "zero" issues like this in 2 years ... usually fresh booting once or twice a week at most (normally just left on to sleep when unused). This was the source for system migrations as part of fresh OS X Mojave install to the new iMac.

I tried several OS reloads, including a fresh install of Mojave and fresh download/install of the programs I regularly use and nothing else. Same problem ... usually dies with just Safari and Mail open, usually while browsing the MacRumors forum.

It has now been in an Apple shop for 2 weeks ... 1/3 of my total ownership time.

Frustrating !!!
Click to expand...

Yea, this is an issue ive never had before with any machine, and must be caused by other complex things than just «leaking memory»
Why didnt happen before, and why on a imac pro with 32gb and not allot weaker machines?
What are the typical sources for the leaks then?

I know that Lightroom tends to suck out memory if kept open over time, or more correctly Hdd space, but not beyond the possibility to just kill the app, and not the entire machine?
Since its been in the Apple service for this, they must admit that something is not right, and just not tell you to reboot everyday, which makes sense.

«Congrats with your new 7000$ imac, btw, it has to be rebooted everyday to keep it working»
This is beyond ridiculous for so many reasons.
Just to mention one, my machine also serves as a server when im not home, so it needs to be up at least 3 weeks in a run.
Please let us know what the A store finds out.
 
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My issue with the cursor freeze has apparently turned out to be a bad stick of Apple ram. The authorized repair center chased it down to that, and I'll go get it after they finish up. Apple care saved the day as far as cost is concerned, and having them here (Asheville, NC) saved me from a drive to Charlotte. Hopefully, this is the end of the problem. hfg, I hope the Apple store can solve your issue.
 
fmenard said:
My issue with the cursor freeze has apparently turned out to be a bad stick of Apple ram. The authorized repair center chased it down to that, and I'll go get it after they finish up. Apple care saved the day as far as cost is concerned, and having them here (Asheville, NC) saved me from a drive to Charlotte. Hopefully, this is the end of the problem. hfg, I hope the Apple store can solve your issue.
Click to expand...

Interesting, how much ram do you have? Was it leaking, or simply not working?
I guess regular warranty will cover this, if you dont have Apple care?
 
OP --

It's still under warranty, take it into an Apple Store for a checkup.

I agree with Mr. Halloran.
That is, shut down at night, reboot in the morning.
I've been following this practice with my own Macs for 32 years now.
Seems to work fairly well.

I suggest you just TRY this for a period of 4 consecutive days.
At the end of that period, give us your report.
 
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If it's a memory usage issue, that should be evident on the activity monitor, right? That should tell you both the overall memory pressure and the culprit. I've seen both Safari and Libre Office leak on my iMac, caused a major slowdown because of swapping, but didn't actually kill the computer. it might be worth keeping the machine on, with activity monitor running in a corner of the screen somewhere.
 
JustMartin said:
If it's a memory usage issue, that should be evident on the activity monitor, right? That should tell you both the overall memory pressure and the culprit. I've seen both Safari and Libre Office leak on my iMac, caused a major slowdown because of swapping, but didn't actually kill the computer. it might be worth keeping the machine on, with activity monitor running in a corner of the screen somewhere.
Click to expand...

Thats what im doing these days.

I also have a imac 27 - 2015 with 32gb, running the same way with apps, it never once happened to that, only with my brand new imac pro, i think that is strange.

It seems to run at 15-20gb of 32gb, and shouldnt be any problem, but ill try to keep the act monitor visible to see which is on top when it freezes.
A little thing ive noticed, is that the greenmemory graph is almost at the bottom, even when its consuming about 50%, why?
 

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Finally caught it with the activity monitor in sight.
It is NOT running out of RAM that causes the freeze up.

How ever, it often happens when Lightroom is kept open over night... but still not eating up the ram.
 
gr8pics said:
Finally caught it with the activity monitor in sight.
It is NOT running out of RAM that causes the freeze up.

How ever, it often happens when Lightroom is kept open over night... but still not eating up the ram.
Click to expand...

If it's not ram, CPU perhaps?
 
hfg said:
I am having similar issues with a new 2019 iMac i9 with 2TB SSD. I suspected memory was at fault, but have replaced the stock 8G, with 32G, and purchased a second set of 32G with continued freezing in all possible memory combinations. Freezes and/or reboots occur about once every day or two ... sometimes a couple in the same day. Can not be restarted without a SMC reset (power cord pulled).

I have the exact same program configuration in a 2017 iMac i7, 2TB SSD which has had "zero" issues like this in 2 years ... usually fresh booting once or twice a week at most (normally just left on to sleep when unused). This was the source for system migrations as part of fresh OS X Mojave install to the new iMac.

I tried several OS reloads, including a fresh install of Mojave and fresh download/install of the programs I regularly use and nothing else. Same problem ... usually dies with just Safari and Mail open, usually while browsing the MacRumors forum.

It has now been in an Apple shop for 2 weeks ... 1/3 of my total ownership time.

Frustrating !!!
Click to expand...
I am also very frustated with my new 2019 iMac i9 with SSD. Same issue as you. The random reboots (without kernel panic messages) increased with time up to a point where the computer ceased to turn on. The computer is totally dead. And I have been waiting the last 3 weeks for the reseller to pick up the iMac (for a return) and refund my money as I reported the problem in the first 14 days. My impression is that the mother board or the GPU is failing. I do not want a repair of a new machine DOA, but a full refund of my money. Then I will see what new computer I will buy.
 
fmenard said:
My issue with the cursor freeze has apparently turned out to be a bad stick of Apple ram. The authorized repair center chased it down to that, and I'll go get it after they finish up. Apple care saved the day as far as cost is concerned, and having them here (Asheville, NC) saved me from a drive to Charlotte. Hopefully, this is the end of the problem. hfg, I hope the Apple store can solve your issue.
Click to expand...
Free RAM is the issue here, too. A bad stick of RAM can cause other problems as well so it's good that you got it diagnosed and fixed.

Apple Diagnostics will usually find this but, since RAM issues can be temp sensitive, not always. Here's how to run them on any Mac introduced since 2013.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202731

gr8pics said:
It is NOT running out of RAM that causes the freeze up.
Click to expand...
Yes it is and POSTING ALL CAPS doesn't change this.

gr8pics said:
Ive runned imacs for weeks up and running with everything for the past decade, never been any problems before...
Click to expand...
It doesn't matter

Certain tasks cause free RAM depletion including downloading upgrades from certain web sites. Don't know why—I could find out if I wanted to take the time but it wouldn't change the outcome. So, while I usually go 5 days in between needing to reboot, sometimes it's only two or three.

Reboot daily and your problem will go away. I'm sure you'll find other issues to post about.
 
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