MP 7,1 Adobe CC / Mac Pro 7,1 / W7500X

[Hotshoe]

I am still not convinced it is a "hardware" issue, but we will see.

I don't think anybody is suggesting it's a hardware issue.

Based on my experience (25 years in OS development) the issues I experienced and described elsewhere in this thread look, swim, and quack like a display driver issue. Yes, possible something unrelated but not where I'd put my money if placing bets.

I swapped out my Pro Vega II system for a Pro Vega II Duo last week (so 3rd ProVega system now). The system has been up and running for over a week without so much as a hiccup. The same held true for the system prior to it (non-Duo Pro Vega II) which went 4 weeks -- rock stable. This is in stark contrast to the two W5700X systems that I started my journey with, which were unusable for my work due to how unreliable they were.

I addition to my development tools, I've installed and used several CC apps (PS, LR, AI) on all of the systems, in addition to Capture One and Resolve. So, to sum it up:

16-Core W5700X (Unstable)
24-Core W5700X (Unstable)
24-Core Pro Vega II (Stable)
16-Core Pro Vega II (Stable)
24-Core Pro Vega II Duo (Stable)

As I've indicated before, I have zero doubt that Apple is well aware of the issue and it's just a matter of time before a fix gets out.

 

[choreo]

I don't think anybody is suggesting it's a hardware issue.

The reason I referenced that is because that is what Apple Tech Support has finally decided "my" issues are related to (right or wrong). They finally said "It must be your logic board" and suggested that I take it to an Apple Store to get that replaced (which is not a viable option where I live). At no point in any of my correspondence over the past 3 months have they come back from engineering entertaining that this has anything to do with the GPU or drivers. Just depends on who in in charge of your case at Apple apparently.

 

[bsbeamer]

As noted numerous times, the specific error you have referenced previously is associated with logic board issues and logic board failure on MBP and iMac. Not saying GPU is fine, but now you need to proceed with the case as Apple wants if you want this resolved.

 

[choreo]

As noted numerous times, the specific error you have referenced previously is associated with logic board issues and logic board failure on MBP and iMac. Not saying GPU is fine, but now you need to proceed with the case as Apple wants if you want this resolved.

They have approved a replacement Mac Pro to be shipped to me. They have just been waiting for one with my configuration to show up in the Apple Store online with a shipping time less than 7 days (for the past month). They said it has to show up with a delivery time of less than a week before they can process the replacement?

 

[DYP]

Since I don't find any recent discussion about the W5700X am I to assume this issue has been fix by recent OS updates. Thinking of getting a new Mac for heavy Adobe CC use and was wondering if using the W5700X is okay now.

 

[randy85]

I have the W5700X and use Premiere a lot and it has been pretty stable for me. A couple of months ago I had some crashes, but I was doing pretty intense work with 32GB of ram. Upgrading to 192GB made it way more stable.

There could have also be a software update around that time, so it's hard to tell exactly what was causing it.

The only issue I have is an occasional glitch on my LG 5K monitor, which seems to go away if you put the system to sleep and wake again.

I'll be interested in any new GPU MPX modules that come out. I just worked with some 6K RED footage and it works really smoothly until I add temporal noise reduction - at which point the gpu maxes out on the activity monitor. I don't want to invest in the Vega II card if there's going to be a Big Navi card in the next few months.

 

[daveedjackson]

Since I don't find any recent discussion about the W5700X am I to assume this issue has been fix by recent OS updates. Thinking of getting a new Mac for heavy Adobe CC use and was wondering if using the W5700X is okay now.

Nope, updates haven't fixed my issue. To the point where the whole Mac went into a service centre to be verified, and now awaiting apple to come back.

 

[randy85]

Sorry to hear that - hope they fix it quickly.

 

[choreo]

I am still waiting on my replacement Mac Pro, so not sure what the source of the crashes I have been having is? Mine still crashes almost every day overnight when I wake the computer displays up. I also still have occasional crashes in Illustrator, Photoshop and Quicktime, but not as often - runs in waves?

 

[bsbeamer]

Head's up - there is a conflict issue with the newest Wacom driver and 10.15.7 (19H2). If you're an Illustrator user and upgrade/update to the 2021 release, you will likely get a warning about the driver and to install a new version.

Version for download on Wacom's website creates issues on both iMac19,1 and MBP16,1 (and likely impacts MP7,1). Had to restore from TimeMachine just to successfully boot. The driver finishes install on a restart and there certainly is an issue with its install.

Mentioning this because there were specific crash reports with Adobe and the Wacom driver in this thread.

 

[daveedjackson]

Ironically had no issues with illustrator and Wacom drivers will check though

 

[choreo]

Head's up - there is a conflict issue with the newest Wacom driver and 10.15.7 (19H2). If you're an Illustrator user and upgrade/update to the 2021 release, you will likely get a warning about the driver and to install a new version.

