iMac Graphics Update Fixes Crashes from JPEG Viewing in OS X Yosemite
For some iMac users running OS X 10.10.3 (even post Supplemental Update 1), a software update is available that aims to resolve a peculiar bug that caused many iMacs to stall or crash when viewing JPEG image files in the Mac Finder or Preview app.
Specific hardware impacted by the JPG image viewing bug are three different recent iMac models, including the Retina 27″ iMac, and the two previous iMac models.
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
- iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
- iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
Release notes accompanying the iMac update explain the issue:
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.
iMac users can get the update from the Mac App Store, or download the update from Apple here.
A reboot is required to complete the installation. It is recommended to back up a Mac before installing any system software.
Unrelated to this update but relevant to Finder trouble, some other Mac users have experienced trouble with the Finder in OS X 10.10.3 populating files and folders at an extremely slow pace, which is resolvable by deleting cache files as described here. Additionally, some other OS X Yosemite users have found Finder to be problematic, which is typically solved by deleting Finder plists and rebooting the Mac.
