Kernal panic Imac 20,1 27 in

I would start by deleting these files from the LaunchDaemons folder. Go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter /Library/LaunchDaemons. Delete these files:

• com.google.GoogleUpdater.wake.system.plist
• com.google.keystone.daemon.plist
• net.mullvad.daemon.plist - This should actually be removed with any uninstaller provided by Mullvad, but after running that uninstaller, you would want to make sure this file has been removed. Sometimes removing the app is all that is needed, but other times a specific uninstaller must be used to remove the files here.

Then go to Finder > Go > Go to Folder, and enter /Library/LaunchAgents, and delete:

• com.google.keystone.agent.plist
• com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist

Many of the Google files there are unsigned or point to no where, in addition removing the VPN is just a basic troubleshooting step, as many times we have seen conflicts with the system files.

I would also look at the USB Hub to eliminate that as a source of the Kernel Panic.

• Are you able to test without using the hub?
• Is the hub powered?

If you are going to use an external drive to boot, it should be plugged directly into the iMac, not via a keyboard that might be falling back to a slower USB standard.

You panic logs are hard to read - are they separate logs or are you splitting them into three parts to paste them in to the text boxes here? The one thing I immediately pulled out was that these panics are being generated directly by the CPU (i.e., not a case where a kext crashes and causes the panic), so the cause is likely bad data getting into the registers and causing an invalid memory access or invalid system call. In a couple of cases initproc is involved, which is a low-level system call involved in kernel management.

If the panics only happen when booted form the external drive, that again suggests the issue is how that drive is configured, how compatible it is with the computer, or just again that it at least ought to be plugged into the iMac directly.

KI7PBG wrote:

not sure what the system modifications are

System modifications are any software that runs 24x7 and changes the behaviour of your operating system. Essentially, it means that you aren't running a 100% pure macOS anymore.

In your EtreCheck report, your system modifications consists of the items listed under these categories:

System Extensions

Kernel Extensions

Launch Daemons

Launch Agents

User Launch Agents

Login Items

Apps

App Extensions

The order in which these items are listed is how significantly they change the behaviour of the operating system.

The more system modifications you have, the more difficult it is going to be for you to figure out which one might be causing a particular problem.

In the case of kernel panics, usually only Kernel Extensions are involved. If you don't have any kernel extensions, then the most likely cause is a hardware failure or incompatibility.

While you do have enough system modifications to just barely trip EtreCheck's "large number" alert, the ones you have aren't known for being problematic. You don't need to be concerned with system modifications.

It looks like you are switching between boot drives. That would explain why different log files are visible. The EtreCheck reports that you have posted are the reports generated when booted from the internal drive. Your external boot configuration may be significantly different. However, it's still experiencing panics when booted from the internal drive.

The external drive does look like the most likely candidate for causing the kernel panics. That's not a drive that is often used with Macs. And I assume it is inside some kind of Thunderbolt M.2 enclosure? It could be the enclosure that is causing the panics.

Modern versions of macOS really don't like external boot drives. Apple Silicon machines are worse, but you're still running Sonoma, which was designed for Apple Silicon. The external isn't going to be any faster than the internal. It is pretty common for people to buy the smallest SSD available in hopes of saving some money on storage. Your results are typical.

It remains, from the provide information, there is something not right with this machine to cause this issue.

Apple Computers in general are reliable and do not have this type of issue

At least over the past almost 20years of using Apple computers, I have had exactly 1 Hardware Failure

That was on the very First Intel Macbook Pro 15"

This machine iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) - Technical Specifications configured with a 3.1GHz CPU comes with a 256 GB SSD drive unless it was configured differently at time of Purchase

Then we see " disk1 - FANTOM DRIVES VENOM5 1.02 TB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) "

It appears the user may or may not be running Sonoma 14.6.1 from the External Drive

Are we right so far ?

So what does your installed DriveDx.app have say about the health of the FANTOM DRIVES VENOM5 1.02 TB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) ? ?

From the report supplied >>

Kernel panics - This system has experienced kernel panics. This could be a sign of hardware failure.

Coupled with >>

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

KI7PBG wrote:

would you suggest i use the external drive for storage as in reformat it and go back to internal drive, i bought the pc a few years ago from a electronic store that sell new and refurbished items from closed outlets.. so couldn't configure it came as it was. the thunderbolt drive is plugged directly into the back of the imac.

That is why it is usually best to purchase Apple computers from Apple or Apple Authorized Service Centres

They generally make sure the machine is not possibly defective or bordering on failing SSD Drives

Etresoft quote " The EtreCheck reports that you have posted are the reports generated when booted from the internal drive. Your external boot configuration may be significantly different. However, it's still experiencing panics when booted from the internal drive. .

At this point, if you intend on continue to use this machine >>

Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions

Make an Appointment at the Apple Genius Bar or call 1 800 MyApple and have them evaluate the computer