2010 27" iMac keeps resetting randomly. Same reoccuring panic kernel.

[minato]

My mid 2010 27" iMac keeps getting the same reoccurring panic kernel. The iMac constantly restarts itself randomly, could be a few mins to hours to days. Mainly depends how heavily used it is. I replaced the power supply unit before but the same thing still happens. Ive been through quite a bit researching and I figured it's either the GPU or CPU probably. Im hoping someone could direct/steer me in the correct path/way to being able to fix this problem by diagnosing or breaking down this panic kernel for me.


This is the reoccurring kernel. It's completely formatted so nothing is installed on it other than mac os.


*** Panic Report ***

panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff8016f0fff0): initproc exited -- exit reason namespace 2 subcode 0xb description: none


Thread 4 crashed


RAX: 0x0000010004056c60, RBX: 0x0000000000000000, RCX: 0x0000000000000012, RDX: 0x0000000002646f3a

RSP: 0x000070000b81eba0, RBP: 0x000070000b81ebc0, RSI: 0x0000000000000008, RDI: 0x000070000b81eba8

R8: 0x000000000b86d21b, R9: 0x0000000000000040, R10: 0x0000000000000028, R11: 0x0000000000000206

R12: 0x00007fa1ae094258, R13: 0x000070000b81f6e8, R14: 0x0000000000048f03, R15: 0x00007fa1ae094294

RFL: 0x0000000000010206, RIP: 0x000000010b778156, CS: 0x000000000000002b, SS: 0x0000000000000023


Thread 0: 0xffffff80231c3030

0x00007fff581e02fa

0x00007fff58062c58

0x0000000000000000


Thread 1: 0xffffff8026201b40

0x00007fff5831176a

0x00007fff5813504b

0x00007fff58133bc4

0x00007fff58133c6b

0x00007fff58133943

0x00007fff58132abe

0x00007fff58135be1

0x00007fff5813286f

0x000000010b775f18

0x000000010b775772

0x00007fff5806ce03

0x00007fff58056d50

0x00007fff5806b20c

0x00007fff5805e0fd

0x00007fff5806bf02

0x00007fff5806fd16

0x00007fff5831b033

0x00007fff5831ac4d

0x0000000000000000


Thread 2: 0xffffff80287a44f0

0x00007fff581e0562

0x00007fff5831ac4d

0x0000000000000000


Thread 3: 0xffffff802862d290

0x00007fff5831ac40


Thread 4: 0xffffff802862b4f0

0x000000010b778156

0x000000010b7780ea

0x000000010b74fb4c

0x000000010b74fc78

0x000000010b779267

0x00007fff58369d98

0x00007fff5836a2ce

0x000000010b779899

0x00007fff58056d50

0x00007fff58069e76

0x00007fff58059018

0x00007fff5806b06f

0x00007fff5805e0fd

0x00007fff5806bf02

0x00007fff5806fd16

0x00007fff5831b033

0x00007fff5831ac4d

0x0000000000000000



Mac OS version:

17D47


Kernel version:

Darwin Kernel Version 17.4.0: Sun Dec 17 09:19:54 PST 2017; root:xnu-4570.41.2~1/RELEASE_X86_64

Kernel UUID: 18D901F1-4A03-3FF1-AE34-C26B2732F13C

System model name: iMac11,3 (Mac-F2238BAE)


EOF

Model: iMac11,3, BootROM IM112.005B.B00, 2 processors, Intel Core i3, 3.2 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.59f2

Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5670, ATI Radeon HD 5670, PCIe, 512 MB

Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313235533654465238432D48392020

Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313235533654465238432D48392020

AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x8F), Atheros 9280: 4.0.74.0-P2P

Bluetooth: Version 6.0.2f2, 3 services, 27 devices, 1 incoming serial ports

Serial ATA Device: SAMSUNG HD103SJ, 1 TB

Serial ATA Device: OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H

USB Device: USB 2.0 Bus

USB Device: Hub

USB Device: Microsoft® Nano Transceiver v2.0

USB Device: IR Receiver

USB Device: Built-in iSight

USB Device: USB 2.0 Bus

USB Device: Hub

USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader

USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub

USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Bus:

- [ ]


CPU - i3 550

GPU - Radeon 5670 512mb


No hardware has ever been changed/replaced other than psu.



Please and thank you!

 

[chscag]

What is the Microsoft USB device? Is it somehow used with the IR receiver? And is that USB Hub powered or static?

Kernel Panics are almost always caused by hardware faults although they can be related to bad software. Why don't you try running your iMac in Safe Mode for a period of time to see if the panics occur while you're in safe mode and let us know. Also, I doubt the power supply had anything to do with the kernel panics.

 

[minato]

oh sorry!. The Microsoft USB is a bluetooth keyboard. Misplaced the apple one somewhere. I also have tried it in safe mode and it has happened in safe mode as well.

 

[chscag]

If your iMac is going into kernel panic while in safe mode, that's the sign of a hardware problem. You could have a failing GPU (graphics controller board). The graphics board is removable in your iMac but replacing it is expensive and requires a complete disassembly of the machine to get at it. You can look at the instructions at www.ifixit.com to see if you're up to it. The board can be found on eBay. Some folks have had success in repairing the board by re-flowing the solder. You can lookup the instructions on how to do that by googling.

 

[minato]

so it's most likely the culprit of the gpu and not the cpu correct? I don't know how to read panic kernels at all but all i saw on the one i have was "cpu" and "thread"

another side question. Also if i cant seem to find an alternative to fixing it. Using it as an external monitor for my desktop through mini dp to dp should work correct? Will the kernels still happen if it's only used as a external monitor? would the components and everything else be turned/off and idle while it is used as a monitor only?

thank you!

 

[chscag]

If the GPU is failing, then that will also impact an external monitor. The same thing will happen.

 

[minato]

ahh that sucks. was hoping it'd run off of my desktop gpu as oppose to the imacs. is there anyway to turn off the gpu on the imac and run off the cpu's integrated graphics?

 

[chscag]

ahh that sucks. was hoping it'd run off of my desktop gpu as oppose to the imacs. is there anyway to turn off the gpu on the imac and run off the cpu's integrated graphics?

Unfortunately, no. But your iMac is still a good machine so you might want to think about repairing it. Did you look over the instructions for replacing the graphics board? They're quite detailed and complicated but it can be done if you're able to do that sort of thing.

 

[minato]

yes i have. i've also looked at the "baking" method. i got an offer of $140 for it. is it worth it to replace the graphics card for another $300? not sure what to do with it yet.

 

[chscag]

Yeah like I said above, a new graphics card is expensive. However, you broken iMac seems to me to be worth more than $140. Keep looking around for a replacement card or try to find someone who will repair for you. The re-flow process does work if it's done right. The problem with the original cards is the solder without lead they used, that's why reflow is works.

 

[minato]

ahh i see. i'll take a look into re-flow process and how much it'll cost for someone to do it. thank for your help!