Version for download on Wacom's website creates issues on both iMac19,1 and MBP16,1 (and likely impacts MP7,1). Had to restore from TimeMachine just to successfully boot. The driver finishes install on a restart and there certainly is an issue with its install.

Mentioning this because there were specific crash reports with Adobe and the Wacom driver in this thread.

I did not get a warning when installing AI 2021? I am still on Wacom Driver version 6.3.40-2. I notice that the latest driver 6.3.41-2 added support for Big Sur.

 

[daveedjackson]

Head's up - there is a conflict issue with the newest Wacom driver and 10.15.7 (19H2). If you're an Illustrator user and upgrade/update to the 2021 release, you will likely get a warning about the driver and to install a new version.

Version for download on Wacom's website creates issues on both iMac19,1 and MBP16,1 (and likely impacts MP7,1). Had to restore from TimeMachine just to successfully boot. The driver finishes install on a restart and there certainly is an issue with its install.

Mentioning this because there were specific crash reports with Adobe and the Wacom driver in this thread.

been playing with illustrator for the best part of an hour. No issue, no driver concerns or prompts. Mac Pro 7,1 Wacom Driver 6.3.41-2 macOS 10.15.7(19H2) AI 25.0

 

[bsbeamer]

Wish I saved the link with warning from Adobe. Disconnected the Wacom (older model) and uninstalled all drivers until I have more time to sort it out. Glad no one else running into it.

 

[choreo]

I finally received my new replacement Mac Pro from Apple (same config). It has been up and running for 11 hours. Just had my first crash.

All was going well until now. Computer just restarted on it’s own while unattended. I heard (4) what sounded like static rhythmic audible pulses through the external speakers followed by auto-restart? Safe to say it is probably not the Logic Board as Apple finally decided - so back to the hunt!

REPORT:
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xfffffff0232b4cec): x86 CPU CATERR detected
Debugger message: panic
Memory ID: 0x6
OS version: 17P6610
macOS version: 19H2
Kernel version: Darwin Kernel Version 19.6.0: Thu Jun 18 20:30:46 PDT 2020; root:xnu-6153.145.1~1/RELEASE_ARM64_T8010
Kernel UUID: 828E8E47-4C82-3639-83B9-4F7DB86934F6
iBoot version: iBoot-5540.140.12
secure boot?: YES
x86 EFI Boot State: 0x16
x86 System State: 0x0
x86 Power State: 0x0
x86 Shutdown Cause: 0x1
x86 Previous Power Transitions: 0x20002000200
PCIeUp link state: 0x89271611
Paniclog version: 13
Kernel slide: 0x000000001b2e8000
Kernel text base: 0xfffffff0222ec000
mach_absolute_time: 0x8a3581fecc
Epoch Time: sec usec
Boot : 0x5fa26160 0x000aca18
Sleep : 0x5fa2f23f 0x00064dba
Wake : 0x5fa2fd6c 0x000a0ce2
Calendar: 0x5fa318c5 0x000881dd

Panicked task 0xffffffe0007e2a00: 2317 pages, 157 threads: pid 0: kernel_task
Panicked thread: 0xffffffe0009ada68, backtrace: 0xffffffe015dd34b0, tid: 320
lr: 0xfffffff022b40860 fp: 0xffffffe015dd34f0
lr: 0xfffffff022b406bc fp: 0xffffffe015dd3560
lr: 0xfffffff022c5b770 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3610
lr: 0xfffffff02310d5d8 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3620
lr: 0xfffffff022b40024 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3990
lr: 0xfffffff022b4037c fp: 0xffffffe015dd39e0
lr: 0xfffffff02388e974 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3a00
lr: 0xfffffff0232b4cec fp: 0xffffffe015dd3a30
lr: 0xfffffff0232a611c fp: 0xffffffe015dd3aa0
lr: 0xfffffff0232a8044 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3b50
lr: 0xfffffff0232a5854 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3be0
lr: 0xfffffff02326ccb8 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3c10
lr: 0xfffffff02307ab14 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3c50
lr: 0xfffffff02307a398 fp: 0xffffffe015dd3c90
lr: 0xfffffff023118514 fp: 0x0000000000000000

 

[Hotshoe]

@choreo, it's the W5700X GPU (or system issue related to it). Sorry to hear still don't have a stable system after all the wait -- but I'm not surprised. All my Pro Vega II systems (3) have been rock stable, and my current system 6-weeks running now, 18 hours a day, and not so much as a hiccup. Both my W5700X system that preceded it were useless to me because so unstable. Same apps and usage workflow. I think it's pretty clear and I don't care what Apple support says.

