I have a G4 Titanium running OS9. I was messing with the extensions (can't remember which) and it crashed. On startup I now have the dreaded "Kernel panic: we are hanging". I presume the computer can't see the system software to boot up, but then I know zip about computers. What's to do?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
kernel panic messages
- Thread starter omalaha
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Have you read the basic manuals from the Mac?
Use your startup disks that came with the system and start up (put in drive and hold 'C' down).
Or if you are in System 9, just hold down 'shift' at startup, boot with no extensions and go figure out what you changed. This isn't hard stuff, but you have to try even if you don't know anything about computers.
Use your startup disks that came with the system and start up (put in drive and hold 'C' down).
Or if you are in System 9, just hold down 'shift' at startup, boot with no extensions and go figure out what you changed. This isn't hard stuff, but you have to try even if you don't know anything about computers.
Little tip. Don't 'mess around' when you know 'zip' about computers. It'll save you some trouble.
gimmeslack - thanks for replying. I have an extensive list of the official and un-official key comms and the computer reponds to none of them; imo the manual is a waste of time.
In saying I know zip about macs I was bowing to those with superior knowledge. I have actually fixed mac problems for myself and others on many occasions, including the cuurent Kernel panic; I just can't remember how.
I would use a startup disk, except I don't have one to hand; hence my post.
In saying I know zip about macs I was bowing to those with superior knowledge. I have actually fixed mac problems for myself and others on many occasions, including the cuurent Kernel panic; I just can't remember how.
I would use a startup disk, except I don't have one to hand; hence my post.
First of all, a kernel panic is a term reserved for UNIX systems generally, it occurs in OS X after the mach kernel has been loaded and encounters an unrecoverable error. This usually requires a hardware problem, a very large software issue, or poorly written software that makes some low level calls. Seeing as you're trying to boot OS 9, your problem is not a kernal panic. You'll have to explain a little more clearly what your problem is; does the computer display a happy mac at startup, or does it give you a disk with a blinking question mark? If you get the latter, it means the boot ROM cannot locate functional system software to load, and you may need to reinstall the OS (try booting off another hard drive or computer via target disk mode to confirm this) If you are getting the Happy Mac and the computer crashes during startup, it is most likely a software conflict, and I would suggest trying all of the following, bootup with extensions off, zapping the PRAM, and resetting the power management unit. There should be guides to do all of these things on the mac rumors help area.
Holding shift at startup doesn't work? Hmm, that's bad. And no startup disk? That's bad too. Boy if neither of those things are possible then I gotta say you are stuck until you at least get a startup disk.omalaha said:
If anything go buy OS X. Believe me, it will resolve a lot of problems.