Mac Pro (Late 2013) GPU (Driver) Issues

[bax2003]

@bax2003 my special thanks to you for maintaining this thread. This is an embarrassment of a computer.

You're welcome. I think that this thread is necessity because it was clear after second page that I am not only one with these problems (unfortunately).

Even if my Apple fixes my computer, I will let you know what fixed it and what excatly happened. At this moment I will not share any specific details except that Mac is at my local Authorised Service Provider since 30.01.2017. (with exception of one weekend).

Hello from Canada. ;o) After last two weeks of upgrading my trashcan Mac Pro from Mavericks to Yosemite and above....

I think that this is good thing because there is quite a few of us who came to same conclusion. If computer works fine under one OS version loaded with heavy apps and then starts crashing after 10.10.. this leads to basic root of the problem.

One thing I would really like to test is stability of nMP with eGPU.

Anyway, I will keep you posted.

 

[richmlow]

Hi all,


Is anybody having GPU lockups/freezes on the 2013 Mac Pro, using macOS Sierra 10.12.3?


richmlow

 

[bax2003]

Hi all,


Is anybody having GPU lockups/freezes on the 2013 Mac Pro, using macOS Sierra 10.12.3?


richmlow

Yes. Tested even with macOS on external USB-3 SSD drive - same thing.

 

[Xde]

Hello from Canada. ;o) After last two weeks of upgrading my trashcan Mac Pro from Mavericks to Yosemite and above, I am joining you to share my overal frustration..
It seem like I have been a lucky user until now,... using the original version of the OS a trash can was built on...

Hello and welcome...
Please can you check your system-logs to post here a short error message, to know that were talking about the same.
Something like GPURestart and/or WindowServer "10 seconds of continuous GPU unreadines".

Are you are sure, that 10.9 was completely working fine?
Do you have a bootable backup of your previous Mavericks system to make a test run for some days?
------

BTW. I cannot imagine the OS or firmware has a problem, because that way, everyone would be affected.
Could it be that OS/firmware beyond 10.9 together with a special revision of the GPUs arent working together?
In this case, Apple may not do a rollback for everyone but has to select the affected machines.
I mean, the GPUs may not be defective but need 10.9 with OLD firmware to work flawlessly.
Firmware rollbacks are not possible sfaik without new firmware release from Apple.
Are there Revision labels or prints on the GPU boards?

 

[mkrofuz]

Hello and welcome...
Please can you check your system-logs to post here a short error message, to know that were talking about the same.
Something like GPURestart and/or WindowServer "10 seconds of continuous GPU unreadines".

Hi Xde, it just happened. Beach ball, but this time not a complete freeze, but the system logged off to the login screen, I had to re-login. Here is the portion of the system log referring to the WindowServer:

Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [DFRDisplayRegisterForNotification]
Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [DFRDisplayRegisterForNotification] create notification port 0x7fc38710c430
Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [DFRDisplayRegisterForNotification] add runloop source 0x7fc38710c6b0 to runloop 0x7fc387014a20
Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [__DFRDisplayRegisterForNotification_block_invoke] AddMatchingNotification ret = 0x0
Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [deviceMatch]
Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [__DFRDisplayRegisterForNotification_block_invoke] AddTerminatedNotification ret = 0x0
Mar 27 19:30:02 Branislavs-Mac-Pro WindowServer[11611]: 0.001 [DFR] [deviceTerminate]

If you are interested in the complete log, let me know, I will provide it to you.

Are you are sure, that 10.9 was completely working fine?
Do you have a bootable backup of your previous Mavericks system to make a test run for some days?

It was working perfectly fine, stable like a rock. I unfortunately don't have a back up..

[doublepost=1490659284][/doublepost]I have another problem with my machine, just FYI. If I want to boot from other than internal SSD, it doesn't allow me to do so from power down state. The selection after holding "alt" key will show me internal SSD only. I have to boot first from the internal SSD, restart, and than I get the list of all external devices. I called Apple support and they didn't explain it to me yet. They asked what I boot from, if it is a self powered device, etc. as "device may not be ready", but I tried it on my late 2011 iMac and there was no issue...

 

[ManuelGomes]

Anyone tried 10.12.4 to see if it fixes the issues? It seems there are updates to the GPU firmware and boot ROM.

 

[Xde]

[doublepost=1490659284][/doublepost]I have another problem with my machine, just FYI. If I want to boot from other than internal SSD, it doesn't allow me to do so from power down state....

The error message seems to be different to the ones usually reported in this thread.
Do you have your external boot problem since now or with 10.9 as well?

I would do a external boot, erase the internal drive and clean install 10.12.4 to test again.

 

[Idolum]

I mean, the GPUs may not be defective but need 10.9 with OLD firmware to work flawlessly.

