Excel causes system freeze

There are a few ways to get the "updates" off or rather remove them. Unfortunately there is no real Apple-Uninstall utility that i am aware of.

What I personally did to "remove" my Leopard Graphics Update was do an Archive and Install from my Mac OS X startup disk. I selected preserve Users and Settings.

This sets you back to 10.5.1, and you will need to re-apply all the updates from Apple at this point, but ignore the Leopard Graphics Update 1.0

This worked for me personally, and Excel has been stable since. Also, I have not had any OpenGL errors since my removal of the update.

Now, please also note that I have seen other people {although not related to Excel} report that removing then re-applying the update addressed their Video issues and fixed them. I have not tried this yet, but I will.

there is an "un-official" package to do the update removal for you, without doing either

1) complete re-install of Leopard
2) Archive and Install

Please see the below Macrumors.com forum post and notes. Please be advised that some people reported some quirks with this method, related to menu bar and transparency.

Good luck. I am actually thinking about re-applying the update again and testing the waters. Please note though, that the above worked for me personally, and it could just be unique to me, so no guarantees. I do highly suggest you do a backup before doing this. Better safe than sorry.

<http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6669894>

Link Dupont wrote:
.... Here's hoping Apple get's a fix out soon though, or at least a "rollback" package.

So, this got me thinking, why isn't there a rollback package? What's stopping me from going into the 10.5.1 update, taking out the files that the Leopard Graphics update replaced, and bundling them into a "rollback" package. So that's exactly what I did. The only file I did not roll back was the glFrustum man page, but since it's a man page, it doesn't matter. All the rest of the drivers and the OpenGL framework are included in this package.

As Mati mentions above, this worked on my computer, and should work on yours, but proceed at your own risk! I wouldn't recommend installing this unless you're experiencing these weird graphics errors.
<http://files.linkdupont.com/UnofficialLeopardGraphicsUpdateRollback.zip>

<http://www.hurrikenux.com/Testing/UnofficialLeopardGraphicsUpdateRollback1.2.zip>

done! It does leave the extra 78xx kext but it will not be loaded as it is not referenced by any other kexts. (Based on testing)

Thanks to Link Dupont and Mati!
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

I've been following this tread for a week or two. I also have a MacBookPro3,1 with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT that started to freeze after installing the Leopard Graphics Update. Today I did an archive and restore back to 10.5.1, then updated everything except LGU. The Excel freeze on window maximize is gone! Everything seems to be working fine again.

I've also been following the tread at:
<http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1065674&tstart=30>

several people there have also reported a "fix" to the problem with an archive and restore w/o LGU. It also appears that Apple has not yet decided if this is really a problem with LGU or a hardware problem.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

Just to update:

After having removed the Leopard Graphics Update 1.0 - {as of today}

the following occurs {more so with Excel}

3/24/08 10:44:57 AM [0x0-0x38038].com.microsoft.Excel[383] Mon Mar 24 10:44:57 xxxxx.macbookpro.local Microsoft Excel[383] <Error>: CGGStackRestore: gstack underflow.

And then generates a multitude of

3/24/08 10:45:09 AM Microsoft Excel[383] CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid context

{the gstack underflow is generated whenever Excel seems to hang - see below for how I got it to "hang" and repeatedly today}

This happens when I try to copy and paste data from one workbook to another. Excel takes its time calculating and pasting, after it appears the data is pasted into my new workbook, Excel becomes non-responsive. CPU util is 100+% {with MS being the cuplrit}, and Temperature gets to dangerous levels {Setting Fan speed to MAX with smcFanControl is saving me here}

Has happened a few times today, and this is using two workbooks that I opened and created with Excel2008.

Now, previously with the LGU 1.0, my MBP would actually Freeze and lockup, and the only responses I could get would be mouse movement, and ssh.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

I've been having this type of problem too with maximizing Excel - finally got frustrated enough that I came looking to post or find a discussion.

On a MacBook Pro with 10.5.2. Does have a built in Nvidia card. I also believe I have the LGU installed.

Problem only started after I went to Excel 12.0.1 - since it only happens occasionally and I don't do that much maximizing, maybe the problem existed earlier too.

My observation is that it only happens right after I've closed another Excel window. In addition, I literally have to pull the battery to get the computer to restart.

At least I'm glad to see that it isn't only me or my machine.....
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

Thanks for the update. Have you installed the Office 12.0.1 update? The
Excel hang you refer to sounds like something we fixed in that update.

