If some of those OS X updates include firmware updates how would they be transferred via a disk image?
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Mac Pro (Late 2013) GPU (Driver) Issues
- Thread starter bax2003
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If some of those OS X updates include firmware updates how would they be transferred via a disk image?
And as Apple has changed the way of distribution of the firmware updates, there are not any standalone firmware updates anymore, the user is forced to apply the delta or combo updates to every single unit...
So no macOS incremental updates - no new firmware applied...
So no macOS incremental updates - no new firmware applied...
The firmware is an interesting point but I am failing to see how is it relevant. I restored the disk from the bad machine to another and it works. No more GPU crashes. Good enough for me.
I just finish the installation of 10.12.4. My MacPro actually restarted at midpoint suggesting a firmware update. My main Display #6 was correctly used by OS X after the restart to finish the installation. All previous installations started and finished on Display #1 (which is not the main display with the dock).
22 minutes so far, no GPU resets.
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I recently got a fresh 2013MacPro.
Thought I could share this infos with you, maybe something changed whatsoever, this is running 10.12.4:
Boot ROM: MP61.0116.B25
SMC: 2.20f18
For the GPU (D700):
Versions-ID: 0x0000
ROM-Version: 113-C3861J-687
Thought I could share this infos with you, maybe something changed whatsoever, this is running 10.12.4:
Boot ROM: MP61.0116.B25
SMC: 2.20f18
For the GPU (D700):
Versions-ID: 0x0000
ROM-Version: 113-C3861J-687
After updating to 10.12.4 my Boot ROM version changed from MP61.0116.B17 to MP61.0116.B25. The EFI Driver version is now 01.0D.687. So far it's running a lot smoother and faster than Mavericks and I had no GPU resets in the first 24 hours. Looks promising. Thanks julik_tar.
Hard to imagine, as Apple fills the OS every year with more...
Can you tell a few words more about your impression? You mean in graphics or overall snappyness?
I was surprised myself given that all previous versions seemed slower than Mavericks even though I have iCloud disabled and use 64GB of ram so there is not a lot of unnecessary data shuffling going on in the background.
I can only speculate that Apple did some improvements under the hood to make up for the hardware limitations of the latest MacBooks.
I don't need any of the new features but wanted to specifically try out version 10.12.4 in case it addressed the issue. After all there is already a beta version of OS X 10.12.5 available and the lockups started after a minor update of OS X 10.10. If the MacPro keeps running without any lockups I'll probably stick with OS X 10.12.4 for the next 10 years.
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Interesting, I thought never going ahaed of 10.9. and the only thing that could change me is APFS.
Thanks for reply and hopefully we have the changes the eliminates the GPU problems.
OS X 10.12.4 seems to have a new sleep modus. The screen goes to sleep but the machine never fully goes to sleep and the fan comes on once in a while even when 'Power Nap' is disabled. That certainly is one way to avoid the 'wake from sleep' issue. Some MacBook users reported that their battery is being drained during sleep which indicates that this is a bug, however, if it keeps my machine from freezing I don't even want to have it fixed.
I am restoring Mavericks right now. While I didn't experience any lockups in the last two days I was starring at a black screen upon restart after switching the FireWire port connections of two of my monitors while the computer was off. None of my 6 monitors displayed an image even though I repeatedly restarted, unplugged, zapped the PRAM, tried to launch internet recovery mode, tried to launch the safe mode etc.
The problem is that there is no way to sign in or do anything else if you don't have a picture and the only thing that brought it eventually back was disconnecting all but one monitor, zapping the PRAM and launching recovery mode numerous times until it re-appeared. After re-installing macOS 10.12.4 the MacPro would crash after every login attempt and restart.
Furthermore connecting additional Displays caused the black screen to return resulting in further forced restart until I ended up in recovery mode again with only one monitor attached.
This black screen issue was reported on by other users when 10.12 was initially released. It's still an issue in 10.12.4.
The problem is that there is no way to sign in or do anything else if you don't have a picture and the only thing that brought it eventually back was disconnecting all but one monitor, zapping the PRAM and launching recovery mode numerous times until it re-appeared. After re-installing macOS 10.12.4 the MacPro would crash after every login attempt and restart.
Furthermore connecting additional Displays caused the black screen to return resulting in further forced restart until I ended up in recovery mode again with only one monitor attached.
This black screen issue was reported on by other users when 10.12 was initially released. It's still an issue in 10.12.4.
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Yes, Idolum, this is a new feature. Apple has added a 4K bootscreen. I am in the same boot. No more bootscreen on my DELL p2415q. UNLESS:
- you enable MST (primary or second - for me it is second)
- connect a HDMI-monitor.
Both tested working multiple times.
But we should not complain - you know - we got that beautiful new spring collection of Apple watch bands. Furthermore some users now get a beautiful shimmering 4K bootscreen - for 2 seconds...
Isn't that great? *IRONIE OFF*
Furthermore 10.12.4 is quite stable here. and a really very small system log, if i look at the huge list from former versions.
- you enable MST (primary or second - for me it is second)
- connect a HDMI-monitor.
