Mac Black screen of death!!!

Ferrence · Sep 3, 2005

I was writing to inquire about the Mac Black screen of death that makes me shut down my computer every other day (sorry if this topic has been addressed already). I am running Tiger 10.4.2 on a 15 Powerbook 1.5 Ghz PowerPC G4.

The error prompt reads something like, You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Restart button for several second

Now, luckily Im a constant saver and hardly lose any info. But the process of shutting down my computer is growing old. Any thoughts on why this is happening?

Thanks,
Ferrence

mad jew · Sep 3, 2005

That's not right. You shouldn't be getting crashes very often, I've only ever had about ten all up on two machines over a combined four years of experience. What are you doing when it crashes and also how did you get to Tiger? Did you do an "Upgrade" (standard), an "Archive and install", or a "Format and install", or did it come preinstalled?

At this point, it's looking like you may want to do the following, assuming it's not a single app that's causing the problems.

1. Repair permissions form the Disk Utility in the Utilities folder in you Applications folder.
2. Reset your PMU.
3. Maybe reinstall the OS, but wait, because hopefully we'll fix it before that becomes a proper option.

mkrishnan · Sep 3, 2005

Two things:

1) The phenomenon is called a "kernel panic" in OS X lingo -- so if you google that term, you will find more information than if you google "black screen of death."

2) You should a file called panic.log -- find it using Spotlight. The entries are written in chronological order, so find the most recent couple of them and copy and paste them into a reply, so we can help you figure out why it's happening.

If you're getting them every day, there are three major possibilities
A) Bad hardware
B) Some serious incompatibility with a driver or kernel extension or haxie sort of thing
C) Corrupted system files or corrupted HD format.

Come back with the panic log and we will try to help you. Tiger had panic issues for a number of people with 10.4.0 and 10.4.1, but 10.4.2 seems stable for most (but not all) people. I rebooted yesterday to install some updates, but before that mine had been up without reboot for >16 days, and that is not atypical.

EDIT: My boy MJ's suggestion of corrupted PMU firmware is also a very real fourth possibility. Definitely good to try.

macdon401 · Sep 3, 2005

Kernel?

Hi, mad jew
when I got that horrid looking window on my G4 iMac I called Apple and she took me through all kinds of Terminal prompts and other solutions...turns out I had a "kernel" stall or something! I had to bring it in, while there i saw the new G5's.... well you know the story...here I am at my new G5!
R

840quadra · Sep 3, 2005

if possible, check your memory,

Pull it out, and re-seat it.. If you have spare or added memory, take out extra memory, and run your computer with reduced memory. If it still acts up, take the memory you removed, and replace the currently installed memory with that, and repeat the tests. If it still acts up, you have at least ruled out Memory as the root cause.

In my experience, Memory is a prime cause of Kernel Panics in both the Linux world, and Mac OS X, there are many other causes, but this seems to be the most common.

840

Ferrence · Sep 3, 2005

RE: Mac Black screen of death!!!

*********
This is what I've got on the "panic.log" just for today. I have no idea how to translate this. Thanks for all the help.

Ferrence

Sat Sep 3 11:47:14 2005

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x0000000000000000 PC=0x000000000005CD8C
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x383D8780)
PC=0x0005CD8C; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x00075D08; R1=0x21FFB5D0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x00075C48 0x0007572C 0x0006B270 0x0006B544 0x00038064 0x0026297C
0x0026F104 0x00025250 0x000ABF38 0x00026CF4 0x000A8954 0x000A8714 0x000ABB00
backtrace terminated - frame not mapped or invalid: 0xBFFFD5A0

Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x383D8780)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x37A27500)
PC=0x8FE00068; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0xA1B1C243; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x8FE00068; R1=0xBFFFF410; XCP=0x00000003 (Unknown)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095544 0x00095A5C 0x0002683C 0x000A819C 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x383D8780)
PC=0x0005CD8C; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x00075D08; R1=0x21FFB5D0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x00075C48 0x0007572C 0x0006B270 0x0006B544 0x00038064 0x0026297C
0x0026F104 0x00025250 0x000ABF38 0x00026CF4 0x000A8954 0x000A8714 0x000ABB00
backtrace terminated - frame not mapped or invalid: 0xBFFFD5A0

