[Macpartners] powerbook kernel panics and hard crashes

[nick knouf]

Hi there,

I have a problem that I fear is going to be major hardware 
related...but I wanted to check with people here first.

I have a powerbook (800Mhz, 1GB of RAM, OS X.3.7) that I can 
consistently get to either kernel panic or hard crash (meaning: 
complete system lockup where either the mouse doesn't move, or the 
mouse doesn't do anything; I can't get force quit to come up at all) by 
doing a lot of computation, e.g., compiling packages with fink.

Obviously, this is quite annoying.

The things I've tried:

1.  Shutting off all additions (like quicksilver, etc.): no effect
2.  Swapping out memory (two sticks) and swapping their memory 
locations, in all possible combinations: no effect.
3.  Swapping memory from another known-good machine: no effect.
4.  AirPort card still works fine, so I assume it's not due to it being 
not seated properly.

I should say that this problem has not been present for the life of the 
machine; it only started a few months ago.  Also, the problem is always 
accompanied by the fans running at their highest speed, indicating to 
me that it is heat-related.

Could there be a problem with the heat sink and the processor?  If so, 
is this something I could investigate myself?

However, I'm stuck as to what I can try next, without having it sent 
in.  I fear it might be processor/motherboard related; and because the 
machine is so old and I bought it used, it doesn't have AppleCare :-(

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

nick