Tiger OS X Crashing Constantly/Randomly

[wiReZ]

Hello all,

My girlfriend is having a major problem with her Macbook Pro. Lately, it has been crashing randomly for no reason! Whether it's using iTunes, to downloading Firefox, to install an application. It will just crash!

I didn't know what to do first, so I reinstalled Tiger as an upgrade (so she didn't lose all of her stuff). After the reinstall it still kept crashing.

In turn, I backed up all of her documents/pictures/movies/music and did a fresh install of OS X leaving no remenants of the previous installation. Unforutnately, it still hasn't fixed the problem and I'm completely clueless on what to do now.

I've attached an photo of what the message looks like while I was merely trying to install Firefox. (Luckily OS X hasn't crashed making this post!). Like I've said, this error happens all the time, randomly no matter what is being done!

What should I do? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

- James

[Qion]

That book should still be under waranty. If a complete wipe and clean install did not work, it's a hardware issue. Either you have something plugged in that's not supposed to be plugged in or you're having a failing motherboard or the likes. Check it out with Apple.

[Mikuro]

What you see there is called a "kernel panic". It is a crash at the core of the OS, which is the only kind of crash that can really bring down the whole system.

Kernel panics usually mean there's faulty hardware. The fact that the clean install didn't cure the problem also points to a hardware problem.

The first thing I'd do is disconnect any non-essential external devices, like scanners or printers or HDs. Then, boot up from the Apple Hardware Tests CD that came with your Mac and run its diagnostic. It will probably be able to tell you where the problem lies.

[barhar]

Whether or not hardware is the fault of wiReZ's posted problem ... 'Kernel panics usually mean there's faulty hardware.' is questionable. Kernel panics can equally result due to software.

[wiReZ]

Thanks for all the guidance guys.

Just so you know... the laptop had no peripherals connected to it throughout this whole time of me tinkering with it. Also, I ran the diagnostics off the boot DVD and it detected no problems! Bummer.

Anyways, she purchased this laptop at the Apple store in LA and she's taking it down there soon.

Thanks for all yoru help guys.

[fryke]

Questionable, maybe. However: In 90% of the cases I've seen in my time supporting OS X, it had to do with RAM. 5% were due to some FW or USB connected devices and/or their drivers. The rest was haxies.

[wiReZ]

Do you think the Apple store will just replace the RAM or what? She has a 3 year warranty on the laptop and she's had it since June of this year.

[Satcomer]

It maybe more than just RAM. If it is under warranty and has original stuff it, they should replace it. Just remember to have documentation (error logs in /Applications/Utilties/Comnsole - Crash Reporter log) to show what has been happening and you can reproduce the crash). One more thing, make sure you call the store to make a genius appointment.