Exception state (sv=0x37A27500)
PC=0x8FE00068; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0xA1B1C243; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x8FE00068; R1=0xBFFFF410; XCP=0x00000003 (Unknown)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
*********

Sat Sep 3 12:05:23 2005

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x00000000A5A5A5A5 PC=0x000000000003FCF0
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
PC=0x0003FCF0; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0xA5A5A5A5; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0003FCD8; R1=0x2202BBE0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x02E70098 0x000752BC 0x00077238 0x00070EA4 0x00062438 0x000A85F4
0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x3E720000)
PC=0x8FE15FB4; MSR=0x0200D030; DAR=0xA09A8000; DSISR=0x0A000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095544 0x00095A5C 0x0002683C 0x000A819C 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
PC=0x0003FCF0; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0xA5A5A5A5; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0003FCD8; R1=0x2202BBE0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x02E70098 0x000752BC 0x00077238 0x00070EA4 0x00062438 0x000A85F4
0x000ABB00
Exception state (sv=0x3E720000)
PC=0x8FE15FB4; MSR=0x0200D030; DAR=0xA09A8000; DSISR=0x0A000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC

*********

Sat Sep 3 13:40:08 2005

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x00000000A5A5A5A5 PC=0x000000000003FCF0
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
PC=0x0003FCF0; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0xA5A5A5A5; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0003FCD8; R1=0x2202BBE0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x02E70098 0x000752BC 0x00077238 0x00070EA4 0x00062438 0x000A85F4
0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x3E720000)
PC=0x8FE15FB4; MSR=0x0200D030; DAR=0xA09A8000; DSISR=0x0A000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095544 0x00095A5C 0x0002683C 0x000A819C 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
PC=0x0003FCF0; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0xA5A5A5A5; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0003FCD8; R1=0x2202BBE0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x02E70098 0x000752BC 0x00077238 0x00070EA4 0x00062438 0x000A85F4
0x000ABB00
Exception state (sv=0x3E720000)
PC=0x8FE15FB4; MSR=0x0200D030; DAR=0xA09A8000; DSISR=0x0A000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC

*********

Sat Sep 3 13:45:17 2005

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x00000000A5A5A5A5 PC=0x000000000003FCF0
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
PC=0x0003FCF0; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0xA5A5A5A5; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0003FCD8; R1=0x2202BBE0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x02E70098 0x000752BC 0x00077238 0x00070EA4 0x00062438 0x000A85F4
0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x3E720000)
PC=0x8FE15FB4; MSR=0x0200D030; DAR=0xA09A8000; DSISR=0x0A000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095544 0x00095A5C 0x0002683C 0x000A819C 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x3829EC80)
PC=0x0003FCF0; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0xA5A5A5A5; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0003FCD8; R1=0x2202BBE0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x02E70098 0x000752BC 0x00077238 0x00070EA4 0x00062438 0x000A85F4
0x000ABB00
Exception state (sv=0x3E720000)
PC=0x8FE15FB4; MSR=0x0200D030; DAR=0xA09A8000; DSISR=0x0A000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC

*********

Sat Sep 3 17:33:24 2005

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x00000000031CFF80 PC=0x00000000000661FC
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x46CE5780)
PC=0x000661FC; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x031CFF80; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x000661EC; R1=0x220AB5C0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x031AF330 0x0006A710 0x0006B054 0x0006B544 0x00038064 0x0026297C
0x0026F104 0x00025250 0x000ABF38 0x00026CF4 0x000A8954 0x000A8714 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x46CE5780)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x46386000)
PC=0x8FE15FAC; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0xA190E000; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x00000003 (Unknown)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095544 0x00095A5C 0x0002683C 0x000A819C 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x46CE5780)
PC=0x000661FC; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x031CFF80; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x000661EC; R1=0x220AB5C0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x031AF330 0x0006A710 0x0006B054 0x0006B544 0x00038064 0x0026297C
0x0026F104 0x00025250 0x000ABF38 0x00026CF4 0x000A8954 0x000A8714 0x000ABB00
Exception state (sv=0x46386000)
PC=0x8FE15FAC; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0xA190E000; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x8FE15F44; R1=0xBFFFF760; XCP=0x00000003 (Unknown)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC

