Random Geforce Kernel Panic with Geforce 7800 GTX

[dakine]

I have Snow Leopard running using the SaCleoCheater's guide, however I am getting random Geforce.kext kernel panics while CI/QE is running, mostly when dealing with pull down menu's or when a pop-up window appears. If I boot in safe mode or remove the Geforce kext files I don't have the KP's, but I also don't get CI/QE or whatever it's called in SL.

I've included the crash log and the screen shot.

I have the EFI string in the dsdt.aml file, I have also tried putting the EFI string in the com.apple.Boot.plist and remove the EFI string from the dsdt.aml file with the same result.

Any help to try and resolve my problem would be greatly appreciated.

[dakine]

Anybody?

I've double checked the EFI string to make sure that it's correct, and I think it is. I saw somewhere in that it may be something about being only 256MB ram, but I really don't know.

I really don't want to get another card, or have to go back to 10.5.8

[Bettarg]

Hello,

i know this. I have a 9600GT an this occoure 2-3 times in a week. I think only after i update to 10.6.1, but iam not sure.

Until know, i dont find a solution. Maybe i try to install a new 10.6.0 and dont update to test it. Or wait for 10.6.2 :)

[dakine]

At least I'm not the only one,

It has been happening to me before the 10.6.1 update, I was hoping that the update would help fix it, but it didn't.

It only happens when I select a drop-down menu, or a pop-up menu (but not all the time). A couple of times it happened when I was minimizing a window. And it only happens when if CI/QE is enabled.

[mitchde]

I also have an 9600 GT, 10.6.1 but never had an KP , also not with 10.6.0.
Have you OC the GPU (gpu BIOS + MHZ) or OC the PCIe MHZ (100 MHZ normal) ?

[dakine]

Thanks for the reply.

I've never modified the GPU bios from factory settings, and PCIe is set at Auto in the BIOS, also I am not OCing the CPU.

[Yopale]

Here i have the same problem with very similar hardware (7800gt 256mb - Gigabyte 965p-ds3). Random kernel panic especially when minimizing, i tried with efi string in com.apple.boot.plist and with natit.kext but the problem still remains.
No problems if i boot with the -x32 flag so is for sure a problem related with 64bit kernel

[dakine]

@Yopale - Very interesting, same thing here, no problem with -x32 flag.

In a couple of days I'm gonna get my hands on a 8800GT w/512mb to try and see if that resolves the problem. I know of someone running SL with an 8800GT who isn't having this problem.

Edit:
I had a brain fart, when i said no prob with -x32, I meant -x (safe mode). When I tried the -x32 flag, I wasn't able to actually get into 32 bit mode. I had to change the kernel flag in com.apple.Boot.plist to arch=i386, then run KextUtility, then after reboot I was in 32bit mode. I haven't had a KP since. Thanks for the tip Yopale.

On a side note about 32bit mode. I was never able to access my Windows partitions in x64 mode connected via ATA port. My other drives are all SATA, maybe jmicronATA.kext isn't being loaded, but with x32 mode all of my ntfs partitions are now accessible. At least I can see which extensions are 32bit by looking at the loaded extensions in System Profiler.

[dakine]

I changed out the 7800GTX with a 8800 GT and no more Geforce kernel panics.

[scififan68]

This isn't just with the 7800GTX, it happens on a 7300Le too.

[iComputer]

Hello,

Interesting, I have exactly the same problem, my machine is equiped with a 7800GT 256mb.

It works perfectly with arch=i386 in com.apple.Boot.plist, but if I boot in 64 bits I got that Kernel Panic when minimizing windows, etc.

Well, I will be in 32 bits world a little bit more :)

[dakine]

I've heard of other people with 256MB cards having trouble, I wonder if that's the problem here. FYI: I picked up an 8800GT with 512mb for $60.00 on ebay and haven't had that problem since.

[Bettarg]

Update: This day the Kernel Panics returns for me. I Dont see them for over a Month or so, today it hit me very hard. Every Hour or Two i have KP related to the geforce.kext.
To remember : i dont have a 256mb Card, i have a 9600GT with 512mb.

I have change NOTHING. The Computer runs fine for months and i dont to Anything. I cant explain it. Maybe it is the card? With the Panic comes so Random it is hard to pinpoint it down.

Someone any Idea?

Here are a few System Infos:

10.6.1 Vanilla, Patch DSDT, EFI String for Graphiccard, Chameleon RC2.