Kernel panic? Is my baby dying?

[giovanni1979]

So the other night i'm doing some work on my computer, (iTunes and AppleWorks running) and i needed to check my mail. we have wireless thanks to a new roommate. anyway, i was opening a link in an email (from a trusted source) and my screen goes gray with the dreaded black box that says "you need to restart your computer by pressing the power button for several seconds...." in four different languages. This has NEVER happened before. I've never seen this box. I do this. everything is fine... for ten minutes until i try to open my web browser and click on a link. so i restart. turn off my airport. everything is cool. i run my disk utility to check out the software. i verify permissions. it says there are some inconsistancies. i repair permissions. i close disk utility and restart from menu. everything is cool... for about twenty minutes, and then the dreaded box. I have restared everyway i can from the users guide. I have taken the battery out to reset the system. I tried to use the install disk, but i get the box before i can do anything. My computer was on for several days, so i feel that it may be a power problem. I'm letting the battery and the actual computer drain completly in hopes that it will reset itself once i restart. it's kind of my last resort unless anyone else has any ideas. HELP ME, IS MY BABY DYING!?

 

[FJ218700]

try reseating your RAM. That's worked for me before to stop 'em.

 

[giovanni1979]

how do i do that? I'm not that comp savvy.

 

[WarMace]

I agree with BSL4. Kernel panics are almost always memory related. Either one of your chips isn't seated properly or it's going bad. Try to get it running then use Apple Hardware Test to check the ram. What kind of computer do you have?

 

[FJ218700]

how do i do that? I'm not that comp savvy.

with the computer off, ground yourself, then remove and firmly reinsert each stick one at a time.

 

[giovanni1979]

ibook G4. I've had it since Dec '05

 

[FJ218700]

ibook G4. I've had it since Dec '05

if this is the first Kernel Panic, that's great. Especially on an older laptop. The RAM is pretty accessible too.

 

[giovanni1979]

i have no additional ram... there is nothing to take out. at least i don't think. I mean i know where the sticks go there aren't any there. I did not purchase or install additional ram.

 

[WarMace]

The IBooks have the standard RAM soldered to the motherboard with a slot only for additional memory. If there is a problem with your RAM sadly there is nothing you can do about it. I would continue to try to get it to boot from the CD and run Hardware Test if you can. If you don't have any luck with that you try the Genius Bar if you have an Apple Store close by. They might be able to get it going so you can run some diagnostics. Good luck.

 

[giovanni1979]

that is so not what i wanted to hear... second opinion... anyone?

 

[giovanni1979]

hey, i just remembered. i was trying to install an update to "stuffit expander" when this first occured. that's why i was checking my mail... i don't know why i just thought of that, i don't know if that's important or not.

 

[IJ Reilly]

It could also be the Airport card. I don't recall if this model had a user-installed or pre-installed card but if it's the former, you can either remove or reseat it. Either way, all signs point to a hardware problem of some flavor.

 

[giovanni1979]

ok, i have kernel panic. I ran the hardware test. I passed... so now what?

 

[IJ Reilly]

Same advice as before. The hardware test doesn't catch much.

You could also post the contents your panic log (search for panic.log in Spotlight). That may help someone diagnose the problem.

 

[Heb1228]

How much memory is in your iBook? Look in the About this 'Mac' menu.