Lacero · Sep 3, 2005

Bad RAM, bad USB devices and poorly written software are the usual culprits. Try doing a complete clean re-install of your OS and essential programs. If it re-occurs, then it's a definite hardware problem.

Ferrence · Sep 3, 2005

Oh yeah...

I did add memory, but probably a day or two after I got the computer. So, it's hard to say whether or not that's the problem.

I just ran "Disk Utility" and "repaired permissions." Should I wait and see if that works before moving on to the next steps?

mad jew · Sep 3, 2005

Ferrence said:
I did add memory, but probably a day or two after I got the computer. So, it's hard to say whether or not that's the problem.

I'm willing to bet a small wager that the new memory is your problem.

Ferrence said:
I just ran "Disk Utility" and "repaired permissions." Should I wait and see if that works before moving on to the next steps?

Give it a little while to see if it does work. It's very unlikely, but it's still slightly possible that repairing permissions solved your problem. My next move would be to remove the memory you added and see how it foes from there. I'll bet it works well.

Ferrence · Sep 3, 2005

Thanks...

Mad Jew.

nate · Sep 3, 2005

I once got that with my Powerbook -- it turned out that it was my airport card, which I installed myself. I didn't push the connector all the way in, which caused a kernel panic. Unplugging it and then re-plugging it fixed the problem.

RAM that isn't in all the way can also cause the same problem, but a few people have already mentioned that one.

good luck,

--nate

mad jew · Sep 3, 2005

No problem. Is it working now?

mkrishnan · Sep 3, 2005

mad jew said:
I'm willing to bet a small wager that the new memory is your problem.

Ditto. What's significant is that nothing but memory addresses show up in the backtrace -- no kernel extensions or modules or anything. Usually, if you have USB or Bluetooth issues, a relevant module will be flagged, as will a program if it caused the panic.

I would say try the Apple hardware test disc or take the RAM out and see what happens...

FWIW, the attached kernel panic is a Bluetooth issue with the way my closed iBook and the wake-on-bluetooth-device setting interact:

Wed Aug 17 16:13:15 2005

Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x400 - Inst access DAR=0x00000000E02FD000 PC=0x000000008020FE64
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x23D45280)
PC=0x8020FE64; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0xE02FD000; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x002BD884; R1=0x0F84BCE0; XCP=0x00000010 (0x400 - Inst access)
Backtrace:
0x002BD978 0x004D8F00 0x004D8808 0x0003C738 0x000A9694
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.iokit.IOADBFamily(8.0.0)@0x4d7000
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x23D45280)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x24AB2C80)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0004): 0x400 - Inst access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095544 0x00095A5C 0x0002683C 0x000A819C 0x000ABB00
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x23D45280)
PC=0x8020FE64; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0xE02FD000; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x002BD884; R1=0x0F84BCE0; XCP=0x00000010 (0x400 - Inst access)
Backtrace:
0x002BD978 0x004D8F00 0x004D8808 0x0003C738 0x000A9694
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.iokit.IOADBFamily(8.0.0)@0x4d7000
Exception state (sv=0x24AB2C80)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.2.0: Fri Jun 24 17:46:54 PDT 2005; root:xnu-792.2.4.obj~3/RELEASE_PPC

Notice the part in bold -- this is the sort of thing that none of your KP data have in them....

hob · Sep 3, 2005

nate said:
re-plugging

Stop making up words

Les Kern · Sep 3, 2005

RAM, imho.

