Panic restart, anyone can read those reports? Please help.

[BananaX]

Hi,

Couple days ago, my MBP started doing these panic restarts. The first time happened while I was playing DOTA 2, I thought it must be overheated. Then, I can't play DOTA 2 anymore, every time I start a game (with bot or rank), the system will run into panic restart. I thought there must be some problems with steam, I processed to re-install steam and DOTA, but, same problem. Ok, maybe I cant play anymore, never mind. After a while, my MBP will just panic restart while I was watching YOUTUBE or other normal activities. Ok, maybe other software problems. Processed to wipe the drive and re-install Mac OS. And during the installation, I experienced several panic restart in recovery mode as well, like WTF??? So, I went Genius Bar, my genius told me he is not trained to read those panic reports, like WTF?????

Long story short, can anyone understand those reports? I saved thousands of them. Here there are 11 reports saved maybe someone can tell me is there a hardware problem or software?

Cheers!

 

[Funsize93]

Generally issues occurring after an erase and reinstall (setup as new without user data) and in recovery would mean that there could be an underlying hardware fault. I would make sure you have had erased and reinstalled the Mac using internet recovery and setup as new properly, does the issue persists? If yes I would book it in for service. If the issue only persists when you restore a backup or install programs that would indicate a potential software bug/corruption issue.

 

[BananaX]

Generally issues occurring after an erase and reinstall (setup as new without user data) and in recovery would mean that there could be an underlying hardware fault. I would make sure you have had erased and reinstalled the Mac using internet recovery and setup as new properly, does the issue persists? If yes I would book it in for service. If the issue only persists when you restore a backup or install programs that would indicate a potential software bug/corruption issue.

Thank you for your reply. I actually cannot install Mac OS via internet recovery. I have to use an external USB C to do the system installation. The MBP will just keep the panic restart over and over during internet recovery. And I had couple panic restarts via the USB C way, but after about 2 hours, I successfully install Mac OS. And now the system will not crash during normal activities, only had one frozen screen so far. But, the system will panic restart when I launch DOTA 2.

 

[Funsize93]

Thank you for your reply. I actually cannot install Mac OS via internet recovery. I have to use an external USB C to do the system installation. The MBP will just keep the panic restart over and over during internet recovery. And I had couple panic restarts via the USB C way, but after about 2 hours, I successfully install Mac OS. And now the system will not crash during normal activities, only had one frozen screen so far. But, the system will panic restart when I launch DOTA 2.

Youre most welcome. If issues are happening in internet recovery it would definitely be an underlying hardware fault (as it is a freshly downloaded recovery OS which would have no software issues) I would try running an Apple Hardware test to isolate straight away.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT202731

If no hardware faults are found using the test I would make sure you exhaust all software troubleshooting before booking an appointment.

Perhaps even try an SMC and NVRAM reset before attempting internet recovery again and reinstall the OS which come with the Mac (Hold down Shift+Option+Command+R immediately after turning on the Mac)

How did you perform the erase, did you erase and reformat the top level internal HD or just "macintosh HD" before the reinstall? I would suggest erasing the top level HD. May need to change the view options to "show all devices" to see it.

edit: If issues persists after and SMC and NVRAM reset, whilst using the Apple Hardware test and internet recovery - book an appointment.

 

[kohlson]

I have to use an external USB C

This suggests you have a relatively new MBP. Is that the situation? Is it covered by warranty? If so, back it up if you can. Then take it to Apple. In the last year I've had 2 different Mac laptops that passed the hardware diagnostics, even at the store. For the 2016 13-MBP, the depot repair found bent pins on the logic board. For the 2013 15-MBP, logic board, ssd, and top case replaced (not warranty).

 

[BananaX]

Youre most welcome. If issues are happening in internet recovery it would definitely be an underlying hardware fault (as it is a freshly downloaded recovery OS which would have no software issues) I would try running an Apple Hardware test to isolate straight away.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT202731

If no hardware faults are found using the test I would make sure you exhaust all software troubleshooting before booking an appointment.

Perhaps even try an SMC and NVRAM reset before attempting internet recovery again and reinstall the OS which come with the Mac (Hold down Shift+Option+Command+R immediately after turning on the Mac)

How did you perform the erase, did you erase and reformat the top level internal HD or just "macintosh HD" before the reinstall? I would suggest erasing the top level HD. May need to change the view options to "show all devices" to see it.

edit: If issues persists after and SMC and NVRAM reset, whilst using the Apple Hardware test and internet recovery - book an appointment.

Thank you! I have done all that. It looks like the system will not run into panic restart from normal usage. However, I have just tested DOTA 2. After about 10 mins, my MBP will shut down - show me the panic restart sign - and present me with a panic restart report. By comparison, I ran DOTA 2 on an early 2016 MacBook along side my MBP with the same video setting. No panic restarts, nothing, just normal. Both Mac OS are up to date, same video settings and under the same environment, now I am thinking maybe there is a potential hardware problem? Cuz I have wiped the top level SSD, done the internet recovery, and no additional softwares besides steam and DOTA 2.

This suggests you have a relatively new MBP. Is that the situation? Is it covered by warranty? If so, back it up if you can. Then take it to Apple. In the last year I've had 2 different Mac laptops that passed the hardware diagnostics, even at the store. For the 2016 13-MBP, the depot repair found bent pins on the logic board. For the 2013 15-MBP, logic board, ssd, and top case replaced (not warranty).

Yeah, its a refurb unit from apple retail, and it is still under the one year warranty. I went to Genius Bar couple days, they told me if the panic restarts only occur while using steam and DOTA 2, they told me to ask steam supports. But, the problem only occurs on this MBP not my girlfriend's MacBook. I don't think they will try to open my MBP and investigate. Well I have booked in for next week, I hope they will want to try at least.

 

[Funsize93]

Since you have mentioned that the restarts do not happen with other apps but only the DOTA 2 game with a fresh install with no other 3rd-party software installed, perhaps the game developers have not optimised the game for your hardware specs/drivers. If you download another known working game from steam, does it play fine? If yes then that would indicate that DOTA is the issue, if that is the case youll need to contact the developers for support. However if you have another mac with the exact same generation/ specs and is playing DOTA 2 fine, that would definitely mean a hardware fault.

If you do contact the developers and they have optimised the game for your device and have no known bugs/ reports of this issue from others with the same Mac as yours I would book it in for service. If they say they know about the issue and your hardware is not optimised then it would be up to them to patch that. If you do exhaust all options and the last resort is a service. You have basically performed all software troubleshooting and the Genius member would then only have to try and isolate a hardware fault.