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What do you think is the source of the graphics issues on Mac Pro (Late 2013) ?

  • Hardware

    Votes: 69 53.1%
  • Software

    Votes: 28 21.5%
  • Hardware & Software

    Votes: 32 24.6%
  • Other

    Votes: 1 0.8%

  • Total voters
    130

voyager77

macrumors member
Jun 25, 2012
82
29
these all sound like driver issues and Yosemite (which really is a ********) not playing nice with 3rd party monitors.

Mine are very original Apple cinema displays, using an apple thunderbolt to dvi connector. So it's not playing nice with apple stuff either.
 

poematik13

macrumors 65816
Jun 5, 2014
1,397
2,046
Mine are very original Apple cinema displays, using an apple thunderbolt to dvi connector. So it's not playing nice with apple stuff either.

Yeah but no offense those are ancient monitors using adapters that were developed long after they were discontinued. Somethings gotta give. I bet you Apple never tested your configuration. They assume everyone has the thunderbolt displays or is just going to HDMI to a conventional monitor
 

Infrared

macrumors 68000
Mar 28, 2007
1,715
65
That's the setup I'm using, too. The machine hasn't frozen in months, i.e., since it was replaced. I would hesitate to say the Apple Cinema Display is not implicated in some way, but it certainly seems possible to use one without lockups.

I'm reluctant to get rid of my ACD because it is still perfectly functional and the matte screen has its advantages.
 

axantas

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2015
1,000
1,407
Home
Just discovered something new: It is the whole Thunderbolt shebang, which crashes, not just the graphics-part. I use a TB-Dock for connecting USB and other devices and was just in the middle of a long sync with the iPad (movies, you know...). Surfing with Safari resulted in the known graphics hang, which i could recover by disconnecting the TB-monitor. Graphics came back, but the USB connection with iTunes via TB stopped working and did not continue until i rebooted.
 

bax2003

Cancelled
Original poster
Dec 25, 2011
947
203
Hub (USB/LAN/FW/Camera...) on the Thunderbolt Display sometimes does the same if you reconnect it for any reason. This happens on any Mac Thunderbolt enabled machine, it is not Mac Pro 2013 specific.
 

Timboum

macrumors newbie
Oct 1, 2015
18
1
I'm afraid since things seem to be working ok for the present, so I'm leaving El Cap alone until I need it - too much down time this year...
Just update el Capitan here : It's Worst ! My keyboard is not recognized, my new hub Kensington too, and the same graphic issue appears. But when i switch off/on my screen, i can't reboot properly or switch off my macpro, only hard reboot.... I was thinking it's a system problem, but apparently it is a hardware problem !
 
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axantas

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2015
1,000
1,407
Home
So, now that most of us have access to El Cap, any updates?
I will have to wait until Native Instruments updates their apps - their AU-plugins are not working in El Capitan. (they should download the betas next time for testing, i guess...) :rolleyes:
 

Timboum

macrumors newbie
Oct 1, 2015
18
1
Here, Clean install of el capitan on my Mac Pro early 2013 : my usb pbs are solved, but always always the gpu pb... :mad:
 

Infrared

macrumors 68000
Mar 28, 2007
1,715
65
Just update el Capitan here : It's Worst ! My keyboard is not recognized, my new hub Kensington too, and the same graphic issue appears. But when i switch off/on my screen, i can't reboot properly or switch off my macpro, only hard reboot.... I was thinking it's a system problem, but apparently it is a hardware problem !

You don't have to hard reboot. You can SSH in from another machine and reboot safely that way. That other machine could be a phone.

This is an SSH client for iOS that I use to access the machine remotely:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/serverauditor-ssh-shell-console/id549039908?mt=8

Remote login needs to be enabled within system preferences to allow access this way.

Once logged in as an admin user, you can type the following to reboot the machine:

sudo reboot

You will be asked for your password. Alternatively, you can use the 'shutdown' command, but it's a little more complicated.

You may already know all that. I am writing it just in case it is not familiar to either you or someone else who might be following this thread.

Good luck.
 

voyager77

macrumors member
Jun 25, 2012
82
29
So much for hoping that El Capitan would solve my problems. :-(

Just had another freeze, a few days after a successful install of El Capitan.
I was able to partly recover by unplugging the screen, but i ended up with a slow system.

