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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Os 10.3.8 Freezes Frequently

robertswrites - Jun 6, 2005 - 7:56 am

I just purchased G5, and all relevant desktop publishing software (Quark 6.5, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to run my marketing communcations business. Trouble is, my computer freezes up at least twice a day. I don't lose data, but I have to restart the machine via the button on the hard drive, even the restart function ceases to work.

Would appreciate any trouble shooting suggestions. My Apple store wants to reformat the hard drive, and that seems too drastic. I have reinstalled Panther twice now, and thrown away Quark's preferences. Neither solved the problem.

Thank you.

eddylex - Jun 6, 2005 - 8:41 am

Hi Kathy,

My name is Eddy and I'll do my best to be of some help to you.
First I'll need to know more about whats going on and I'll also need to know more about your Mac. What are the specs on your Mac? Do you get any error msgs when the computer freezes? Where did you buy the mac from? What were the specs on the Mac when you bought it and did you add anything to the Mac (like new hardware, superdrive,add on pci cards, memory and so on? )
Sorry for all the questions but I'll need the info in order to be of any help.
Thanks for your understanding and waiting on your reply.

Regards
Eddy

robertswrites - Jun 6, 2005 - 9:19 am

Thanks, Eddy.

In response to your questions:

No, no messages ever when computer freezes.

Computer specs: Power Mac G5 1.8 Uni/256/80G/8xSD/NV5200, with add'l. 1.8GB memory (2 x 512). Everything purchased and set up by my local Apple Store.

Thanks.

eddylex - Jun 6, 2005 - 10:25 am

Hi Kathy,

The First thing I would try is the memory. I had the very same problem on a G4 1.25 ghz mac and it turned out to be the extra 1 gig of memory i had installed. I took the 2 x 512 out and ran the mac with only 256 megs and it didn't freeze anymore. I then had the 2 x 512 replaced and reinstalled the new memory and my Mac hasn't froze since.
If you feel you can remove the 2 x 512 and run the Mac with only 256 megs of ram to see if it still locks up, I feel you have a memory issue. Try that and let me know if that works for ya.

Regards
Eddy

robertswrites - Jun 6, 2005 - 10:31 am

Do you think that will compromise speed/power?

Thanks.

eddylex - Jun 6, 2005 - 11:23 am

Hi Kathy,

It will solw the whole computer down but will not hurt the computer.
What we are tring to do is see if infact the extra 1 gig of ram is causing the problem.


Regards
Eddy

robertswrites - Jun 6, 2005 - 11:42 am

If that in fact solves the problem, should I attempt to reinstall the 1 gig? You indicated that you had the same problem and installed more memory after determining the problem. If that's my case, should I ask Apple to handle this, especially since I have the extended warranty package.

Thank you.

eddylex - Jun 6, 2005 - 4:06 pm

Hi Kathy,


I also had the apple care extended warranty. Apple wouldn't warranty the memory for me being that it wasn't installed by the factory and being that it wasn't what they called ( Apple memory ). I had to send the memory back to the people that made the memory and I got replacement memory that way. In the mean time I was forced to go and buy new memory while I was waiting on the replacement memory. The mac was being used for graphic design and 256 megs wasn't going to run programs like photoshop and quark.
If your extra 1 gig of memory is Apple branded memory, then I would let Apple take care of it. If its not Apple memory then I'm pretty sure you will have to handle the problem.

Regards
Eddy

robertswrites - Jun 6, 2005 - 4:19 pm

Thank you very much. You've been very helpful.

Regards,
Kathy