Right, but can kexts from 10.6.6 still be used in 64-bit Mountain Lion? From the Apple support threads I've been seeing, it doesn't seem like it.
Thanks.
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Late 2007 iMac 20" Freezes completely random.
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Right, but can kexts from 10.6.6 still be used in 64-bit Mountain Lion? From the Apple support threads I've been seeing, it doesn't seem like it.
Thanks.
From the Apple forum thread I've been reading it would seem that people are having success with Lion and ML using the 10.6.2 (or in Intell's case, 10.6.6) kexts.
Also noteworthy, in my/others' case with the 7,1 iMac, the kext replace will only work up till 10.6.7, and not with 10.6.8 (needs to boot into 64-bit mode with 10.6.8 and kext fix and can't boot into 64-bit under Snow Leopard; get kernel panics on boot). However, with Lion and ML the 7,1 will always be booted into 64-bit mode and the kext fix (with your appropriate vintage of 10.6.2 or 10.6.6) should work well apparently.
Also noteworthy, in my/others' case with the 7,1 iMac, the kext replace will only work up till 10.6.7, and not with 10.6.8 (needs to boot into 64-bit mode with 10.6.8 and kext fix and can't boot into 64-bit under Snow Leopard; get kernel panics on boot). However, with Lion and ML the 7,1 will always be booted into 64-bit mode and the kext fix (with your appropriate vintage of 10.6.2 or 10.6.6) should work well apparently.
Hi everyone,
I'm fairly clueless to computers, and I think that this is the problem I've been having for the past few weeks. My graphics card is ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT 128 MB. That has the problems, right?
I first noticed the problems after upgrading from 10.5.8.11 to 10.6.8. I tried upgrading to 10.8 to fix it, and it made the freezes happen less often, but it didn't fix it.
Can someone please tell a non-computer person how to install 10.6.6 kexts onto my 10.8 so that it won't freeze? And are there any other downsides to the kext replacement?
I'm fairly clueless to computers, and I think that this is the problem I've been having for the past few weeks. My graphics card is ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT 128 MB. That has the problems, right?
I first noticed the problems after upgrading from 10.5.8.11 to 10.6.8. I tried upgrading to 10.8 to fix it, and it made the freezes happen less often, but it didn't fix it.
Can someone please tell a non-computer person how to install 10.6.6 kexts onto my 10.8 so that it won't freeze? And are there any other downsides to the kext replacement?
My iMac has been going without problems for a couple days. I'll edit this post in a bit to post the instructions. Hang tight for a minute or two.
Edit: Here are instructions:
http://blog.krzysztof-turek.com/apple-imac-8-1-freeze-problem-solution-en/
It tells you to download Kext Helper, but the download link doesn't work. Use this one instead:
http://mac.softpedia.com/progDownload/Kext-Helper-Download-29720.html
You only want to drag three files to your desktop: the 2400 file, the buffer file, and the support file.
Guide worked great for me on Mountain Lion. I've been running continuously since my last post without any problems.
Thanks, I think I got it to work. I'll see if the computer freezes.
It seems really slow, though... Especially scrolling, but also typing, moving windows, watching videos, etc. Is there any way to fix it? I only have 2 GB RAM, would more RAM fix it?
Also, can I move the kexts from my desktop now that it's installed?
Thanks!
Edit: I also can't play any fullscreen games, like Starcraft 2. It says that it can't find a valid graphics processor. Is there a way to fix this?
It seems really slow, though... Especially scrolling, but also typing, moving windows, watching videos, etc. Is there any way to fix it? I only have 2 GB RAM, would more RAM fix it?
Also, can I move the kexts from my desktop now that it's installed?
Thanks!
Edit: I also can't play any fullscreen games, like Starcraft 2. It says that it can't find a valid graphics processor. Is there a way to fix this?
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Eh, sorry, I have a no idea; I never game on my iMac.
I think I noticed the FPS of my scrolling in Chrome going down, but that's anecdotal: I don't have any evidence backing it up.
I would guess that because you are using older drivers, you wouldn't be able to run games that required newer drivers, such as Starcraft II. Maybe somebody else who has more experience would be able to comment.
