Mac Pro doesn't want to shutdown

[linkmaster6]

Hey everybody,

So the short story is I have a client's Mac Pro (earlier 2009), loaded with OSx 10.11.6, that after an OS update decided it would no longer shutdown when commanded to. The normal 60 second countdown appears (doesn't matter if I let it run down or tell it to shutdown), then it goes away along with the icons and apple menu at the top leaving me with the background, the dock, and a functional mouse that can open things from the dock. But no matter how long its left alone.

Here is what shows in console during the period after the shutdown is initiated:
2017-12-15 8:14:27.201 AM spindump[1880] Saved diag report for powerstats version com.apple.SystemStats.PostInstall to /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/powerstats_2017-12-15-081427_Kelly-Athertons-Mac-Pro.diag
2017-12-15 8:14:32.899 AM com.apple.backupd[485] Starting automatic backup
2017-12-15 8:14:32.910 AM com.apple.backupd[485] Backing up to /dev/disk1s2: /Volumes/WD 4TB/Backups.backupdb
2017-12-15 8:14:35.793 AM UserEventAgent[44] Failed to send message because the port couldn't be created.
2017-12-15 8:14:35.796 AM com.apple.backupd[485] Event store UUIDs don't match for volume: Macintosh HD
2017-12-15 8:14:35.811 AM com.apple.backupd[485] Deep event scan at path:/ reason:must scan subdirs|new event db|
2017-12-15 8:14:35.812 AM com.apple.backupd[485] Running event scan
2017-12-15 8:14:44.689 AM WindowServer[154] CGXGetConnectionProperty: Invalid connection 61067
2017-12-15 8:14:44.689 AM spindump[341] Got xpc error message in libspindump client connection: Connection invalid
2017-12-15 8:14:44.689 AM garcon[351] host connection <NSXPCConnection: 0x7fab6b611290> connection from pid 308 invalidated
2017-12-15 8:14:44.689 AM WindowServer[154] CGXGetConnectionProperty: Invalid connection 61067
2017-12-15 8:14:44.689 AM WindowServer[154] CGXGetConnectionProperty: Invalid connection 61067
2017-12-15 8:14:44.690 AM WindowServer[154] CGXGetConnectionProperty: Invalid connection 61067
2017-12-15 8:14:44.690 AM garcon[351] Garcon destroyed (0 alive).
2017-12-15 8:14:44.691 AM WindowServer[154] CGXGetConnectionProperty: Invalid connection 61067
2017-12-15 8:14:49.868 AM pkd[328] client 1891 plug-in com.getdropbox.dropbox.garcon election := 1


Now I'm not real big on macs, so I'm not sure what exactly is causing this to hang. A few minutes after the last line I did a hard shutdown to power it off.


From the bit of research I've done so far it looks like the main recommendation is to do a fresh install of the OSx. I do have a current Time Machine back up, but I am very hesitant to do a reinstall because of the apps this client has installed. They use a lot of Adobe apps like InDesign CS6, Acrobat Pro, Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3, and Quark and to make things worse they aren't entirely sure where all of their disks and SN are for these.

So if anyone has a work around for this that would be fantastic.

 

[linkmaster6]

It does shutdown and restart fine in safe mode. Also using sudo shutdown will get the job done as well

 

[lclev]

Have you tried resetting the SMC or NVRAM? Also might be a good idea to run Onyx - link to download is in my signature at the bottom. Make sure you download the correct version for El Capitan. Run the Automation option and that fix a lot of issues.

If Onyx indicates you need to run disk repair you will need to restart the MP and hold down the Control + R keys to boot into OS X Utilities. From there you can access the disk utilities and do a repair. Usually if the permissions are really messed this will fix them. I know in utilities there is First Aid for the disk but I am not impressed with it.

The fact it works in safe mode indicates to me a misbehaving app/driver. Repairing permissions might help.

I also found these links on your issue that you might check out.

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/309403-el-capitan-unable-to-shutdown/

Post any updates and I will keep looking. These shutdown errors can drive you crazy.

Lisa

 

[linkmaster6]

I'd come across that link after posting, unfortunately this client doesn't have this installed on their machine.
I had reset SMC and NVRAM, but no luck with that. Hadn't heard of Onyx before I'll have to give it a try.
I had run first aid on the drive and partition earlier, I noticed that the permission checker was no longer on that utility. Do you have to do Cmd+R to access it now?

 

[lclev]

Onyx will also fix permissions. The app is free and highly recommended on the form. Just stick to the Automation selection. Disk Utility that you access with Cmd + R also checks permissions.

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

Next time it refuses to shut down, go into Activity Monitor in Utilties and see if something is running preventing shut down. Also is there anything in log In items that may stiill be running after boot process?

 

[linkmaster6]

Had to give the client back their system for the weekend. I'll give this stuff as try and a look at once they bring it back

 

[lclev]

Most of the time - once you have done all you can with maintenance, the cause is a misbehaving app. I have had shutdown issues over the years with my Mac Pro. I have spent many hours trying to track down the issue. It always seems about the time I figure out who the culprit is and update is issued that fixes the problem. Updating apps might just fix the issue.

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

When I have had to hunt these little so and so's, a matter of last on first out seems to fix the problem by trial and error.

 

[pm-r]

It does shutdown and restart fine in safe mode. Also using sudo shutdown will get the job done as well

That would really indicate that some third-party app or utility is causing the trouble and I suggest you do as harry suggested in post #6.

Maybe something like insomnia.app etc.




- Patrick
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