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Question

Devices stuck in boot loop


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Mac OS ventura:, Intel Mac mini, iMacs, and Mac Studios M1 - - so far I have 12 devices stuck in a boot loop. Had a few that started in June, and it's gradually increased. Some are at 13.3, some are at 13.5.

Reset SMC, NVRAM, PRAM, first aid, can't get into safe mode. Held down option to ensure I was booting off the main disk - - Nothing is working. We've completely reset a few devices, seems to work for a few days then they go right back into a boot loop.

Is it just my environment, or is this a thing from a recent update? If it is an update, is there a way to remove the offending files, or revert back without time machine? I can't even access terminal from the recovery assistant. No utilities option.

3 replies

spesh
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  • Jamf Heroes
  • 24 replies
  • August 23, 2023

It is hard to say for sure, but for what it is worth the majority of machines in our environment are running a version of macOS Ventura, and we have not received any reports of boot-looping behavior. Have you tried the recovery options for the M1 Studios? When you are able to successfully boot these machines to recovery, what options do you see? Is it possible there is a firmware lock on these devices at all? 

Another thing to check would be the Hardware and Software history of computers that were working for a few days before reverting to the boot loop. You could at least see if any of these machines had the same application or process installed before becoming problematic. Its a long shot, but thought it would be worth mentioning nonetheless. 


jamf-42
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  • Esteemed Contributor
  • 744 replies
  • August 23, 2023

Not seen this.. and not a quick fix, but DFU and Apple Configurator to zap the firmware (not the OS) 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdebea5be51/mac

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdd5f3c75ad/mac

Other than that.. funky Kext / System Extension? 

Should be something in the logs.. get a full report with:

 sudo sysdiagnose -f ~/Desktop/

its load of data.. but who know what lurks in +300MBs!! 

Apple unified logging is.. complex.. here is.. some guidance.. 

https://eclecticlight.co/2023/02/08/log-literacy-all-about-the-log/

EDIT: darn capacha!! 


spesh
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Jamf Heroes
  • 24 replies
  • August 23, 2023
jamf-42 wrote:

Not seen this.. and not a quick fix, but DFU and Apple Configurator to zap the firmware (not the OS) 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdebea5be51/mac

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdd5f3c75ad/mac

Other than that.. funky Kext / System Extension? 

Should be something in the logs.. get a full report with:

 sudo sysdiagnose -f ~/Desktop/

its load of data.. but who know what lurks in +300MBs!! 

Apple unified logging is.. complex.. here is.. some guidance.. 

https://eclecticlight.co/2023/02/08/log-literacy-all-about-the-log/

EDIT: darn capacha!! 


Good call on the Apple Configurator DFU restores! 


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