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Macbook Pro M3 Max with Dell u4025QW - Frequent Kernel Panics

I recently purchased a new 14" MacBook Pro M3 Max and simultaneously purchased a Dell U4025QW monitor. My Mac is powered by the monitor's Thunderbolt cable.


My Mac periodically restarts when left alone for long enough to go into sleep mode. I cannot figure out a pattern to it, and this happens both when no applications are open and also when many apps are left open in the background. The restart appears random ... some days, the Mac will restart each time when left alone for long periods. Other time, the Mac will run for a few days without any issue. The only thing I think (and I say "think" because I'm not 100% certain) I've determined is that the kernel panic-related restarts are associated with my Dell monitor. I believe in this correlation because over a few day period where I unplugged the Mac from the monitor whenever I would leave it long enough for the Mac to sleep, the Mac experienced no kernel panics. The absence of a restart strongly suggests that the Dell monitor is causing the kernel panics.


I contacted Dell about this issue, which began after I updated the new monitor with the latest firmware (M3T103). Dell told me that they discovered a bug in this latest firmware, and promptly sent me a replacement monitor, which has M3T102 installed. While I applaud Dell's customer service, I'm a little skeptical that they were telling me the truth since M3T103 is still posted on their website for download. Further, now with a replacement monitor running M3T102, the Kernel panics have continued.


I ran an EtreCheck Pro report, but unfortunately, the report tells me nothing other than this is likely a hardware related problem, and that the test I've already done (removing the USB-C Thunderbolt cable when the Mac is going to sleep) does appear to confirm this is a problem stemming from the connection between my Mac and the Dell.


I love this monitor ... perfect size for me. But this frequent restarting isn't sustainable. I've only had the computer and monitor for about six weeks and I'd say I've experienced this issue more than a dozen times already.


Anything someone can suggest?


Much appreciated.


- David

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on Nov 16, 2024 1:48 PM

Reply
14 replies

Nov 17, 2024 8:01 AM in response to David Kohl

Your situation is very complicated.


Data abort says that when data was being read or written (and every read or write is through the cache) a Hardware error occurred. The saved instances all point back to windowserver.


What you would LIKE to do, is take you Mac to Apple and tell them it has a Hardware error. But to get the Genius Bar to listen, it has to:

• fail the diagnostic or

•. cause an unmistakable hardware problem on demand. They are nit trained to read reports and logs.


that leaves you talking to Apple support. when the first responders look at this, they have two responses:

first, it must be third-party software.

second: they are not trained to read reposts and log either, so ONLY a specialist can help. You have to push to get them to have a specialist contact you.


Along the way, you still have to deflect their first complaint, that it must be third-paty software that did this. There are two ways to accomplish that, and it may eventually take BOTH to convince them.


Before you proceed, you need to go get a full panic report, and post the first part of it on the forums to have a permeant record that everyone (including support) can refer to. I will post the procedure in next post.


continuing on with the main process, the two ways are


First, to restart and run in Safe Mode, where almost NO third-party add-on are loaded. if you can get the problem to occur in safe mode, you are almost home.


Second, (which should only be required in extreme cases) is to re-install ONLY MacOS, and no third part packages or add-ons whatsoever. Typically this means ERASING the MacOS Volume before you re-install. This process may wipe out your stored panic reports, so before you do that extreme step, use the procedure in the next post to set aside a panic report, and save it to the forum.



Nov 17, 2024 7:53 AM in response to David Kohl

Kernel Panic Reports are stored in the Folder at:

/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports


If you copy and paste that string into:

Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder


it will take you to the Folder where those reports are stored.


Kernel panic reports are named with Date&Time and start or end in ‘panic’

If you find one, please post as much as you can here, by using the “additional text” Icon in the reply footer (looks like a paper with writing). (Once the report devolves into incessant software-names or incessant Base-64 dumps with lots of AAAAAA lines, you are done.)


Please don’t post more about 20 lines of any other types of reports — they are interminable, and any information useful for this purpose is on the first screenful.


If you post your kernel panic here in its entirety, using the additional text icon in the reply footer, we do have some Readers (typically with developer background) who can attempt to interpret those panic reports. Even if no clear symptom emerges, this can still save a step if you DO need to contact Apple support later, because Apple Support specialists can read the panic reports you posted here, if you tell them what discussion or what Avatar.


Nov 17, 2024 1:17 PM in response to a brody

Mr. Brody -


The first panic was actually in late October shortly after upgrading the Dell Firmware on the first of the two monitors. After I received the replacement monitor on about Nov 7, I experienced no panic restarts again until 11/15 ... thus seven days without an issue. Very strange indeed.


Regarding iMovie, the app store automatically updated that software on 11/15. Prior to 11/15, the software was also up-to-date with whatever the prior version was.

Nov 17, 2024 3:48 PM in response to David Kohl

Does the kernel panic ever happen when the Dell is not connected?

Have you tried connecting different cables to the Dell?

Have you tried connecting the Dell to different ports on the Mac?

Have you made sure the Dell has its own source of power?

Does the panic happen when the Finder is the only apparent running application?

Is put drives to sleep unchecked in System Settings for Power management/Energy Saver?


Do you have enough room on your hard drive to see if an copy of Sonoma can be put on a separate partition with no added plugins, drivers, or added software, to see if it is specific to how Sonoma reacts to the Dell's firmware?


Is there a reproducible set of steps to get the panic to happen?

Nov 18, 2024 8:00 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

For the record, I disconnected the Thunderbolt connection between the Macbook and Dell monitor and instead connected via HDMI. At least last night, I did not experience a restart. I plan to use the Mac this way for a few days.


If the Mac does not experience any more panic restarts, does this suggest a problem with my Macbook or a problem with the Dell monitor's compatibility with the Macbook? And do you suspect a detailed read of the reports will get us to this conclusion? I ask because I don't want to go through the lengthy hassle of replacing my Macbook Pro only to find the same issue once I've re-connected it to the Dell monitor.

Nov 18, 2024 8:29 AM in response to David Kohl

The problem listed in your panic reports suggests a hardware problem inside your Mac, NOT a software issue, NOT a "compatibility problem", not some sort of performance problem.


The HDMI interface is comparable to the other display interfaces, and my expectation is that this connection will be no better, and likely no different.

Macbook Pro M3 Max with Dell u4025QW - Frequent Kernel Panics

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