And, yes, you can remove your kexts from the desktop now.
same problem with 20" mid 2007 model
Running 10.6.8. All seems to be related to network use. If I keep network activity to a minimum, it system does not freeze, but if I load it up with a lot of activity, it freezes every time.
I have Tiger on an external firewire drive. It works fine on Tiger.
Running the Apple service diagnostics shows an Ethernet Controller problem, but it still freezes whether using wireless or wired.
Running 10.6.8. All seems to be related to network use. If I keep network activity to a minimum, it system does not freeze, but if I load it up with a lot of activity, it freezes every time.
I have Tiger on an external firewire drive. It works fine on Tiger.
Running the Apple service diagnostics shows an Ethernet Controller problem, but it still freezes whether using wireless or wired.
Font Conflict could be cause
I had experienced kext panics since back in 10.6.2. I read all posts and tried everything. I went so far as replacing my CPU with a 2.8 Intel Core duo chip with no change in crashes. iMac always booted and worked fine in safe mode, indicating software problems. Reading cresh reports indicated a different extension and app each time. I deduced that there must be something common to all failed extensions. I found that font conflicts were ALWAYS involved. In Fontbook I validated fonts to find many "minor" errors. These do not indicate errors in the fonts themselves and often indicate conflicts. I resolved all the conflicts and eliminated Helvetica fractions font which I know from previous posts caused trouble. After 2 years of struggles with many types of screen freezes. I now have a trouble free (and because of the CPU upgrade) iMac screamer. I called Apple care to inform them of my discovery and they indicated that it was worth looking into. It's an easy fix and worth a try. Good luck all.
I had experienced kext panics since back in 10.6.2. I read all posts and tried everything. I went so far as replacing my CPU with a 2.8 Intel Core duo chip with no change in crashes. iMac always booted and worked fine in safe mode, indicating software problems. Reading cresh reports indicated a different extension and app each time. I deduced that there must be something common to all failed extensions. I found that font conflicts were ALWAYS involved. In Fontbook I validated fonts to find many "minor" errors. These do not indicate errors in the fonts themselves and often indicate conflicts. I resolved all the conflicts and eliminated Helvetica fractions font which I know from previous posts caused trouble. After 2 years of struggles with many types of screen freezes. I now have a trouble free (and because of the CPU upgrade) iMac screamer. I called Apple care to inform them of my discovery and they indicated that it was worth looking into. It's an easy fix and worth a try. Good luck all.
GPU replaced - issue fixed, but...
Hey kids,
I had this exact problem on my 2008 24"iMac. After weeks of diagnostics and working with Apple support, we were able to reproduce it reliably and they replaced my GPU (for free - thankfully I had applecare). It now works great and has been running great under Snow Leopard, Lion, and now Mountain Lion for months.
I've recently bought a 2007 20" iMac with the same card, as a second computer, and it's now having the same issues. I installed SMC Fan Control and it seemed better for a while, but now it freezes even when relatively cold. I'm torn between backing the OS out to 10.6.0 (where is should work fine, right?), and replacing the ATI card. I can live with an older OS, if that will fix it, but my question is, if it's a software issue (i.e. drivers), then why did replacing the graphics card fix it? They put the same card in...I should be having the same issue.
Thanks!
Hey kids,
I had this exact problem on my 2008 24"iMac. After weeks of diagnostics and working with Apple support, we were able to reproduce it reliably and they replaced my GPU (for free - thankfully I had applecare). It now works great and has been running great under Snow Leopard, Lion, and now Mountain Lion for months.
I've recently bought a 2007 20" iMac with the same card, as a second computer, and it's now having the same issues. I installed SMC Fan Control and it seemed better for a while, but now it freezes even when relatively cold. I'm torn between backing the OS out to 10.6.0 (where is should work fine, right?), and replacing the ATI card. I can live with an older OS, if that will fix it, but my question is, if it's a software issue (i.e. drivers), then why did replacing the graphics card fix it? They put the same card in...I should be having the same issue.
Thanks!
Hey Intell,
That's what I'm saying...It's been months since the change with no issue. Maybe I"m just lucky ;o)
So, if I wipe the machine and install from the 10.6.0 DVD, am I good? Will I need to be careful not to do any upgrades that take me beyond 10.6.2?
Cheers.
