Frequent crashes

[tobbenos]

I am experiencing very frequent crashes. The last couple of days, when working on a specific session for about 6-8 hours a day, I guess I've had 5-15 crashes a day. I would say this has happened increasingly over the last few weeks, but that may be a bad guess since the time in front of the computer has varied a lot.

The crashes occur at various places, but mostly happen around startup. However, I cannot find a general rule for when: Sometimes it is on the splash screen (only when opening the app itself, though I do not know what it was loading at the time), sometimes after the app launch and upon opening a session (during inserts activattion), sometimes it just freezes at "Building edit window" (and I will force quit it), or it may even happen right after the entire session has been successfully opened. I may try a few subsequent times, and after the third or fourth attempt, I am able to open the session and start working.

The session I am working on is no longer very CPU intensive –[bleep]I've "frozen" quite a few tracks (printing e.g. instrument tracks onto audio tracks). I have not been able to try opening many other sessions, though I tried one from good ole' times with lots of plugs and instruments which opened percetly. Maybe that was just out of luck – Pro Tools may fail to open much smaller sessions (that have worked in the past). It seems that these older sessions more often than not freeze at "Building transport window". Maybe this is a different problem, not having anyting to do with the first?

I may also receive various error messages, like:
"Could not complee the Open session... command because Insufficient memory available (-108)." However, according to Activity Monitor, I've got several hundred MBs of RAM available.

This is a part (the forum restrict post lengths) of one of the crash reports (I'm not sure whether they are the same all the time or not):

Process: Pro Tools LE [254]
Path: /Applications/Digidesign/Pro Tools/Pro Tools LE.app/Contents/MacOS/Pro Tools LE
Identifier: com.digidesign.ProToolsLE
Version: 8.0.3 (8.0.3f249)
Code Type: X86 (Native)
Parent Process: launchd [114]

Date/Time: 2010-02-11 08:59:51.942 +0100
OS Version: Mac OS X 10.6.2 (10C540)
Report Version: 6

Interval Since Last Report: 63263 sec
Crashes Since Last Report: 7
Per-App Interval Since Last Report: 51756 sec
Per-App Crashes Since Last Report: 6
Anonymous UUID: CD374513-7D95-4E92-A65B-6224CE39B6AA

Exception Type: EXC_BREAKPOINT (SIGTRAP)
Exception Codes: 0x0000000000000002, 0x0000000000000000
Crashed Thread: 0 Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread

Thread 0 Crashed: Dispatch queue: com.apple.main-thread
0 com.apple.CoreFoundation 0x971557f4 CFRetain + 212
1 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c88833 Dispatcher + 2509987
2 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c659c2 Dispatcher + 2367026
3 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c66c10 Dispatcher + 2371712
4 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c66d0c Dispatcher + 2371964
5 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c84370 Dispatcher + 2492384
6 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c26e0e Dispatcher + 2110078
7 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c888e3 Dispatcher + 2510163
8 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c659c2 Dispatcher + 2367026
9 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c65393 Dispatcher + 2365443
10 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c65483 Dispatcher + 2365683
11 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23c657df Dispatcher + 2366543
12 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x2380bb66 0x23800000 + 47974
13 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x2380b12a 0x23800000 + 45354
14 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x238270a1 0x23800000 + 159905
15 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23825e8c 0x23800000 + 155276
16 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x2398eed5 0x23800000 + 1634005
17 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23991400 0x23800000 + 1643520
18 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23995fee 0x23800000 + 1662958
19 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x239961c2 0x23800000 + 1663426
20 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23a2b016 Dispatcher + 29830
21 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x2399ddbf 0x23800000 + 1695167
22 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23a30f08 Dispatcher + 54136
23 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x239ab277 0x23800000 + 1749623
24 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x23a3c291 Dispatcher + 100097
25 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x239a48e9 0x23800000 + 1722601
26 com.digidesign.AIR Chorus 0x239a5a3e 0x23800000 + 1727038
27 com.digidesign.framework.DAE 0x031327ba FicGetApplicationInterface + 69466
28 com.digidesign.framework.DAE 0x031764ee FicReportExternalEvent + 154053
29 com.digidesign.framework.DAE 0x031ff858 FicInstanciatePlugInEx + 43
30 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x01320579 0x7d2000 + 11855225
31 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00c0c0d4 0x7d2000 + 4432084
32 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00c0ccfb 0x7d2000 + 4435195
33 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00c15b94 0x7d2000 + 4471700
34 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00c15cf0 0x7d2000 + 4472048
35 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00c15fa3 0x7d2000 + 4472739
36 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00c7680d 0x7d2000 + 4868109
37 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00b38d02 0x7d2000 + 3566850
38 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00b005e8 0x7d2000 + 3335656
39 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00b36c72 0x7d2000 + 3558514
40 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00b263f6 0x7d2000 + 3490806
41 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00ba3e0e 0x7d2000 + 4005390
42 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00b8eeb3 0x7d2000 + 3919539
43 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00f7c7cc 0x7d2000 + 8038348
44 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023dd593 TFileHandler:oRead(bool) + 39
45 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023dd5e8 TFileHandler::ReadFile(bool) + 36
46 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023de8b1 TFileBasedDocument::ReadDocument(bool) + 101
47 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00f7baeb 0x7d2000 + 8035051
48 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x00f26171 0x7d2000 + 7684465
49 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023f9827 TODocCommand:oIt() + 59
50 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023d1e10 TCommandHandler::PerformCommand(TCommand*) + 86
51 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023d23a9 TCommand::Process() + 31
52 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023ca870 TApplication::ProcessEvent(TEvent*) + 26
53 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023caad8 TApplication::WakeUp() + 64
54 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x024d1d4c TApplication::GetApplicationVersionComponents(Cmn_ PolyVector<long, false>*) + 3408
55 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981c8e29 DispatchEventToHandlers(EventTargetRec*, OpaqueEventRef*, HandlerCallRec*) + 1567
56 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981c80f0 SendEventToEventTargetInternal(OpaqueEventRef*, OpaqueEventTargetRef*, HandlerCallRec*) + 411
57 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981c7f4f SendEventToEventTargetWithOptions + 58
58 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981fcb2c ToolboxEventDispatcherHandler(OpaqueEventHandlerCa llRef*, OpaqueEventRef*, void*) + 3006
59 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981c927a DispatchEventToHandlers(EventTargetRec*, OpaqueEventRef*, HandlerCallRec*) + 2672
60 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981c80f0 SendEventToEventTargetInternal(OpaqueEventRef*, OpaqueEventTargetRef*, HandlerCallRec*) + 411
61 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x981ea981 SendEventToEventTarget + 52
62 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x9837381b ToolboxEventDispatcher + 86
63 com.apple.HIToolbox 0x98373953 RunApplicationEventLoop + 243
64 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x024d8317 DFW_EventLoop::RunApplicationEventLoop() + 11
65 com.digidesign.framework.DFW 0x023ca487 TApplication::Run() + 45
66 ...gidesign.framework.ProTools 0x0141454c LaunchProTools + 1560
67 com.digidesign.ProToolsLE 0x0000a2a9 0x1000 + 37545
68 com.digidesign.ProToolsLE 0x0000ab38 0x1000 + 39736
69 com.digidesign.ProToolsLE 0x00004f4f 0x1000 + 16207
70 com.digidesign.ProToolsLE 0x00004e7d 0x1000 + 15997

