[Macpartners] powerbook kernel panics and hard crashes

[Kerem B Limon]

Only that I would try booting from a 'clean' install (maybe OS X + 10.3.7
update) on an external FireWire drive or something and see if I can get it to
BSOD (B=Black). If that still happens, then yup, you've got a hardware issue.

You could also get someone here to loan you a TechTools CD to check (what Apple
bundles with AppleCare subs).

If you cannot find either and are on campus, let me know and I can try to help
off-line.

-Kerem


Quoting nick knouf <nknouf at MIT.EDU>:

> 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
> 
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Kerem B. Limon
kerem.limon at mit.edu /e-mail