Apple today released an iMac Graphics Update for users of the more recent iMacs, fixing an issue that caused the computers to freeze up after viewing very large JPEG Files.

Affected iMacs include the late 2014 27-inch Retina iMac, the late 2013 21.5-inch iMac, and the late 2013 27-inch iMac.

imacgraphicsupdate
Apple has also released an accompanying support document that describes the issue in more detail, suggesting the problem occurs when opening a large JPEG image in Finder or Preview on OS X Yosemite 10.10.3.

If you're using using OS X Yosemite v10.10.3 and one of the following iMac models, viewing certain very large JPEG (.jpg) images in the Finder or Preview can cause your iMac to briefly stop responding, display a black screen, and restart to a message that your computer restarted because of a problem.

People who own one of these three iMacs are encouraged to update their machines right away to fix the bug.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iMac

Top Rated Comments

terencedriver Avatar
113 months ago
Can a software engineer explain how viewing certain large JPEGs could cause a kernel panic?

It's the kernel process that tells the authorities which jpegs you're looking at. ;)

----------

Seriously though.. It would be good to know what apple includes in its regression tests.

We can work out that WiFi certainly isn't.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AnsonX10 Avatar
113 months ago
I'm surprised Apple didn't just disable JPEG functionality. After all, they are pretty old and primitive.

The audacity of something as primitive as a JPEG to bring down such a noble and stable OS as Yosemite...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThunderSkunk Avatar
113 months ago
I look forward to maybe using Yosemite someday.

If they ever finish it...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goodcow Avatar
113 months ago
Can a software engineer explain how viewing certain large JPEGs could cause a kernel panic?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
estorstenson Avatar
113 months ago
Can a software engineer explain how viewing certain large JPEGs could cause a kernel panic?

My guess is that there was a bug in the hardware acceleration code that displayed it. That stuff is pretty low level, and if it gets screwed up, it could do stuff like that. Maybe the chips in those newer machines were more sensitive to errors than the older ones.

I had this happen to me a few times. It almost felt like I was using windows again...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sunday Ironfoot Avatar
113 months ago
It happens to my 5k iMac, the genius changed the logic board two times.. but the problem still appear.... download this jpg to desktop and quick view or open it in preview, the iMac will freeze, black screen, trigger kernel panic and restart. Big image over 9000 with 4000 (http://40af8d963e39c6d7dafd-1483642509b9ae1e4ba0c984bc0efda5.r29.cf1.rackcdn.com/bigfiles.jpg)

Wow! That actually worked, as in it crashed my iMac :D

Install the update, now I can open it fine.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 16 4 Web Push

Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users

Wednesday December 6, 2023 5:06 am PST by
Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users by tracking push notifications that move through Google's and Apple's servers, a US senator warned on Wednesday (via Reuters). In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from the tech giants to track smartphones. The traffic flowing from apps that send push notifications...
iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
airpods pro 2 pink

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November. Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware beyond "bug fixes and other improvements," so it is unclear what's new in the update, but prior software releases ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Wednesday December 6, 2023 2:03 am PST by
Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance. According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use. A UDC differs from a typical front ...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 May Reuse Existing iPhone 14 Battery

Wednesday December 6, 2023 1:17 pm PST by
Recently, MacRumors has received details on the battery currently being tested on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE, and the information corroborates previous findings in relation to the device. The iPhone SE 4, known by its device identifier D59, is expected to use the exact same battery found in the base model iPhone 14. Partially assembled prototypes of the next iPhone SE have been ...
12

Apple to Launch Two iPad Air and Two OLED iPad Pro Models Early Next Year

Wednesday December 6, 2023 9:53 am PST by
To boost falling iPad sales, Apple has a major refresh planned for the iPad lineup in early 2024, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple plans to debut new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, both of which will feature notable changes. The iPad Air will come in two sizes like the iPad Pro for the first time. The smaller model will continue to measure in at 10.9 inches, but the larger version...
New iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Release Notes: All New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday December 6, 2023 7:17 am PST by
Apple has shared the full release notes for iOS 17.2, which is in the final stage of beta testing and should be released to the public next week. iOS 17.2 includes a long list of new features and changes, including a Journal app, spatial video recording on iPhone 15 Pro models, several improvements to the Messages and Weather apps, a Favorite Songs playlist in Apple Music, and more. iOS...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:04 am PST by
The iOS 17.2 update that Apple is set to release to the public in the near future will bring support for the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Qi2 was mentioned in the release notes for the RC version of the update that came out today. With the addition of support for the new standard, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models will work with Qi2...