Requesting help analyzing crash report with unknown kernel panic issue

hcsitas wrote:

ExpressVPN is fine, ignore comments to the contrary - not coming from real knowledge or experience.

Actually it is best to review all information in order to make an informed decision. In addition I agree with rkaufmann87 list of 5 categories that should not be running on your computer. Using a VPN does have a use case when required by employers to "tunnel" into their servers, but I suspect most users are falling for the trap thinking it is securing their privacy, which is only a marketing ploy at best.

Specifically for Express VPN, you must also put your trust in the company that purchased it recently for close to a billion dollars. The Israeli company called Kape Technologies, formerly CrossRider, is known for its distribution of Malware, and previously made its money by selling users information from Adware it distributed. To be fair Kape says it no longer has any revenue from Ads, but it again that is where the trust comes in.

• MalwareBytes previously identified the Malware called Crossrider that affected Mac computers from the former company. While MalwareBytes has been a recommended tool, I also believe in accordance to the 5 categories of apps, it should not be running on your computer constantly. I have used it and recommended it to others for specific Malware removal, but only the one time scan without the install running at all times.

Crossrider Malware on Macs

• Edward Snowden also expressed this same concern about the Kape Technologies acquisition and recommended to not use ExpressVPN.

Snowden says don't use ExpressVPN

For VPN's in general, it is best to have a complete picture on what they actually do and their vulnerabilities.

• https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29
• https://overengineer.dev/blog/2019/04/08/very-precarious-narrative/

You have ExpressVPN.app installed. Mac OS does not require or benefit in ANY way by having the following types of third party apps installed:

• Antivirus
• VPN
• Security
• Cleaning
• Maintenance

Please uninstall ExpressVPN.app per the developers instructions and then retest. All Mac OS needs in order to remain fast and secure is simply being kept up-to-date and restarting the computer about 1x per week. Your computer is VERY antiquated though and Apple does not provide security updates on it any longer. This means the longer you have it the less secure it becomes, however it is still much more secure in its native form than by polluting it with a third party VPN. I strongly recommend considering replacing the old girl, it's 12 years old and well past its prime.

In addition, I see a third party SSD installed. It is possible that is also causing an issue too, difficult to tell. To eliminate the SSD then first uninstall the VPN app, then restart in Safe Mode and restart normally and test the computer for a few days. If the KP's disappear then you know it was the VPN. If the KPs continue then you need to continue troubleshooting or as I already recommended consider replacing it.

I concur with the others that an EtreCheck report will be very helpful here.

From what I can glean from this kernel panic, my first guess (and guess it is) is that it indicates an issue with the NVIDIA Graphics Driver (NVRM), which indicates either a hardware or driver issue with the NVIDIA GPU.

Nothing useful can be gained from the Crash Report. You can post the free EtreCheck report using the Additional Text option when posting. The report contains no personal information, but will provide more details about any Kernel Panics along with the files launching on startup that may cause the problem. Another important detail provided in the report that may be relevant is the Read/Write speed of your Hard Drive that could be failing.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

Kernel Panics can be caused by either software or hardware so there is no 1 shot answer. Looking over a KP report does not tell use the cause, however we can get some clues sometimes with a more comprehensive report of what is installed on the computer and the peripherals attached. Please do the following:

It will help us get a good idea of what is causing your problem if you provide a report of your system, that way we do not have to play 20 questions with you. The report we are requesting does NOT provide any personal information and is extremely safe to use. Please navigate towww.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.

When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again. 

For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community It is helpful to us if you download the report to your Desktop.

panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f993dc306): NVRM[0/1:0:0]: Read Error

This seems like it may be corrupted PRAM (aka NVRAM).

Try a PRAM Reset (hold it for at least three chimes). You may need to use a USB keyboard.

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Please download and run Etrecheck.  The free version is sufficient.

Copy the report as shown in this animated screenshot

and use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

ExpressVPN is fine, ignore comments to the contrary - not coming from real knowledge or experience.

They are not easy to find…but

This one has a separate input for DC power:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BYPM63CW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3U8II6EQ5ASU4&psc=1

It’s looking for 5V/2A according to this manual from LG

https://gscs-b2c.lge.com/downloadFile?fileId=KROWM000155809.pdf

I would connect the DC port to an external USB power supply, not another Mac port:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Q1N8FL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1LA55QUA9DIDB&psc=1

If it doesn’t work, return to Amazon for money-back.

The other option would be to transfer the files over network/flash drive to a Windows computer and burn it there with your existing CD writer. Typically Windows computers don’t police power draws like Macs do - should work.

Good luck!

OWC (MacSales.com) has an excellent, self powered, drawer loading optical drive; OWC Mercury Pro USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) 24X Super-Multi DVD/CD Burner/Reader External Optical Drive with M-DISC Support.

I agree wholeheartedly with rhaufmann87 regarding VPNs. Unless it's a direct tunnel to your employer, financial institution or school they are not necessarily.

More than likely a GPU failure. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M was problematic from the start. Resetting the NVRAM as suggested by HWTech is the first step that should be taken.

There are some apps installed that have been known to cause problems with the OS, but I think they are unrelated to the Kernel Panic you are experiencing.

Also, TRIM is not enabled for the SSD. You can use the following Terminal command:

sudo  trimforce  enable



This command will prompt for your admin password. Nothing will appear on the screen as you type the password, so just press the "Return" key to submit the password.