Thanks,

Pat


On 3/24/08 8:10 AM, in article ee8e637.35 DeleteThis @webcrossing.caR9absDaxw, "Robert
M" <robertmcb DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:

> Just to update:
>
> After having removed the Leopard Graphics Update 1.0 - {as of today}
>
> the following occurs {more so with Excel}
>
> 3/24/08 10:44:57 AM [0x0-0x38038].com.microsoft.Excel[383] Mon Mar 24 10:44:57
> xxxxx.macbookpro.local Microsoft Excel[383] <Error>: CGGStackRestore:
> gstack underflow.
>
> And then generates a multitude of
>
> 3/24/08 10:45:09 AM Microsoft Excel[383] CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid
> context
>
> {the gstack underflow is generated whenever Excel seems to hang - see below
> for how I got it to "hang" and repeatedly today}
>
> This happens when I try to copy and paste data from one workbook to another.
> Excel takes its time calculating and pasting, after it appears the data is
> pasted into my new workbook, Excel becomes non-responsive. CPU util is 100+%
> {with MS being the cuplrit}, and Temperature gets to dangerous levels {Setting
> Fan speed to MAX with smcFanControl is saving me here}
>
> Has happened a few times today, and this is using two workbooks that I opened
> and created with Excel2008.
>
> Now, previously with the LGU 1.0, my MBP would actually Freeze and lockup, and
> the only responses I could get would be mouse movement, and ssh.

--
Pat McMillan
Macintosh Business Unit
Microsoft Corp.
This posting is provided ³AS IS² with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

Pat

Yes I have applied the 12.0.1 update and all apps are reporting 12.0.1. as their version #.

/Rob M
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

> Pat
>
> Yes I have applied the 12.0.1 update and all apps are reporting 12.0.1. as their version #.
>
> /Rob M

Many times Excel has freezed my system. I have become compulsive about saving every few minuets. I have been developing the hypothesis that this occurs most often when I give commands in a quick sequence (e. g. close the formula bar and a Tool Box in quick succession), but haven't tested this as much as I'd like. [I am more interested in getting results then acting as a bug checker.])

Frankly, Excel for Mac does not seem reliable in a production environment. I'm thinking of going back to Excel on a cheap XP machine. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Ed
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

Hi,

I do not have an Nvidia Card. On MBP 1.83 Ghz 2GB.

I did not have the problem of opening csv files and CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid context until I applied the 12.01 update last week. now my excel constantly crashes when openeing csv files and I continuously (like 30 every minute) have the CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid context error in my console log.

I do have the leopard graphics update but that was applied in early Feb and not recently and i did not have these errors or crashes. And for me excel is usually open 20 hrs a day.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

In article <ee8e637.39 DeleteThis @webcrossing.caR9absDaxw>,
TryingToUseOfficeOnMyMac DeleteThis @officeformac.com wrote:

> > Pat
> >
> > Yes I have applied the 12.0.1 update and all apps are reporting 12.0.1. as
> > their version #.
> >
> > /Rob M
>
> Many times Excel has freezed my system. I have become compulsive about saving
> every few minuets. I have been developing the hypothesis that this occurs
> most often when I give commands in a quick sequence (e. g. close the formula
> bar and a Tool Box in quick succession), but haven't tested this as much as
> I'd like. [I am more interested in getting results then acting as a bug
> checker.])
>
> Frankly, Excel for Mac does not seem reliable in a production environment.
> I'm thinking of going back to Excel on a cheap XP machine. Anyone have
> thoughts on this?

Only that I can and do perform commands like closing the formula bar and
toolbox in quick succession all the time, and have never had a system
freeze.

For me, with all its many shortcomings, XL08 is remarkably difficult to
crash.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

To reply to Ed's comment. I have said many times in this newsgroup that the
system freeze issue is caused by an Apple bug! Please see this thread:
http://www.officeformac.com/ProductForums/Excel/822.

We've actually now received confirmation from Apple that this is caused by a
bug in one of their drivers. There's nothing more that Microsoft can do
about this issue. Apple is working on a fix. I can't speak for them as to
when they will release an update that fixes the problem.