The logs are different, before i had a kernel warning stating a GPU crash, now there were numerous small error messages about a GPU driver hang.
 

nitrocan

macrumors member
Jul 30, 2015
61
9
So much for hoping that El Capitan would solve my problems. :-(

Just had another freeze, a few days after a successful install of El Capitan.
I was able to partly recover by unplugging the screen, but i ended up with a slow system.

The logs are different, before i had a kernel warning stating a GPU crash, now there were numerous small error messages about a GPU driver hang.

The GPU crash log randomly appears, not every time. After the repair where they replaced my GPU B and the logic board, I haven't had this problem on my other monitor (Asus ROG Swift, 1440p 144Hz via DisplayPort (TB)) ever since. The other monitor that I intended to use with this Mac Pro (Acer S277HK 4K 60Hz) now (after the repair) has some other weird problem where the screen keeps twitching and flashing so I stopped using that immediately (didn't test long enough to see if the crashing would still occur). I'm going to try going back to it and using it at 1440p 60Hz via HDMI. It's stupid that I bought this 4K display only to use it at 1440p but if it works, whatever. I've been suffering long enough with this garbage.
 
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Timboum

macrumors newbie
Oct 1, 2015
18
1
@Infrated : Thank U for the SSH solution, i didn't know that. Thank you four your help.

@nitrocan : Would you mean it depends on type of screens? and What about resolution?

I have the LG29EA, HDMI ... and freezes...o_O
 

nitrocan

macrumors member
Jul 30, 2015
61
9
@Infrated : Thank U for the SSH solution, i didn't know that. Thank you four your help.

@nitrocan : Would you mean it depends on type of screens? and What about resolution?

I have the LG29EA, HDMI ... and freezes...o_O

No idea, Mac OS X just seems to be unable to interface with certain monitors. I have used my nMP with my 4K monitor via DP yesterday, it still has the annoying twitching problem but no freezes. This is hilariously embarrassing.
 

Timboum

macrumors newbie
Oct 1, 2015
18
1
No idea, Mac OS X just seems to be unable to interface with certain monitors. I have used my nMP with my 4K monitor via DP yesterday, it still has the annoying twitching problem but no freezes. This is hilariously embarrassing.
I would be able to know the real reasons of the pb. Only that. I tried all situations, changing alternatively Ram, Hub, keyboards, HD TH plugged/unplugged... read all this discussion... and don't really understand.
 

nitrocan

macrumors member
Jul 30, 2015
61
9
I would be able to know the real reasons of the pb. Only that. I tried all situations, changing alternatively Ram, Hub, keyboards, HD TH plugged/unplugged... read all this discussion... and don't really understand.

Before my GPU B replacement, I had this problem with only a keyboard/mouse connected and no software installed whatsoever. After the replacement, I have flickering (only with my 4K monitor). I doubt all of these cards are just faulty so the only conclusion I can draw now is that Yosemite GPU drivers are complete garbage (and also El Capitan apparently). I'll be damned if I buy another Mac product for "creativity". My experience has been simply abysmal.
 
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Timboum

macrumors newbie
Oct 1, 2015
18
1
Before my GPU B replacement, I had this problem with only a keyboard/mouse connected and no software installed whatsoever. After the replacement, I have flickering (only with my 4K monitor). I doubt all of these cards are just faulty so the only conclusion I can draw now is that Yosemite GPU drivers are complete garbage (and also El Capitan apparently). I'll be damned if I buy another Mac product for "creativity". My experience has been simply abysmal.
My old Macpro was fantastic for creativity !! But the new...I'am ok with U
The pb is that my warranty is exceeded, so the replacement is not free...And for the few people who have the Macpro, few returns and therefore not much hope of having an extended warranty for this problem
 

poematik13

macrumors 65816
Jun 5, 2014
1,397
2,046
Never update to a new OS until 1-2 patches/bug fixes later. 10.11 is insanely unreliable. And yeah, I've been getting some flickering/flashing on wakeup as well, using an HP monitor. Not seeing any errors in the console though, so like others, I'm blaming this on Yosemite's **** drivers.
 

