SPSS 29 crash on launch - Urgent help needed

I am also facing the same issue. SPSS v29 almost always hangs or automatically shuts off. I found it creates 4 to 5 core*. dmp files with huge file sizes. You have to open the SPSS app package contents and delete the core*. DMP files. 

I created an application with Automator to run the shell script. So, before you open SPSS, just run the application.

Steps:

In the terminal:

1. nano /Users/(change to your username)/delete_core_dmp.sh

2. #!/bin/bash

find /Applications/IBM\ SPSS\ Statistics/ -name "core*.dmp" -type f -delete

3. chmod +x /Users/(change to your username)/delete_core_dmp.sh

4.  Open Automator

• Go to your Applications folder and open Automator.
• Choose "Application" as the document type.

5. Add a "Run Shell Script" Action

• In the search bar on the left, type "Run Shell Script".
• Drag the "Run Shell Script" action to the workflow area on the right.

6. Configure the Shell Script

• Set the "Shell" dropdown to “/bin/bash”.
• Set the "Pass input" dropdown to “stdin”.
• Remove any existing content in the script window and replace it with: /Users/(change to your username)/delete_core_dmp.sh

7. Save the Automator Application

• Go to File > Save.
• Choose a name for your application, for example, DeleteSPSSCoreDumps.
• Save it to a location where you can easily access it, such as your Applications folder or Desktop.

Open the newly created application (DeleteSPSSCoreDumps.app) before open the SPSS.

This method works for me.

Sorry, I assume you also saw this:

https://help.lsit.ucsb.edu/hc/en-us/articles/20282298806555-Using-SPSS-29-in-Mac-Sonoma-OS

I have not heard of the timeline for an update to v30, but it is suppose to support Sonoma. You are not alone and others are reporting the same experience. IBM is aware of the issue and there has been little guidance on what to do until the update becomes available.

Same here, SPSS 29 crashes immediately with Mac OS Sonoma 14.1.

Available fixes do not solve the problem.

Crash reports have been sent several times to Apple.

"Application Specific Information:

stack buffer overflow"

Unfortunately we will have to wait for IBM. The stack buffer overflow is a programming error that can allow program execution outside of the sandbox. This exception has been stopped in Sonoma and keeps the system secure. Only IBM can fix this. More info on the stack buffer overflow can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_buffer_overflow

iPhonesaar wrote:

Crash reports have been sent several times to Apple.

"Application Specific Information:

stack buffer overflow"

It is a waste of time to send crash reports to Apple. Contact the developer of SPSS. They are the only ones who can fix their app.

It does not support Sonoma until v30, but you may be able to install the patch detailed in this support article:

https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/26484998170/Fixing+SPSS+issues+on+macOS+14+Sonoma