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Can 4850 iMac owners help find the cause of the freezing? Is it WiFi?

I just thought of something. If WiFi is the problem, what type of WiFi is everyone on, A/B/G/N, and WPA or WEP?

I need a new router and I would be going from G to N and I'm thinking, maybe that will make a difference to freezing.
 
I just want to update. While still on Ethernet, I had a hard lock up. However, it was while I was trying to mount a 50GB DMG file. It happened during the "verifying" stage, but I don't exactly if this means I still have the problem, or if mounting giant DMG files causes lockups.
 
avihappy said:
I just want to update. While still on Ethernet, I had a hard lock up. However, it was while I was trying to mount a 50GB DMG file. It happened during the "verifying" stage, but I don't exactly if this means I still have the problem, or if mounting giant DMG files causes lockups.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I mount my VMs dmg (54.89GB) everyday to access my VMware VMs. Takes a moment on the mini or the Macbook. Never locked up. I also have other dmg files over 200GB that do not cause any problems.

Cheers,
 
I find it sort-a interesting that none of the blogs have even mentioned any sort of issues with the 4850 machines even with the problem being somewhat widespread.

That would certainly bring some extra attention to the issue and maybe get Apple to get off their butts.
 
I received my replacement and was hesitant to transfer anything. I only used Mobile Me to synchronize my bookmarks, calendar, etc. used my wireless via airport extreme and the computer ran perfectly for 2 days. Tonight I installed my Office 2008 for Mac, and the update. AGH! I can't do anything! The mouse moves and nothing will open and you can't even shut down. (I unplugged the computer) It's too late to contact Apple. I'm back on my trusty old PowerMac G5.
 
Just another little problem with the 4850

I have had the second 4850 for a awhile now and no problems until last evening. I just installed VMware fusion and XP. I installed the BootCamp drivers so I could use the built in camera and bluetooth in XP. Soon after everything froze and I had to shut down the iMac. When I restarted VMware and XP, XP was totally corrupted. I had to remove it from the iMac and reinstall. Not sure what caused it but it happened.... I did find this on the VMware site and it is just another problem with the chipset. :(

"Enabling 3D acceleration on systems with new chipsets and running 3D applications within VMware Fusion might cause your virtual machine to fail
Enabling 3D acceleration on the Mac Pros and iMacs released in March 2009 that ship with the new ATI Radeon HD 4850 and 4870 chipsets might cause VMware Fusion to fail.
Workaround: Turn off 3D acceleration by deselecting Accelerate 3D Graphics in Virtual Machine > Settings > Display when the virtual machine is powered off."
 
Until the 4850 issue is fixed I'm running OS X on my PC also w/ a 4850 installed and VMware Fusion is running fine w/ 3D acceleration and Win 7.
 
The firmware fix is now available as a software update for those of you who do not know about it. Just go up to your :apple: icon in your menu on your desktop and click Software Update. It will find it if you have a 4850 chip in your iMac. Run the update and follow the instructions and then you will get this message after the update is done.

Update_Done.jpg
 
Lookin Good!

Currently 1.5 hours running FW 1.4. Been running iTunes streaming tunes to Apple TV, iPhoto slideshow, installing stuff, and surfing the net (Airport Wireless setup) all at once... no freezes! This morning I could freeze my system within minutes on the iTunes Visualizer test. Will continue testing but this looks like it fixed it for me:)

iMac 2.93/4850
 
I applied the patch earlier today but I haven't used the computer much today, although it has been running (it stays on 24-7)

I just sat down to browse the internet and while scrolling down a page in Safari, my machine froze completely :(

I haven't seen a lot of freezing on my machine, maybe has happened 5 or 6 times total.
 
davidmt said:
I applied the patch earlier today but I haven't used the computer much today, although it has been running (it stays on 24-7)

I just sat down to browse the internet and while scrolling down a page in Safari, my machine froze completely :(

I haven't seen a lot of freezing on my machine, maybe has happened 5 or 6 times total.
Click to expand...