Thread 1: Dispatch queue: com.apple.libdispatch-manager
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf80ea kevent + 10
1 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf8804 _dispatch_mgr_invoke + 215
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf7cc3 _dispatch_queue_invoke + 163
3 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf7a68 _dispatch_worker_thread2 + 234
4 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf74f1 _pthread_wqthread + 390
5 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf7336 start_wqthread + 30

Thread 2:
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf7182 __workq_kernreturn + 10
1 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf7718 _pthread_wqthread + 941
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cf7336 start_wqthread + 30

Thread 3:
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cd193a semaphore_timedwait_signal_trap + 10
1 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cff445 _pthread_cond_wait + 1066
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97d2e028 pthread_cond_timedwait_relative_np + 47
3 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x9853d235 TSWaitOnConditionTimedRelative + 242
4 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x9853cf73 TSWaitOnSemaphoreCommon + 511
5 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x9856116b TimerThread + 97
6 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cfefbd _pthread_start + 345
7 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cfee42 thread_start + 34

Thread 4:
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cd193a semaphore_timedwait_signal_trap + 10
1 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cff445 _pthread_cond_wait + 1066
2 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97d2e028 pthread_cond_timedwait_relative_np + 47
3 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x9853d235 TSWaitOnConditionTimedRelative + 242
4 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x9853cf73 TSWaitOnSemaphoreCommon + 511
5 ...ple.CoreServices.CarbonCore 0x985cf8c2 DeferredTaskThread + 84
6 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cfefbd _pthread_start + 345
7 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cfee42 thread_start + 34

Thread 5:
0 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cd1916 semaphore_wait_trap + 10
1 ...idesign.framework.digitrace 0x047506b7 XThreads_RawEvent::Wait(unsigned long) + 39
2 ...idesign.framework.digitrace 0x04753e61 CWriteBehinder:oWriteBehind() + 47
3 ...idesign.framework.digitrace 0x04753fab CWriteBehinderThread::StartWriteBehinder() + 21
4 ...idesign.framework.digitrace 0x04754101 XThreads_RawThread::TaskEntryPoint(void*) + 19
5 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cfefbd _pthread_start + 345
6 libSystem.B.dylib 0x97cfee42 thread_start + 34

(...)

Model: MacBookPro3,1, BootROM MBP31.0070.B07, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.2 GHz, 2 GB, SMC 1.16f11
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, GeForce 8600M GT, PCIe, 128 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x87), Atheros 5416: 2.0.19.8
Bluetooth: Version 2.2.4f3, 2 service, 0 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
PCI Card: pci168c,24, sppci_othernetwork, PCI Slot 5
Serial ATA Device: FUJITSU MHY2120BH, 111,79 GB
Parallel ATA Device: HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8502, 0xfd400000
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8205, 0x1a100000
USB Device: iLok, 0x088e, 0x5036, 0x1a200000
USB Device: Mbox 2, 0x0dba, 0x3000, 0x1d100000
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x021b, 0x5d200000
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0x5d100000
FireWire Device: 1394 Storage Front Panel*, Maxtor, Up to 800 Mb/sec

System details:
MacBook Pro 3,1 (2.2 GHz, 2 GB RAM)
External audio HDD: Maxtor 500 GB, FireWire 800
Mbox 2 Micro (I'm on the move at the time, have not been able to test with the Mbox 2 at home)
OS X 10.6.2
Pro Tools LE 8.0.3cs1

I think I have followed all of the advice in the sticky thread, with a possible exception of plug-ins. I am not totally sure whether all of the are Snow Leopard compatible. However, all plug-ins are up-to-date, and I own very few non-standard plug-ins. Since the crashes occur on very different spots, I have reasoned that it has nothing with plug-in compatibilty to do. Everything has worked fine earlier, too.

I finally manage to open sessions, but it may take me all from 5 minutes to 1 hour. Within that time, there is a constant dance of restarting Pro tools, restarting the computer, plugging the Mbox 2 Micro in and out and trashing preferences. Hope you can help me on this!