 

[bsbeamer]

Did you RESTORE, CLONE or use MIGRATION to transfer anything onto the new machine?
Or did you fresh install the Adobe software from a brand new download?
Are you using any RAID or array for data that was also connected to the older machine?
Same physical GPU as previous, or did they give you a brand new one?
Have you tried using the machine with just the stock mouse and keyboard for an extended period of time?

 

[choreo]

Did you RESTORE, CLONE or use MIGRATION to transfer anything onto the new machine?
Or did you fresh install the Adobe software from a brand new download?
Are you using any RAID or array for data that was also connected to the older machine?
Same physical GPU as previous, or did they give you a brand new one?
Have you tried using the machine with just the stock mouse and keyboard for an extended period of time?

1. This time I used migration assistant, but Apple Support already had me try Restore and Clone restorations several times on the previous machine - all with the same result.
2. I previously completely wiped out ALL Adobe software and files and did a fresh install several weeks ago, but still had same issues.
3. Yes, I have a Sonnet Raid card installed, but these problems were occurring weeks before it was installed.
4. Apple shipped me an entirely new Mac Pro from Apple Store last week (including new w5700x) card - machine config identical to what I already had.
5. No, I use the stock keyboard connected via cable, but what I do have to use a Wacom tablet.

I don't experience too many crashes with Adobe apps the past several weeks -only a couple. Most of the crashes occur during or upon waking from sleep when I am not touching the computer - even with no Adobe apps open. Actually I have had more crashes using Quicktime playing short tutorials lately.

What Hotshoe keeps posting probably makes the most since, I will probably just have to live with a crashing beast as I am not going to drop what my last 2012 Mac Pro cost just on a GPU upgrade for a card I don't otherwise need. The w5700x fit my needs and budget and had Apple not offered that as an option I would never have purchased the 7,1. I figured if it can from Apple that it would not pose an issue like this (if the GPU is indeed the cause).

I would suspect Catalina, but all the same apps run fine on my 2015 MacBook Pro and I have never had a crash. Of course, it could be something with the Catalina/GPU combo on the Mac Pro? I guess it could also be linked to the Wacom Driver, but not sure what it would be doing during sleep?

 

[bsbeamer]

You ran the BRAND NEW MACHINE clean without a restore or migration and it is crashing? That is what you’re not clear on.

Just mentioning - I have personally run into Wacom crashing issues over the past 3 months on iMac and MBP. Cannot track it down to specifics and don’t have time at the moment. Uninstalled all Wacom drivers and stopped using - resolves app crashes.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I haven't had any issues with Adobe apps, but mine still occasionally crashes while sleeping.

 

[choreo]

You ran the BRAND NEW MACHINE clean without a restore or migration and it is crashing? That is what you’re not clear on.

Just mentioning - I have personally run into Wacom crashing issues over the past 3 months on iMac and MBP. Cannot track it down to specifics and don’t have time at the moment. Uninstalled all Wacom drivers and stopped using - resolves app crashes.

No, I ran Migration Assistant from the beginning on the NEW machine. Had to get a job out to a client and had to box up and return the other Mac Pro, so no time to do the testing I would have preferred to do first.

Wacom could definitely be a source.

 

[bsbeamer]

I’m not going to defend or make a case for Apple or their support here, but did you even attempt to run the system clean without migration for more than even a day or two? You’re trying to troubleshoot a panic/crash issue that does not just happen on a recurring triggered basis with regularity.

 

[choreo]

I’m not going to defend or make a case for Apple or their support here, but did you even attempt to run the system clean without migration for more than even a day or two? You’re trying to troubleshoot a panic/crash issue that does not just happen on a recurring triggered basis with regularity.

That was my original plan and I had three months with virtually no work and plenty of time to do beta-testing. Naturally, as soon as the new machine finally arrived I got a bunch of jobs in that could not wait to turn around and I had to get the old unit boxed up and shipped back at the same time. The real problem is sometimes it does not crash for 2-3 days other times 2-3 times per day, so hard to nail down.

 

[choreo]

Just mentioning - I have personally run into Wacom crashing issues over the past 3 months on iMac and MBP. Cannot track it down to specifics and don’t have time at the moment. Uninstalled all Wacom drivers and stopped using - resolves app crashes.

The more I think about it... I am going to do some testing with my Wacom setup. I am not sure what their driver could be doing during sleep, but it may very well have been a source of some issues I was having while working?

Also may look closer at the CalDigit since it loses my sound settings every time it crashes and restarts. Plus some of the time I get that audible pulse sound through the speakers just before it crashes (my external speakers use the TOSLINK port on the CalDigit.

The sleep crashes are probably either Catalina or Catalina/w5700x related since I am seeing so many similar posts on other Forums about it. The sleep crashes are a minor nuisance since it restarts so fast, but not what I would expect.

Never had any of these problems with my old 2012 Mac Pro all the way through Mojave.

 

[Hotshoe]

All bets are off if you're not starting with a virgin machine -- I assumed this was the case.