Abstract · Sep 4, 2005

RAM, or iScroll2 software which gives you two-finger scroll capabilities if you didn't have have one of the newer systems that included it free.

faintember · Sep 4, 2005

If you want to test the RAM use Rember. When you start Rember to check your RAM, click on the LOG tab, and that should show you in you have any RAM failures. I recently had 4 sticks of RAM that were bad, and Rember caught them all, reporting failures in the RAM quite quickly.

Good luck!

Ferrence · Sep 4, 2005

Latest...

Okay. So, I took out the RAM and re-installed it (I had an original 512 and added another Gig from MacDirect). I was never really sure if I installed it correctly, because sometimes it wouldn't show up in my "About this computer" (or would show up as 1 Gig instead of 1.5 Gigs). But after hearing a members similar situation when he installed his Air Port card incorrectly, I figured I'd give it a try.

Now, should I have just taken it out all together? And just run the 512? And if that was the problem, does that mean I can't add RAM to this machine?

Thanks for all your help. Tell me where to send the payments...

Ferrence

mkrishnan · Sep 4, 2005

Ferrence said:
Now, should I have just taken it out all together? And just run the 512? And if that was the problem, does that mean I can't add RAM to this machine?

No, it definitely shouldn't mean that. What I would do is:

- Run for a while as you did, with the RAM put back in
- If you get more panics, then remove the RAM and run that way for a while
- If this resolves it, you most likely means that the ram module itself is bad, not the computer, although people have reported failures with the lower ram slot specifically in powerbook 15" models (see link). So that's also a possibility, although it should be a warranted one.

Ferrence · Sep 5, 2005

UPDATE!!!

Okay, I got the "Kernal Panic" screen again and shut down. I took out the memory in the lower slot and re-started the computer. No chime, just a gray screen with the Apple logo... forever. No boot.

So, I opened up the memory door again and put the memory back into the lower slot (filling both of them again), and still no chime, just a gray screen with the Apple logo... forever. No boot.

Is there anyway to boot, so I can pull files off that I need to work on for work tomorrow. Or, am I f*cked?!

Please help.

hob · Sep 5, 2005

Ferrence said:
Okay, I got the "Kernal Panic" screen again and shut down. I took out the memory in the lower slot and re-started the computer. No chime, just a gray screen with the Apple logo... forever. No boot.

So, I opened up the memory door again and put the memory back into the lower slot (filling both of them again), and still no chime, just a gray screen with the Apple logo... forever. No boot.

Is there anyway to boot, so I can pull files off that I need to work on for work tomorrow. Or, am I f*cked?!

Please help.

Try booting into Target Mode - hold down t as you start up, this will allow you to use your computer as a firewire hard disk - just plug it into another computer.

As far as I know any mac no matter how messed up should still boot into target mode.

javabear90 · Sep 5, 2005

your hard-drive might have been fried for some reason. That is exactly what happened to me with the no boot thing.
hope you get it working.
-ted

faintember · Sep 5, 2005

Try booting with the original CD that came with your Mac. Put the CD in and hold down "C" on the keyboard as you are starting up the computer. When (if) it boots, open Disk Utility and check your HD and it's status, etc.

Try just using your original RAM.

verozov · Sep 5, 2005

used to happen to me a lot... turns out it was my airport extreme card... it must've been half-in or something because once i took it out and put it back in it never (knock knock) crashed again

yenko · Sep 5, 2005

Revert

Try just using your original RAM.[/QUOTE]

What he said.

Revert to original

Mac Black screen of death!!!

macrumors member

Attachments

Moderator emeritus

Moderator emeritus

macrumors 6502

Moderator

macrumors member

macrumors 604

macrumors member

Moderator emeritus

macrumors member

macrumors member

Moderator emeritus

Moderator emeritus

macrumors 68010

macrumors 68040

macrumors Penryn

macrumors 65816

macrumors member

Moderator emeritus

macrumors member

macrumors 68010

macrumors 6502a

macrumors 65816

macrumors regular

macrumors 6502a

Our Staff