Thanks,

Pat


On 3/26/08 6:09 AM, in article
jemcgimpsey-0EE8A7.07090626032008.TakeThisOut@news.microsoft.com, "JE McGimpsey"
<jemcgimpsey.TakeThisOut@mvps.org> wrote:

> In article <ee8e637.39.TakeThisOut@webcrossing.caR9absDaxw>,
> TryingToUseOfficeOnMyMac.TakeThisOut@officeformac.com wrote:
>
>>> Pat
>>>
>>> Yes I have applied the 12.0.1 update and all apps are reporting 12.0.1. as
>>> their version #.
>>>
>>> /Rob M
>>
>> Many times Excel has freezed my system. I have become compulsive about saving
>> every few minuets. I have been developing the hypothesis that this occurs
>> most often when I give commands in a quick sequence (e. g. close the formula
>> bar and a Tool Box in quick succession), but haven't tested this as much as
>> I'd like. [I am more interested in getting results then acting as a bug
>> checker.])
>>
>> Frankly, Excel for Mac does not seem reliable in a production environment.
>> I'm thinking of going back to Excel on a cheap XP machine. Anyone have
>> thoughts on this?
>
> Only that I can and do perform commands like closing the formula bar and
> toolbox in quick succession all the time, and have never had a system
> freeze.
>
> For me, with all its many shortcomings, XL08 is remarkably difficult to
> crash.

--
Pat McMillan
Macintosh Business Unit
Microsoft Corp.
This posting is provided ³AS IS² with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

I haven't seen anyone using Tiger on a G5 here so just so you know, it is happening on a G5 PowerPC running Tiger 10.4.11.

> One question for anyone who's been encountering this issue: Has anyone run
> into this issue who has *not* installed the "Leopard Graphics Update"?
> (Check the Installed Updates tab in the system's Software Update pref.)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pat
>
>
> On 06/03/2008 09:52, in article
> 364235e3-614e-4a5b-95da-98198465fb0c.DeleteThis@c33g2000hsd.googlegroups.com,
> "usenetname@gmail.com" wrote:
>
> > On Mar 6, 8:39&#65533;am, thorga....DeleteThis@gmail.com wrote:
> >> On 6 mrt, 01:13, Pat McMillan wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> Thank you. Would you be able to send me a System Profile? It would be a big
> >>> help in narrowing this down, since we have several systems here running
> >>> Parallels and Excel 2008 and have not seen this. If so, please send to
> >>> patmc....DeleteThis@microsoft.com.
> >>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>
> >>> Pat
> >>
> >>> On 05/03/2008 07:23, in article
> >>> 958f0343-51ba-4616-86fd-e84295fb0....DeleteThis@s19g2000prg.googlegroups.com,
> >>
> >>> "thorga...@gmail.com" wrote:
> >>>> Sorry, the other thread does not seem related to the problem : posters
> >>>> in the other thread get random system freezes, I only get them with
> >>>> Excel. Maximizing windows within Excel is mostly the problem, but also
> >>>> adding to a custom menu bar caused a freeze here.
> >>
> >>>> System : Mac Pro with 10Gb ram / 8800GT / MS Office 2008
> >>
> >>>> Solution upon a freeze is hard reset. By the way : freeze means :
> >>>> beachball of death, mouse still moves, but no forced quit possible.
> >>
> >>>> I'm hoping for a quick fix, cause I'm on the brink on going back to
> >>>> office X here. My business cannot function on 3-4 freezes a day.
> >>
> >>>> On 3 mrt, 23:35, Pat McMillan wrote:
> >>>>> Hi,
> >>
> >>>>> We are looking into the CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid context output to
> >>>>> the console. But the system freeze looks like it may be an OS issue. You
> >>>>> might want to check out this discussion:
> >>
> >>>>> <http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6706148>
> >>
> >>>>> Thanks,
> >>
> >>>>> Pat
> >>
> >>>>> On 03/03/2008 18:47, in article
> >>>>> 678153c7-38e1-49bc-b5cf-ec15d2273....DeleteThis@d62g2000hsf.googlegroups.com,
> >>
> >>>>> "gguba...@gmail.com" wrote:
> >>>>>> Hi, same problem here... I found that symptoms appear more likely if I
> >>>>>> open an xls saved with Excel 2000 rather than Excel 2008.
> >>
> >>>>>> OS X 10.5.2, all updates, MacBook Pro 2,6 GHz, 4 GB RAM
> >>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Pat McMillan
> >>>>> Macintosh Business Unit
> >>>>> Microsoft Corp.
> >>>>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no warranties, and confers no
> >>>>> rights.
> >>
> >>> --
> >>> Pat McMillan
> >>> Macintosh Business Unit
> >>> Microsoft Corp.
> >>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> >>
> >> Hi, also running parallels 3,0 here, could be related. System profile
> >> on its way.
> >
> > No parallels here, using vmware.
>
> --
> Pat McMillan
> Macintosh Business Unit
> Microsoft Corp.
> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

Thanks. Do you have an Nvidia graphics card?


