Mac Pro (Late 2013) GPU (Driver) Issues

[axantas]

The hangs on my system are back. So, testing other options. I have to add, that i am using a DELL p2415q 3840x210p UHD monitor. What i remarked:

After updating to 10.10.4 there are new error messages in the console. System.log reports events like

MagsMacPro WindowServer[171]: common_reenable_update: UI updates were finally reenabled by application "Finder" after 13.85 seconds (server forcibly re-enabled them after 13.85 seconds)

So that is about 0.1358 fps. (pretty slow...) which points in some way towards the unresponsive UI, as it was protocoled during one of these system hangs.

My conclusion: There are syncing- or timing-problems which let the finder hang - with a (for example) happily playing LogicProX in the background. Strange enough I did NOT have no hang or crash for one week as reported, but they were back two days ago. There are glitches in the picture - like lost sync on an CRT, just for the fraction of a second. I guess they can be sort of recovered - but not always - and then the finder stalls.

Usually there is no way to change the refresh-rate of 60Hz, but on my UHD monitor, there is the option to switch on MST, which forces a refresh-rate of 30Hz (quite a bit stuttering...). Tell you something: System runs fine then. Switching off MST, going back to 60Hz and waiting a bit brings the glitches back.

As i do not want to run my mac with 30Hz, i created a custom resolution 3840x2160 at 50Hz in SwitchresX. Everything is running fine that way for now. I'll report back...

 

[twomartoe]

The hangs on my system are back. So, testing other options. I have to add, that i am using a DELL p2415q 3840x210p UHD monitor. What i remarked:

After updating to 10.10.4 there are new error messages in the console. System.log reports events like



So that is about 0.1358 fps. (pretty slow...) which points in some way towards the unresponsive UI, as it was protocoled during one of these system hangs.

My conclusion: There are syncing- or timing-problems which let the finder hang - with a (for example) happily playing LogicProX in the background. Strange enough I did NOT have no hang or crash for one week as reported, but they were back two days ago. There are glitches in the picture - like lost sync on an CRT, just for the fraction of a second. I guess they can be sort of recovered - but not always - and then the finder stalls.

Usually there is no way to change the refresh-rate of 60Hz, but on my UHD monitor, there is the option to switch on MST, which forces a refresh-rate of 30Hz (quite a bit stuttering...). Tell you something: System runs fine then. Switching off MST, going back to 60Hz and waiting a bit brings the glitches back.

As i do not want to run my mac with 30Hz, i created a custom resolution 3840x2160 at 50Hz in SwitchresX. Everything is running fine that way for now. I'll report back...

I think I'm facing the same problem as u. Same monitor too. But this issue was not as frequent as the gpurestart and does not show any console logs for me. Like u said, went down to less than 1 fps and beach ball. My suspicion is something to do with software/firmware possibly flash or chrome's pepper flash. They fixed my gpurestart with the update it seems.

 

[axantas]

It is an absolutely weird problem. The screen flicker/glitches are completely gone here. Most interesting: The flickering was present in Bootcamp (Win 8.1) as well - however Windows did NOT crash. Now, lowering the screen refresh to 50Hz in Windows AND Mac made it go away completely. One specially flickery program was Photoshop CS6 and the now removed Adobe Flash. One more thing i remarked: Windows runs somewhat smoother now. For example, occasional short waiting for the context-menu to appear is gone as well. (difficult to describe it clearly...)
Still one little problem: There is not one single useful (retina) resolution for Yosemite @50Hz. Creating a crispy looking 2560x1440@50Hz in Switchres X seems impossible. So, running it at 3840x2160@50Hz now (THAT one i was able to build myself).

For the console logs, twomartoe: Did you shut down the mac or just pull the plug? I managed to shut it down properly while working at 0.13 fps a couple of times (takes about 45 minutes...) I only got log-entries in these cases. Killing it did not log anything.

I am observing everything for a couple more days. If everyting remains ok, i will add that 50Hz thingie to the bug report @apple.

 

[twomartoe]

It is an absolutely weird problem. The screen flicker/glitches are completely gone here. Most interesting: The flickering was present in Bootcamp (Win 8.1) as well - however Windows did NOT crash. Now, lowering the screen refresh to 50Hz in Windows AND Mac made it go away completely. One specially flickery program was Photoshop CS6 and the now removed Adobe Flash. One more thing i remarked: Windows runs somewhat smoother now. For example, occasional short waiting for the context-menu to appear is gone as well. (difficult to describe it clearly...)
Still one little problem: There is not one single useful (retina) resolution for Yosemite @50Hz. Creating a crispy looking 2560x1440@50Hz in Switchres X seems impossible. So, running it at 3840x2160@50Hz now (THAT one i was able to build myself).

For the console logs, twomartoe: Did you shut down the mac or just pull the plug? I managed to shut it down properly while working at 0.13 fps a couple of times (takes about 45 minutes...) I only got log-entries in these cases. Killing it did not log anything.