Both tested working multiple times.
But we should not complain - you know - we got that beautiful new spring collection of Apple watch bands. Furthermore some users now get a beautiful shimmering 4K bootscreen - for 2 seconds...
Isn't that great? *IRONIE OFF*
Furthermore 10.12.4 is quite stable here. and a really very small system log, if i look at the huge list from former versions.
Unbelievable! For anyone who enjoys fiddling around in the dark for half an hour just to boot up his computer the primary FireWire monitor connection on the MacPro is the middle one on the right side. Good luck!
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What do you mean by "the primary FireWire monitor connection" - Apple HD ALU Cinema Display 20/23/30 connected to Thunderbolt to FireWire on the nMP ?
In all this excitement I got my ports mixed up. I meant to refer to the Thunderbolt ports:
If you connect multiple monitors via the Thunderbolt ports and FileVault is activated then the log-in screen does not know which monitor is selected as the primary display in the preference panel. Hence the log-in screen will only appear on the monitor connected to the second Thunderbolt port on the right.
Once I changed my monitor setup and ALL screens stayed black my only option to get the picture back was to connect a single monitor to that particular port and do all kinds of shenanigans.
As axantas mentioned you can also connect the monitor via HDMI which I was unaware of. I guess you can also disable FileVault and have the computer automatically log into your account without a password. Either way it's not that well thought out.
If you connect multiple monitors via the Thunderbolt ports and FileVault is activated then the log-in screen does not know which monitor is selected as the primary display in the preference panel. Hence the log-in screen will only appear on the monitor connected to the second Thunderbolt port on the right.
Once I changed my monitor setup and ALL screens stayed black my only option to get the picture back was to connect a single monitor to that particular port and do all kinds of shenanigans.
As axantas mentioned you can also connect the monitor via HDMI which I was unaware of. I guess you can also disable FileVault and have the computer automatically log into your account without a password. Either way it's not that well thought out.
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Hi Idolum,
I'd like to try this 10.12.4, updating from 10.9.5. I already have a Time Machine backup in case I'd experience the GPU resets.
Can I install Sierra simply via App Store? Or I need the combo installer? I'd like not to have to reinstall all my softwares and plugin so I prefer not to do a clean installation.
Also, a TM backup is the only thing I need for restoring Mavericks, just in case? Thanks!
You can upgrade Mac OS X Mavericks just by downloading macOS X Sierra from the App Store.
As for app compabitility, you have to check it yourself.
I can tell you that Adobe´s CS6 (and later CC versions) package and all of its plug-ins I use work just fine on Sierra.
I would recommend making a complete backup with SuperDuper! of Mavericks in case you want to go back. You will have to restart your Mac with your SuperDuper! backup drive to re-format your internal drive and re-install Mavericks via 'internet recovery'. If you don't re-format your drive in a Mavericks OS version your recovery drive will be created for the 'Sierra' OS version which means that it will not be possible to repair Mavericks with it (only install Sierra).
Also keep in mind that Time Machine only re-creates the last full image of your previous OS. Mine was 6 month old while I had numerous smaller incremental backups within the last six month. I had to launch an older OS version from an external drive to copy the latest incremental Time Machine backups manually and then repair Mavericks. This can be avoided with a fresh SuperDuper! backup as well in which case you would simply replace a newly installed Mavericks version with your entire SuperDuper! backup version.
I'll probably take a look again when macOS 10.13 is released (if the boot screen behavior changes). When using 10.12.4 make sure to enable the auto log-in function before changing your monitor setup and never zap the PRAM if you have FileVault enabled to avoid the black screen. Also disable all other user accounts including the 'guest account'. That way the cursor will already be in the password field when Sierra re-launches and you can enter the password in the dark.
Also keep in mind that Time Machine only re-creates the last full image of your previous OS. Mine was 6 month old while I had numerous smaller incremental backups within the last six month. I had to launch an older OS version from an external drive to copy the latest incremental Time Machine backups manually and then repair Mavericks. This can be avoided with a fresh SuperDuper! backup as well in which case you would simply replace a newly installed Mavericks version with your entire SuperDuper! backup version.
I'll probably take a look again when macOS 10.13 is released (if the boot screen behavior changes). When using 10.12.4 make sure to enable the auto log-in function before changing your monitor setup and never zap the PRAM if you have FileVault enabled to avoid the black screen. Also disable all other user accounts including the 'guest account'. That way the cursor will already be in the password field when Sierra re-launches and you can enter the password in the dark.
Thanks guys,
Is there a particular option I have to select to create the backup with super duper, to make sure I don't screw things up?
And, what do you mean by "internet recovery"? If I understand well, to go back from Sierra to Mavericks I would have to turn the mac on with the external usb disk with the super duper image loaded and then waiting for some kind of popup window asking me to format and reinstall using that image, right?
I'm not worried about the black screen issue since I use one monitor only connected to the hdmi port.
Is there a particular option I have to select to create the backup with super duper, to make sure I don't screw things up?
And, what do you mean by "internet recovery"? If I understand well, to go back from Sierra to Mavericks I would have to turn the mac on with the external usb disk with the super duper image loaded and then waiting for some kind of popup window asking me to format and reinstall using that image, right?