That's what I'm saying...It's been months since the change with no issue. Maybe I"m just lucky ;o)
So, if I wipe the machine and install from the 10.6.0 DVD, am I good? Will I need to be careful not to do any upgrades that take me beyond 10.6.2?
Cheers.
OK, so I reinstalled from the 10.6.0 disc, and it's been up and running all night with no freezes. I know it's early, but signs are good so far.
Biggest bummer is no app store, and the "old" window resizing where you have to drag from the bottom right corner. Oh, and I can't use my magic trackpad, which I realize now I've grown to love.
Going to try using it this way for at least a few days and see what happens. I'd love to be on Lion, but I'm really hesitant to try the kext replacement when everything seems to be working.
Thoughts?
Biggest bummer is no app store, and the "old" window resizing where you have to drag from the bottom right corner. Oh, and I can't use my magic trackpad, which I realize now I've grown to love.
Going to try using it this way for at least a few days and see what happens. I'd love to be on Lion, but I'm really hesitant to try the kext replacement when everything seems to be working.
Thoughts?
Just to report back,
Thanks everyone for the help with the kext replacement. I've never had a freeze since doing it.
Apple has recently made 10.8.1. Is there a way to tell if that fixes the freezing problem?
As to the person with the font problem, does deleting Helvetica Fractions solve freezes? If so, how to do it?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm reasonably clueless at computers.
Thanks everyone for the help with the kext replacement. I've never had a freeze since doing it.
Apple has recently made 10.8.1. Is there a way to tell if that fixes the freezing problem?
As to the person with the font problem, does deleting Helvetica Fractions solve freezes? If so, how to do it?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm reasonably clueless at computers.
I doubt it. Apple hasn't done anything about this problem since Lion, so it doesn't seem like they would suddenly fix it with Mountain Lion.
Running fine on 10.6.6...10.7 anyone?
Everything is still running fine on 10.6.6, no crashes.
I'm probably being greedy, but I'd like to get onto 10.7 so I can run Aperture and share libraries between machines. Has anyone had any luck getting 10.7 to run with the 10.6.6 kexts?
Trfel - are you up and running on 10.8? Which version finally ended up working for you?
Everything is still running fine on 10.6.6, no crashes.
I'm probably being greedy, but I'd like to get onto 10.7 so I can run Aperture and share libraries between machines. Has anyone had any luck getting 10.7 to run with the 10.6.6 kexts?
Trfel - are you up and running on 10.8? Which version finally ended up working for you?
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spoke too soon...
Just had a freeze...still on 10.6.6. Guess I'll have to drop back to 10.6.0. Ugh.
Here is my Graphics info, in case anyone has ideas...
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT:
Chipset Model: ATI,RadeonHD2400
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x94c8
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-B2250A-207
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.207
Displays:
iMac:
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes
Display Connector:
Status: No Display Connected
Thanks,
Roger
Just had a freeze...still on 10.6.6. Guess I'll have to drop back to 10.6.0. Ugh.
Here is my Graphics info, in case anyone has ideas...
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT:
Chipset Model: ATI,RadeonHD2400
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x94c8
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-B2250A-207
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.207
Displays:
iMac:
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes
Display Connector:
Status: No Display Connected
Thanks,
Roger
Ethernet Controller follow up
I had reported earlier that diagnostics was showing an ethernet controller error and that most of my freezes seemed to happen during uploads and downloads.
Based on OS issues reported here, corrections I have made seems to have eliminated over 50% of the freezes. Many have been the result of 32 bit components copied over from Tiger.
Rather than allowing Snow Leopard to copy all my applications from Tiger, I should have instead done clean installs of the applications e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, MS office and so on. The Console log has been a big help in slowing find each cause.
MS Office 2008 doesn't seem to play well with Leopard. Instead I use LibreOffice.
Thanks everyone.
I had reported earlier that diagnostics was showing an ethernet controller error and that most of my freezes seemed to happen during uploads and downloads.
Based on OS issues reported here, corrections I have made seems to have eliminated over 50% of the freezes. Many have been the result of 32 bit components copied over from Tiger.
Rather than allowing Snow Leopard to copy all my applications from Tiger, I should have instead done clean installs of the applications e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, MS office and so on. The Console log has been a big help in slowing find each cause.
MS Office 2008 doesn't seem to play well with Leopard. Instead I use LibreOffice.
Thanks everyone.