Little Help? Kernel Panic - System freezes

[LlexiLeon]

Hi there,
My G5 totally freaked out on me today, going into the infamous 'Panic: we are hanging here' read out at startup a couple of times, aswell as freezing instantly after OSX startup, and simply not starting up at all (powers up, fan on, but no bell tone, no graphics).
I have tried to boot up from the Restore DVD, the one time i got the app running from the disc, it froze before even getting to the actual installation of any files. Im quite baffled by the whole problem, since ive not deleted any important files (only the odd image or video file in the last couple weeks) and ive used this machine consistantly for a year+ with no problems until now. Although ive had no luck with the restore DVD method, i do have a G4 powerbook and a firewire external drive at my disposal. Im thinking perhaps i can install OSX onto the external drive and boot from that? Im not entierly sure how to do such a thing though, so any step by step advice would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Llexi

 

[mad jew]

I'd start by trying to use Target Disk Mode with the PowerBook to recover your data. The fact the restore DVD is having issues means it's a hardware fault. Have you installed any new hardware recently? Do you have third party RAM? If you manage to boot from the DVD again, head to Disk Utility in the Installer menu and try repairing your disk (not disk permissions).

 

[LlexiLeon]

Thanks for the prompt reply MadJ! Well, i did try to do the firewire transfer earlier, but when i started up with the T held down, it just seemed to ignore it and attempt to boot up as normal (failing miserably) I have installed no new hardware, and the RAM is as was supplied with my machine originally over a year ago. This is mainly what has me stumped... ive changed nothing on my machine, and up until today it was working just great! Im going to go and give both the Restore DVD and the Firewire startup another shot. Is there any obvious piece of hardware that could fail with time? or overheat? I really know nothing about the hardware of computers, but as you say, it does seem quite drastic to be just a software fault.

 

[Fleetwood Mac]

Thanks for the prompt reply MadJ! Well, i did try to do the firewire transfer earlier, but when i started up with the T held down, it just seemed to ignore it and attempt to boot up as normal (failing miserably) I have installed no new hardware, and the RAM is as was supplied with my machine originally over a year ago. This is mainly what has me stumped... ive changed nothing on my machine, and up until today it was working just great! Im going to go and give both the Restore DVD and the Firewire startup another shot. Is there any obvious piece of hardware that could fail with time? or overheat? I really know nothing about the hardware of computers, but as you say, it does seem quite drastic to be just a software fault.

Yes, it sounds like a failed hard drive to me.

 

[mad jew]

Is it a wireless keyboard? If it is, try using a wired keyboard because it might be having trouble reading the commands you're giving it so early in the boot process. Make sure all third party hardware is unplugged from the Mac bar the basics - keyboard, mouse and screen.

It may be a failed hard drive, but then it should be fine booting from the OSX discs.

 

[LlexiLeon]

Well, i just tried various 'key' bootups (USB Keyboard/Mouse), but now im not even getting a belltone, just a powerlight (on the G5tower and the cinema display) and fan noise, then the DVD drive stars whirring ongoingly. Whatever key command i give, 'C' or 'T' or eject/shift seems to make no difference now, im not even getting a grey screen. Its infuriating because earlier it would at least boot up OSX, be useable and then freeze a couple seconds or minutes after. Then i had problems at the startup/restart screens, and now its like the lights are on but no-ones home. Seems to have gone from bad to worse.

 

[mad jew]

Could be a failing power supply or logic board. I think this is probably a job for an Apple technician.

 

[LlexiLeon]

Ah well, these things happen. Thanks for your help

 

[funkychunkz]

Is it really hot or humid? It could be consistently overheated, dusty or having problems because of condensation. It might spare you a trip to the shop if you open up your mac and clean or let it dry (use a dehumidifier). If somethings melted (eek!) you might as well know now. Not that I thing it could overheat THAT much. Never underestimate the power of a little particle sweep.