I'm not worried about the black screen issue since I use one monitor only connected to the hdmi port.
In SuperDuper! you would use the 'Backup - all files' option which even works in the software's demo mode.
You only need to perform an 'internet recovery' if you want to create a separate OS X recovery partition. This option will re-install the original OS X that came with your MacPro via Apple's server. Simply hold down Command+Option+R while restarting.
If you don't know which OS X your mac shipped with it's better to launch your MacPro externally with your previously created Mavericks SuperDuper! clone and simply copy everything back onto the internal drive. This option is fast and easy, however, it will not create a separate 'recovery' partition. Worse comes to worse you always have your SuperDuper! backup drive to troubleshot from your external drive if necessary. After all in Mavericks you can always choose an external drive while booting up. Try doing that in Sierra with a black screen...
You only need to perform an 'internet recovery' if you want to create a separate OS X recovery partition. This option will re-install the original OS X that came with your MacPro via Apple's server. Simply hold down Command+Option+R while restarting.
If you don't know which OS X your mac shipped with it's better to launch your MacPro externally with your previously created Mavericks SuperDuper! clone and simply copy everything back onto the internal drive. This option is fast and easy, however, it will not create a separate 'recovery' partition. Worse comes to worse you always have your SuperDuper! backup drive to troubleshot from your external drive if necessary. After all in Mavericks you can always choose an external drive while booting up. Try doing that in Sierra with a black screen...
Ok, 10.12.4 is on 2 hours without issues so far; I haven't noticed slowdowns. Mac Pro takes less seconds to be operative when I turn it on and to power off compared to Mavericks, which is good.
My audio softwares work just fine so far, I'll give them an intensive test today and if everything is good I'll install Creative Cloud tomorrow.
Browsing in Chrome seems good.
EDIT: Two days of full usage with heavy audio sessions and internet browsing, no issues. I also tried to put the mac in Stop, waking it up after a couple of hours and had no issues.
So far I'm really happy.
My tests will go on with CC and some video editing.
2 hours without issues so far; I haven't noticed slowdowns. Mac Pro takes less seconds to be operative when I turn it on and to power off compared to Mavericks, which is good.My audio softwares work just fine so far, I'll give them an intensive test today and if everything is good I'll install Creative Cloud tomorrow.
Browsing in Chrome seems good.
EDIT: Two days of full usage with heavy audio sessions and internet browsing, no issues. I also tried to put the mac in Stop, waking it up after a couple of hours and had no issues.
So far I'm really happy.
My tests will go on with CC and some video editing.
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I'm afraid nothing changed here.
This morning I turned the mac pro on and after 30 minutes I got a spinning ball, system freeze with the audio still playing.
But unlike with Yosemite, I had not to push the button to reset it, it did it by itself and sent me to the login page (I don't usually have the login screen, btw).
I logged it and the system became very slow (closing a window was taking about 2 seconds). I was using Chrome when the freeze happened and this is what I found in Console:
Process: WindowServer [218]
Path: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SkyLight.framework/Versions/A/Resources/WindowServer
Identifier: WindowServer
Version: 600.00 (15)
Code Type: X86-64 (Native)
Parent Process: launchd [1]
Responsible: WindowServer [218]
User ID: 88
Date/Time: 2017-05-04 07:47:46.838 +0200
OS Version: Mac OS X 10.12.4 (16E195)
System Integrity Protection: enabled
Crashed Thread: 0 Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread
Exception Type: EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT)
Exception Codes: 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000
Exception Note: EXC_CORPSE_NOTIFY
Application Specific Information:
Assertion failed: (false && "10 seconds of continuous GPU Driver unreadiness, relaunching WindowServer"), function void IMGGraphicsStackReadinessFailure(), file Server/Windows/Updater.cc, line 2864.
This morning I turned the mac pro on and after 30 minutes I got a spinning ball, system freeze with the audio still playing.
But unlike with Yosemite, I had not to push the button to reset it, it did it by itself and sent me to the login page (I don't usually have the login screen, btw).
I logged it and the system became very slow (closing a window was taking about 2 seconds). I was using Chrome when the freeze happened and this is what I found in Console:
Process: WindowServer [218]
Path: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SkyLight.framework/Versions/A/Resources/WindowServer
Identifier: WindowServer
Version: 600.00 (15)
Code Type: X86-64 (Native)
Parent Process: launchd [1]
Responsible: WindowServer [218]
User ID: 88
Date/Time: 2017-05-04 07:47:46.838 +0200
OS Version: Mac OS X 10.12.4 (16E195)
System Integrity Protection: enabled
Crashed Thread: 0 Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread
Exception Type: EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT)
Exception Codes: 0x0000000000000000, 0x0000000000000000
Exception Note: EXC_CORPSE_NOTIFY
Application Specific Information:
Assertion failed: (false && "10 seconds of continuous GPU Driver unreadiness, relaunching WindowServer"), function void IMGGraphicsStackReadinessFailure(), file Server/Windows/Updater.cc, line 2864.