I am observing everything for a couple more days. If everyting remains ok, i will add that 50Hz thingie to the bug report @apple.

I will do a hard reset. Im running at 60hz. Seems ok except for the unpredictable hang once a couple of days

 

[MMcCraryNJ]

.

 

[wiaderko]

Hi!

I have the same problem.. My macpro 2013 was in service twice (without any results).. at this moment I collect all evidence (my lost etc.) and I plan to go to the court. I can't work on my mac, I have 4-5 freezes per day. Artefacts on screen. In my opinion there is a seroius problem with new macpro and amd cards.

I discover that http://www.geeks3d.com/gputest/ can show your GPU weakness easily. Just run FurMark standard test, snap the window and move it. In the same time take a look at console.. (hundreds of "WindowServer: Surface testing disallowed updates for 10 sequential attempts..")

In attachment you have my log from April to the end of June.. only freezing parts.

(FREEZE)
WindowServer ... : Surface testing disallowed updates for ... sequential attempts.. -

(BOOT - after hard restart)
bootlog ... : BOOT_TIME .....

(artefacts - grey/shadow colors - from 01.00 min it's good example)

I think that last update (10.10.4) it's not a solution, it's just hiding a real problem.


Paul

 

[axantas]

It finally has become reproducible here. @50Hz Yosemite and Win 8.1 are running without any flickering and crashes. Switching to 60Hz almost immediately brings the short flickering back. (Not waiting for the crash)

Had two compete system hangs with a rotating beachball, but no more freezes with a frozen pizza (normally it did not even spin anymore) Could be my fault, as I was digging around in system files...

For Windows there is a utility (CRU) at monitortests.com which does a very good job. Changing to something above 1920x1080 @50Hz in Yosemite seems more difficult. Stuck at 1920x1080. Fullres 3840x2160 @50Hz works ok, but is way too high on a 24' screen in most cases. (Switchres X does a good job, but does NOT let me create something @50Hz other than fullres.)

@viaderko: I did stress my MacPro with gputest, furmark at fullres and other weird things. Not a single crash while these tests. Furmark had some regular little freezes in the picture, but they only happened within that window. I did never encounter the symptoms you are showing in the video. There always were short flickerings or stutterings and then everything froze.

 

[bax2003]

Hi!

I have the same problem.. My macpro 2013 was in service twice (without any results).. at this moment I collect all evidence (my lost etc.) and I plan to go to the court. I can't work on my mac, I have 4-5 freezes per day. Artefacts on screen. In my opinion there is a seroius problem with new macpro and amd cards.

Hi wiaderko, do you know what is done or changed on your Mac Pro in service ?
What did they do ? Change GPU, both GPUs or something else ?

 

[wiaderko]

Hi wiaderko, do you know what is done or changed on your Mac Pro in service ?
What did they do ? Change GPU, both GPUs or something else ?

Hi!

@axantas - I didn't wrote that gputest freeze macpro, but have a look at console during the test. I don't think that it's normal.

here it is:

WidowServer process takes the whole responsibility for GUI freezee. hang out of this processs is correct preceded by the GPU graphic card errors.

Few logs attached.

@bax2003 - they did nothing. For the first time they gave back the computer with reinstalling the system. For the second time i recived it, they got it checked with the note that there are no errors. When i recived it, we started the computer directly at the service point just to showed them what is going on at the console while starting the GPUTEST. Unfortunatly they were not able to comment it and decidecd that they have to contact Apple dirrectly.

Yesterday my computer freezed 4 times. Logs attached. the freezes are very often preceded by the GPU errors. i usually do normal kind of jobs on my computer (email, www). CPU and GPU don't work in stress.

 

[wiaderko]

more logs

 

[bax2003]

I get the same console messages when I run this test while moving test window.

That service plase....if it is Apple Authorised Service, they should be aware of GPU problems.
I got my GPU-B replaced after I showed them GPUrestart console messeges. They said right away that this is a known issue,

 

[wiaderko]

yes it was authorized serivice, my mac is still under warranty, but it's not a point. I think that new mac pros 2013 are buggy.. and Apple is confused (they stick to procedures at this moment), becouse it's very hard to find real cause of the problem (very random freezes). for sure this is a software bug, but the question is.. does hardware construction of new mac pro allow to fix it through software..

try to run other tests.. (different textures - you will figer out that during other tests, you will not find any strange console messeges (even at the same OPENGL version)

 

[bax2003]

My point was that Apple Authorised Service should change at least GPU-B (primary video adpter with PCie flash connector) when you have GPUrestart in console logs. In many cases it is proven that this is not software issue. They have nothing to lose, excpet time for replacement part to arrive.

 

[scoobeesnac]

Do you have another Mac or PC in network to connect to Mac Pro via SSH and restart Windows Server ?
This server usually locks up when this happens.