Did you see the screen that says it completed the firmware update and your computer is up to date? Or did you just install the software update and assume it fixed it? Had to ask sorry.
 
davidmt said:
I applied the patch earlier today but I haven't used the computer much today, although it has been running (it stays on 24-7)

I just sat down to browse the internet and while scrolling down a page in Safari, my machine froze completely :(

I haven't seen a lot of freezing on my machine, maybe has happened 5 or 6 times total.
Click to expand...

If you didn't shut down, reboot, hear the warning tone that the EFI was going to be updated, and sit there and wait patiently for the several minutes it takes for the EFI to update (slow progress bar after the Apple logo) then you haven't updated the firmware yet.
 
davidmt said:
I applied the patch earlier today but I haven't used the computer much today, although it has been running (it stays on 24-7)

I just sat down to browse the internet and while scrolling down a page in Safari, my machine froze completely :(

I haven't seen a lot of freezing on my machine, maybe has happened 5 or 6 times total.
Click to expand...
Any news as to wether you ran the complete EFI Firmware update, as suggested by WizardHunt & jmpage2?
 
jmpage2 said:
If you didn't shut down, reboot, hear the warning tone that the EFI was going to be updated, and sit there and wait patiently for the several minutes it takes for the EFI to update (slow progress bar after the Apple logo) then you haven't updated the firmware yet.
Click to expand...

That all happened. I got the loud beep, reboot, and progress bar. I also got the confirmation message after.

I'm hoping this is somehow just a fluke. :confused:
 
davidmt said:
That all happened. I got the loud beep, reboot, and progress bar. I also got the confirmation message after.

I'm hoping this is somehow just a fluke. :confused:
Click to expand...

I would call Apple and see if they couldn't give you an exchange or repair. If it's still freezing after the update, then something is wrong.

EDIT: Also, if you are using a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, are you sure that it wasn't just that they stopped working? You could tell if the clock stopped ticking in the menu bar. After all, this is another known problem.
 
avihappy said:
I would call Apple and see if they couldn't give you an exchange or repair. If it's still freezing after the update, then something is wrong.

EDIT: Also, if you are using a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, are you sure that it wasn't just that they stopped working? You could tell if the clock stopped ticking in the menu bar. After all, this is another known problem.
Click to expand...


It has not locked up since. I have been using the iTunes visualizer this morning and so far so good.

Interesting comment on the mouse and keyboard. That actually WAS my first thought that the mouse lost connectivity, so I immediately tried the keyboard and didn't get any response there either. I'll keep that in mind.

I will report back later day with status. Like I mentioned, my machine wasn't one that I could make freeze on demand. I will put more of a test on it today and see what happens.
 
davidmt said:
It has not locked up since. I have been using the iTunes visualizer this morning and so far so good.

Interesting comment on the mouse and keyboard. That actually WAS my first thought that the mouse lost connectivity, so I immediately tried the keyboard and didn't get any response there either. I'll keep that in mind.

I will report back later day with status. Like I mentioned, my machine wasn't one that I could make freeze on demand. I will put more of a test on it today and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Yea, next time you freeze, make sure that things onscreen are actually frozen. As I said, the clock is probably the best way.
 
Update:
I've had the iTunes visualizer running most of the morning full screen.
Did some streaming video to my PS3 using TwonkyVision and all was good (I've had it freeze doing this once or twice).

So far so good.
 
WizardHunt said:
The firmware fix is now available as a software update for those of you who do not know about it. Just go up to your :apple: icon in your menu on your desktop and click Software Update. It will find it if you have a 4850 chip in your iMac. Run the update and follow the instructions and then you will get this message after the update is done.
Click to expand...

Woot! Thanks for the update WizardHunt, I'm doing the EFI update asap. I'll later try test it by running iTunes radio with wifi and visualizer on. :) I hope it'll do what it claims to do.
 
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