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TICKET ARCHIVE -> kernel panics

mavin - Jun 16, 2006 - 12:38 pm

hello

I'm working with a number of newer Tiger machines. Recently I've noticed a few minor issues with some programs that made me want to do some preventitive maintenance on my own machine. So after running some basic sys. utilities I tried to boot from the OSX install DVD (10.4.0) so as to run DiskWarrior.

At the startup from the install DVD there was a kernel panic. Yet when I boot from the local system folder the system is fine. This isn't a big deal as we can survive without booting from an install disk for a while but it still worries me that should we have a serious system error that I will not be able to boot from an install DVD to do any repairs.

As far as I know the install DVD is the disk that was shipped with the machines, but I'm relatively new to this company so it is possible that it was a different disk.

I've tried this scenario on another machine in this office and it is the same.

So here is my question:

I have little experience with kernel panics but I've scoured the web for information, most places say that you can find information in the panic.log, however if the system is booting from a install dvd, how can you view the log for a non-local system boot?

Cheryl - Jun 18, 2006 - 6:58 am

You do not state what model your Mac is. Check the DVD to make sure it does not give a specific model for install. The disks that came with the machine is model specific.

Try using the install DVD but disconnect any additional equipment. Dismount and disconnect any external hard drives, speakers, firewire devices. Now with just the keyboard and mouse connected, start up with the DVD. Once it has started, select your language, then do not click on the install screen. Go to the Installer/Tools menu and select Utilities/Disk Utility.
Have Disk Utility repair the drive and repair permissions.

Disk Warrior comes on a bootable CD. You can start up with that and repair the drive without any other complicated startups.

Let me know if this helps you.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Jun 30, 2006 - 5:38 am

Has your problem been resolved? Do you need further help?

Just to let you know, I am moving this weekend and will not be able to get back to you until hopefully Monday.

Cheryl

mavin - Jul 3, 2006 - 1:17 pm

There were 2 issues that I had, the first was with diskWarrior. After much searching I discovered that Alsoft re-released an updated version of DW that will boot the most current G5 Duals. The new version works flawlessly with our system so I've repaired all the HDs and done maintenance.

However the second problem is much more pressing and severe. The Tiger install DVDs are NOT machine specific. However I am still having the same problem. When I try to boot from the install DVD I get a KP on all the machines in this office. (or at least all the G5 Duals)

I've tried to zap the PRAM, reset the OpenFirmware, and made sure that the v-card is properly set. If this was a single computer that I would finger the logic board, but since the are 5 machines with seemingly the same issue, I find it hard to believe that all the logic boards are defective.

I'm currently in the process of cycling and testing the RAM (2 256 DDRs and 2 512 DDRs) as I know all these machines have had after-market RAM upgrades, but if this doesn't work then I'm out of ideas.

I guess the frustrating part is that all these machines boot into 10.4.6 just fine, but trying to boot into 10.4.0 causes a KP...

Any ideas?

Cheryl - Jul 12, 2006 - 5:31 pm

When you boot from the DVD, you need to disconnect all firewire drives. And yes, any after market stuff can cause the kp. Are there any speakers connected to these machines? Disconnect them.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I moved and it took AT & T 9 days to get my connection working.

Cheryl