On 4/4/08 12:59 PM, in article ee8e637.43.TakeThisOut@webcrossing.caR9absDaxw, "Gary
Simpson" <gsimp.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote:

> I haven't seen anyone using Tiger on a G5 here so just so you know, it is
> happening on a G5 PowerPC running Tiger 10.4.11.
>
>> One question for anyone who's been encountering this issue: Has anyone run
>> into this issue who has *not* installed the "Leopard Graphics Update"?
>> (Check the Installed Updates tab in the system's Software Update pref.)
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Pat
>>
>>
>> On 06/03/2008 09:52, in article
>> 364235e3-614e-4a5b-95da-98198465fb0c.TakeThisOut@c33g2000hsd.googlegroups.com,
>> "usenetname@gmail.com" wrote:
>>
>> > On Mar 6, 8:39&#65533;am, thorga....TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:
>> >> On 6 mrt, 01:13, Pat McMillan wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> Thank you. Would you be able to send me a System Profile? It
>> would be a big
>> >>> help in narrowing this down, since we have several systems here
>> running
>> >>> Parallels and Excel 2008 and have not seen this. If so, please
>> send to
>> >>> patmc....TakeThisOut@microsoft.com.
>> >>
>> >>> Thanks,
>> >>
>> >>> Pat
>> >>
>> >>> On 05/03/2008 07:23, in article
>> >>>
>> 958f0343-51ba-4616-86fd-e84295fb0....TakeThisOut@s19g2000prg.googlegroups.com,
>> >>
>> >>> "thorga...@gmail.com" wrote:
>> >>>> Sorry, the other thread does not seem related to the problem
>> : posters
>> >>>> in the other thread get random system freezes, I only get
>> them with
>> >>>> Excel. Maximizing windows within Excel is mostly the
>> problem, but also
>> >>>> adding to a custom menu bar caused a freeze here.
>> >>
>> >>>> System : Mac Pro with 10Gb ram / 8800GT / MS Office 2008
>> >>
>> >>>> Solution upon a freeze is hard reset. By the way : freeze
>> means :
>> >>>> beachball of death, mouse still moves, but no forced quit
>> possible.
>> >>
>> >>>> I'm hoping for a quick fix, cause I'm on the brink on going
>> back to
>> >>>> office X here. My business cannot function on 3-4 freezes a
>> day.
>> >>
>> >>>> On 3 mrt, 23:35, Pat McMillan wrote:
>> >>>>> Hi,
>> >>
>> >>>>> We are looking into the CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid
>> context output to
>> >>>>> the console. But the system freeze looks like it may be
>> an OS issue. You
>> >>>>> might want to check out this discussion:
>> >>
>> >>>>>
>> <http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6706148>
>> >>
>> >>>>> Thanks,
>> >>
>> >>>>> Pat
>> >>
>> >>>>> On 03/03/2008 18:47, in article
>> >>>>>
>> 678153c7-38e1-49bc-b5cf-ec15d2273....TakeThisOut@d62g2000hsf.googlegroups.com,
>> >>
>> >>>>> "gguba...@gmail.com" wrote:
>> >>>>>> Hi, same problem here... I found that symptoms
>> appear more likely if I
>> >>>>>> open an xls saved with Excel 2000 rather than Excel
>> 2008.
>> >>
>> >>>>>> OS X 10.5.2, all updates, MacBook Pro 2,6 GHz, 4 GB
>> RAM
>> >>
>> >>>>> --
>> >>>>> Pat McMillan
>> >>>>> Macintosh Business Unit
>> >>>>> Microsoft Corp.
>> >>>>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no
>> warranties, and confers no
>> >>>>> rights.
>> >>
>> >>> --
>> >>> Pat McMillan
>> >>> Macintosh Business Unit
>> >>> Microsoft Corp.
>> >>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no
>> warranties, and confers no rights.
>> >>
>> >> Hi, also running parallels 3,0 here, could be related. System
>> profile
>> >> on its way.
>> >
>> > No parallels here, using vmware.
>>
>> --
>> Pat McMillan
>> Macintosh Business Unit
>> Microsoft Corp.
>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no warranties, and
>> confers no rights.