The firmware might affect newer OS X versions but seems to have no affect on OS X 10.9. I updated my machine all the way to 10.12 with the latest firmware updates and my GPU has the same firmware as bax2003 (see previous pages in this thread). I went back to OS X 10.9 months ago via 'Internet Recovery'. This installs the original OS X that came with the Mac Pro but does not revert any firmware updates. My Mac Pro has worked without any issues with a maxed out setup ever since.
[doublepost=1490718130][/doublepost]

[doublepost=1490659284][/doublepost]If I want to boot from other than internal SSD, it doesn't allow me to do so from power down state...They asked what I boot from, if it is a self powered device, etc. as "device may not be ready"

It has been my experience that external USB 3 hard drives that are not low power SSD drives need to be powered with an additional external power source when used with the Mac Pro. At least that is the case when all the USB ports are being used. However, your drive should work fine in conjunction with a USB 2 or Firewire interface enclosure without an additional external power source.

 

[mkrofuz]

The error message seems to be different to the ones usually reported in this thread.
Do you have your external boot problem since now or with 10.9 as well?

I would do a external boot, erase the internal drive and clean install 10.12.4 to test again.

Did that. No change. But thanks for your reply. I can open this subject in other thread.

 

[ManuelGomes]

There's already a 10.12.5 beta dev out too.

 

[axantas]

Anyone tried 10.12.4 to see if it fixes the issues? It seems there are updates to the GPU firmware and boot ROM.

Just updated - checking and reporting later. There are indeed Firmware-Updates - there were two reboots to black screen.

EDIT: Just got the first crash - frozen screen - back to login. The Mac was virtually doing "nothing", I just closed Finder Windows and tried to access the top menu bar.

EDIT2: Not sure about the firmware updates. The two reboots with black screen do have another reason. Now with a TB-Display and MST off, the screen remains off until login screen. So no more boot-menu with ALT pressed. With 10.12.4 there is only a picture during boot-time with a HDMI monitor or TB-Display using primary or secondary MST as I found out. Just great work from Apple. But we can at least get new spring watch bands now...

 

[ManuelGomes]

Too bad. I guess there was hope...

 

[MMcCraryNJ]

.

 

[Xde]

EDIT2: Not sure about the firmware updates. The two reboots with black screen do have another reason. Now with a TB-Display and MST off, the screen remains off until login screen. So no more boot-menu with ALT pressed

Well, this problem is another, maybe get out the pref for a test, worth a try?
Still nobody has reported his nMP GPU is hanging again...
But I have my doubt, cause OS X developement is a pilot light, merged with iOS dev together since short time

 

[ManuelGomes]

While not for the nMP, Intel released the Xeon E3-1200 series. Those would go nicely on the rMBP, with support for up to 64GB. And would somewhat make them earn the Pro moniker.
But no signs of the -W yet, SKL or KBL, whatever.
Now, these KBL E3-1200 are v6. This difference to the DT parts is confusing for some people. We know Xeons don't follow the same cadence but it makes it hard to follow.
The 2699 v5 does bring some hope though.

 

[richmlow]

Hi All,

macOS Sierra 10.12.4 seems to be stable on my 2013 Mac Pro.


richmlow

 

[julik_tar]

Curious to hear others who updated to 10.12.4

My appointment at the Genius Bar was scheduled the day it was released, so was no time to test/experiment.

 

[voyager77]

Hi All,

macOS Sierra 10.12.4 seems to be stable on my 2013 Mac Pro.


richmlow

So much for Sierra 10.12.4 here, total freeze after a day. Nothing in the logs, so it must have been more than just a gpu crash.

 

[bax2003]

So much for Sierra 10.12.4 here, total freeze after a day. Nothing in the logs, so it must have been more than just a gpu crash.

Total hardware freeze, WindowServer crash ?..it is strange that nothing is noted is sytem logs.

 

[voyager77]

Total hardware freeze, WindowServer crash ?..it is strange that nothing is noted is sytem logs.

Nothing in the log and the screen went from freeze to gibberish. Gibberish like an overheated gpu or bad cable, lots of fine coloured lines. After 20 seconds followed by a restart. The mac wasn't hot at all, so heat wasn't the cause.

 

[julik_tar]

FWIW haven't seen anything like what you are describing

 

[voyager77]

FWIW haven't seen anything like what you are describing

It was a first for me to, but this is what it looked like.

 

[Idolum]

It was a first for me to, but this is what it looked like.

View attachment 694631

Good to know that we are making progress. If you increase the zoom it will probably look like this:

 

[AidenShaw]

Good to know that we are making progress. If you increase the zoom it will probably look like this:

View attachment 694777

Is that a "sad Mac" hex core?

 

[Idolum]

A sad 'MacPro' hexed to the core.