ATTO kexts?

Question

Created Oct ’15

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Anyone have any idea whether ATTO kexts are installed natively by Apple, or what devices they typically associate with? I'm running a late 2013 Mac Pro that simply won't install any version of El Capitan starting with Beta 8, GM of 9/9, or the release version of 9/30. The problem is the same in all three versions - after appearing to install EC, the first system reboot works fine and El Capitan appears installed on the machine and most programs run fine. However, the moment I turn the machine off and then back on, or simply reboot, the machine goes into a boot/reboot cycle that cannot be stopped without incredible hand/eye/hearing coordination, or by unplugging the machine. I can't get into safe mode, single user mode, but I can get to recovery or verbose mode. I can't get any meaningful information via the recovery/terminal route, but I can get clues from the verbose boot for the brief instant that information is on the screen. What seems to be happening is that following the EFI portion, the machine experiences a kernel panic trying to load kexts that have migrated from my Yosemite 10.10.5 install. For all I know, these kexts have been around since before I got the new Mac Pro in mid 2014. The most suspicious kexts all begin with ATTO. I've identified the others and they are obviously associated with current software or hardware, all of which I tested following the initial boot into EC. But I have 4 RAID arrays installed - 3 of these are Thunderbay 4-drive arrays from OWC. Of these, two are really just bunches of disks, but one is a RAID 5 array controlled by Softraid (I have a beta version from Softraid that is known to run with EC). I also have a Synology 2 drive array controlled by Synology's own software (which might be where the ATTO stuff comes from). Anyway, I read that Friday ATTO released a package of new kexts that are EC compatible, but since I'm not a direct customer of ATTO, I can't even download them to try them out. Thus, they must be OEMing the software to hardware vendors.

anyway, before I chase this dragon too far, I wanted to see if anyone here might have an identity for the ATTO hardware line.

thanks

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Answer 1

DaddieMac OP

Oct ’15

Since Apple can't be asked to actually label the official installed items as such, who freaking knows.

Why they can't be asked to do this is beyond me.

Even in Mac OS 9 you had extensions manager and could see what was official system stuff and what wasn't. Things had plain english names. We've gone very downhill... at least in terms of user friendliness and hackability.

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Answer 2

Mrfearless OP

Oct ’15

From the ATTO people:

"

Good-morning Sir,
ATTO .kext files are unnecessary w/out ATTO hardware and can be safely removed.

Shutdown and remove ATTO equipment
I recommend and you may consider removing any other 3rd party equipment
If it is still installed you'll want to Uninstall ATTO Config Tool; Go to:

Go > Applications > ATTO > Uninstall > ::click:: Uninstall Button

Reboot

Now let's eliminate those .kext; Go To:

Library > System > Library > Extensions > ATTO; delete any .kext

kext are unnecessary for uninstall; so simply delete them

Occasionally found here are additional uninstall icons - simply double click uninstall on any ATTO file
Type the password if required
Reboot

OK, now continue

Do your Install of El Capitan
Install ATTO software as normal - if desired
Reconnect any other 3rd party equipment

Kind regards,

Technical Support
ATTO Technology, Inc.
Web Form: http://www.attotech.com/support/contact-tech-support.php
Hours: Mon - Fri, 8 AM - 8 PM EST
Phone: 716-691-1999 x242
"Powering the World's Networks & Storage"

Visit ATTO at:
NetApp Insight Americas: October 12-15, Las Vegas NV, Booth #1006
Dell World: October 20-23, Austin, TX, Booth #5030 in the TPP Pavilion
SMPTE: October 26-29, Hollywood, CA, Booth #202
NetApp Insight EMEA: November 16-19, Berlin Germany

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