Can't Boot Mac mini after new RAM

[DVDSP]

I installed 1 GB RAM last week. When I started up I got the folder with the blinking "?" and smiley Mac logo. I reset PRAM, same thing. I inserted the Tiger DVD but could not boot from it. I reopened the mini and checked that the RAM was seated properly, it was. Upon start up, everything went fine and acted normally.

Today, it started acting funny. My RSS bookmarks didn't work and Mail wouldn't send or receive. I decided to reboot. The computer hung and I got the beach ball before the mini even logged me out. I held the power button to force a shut down. It started normally at first but hung after the "Starting OS X" screen. I forced it to shut down again. Now all I can get is a kernal panic. I can't reset PRAM or boot from the DVD. I pulled the new RAM and reinstalled the old RAM with the same results.

No matter what I do all I get is a kernal panic within about 15 seconds of the chimes.

EDIT: Alright, I tried starting in Target Disk mode (hold down the "T", right?) but it didn't work, but I'm not kernal panicing, I'm getting the folder with the blinking "?" again. I unplugged the FW cable and restarted and I'm still getting the flashing folder. However, the DVD is in the drive and it won't eject. I'm wondering if I get it out if that will improve things, but I don't know how...

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[faintember]

Go back to your original ram and see if the problems persist.

If you can get the Mini running, try running Rember to check the RAM.

The ? icon typically means your boot drive can not be found or recognized, but bad ram could be causing this.

Good luck

 

[AlBDamned]

I think you've got a case here of bad RAM. Have you got the old stick to go back to?

If the RAM is th only thing you've been doing differently or added? It's quite likely the culprit for your problems.

 

[DVDSP]

Actually, I'm using the old RAM now and still getting the same problems. I was able to get the drive to show up in FW Target Disk mode and run Disk Utilities but that isn't working either...I can select the drive but Verify and Repair are grayed out.

EDIT: Disk Utility is telling me it can't repair the disk due to Invalid Node Structure

 

[AlBDamned]

Actually, I'm using the old RAM now and still getting the same problems. I was able to get the drive to show up in FW Target Disk mode and run Disk Utilities but that isn't working either...I can select the drive but Verify and Repair are grayed out.

Crikey - could be a hard drive problem. MAybe something was damaged when installing the RAM?

 

[faintember]

invalid node structure...boooo

try booting into single user mode and running fsck yet?

Just wondering, but was this bargain basement ram, or was it certified to work with Macs?

 

[DVDSP]

try booting into single user mode and running fsck yet?

Single User Mode = kernal panic

Just wondering, but was this bargain basement ram, or was it certified to work with Macs?

It's Edge RAM ordered from MacZone. Plus, it worked fine for a week until now. I don't get it...

"panic: We are hanging here..."

 

[faintember]

Jeez...ok try zapping the PRAM and see if that makes any difference with booting. If so try single user mode then...

Do you have another Mac? I know you mentioned trying to boot via FW target mode, but if you have two Macs, boot up the Mini so it shows as an external drive on the other Mac. Then try to run Disk Utilities>Verify disk or Repair Disk from there.

 

[DVDSP]

Now I can't even get the drive to mount in Target Disk mode. It's still available in Disk Utility though.

I'm considering reformatting and starting from scratch. Any thoughts?

 

[DVDSP]

Jeez...ok try zapping the PRAM and see if that makes any difference with booting. If so try single user mode then...

I'll try that again, can't hurt, right?

Do you have another Mac? I know you mentioned trying to boot via FW target mode, but if you have two Macs, boot up the Mini so it shows as an external drive on the other Mac. Then try to run Disk Utilities>Verify disk or Repair Disk from there.

That's what I've been trying, but not luck. The only way I've been running Disk Utility is when the mini is mounted via FW TDM.

 

[faintember]

Got cha....sorry to hear your bad luck.

Zapping the PRAM again cant hurt but i doubt it will help. Hell, its worth a try...lol

Re-installing is always a option, but i might wait until some other people chime in with their thoughts. I know this is probably a bad question, but do you have a system backup?


EDIT: Tried Disk Warrior?

Did a quick search for Invalid Node Structure on here and found two threads that strike me as important:

One
and
Two

Check out the first thread i linked to closely as it looks like a reformat/reinstall is the fix if Disk Warrior fails.....

 

[DVDSP]

I know this is probably a bad question, but do you have a system backup?

Well, not a system backup, but the important stuff is.

EDIT: Tried Disk Warrior?

Not yet. I'm actually heading out and thinking of stopping by the Apple Store with it, just for fun.

Did a quick search for Invalid Node Structure on here and found two threads that strike me as important:

Check out the first thread i linked to closely as it looks like a reformat/reinstall is the fix if Disk Warrior fails.....

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out...