This happened to me once (before GPU-B was replaced) and I succesfully rebooted Mac Pro through SSH.

Even after GPU-B replaced - I'm getting WindowServer lock-ups daily...I am able to kill the WindowServer/reboot via SSH too. Off to the AppleStore today...

 

[bax2003]

Even after GPU-B replaced - I'm getting WindowServer lock-ups daily...I am able to kill the WindowServer/reboot via SSH too. Off to the AppleStore today...

Apple's procedure is to change component by component until it works as it should. In my case, GPU-B was culprit.

 

[scoobeesnac]

I am also seeing the
" WindowServer[199]: Surface testing disallowed updates for 10 sequential attempts..."
just before the lock-up and also when running the GPUTest - although the GPUTest does not lock-up the WindowServer.

Not sure if others with 'working' systems see this error at all in their console?

 

[koyoot]

yes it was authorized serivice, my mac is still under warranty, but it's not a point. I think that new mac pros 2013 are buggy.. and Apple is confused (they stick to procedures at this moment), becouse it's very hard to find real cause of the problem (very random freezes). for sure this is a software bug, but the question is.. does hardware construction of new mac pro allow to fix it through software..

try to run other tests.. (different textures - you will figer out that during other tests, you will not find any strange console messeges (even at the same OPENGL version)

What I would like to point out, that on OS X 10.10.4 Yosemite, Macbook Pro mid 2012 sometimes reported unexpected crash which was linked to the dGPU failure. On El Cap Public Beta, no matter what I was trying to do, no matter what i thrown at the computer there is no a single crash whatsoever. I know that Mac Pro and Macbook Pro are completely different computers, but at least that shows that something has changed in the way system functions on El Cap.

Fingers crossed guys.

 

[bax2003]

What I would like to point out, that on OS X 10.10.4 Yosemite, Macbook Pro mid 2012 sometimes reported unexpected crash which was linked to the dGPU failure. On El Cap Public Beta, no matter what I was trying to do, no matter what i thrown at the computer there is no a single crash whatsoever. I know that Mac Pro and Macbook Pro are completely different computers, but at least that shows that something has changed in the way system functions on El Cap.

Fingers crossed guys.

This reminds me to repeat this:
When problems started for me, before GPU-B was replaced, first thing that Apple recommended to try is to downgrade from Yosemite to Mavericks. This alone says a lot. Unfortunately I had graphicd problems even in Mavericks.

 

[scoobeesnac]

I am also seeing the
" WindowServer[199]: Surface testing disallowed updates for 10 sequential attempts..."
just before the lock-up and also when running the GPUTest - although the GPUTest does not lock-up the WindowServer.

Not sure if others with 'working' systems see this error at all in their console?

I tested on a fresh install but still had errors, the Apple store's D500 system had no errors. Also my MacAir does not show any errors.

It could be GPU-B (already replaced) or SSD apparently so I believe they will replace the affected parts.

 

[flyingfoxuk]

Just heard that my new replacement machine has arrived at the Apple store - so off to get that tomorrow morning, hopefully back in business for a change!

 

[bax2003]

Just heard that my new replacement machine has arrived at the Apple store - so off to get that tomorrow morning, hopefully back in business for a change!

Fingers crossed !!!

 

[flyingfoxuk]

Fingers crossed !!!

Indeed - I hope it lasts past the 3 month mark this time!

 

[flyingfoxuk]

Indeed - I hope it lasts past the 3 month mark this time!

Powered up and installing software - just updated it from 10.10.3 to 10.10.4, after my last few months I just couldn't bare to run 10.10.3 - a full days reinstallation ahead of me, hopefully the end is now in sight!

 

[koyoot]

Looks like I'm not the only one who had problems on Yosemite and they disappeared when El Cap was installed. One guy on Polish Apple forum had problems with restarting on logging on to MBP on Yosemite. The problems were caused by graphics switching profile, and were linked to "hardware cause" which of course is dGPU on Macbook Pro.

He went after my idea of trying to install El Cap Public Beta. The problems now are gone. So far. Something wrong is with Yosemite and how it manages the hardware, and that causes problems.

I know its Mac Pro forum, but for everyone having problems i really suggest to try the El Cap. It may change a lot...

 

[flyingfoxuk]

Looks like I'm not the only one who had problems on Yosemite and they disappeared when El Cap was installed. One guy on Polish Apple forum had problems with restarting on logging on to MBP on Yosemite. The problems were caused by graphics switching profile, and were linked to "hardware cause" which of course is dGPU on Macbook Pro.

He went after my idea of trying to install El Cap Public Beta. The problems now are gone. So far. Something wrong is with Yosemite and how it manages the hardware, and that causes problems.

I know its Mac Pro forum, but for everyone having problems i really suggest to try the El Cap. It may change a lot...

Looking forward to El Cap but need to hold off for a proper release - I've had so much system instability this year that I can't afford to run Betas right now - sadly!