--
Pat McMillan
Macintosh Business Unit
Microsoft Corp.
This posting is provided ³AS IS² with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze 

On Apr 4, 3:09 pm, Pat McMillan <patmc... DeleteThis @microsoft.com> wrote:
> Thanks. Do you have an Nvidia graphics card?
>
> On 4/4/08 12:59 PM, in article ee8e637... DeleteThis @webcrossing.caR9absDaxw, "Gary
>
>
>
> Simpson" <gs... DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote:
> > I haven't seen anyone using Tiger on a G5 here so just so you know, it is
> > happening on a G5 PowerPC running Tiger 10.4.11.
>
> >> One question for anyone who's been encountering this issue: Has anyone run
> >> into this issue who has *not* installed the "Leopard Graphics Update"?
> >> (Check the Installed Updates tab in the system's Software Update pref.)
>
> >> Thanks,
>
> >> Pat
>
> >> On 06/03/2008 09:52, in article
> >> 364235e3-614e-4a5b-95da-98198465f... DeleteThis @c33g2000hsd.googlegroups.com,
> >> "usenetn...@gmail.com" wrote:
>
> >> > On Mar 6, 8:39&#65533;am, thorga... DeleteThis @gmail.com wrote:
> >> >> On 6 mrt, 01:13, Pat McMillan wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>> Thank you. Would you be able to send me a System Profile? It
> >> would be a big
> >> >>> help in narrowing this down, since we have several systems here
> >> running
> >> >>> Parallels and Excel 2008 and have not seen this. If so, please
> >> send to
> >> >>> patmc... DeleteThis @microsoft.com.
> >> >>
> >> >>> Thanks,
> >> >>
> >> >>> Pat
> >> >>
> >> >>> On 05/03/2008 07:23, in article
> >> >>>
> >> 958f0343-51ba-4616-86fd-e84295fb0... DeleteThis @s19g2000prg.googlegroups.com,
> >> >>
> >> >>> "thorga...@gmail.com" wrote:
> >> >>>> Sorry, the other thread does not seem related to the problem
> >> : posters
> >> >>>> in the other thread get random system freezes, I only get
> >> them with
> >> >>>> Excel. Maximizing windows within Excel is mostly the
> >> problem, but also
> >> >>>> adding to a custom menu bar caused a freeze here.
> >> >>
> >> >>>> System : Mac Pro with 10Gb ram / 8800GT / MS Office 2008
> >> >>
> >> >>>> Solution upon a freeze is hard reset. By the way : freeze
> >> means :
> >> >>>> beachball of death, mouse still moves, but no forced quit
> >> possible.
> >> >>
> >> >>>> I'm hoping for a quick fix, cause I'm on the brink on going
> >> back to
> >> >>>> office X here. My business cannot function on 3-4 freezes a
> >> day.
> >> >>
> >> >>>> On 3 mrt, 23:35, Pat McMillan wrote:
> >> >>>>> Hi,
> >> >>
> >> >>>>> We are looking into the CGBitmapContextGetData: invalid
> >> context output to
> >> >>>>> the console. But the system freeze looks like it may be
> >> an OS issue. You
> >> >>>>> might want to check out this discussion:
> >> >>
> >> >>>>>
> >> <http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6706148>
> >> >>
> >> >>>>> Thanks,
> >> >>
> >> >>>>> Pat
> >> >>
> >> >>>>> On 03/03/2008 18:47, in article
> >> >>>>>
> >> 678153c7-38e1-49bc-b5cf-ec15d2273... DeleteThis @d62g2000hsf.googlegroups.com,
> >> >>
> >> >>>>> "gguba...@gmail.com" wrote:
> >> >>>>>> Hi, same problem here... I found that symptoms
> >> appear more likely if I
> >> >>>>>> open an xls saved with Excel 2000 rather than Excel
> >> 2008.
> >> >>
> >> >>>>>> OS X 10.5.2, all updates, MacBook Pro 2,6 GHz, 4 GB
> >> RAM
> >> >>
> >> >>>>> --
> >> >>>>> Pat McMillan
> >> >>>>> Macintosh Business Unit
> >> >>>>> Microsoft Corp.
> >> >>>>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no
> >> warranties, and confers no
> >> >>>>> rights.
> >> >>
> >> >>> --
> >> >>> Pat McMillan
> >> >>> Macintosh Business Unit
> >> >>> Microsoft Corp.
> >> >>> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no
> >> warranties, and confers no rights.
> >> >>
> >> >> Hi, also running parallels 3,0 here, could be related. System
> >> profile
> >> >> on its way.
> >> >
> >> > No parallels here, using vmware.
>
> >> --
> >> Pat McMillan
> >> Macintosh Business Unit
> >> Microsoft Corp.
> >> This posting is provided &#65533;AS IS&#65533; with no warranties, and
> >> confers no rights.
>
> --
> Pat McMillan
> Macintosh Business Unit
> Microsoft Corp.
> This posting is provided ³AS IS² with no warranties, and confers no rights.

I am also having this problem with Excel, but I am on a Macbook Air
with the Intel chipset. Very frustrating.
 >> Stay informed about: Excel causes system freeze