Scott Johnson

macrumors newbie
Jun 3, 2015
15
4
So I installed El Cap on release day, hooked all my DP monitor stuff back up. Zero issues for days and days, and then today, two lockups just like the old ones, etc.

Really frustrated.
 
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krolingo

macrumors newbie
Aug 13, 2010
11
7
I've resisted posting on this board about this issue but I can't any longer contain my frustration.

Back in March my machine was replaced for the same exact problem most everyone here describes.

1) Video Freezes
2) I can SSH create a sysdiagnose file and reboot the computer remotely.

Since purchasing this machine back in March 2014,

- I've reinstalled OS X (Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan) ~ 10 times.
- Ran the machine from an external drive with a clean install of the OS X (Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan) 3 or 4 times.
- Uninstalled every piece of software that uses video.

Since 10.10.4 the logs stopped reporting the problem but now that I've installed "El Capitan" when the screen freezes the issue appears on the logs:

Oct 8 13:31:52 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:31:53 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:31:53 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:00 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:00 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:00 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:05 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:10 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)


I have a Genius Bar appointment this Saturday. I smell a new replacement machine, hopefully they send this one to engineering to study what causes it to freeze the first place. I am not holding my breath thinking a replacement machine of the same SKU is going to fix the problem.


Specs:

Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro6,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5
Processor Speed: 3.7 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 10 MB
Memory: 64 GB
Boot ROM Version: MP61.0116.B15
SMC Version (system): 2.20f18
Illumination Version: 1.4a6


20" Cinema Display: (DVI to mini Display Port)

Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1680 x 1050

27" Thunderbolt Display:

Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 2560 x 1440

3 USB 3 HD's attached one Apple KB and BT Mouse

It doesn't matter if the 20" monitor is attached or not. I've removed it for a week and the freezes continue.
 
Last edited:

nitrocan

macrumors member
Jul 30, 2015
61
9
I've resisted posting on this board about this issue but I can't any longer contain my frustration.

Back in March my machine was replaced for the same exact problem most everyone here describes.

1) Video Freezes
2) I can SSH create a sysdiagnose file and reboot the computer remotely.

Since purchasing this machine back in March 2014,

- I've reinstalled the OS ~ 10 times.
- Ran the machine from an external drive with a clean install of the OS 3 or 4 times.
- Uninstalled every piece of software that uses video.

Since 10.10.4 the logs stopped reporting the problem but now that I've installed "El Capitan" when the screen freezes the issue appears on the logs:

Oct 8 13:31:52 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:31:53 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:31:53 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:00 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:00 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:00 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:05 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)
Oct 8 13:32:10 hostname WindowServer[257]: GPU Driver appears to be hung (over 5 continuous seconds of unreadiness)


I have a Genius Bar appointment this Saturday. I smell a new replacement machine, hopefully they send this one to engineering to study what causes it to freeze the first place. I am not holding my breath thinking a replacement machine of the same SKU is going to fix the problem.

Please post your specs and the monitor you're using and using which connector.
 

krolingo

macrumors newbie
Aug 13, 2010
11
7
Please post your specs and the monitor you're using and using which connector.

Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro6,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5
Processor Speed: 3.7 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 10 MB
Memory: 64 GB
Boot ROM Version: MP61.0116.B15
SMC Version (system): 2.20f18
Illumination Version: 1.4a6


20" Cinema Display: (DVI to mini Display Port)

Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1680 x 1050

27" Thunderbolt Display:

Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 2560 x 1440

3 USB 3 HD's attached one Apple KB and BT Mouse

It doesn't matter if the 20" monitor is attached or not. I've removed it for a week and the freezes continue.
 

nitrocan

macrumors member
Jul 30, 2015
61
9
Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro6,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5
Processor Speed: 3.7 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 10 MB
Memory: 64 GB
Boot ROM Version: MP61.0116.B15
SMC Version (system): 2.20f18
Illumination Version: 1.4a6


20" Cinema Display: (DVI to mini Display Port)

Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1680 x 1050

27" Thunderbolt Display:

Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 2560 x 1440

3 USB 3 HD's attached one Apple KB and BT Mouse

It doesn't matter if the 20" monitor is attached or not. I've removed it for a week and the freezes continue.

If this problem happens to you often enough, try working on only one of the monitors to see if it still happens.
 
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