Affinity Photo 1.9.3. cannot be launched on Mac Pro (Big Sur 11.4)

[Kulda]

Hello there!
The latest version of this app 1.9.3 cannot be run. I bought it on the App Store and I've been using it since version 1.7.3, no problems so far. I use it in a production environment and without it I have a big problem.

Configuration of my Mac Pro (Late 2013):

Model ID: MacPro6,1
Processor: 3 GHz 8-core Intel Xeon E5
Memory: 64 GB 1866 MHz DDR3
Startup Disk: APPLE SSD SM0256F Media
Graphics: 2x AMD FirePro D700 6 GB
L2 cache (per core): 256 kB
L3 cache: 25 MB
Hyper-Threading Technology: Enabled
System firmware version: 428.0.0.0.0
SMC version (system): 2.20f18

There seems to be no connection with the latest update to Big Sur 11.4 (20F71), as the problem persists after formatting the disk and installing 11.01 cleanly. I've swapped all the RAM modules for other ones, started the system from another disk, still the same: "Application not responding" (rainbow wheel), in short it won't start at all. I have done a thorough hardware analysis, everything looks fine. I contacted Apple support, no solution was found. The situation is critical for me, could you please advise?

Thanks a lot, Libor

[Chris B]

Hey @Kulda

Are you still having issues with this?

Have you tried the beta to see if that runs up?

 

[Kulda]

Hi Chris, thanks for the information. The problem persists, but as it turns out, it is probably a hardware issue. For example, Final Cut Pro is also not working properly. If I can solve it, I will be happy to share my experience.

Thanks, Libor

[thomasp]

Hardware issue leading to applications not starting - but the operating system itself boots and works? Sounds a bit strange to me.

Have you combed the log files in 'Console' for critical errors, crash reports, watched the message feed in the log window while launching affected applications? If you can't spot anything wrong I'd recommend going through all the applications and checking which ones run, perhaps there's a pattern to be found? (GPU acceleration/Metal or the like?)

 

[Kulda]

On 6/10/2021 at 9:35 PM, thomasp said:

Hardware issue leading to applications not starting - but the operating system itself boots and works? Sounds a bit strange to me.

Have you combed the log files in 'Console' for critical errors, crash reports, watched the message feed in the log window while launching affected applications? If you can't spot anything wrong I'd recommend going through all the applications and checking which ones run, perhaps there's a pattern to be found? (GPU acceleration/Metal or the like?)

 

Hallo Thomas,

now my computer has returned from Apple branded service, stating that it is perfectly fine. Load tests were performed, error messages were checked, a factory reset was performed, and Big Sur was reinstalled. I checked the operation of other necessary applications (Final Cut Pro X, Compressor, Motion), which I use for work - without problems. After installing Affinity Photo still the same result. The application does not start at all (rainbow wheel) until the start of the set stops (the application does not respond). It's incredibly frustrating, I've been using it for a long time, suddenly this ... The Mac Pro from 2014 isn't old, I think. I don't know who to contact. 😞

[thomasp]

Hmmm.. how about you get yourself an external SSD, install - say - 10.13 on it, boot from that and see if Affinity then works? The MP is surely not high on Apple's priority list. Would not be surprised if they did not test their new code on Trashcan much and just wished for it to go away and be forgotten. 😜

....if successful you may still return the SSD. 😇

Runs fine for me on 10.14 btw. . Not going to upgrade anymore since I want to keep a 32 bits application.

 

[Kulda]

8 hours ago, thomasp said:

Hmmm.. how about you get yourself an external SSD, install - say - 10.13 on it, boot from that and see if Affinity then works? The MP is surely not high on Apple's priority list. Would not be surprised if they did not test their new code on Trashcan much and just wished for it to go away and be forgotten. 😜

....if successful you may still return the SSD. 😇

Runs fine for me on 10.14 btw. . Not going to upgrade anymore since I want to keep a 32 bits application.

 

Thanks for the idea, Thomas!
I wouldn't be surprised if it was as you write. I've been watching various videos last night where the problem of an overpriced piece of junk (Trashcan) quietly losing support is being reported by many. It leads me to the idea you yourself expressed - to quietly let it disappear and forget. How apt!

That's why I think this is the cause of the sudden problems for me as well.
I just regret spending a lot of money a few years ago on something that is almost unusable today.
I'm not giving up yet though, I'll continue to experiment. I just want to ask you, if you have any more ideas, please don't hesitate to share them with me.

Thanks!

[thomasp]

Oh I think its just Apple that is to blame here. Whatever happened there internally, you could see they tried to bury it a few short years after its release. If you want overpriced, try the current Mac Pro. The Trashcan was a fast machine when it released, especially considering its size and power consumption. Still very useable in my opinion, especially when no high end 3D graphics are required.

It's going to be my last Mac too from the looks of it.

Anyway, I would recommend trying the SSD route just to confirm if you have a hard- or a software problem.