Error when booting from Apple Hardware Test (AHT) CD

Question

Level 3

606 points

Error when booting from Apple Hardware Test (AHT) CD

Just downloaded AHT 1.2.6 from here for my 2nd-hand Power Mac.
Burned it to CD with Disk Utility on my iBook, booted from it on the Power Mac, and received the following message after the "loading..." splash screen:

invalid memory access at %SRR0: 00034870 %SRR1: 00003030

This left me at a command prompt, from which I chose to shut down the Mac.
My Mac version is PowerMac3,6 4.4.7f1. Is this error down to using an incorrect AHT CD, or something fundamentally wrong with my RAM? I did test my RAM after purchase with Rember and possibly also with Tech Tool Pro 4.5.3 - no errors reported then.

SiR G.

EDIT: The Power Mac now has its original graphics card installed, not the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro; however, it still has the Sonnet card in place as the boot disk runs from this.

Message was edited by: SiRGadaBout

12" iBook G4 800MHz w/ 640MB RAM (128MB built-in), 80GB HDD & Airport Extreme;, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Power Mac G4 MDD dual-867MHz, 1.75GB RAM, Sonnet Tempo SATA card, ATI 9800 Pro

Posted on Dec 4, 2007 1:10 PM

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Answer 1

Nadav

Level 3

566 points

Dec 6, 2007 7:58 PM in response to SiRGadaBout

Hi,

You have the same problem as I, but I also noticed your firmware is a little off. The absolute last firmware update should have given you: "4.4.8f2". Here, have a look at mine.

Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 2
CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU): 2 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.4.8f2

Yeah, I get the same problem as well with the AHT CD, strange as it seems. I tried removing DDR chips one at a time to find the culprit. It seems that I have been unable to figure out why it goes to the open firmware command line and prints: invalid memory access at %SRR0:00034870 %SRR1: 00003030. I ran memtestosx with applejack and although it took hours for it to complete, it gave me fantastic reports of all my memory functioning normally. I do notice the following with my memory:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-25330
Status: OK

DIMM1/J22:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-30330
Status: OK

DIMM2/J23:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-30330
Status: OK

DIMM3/J20:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-30330
Status: OK

**NOTICE that one of my memory sticks is PC2600U-25330, and the rest are PC2600U-30330. Could it be that one of my memory sticks in PC3200 memory and all the rest are PC2700? Help!

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Answer 2

SiRGadaBout Author

Level 3

606 points

Dec 7, 2007 12:58 PM in response to Nadav

Ahah, curiouser and curiouser: it turns out my memory configuration matches yours, in that I have three suffixed "-30330" and one suffixed "-25330". Haven't a clue what it all means though. Here's my RAM configuration:

DIMM0/J21:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-30330
Status: OK

DIMM1/J22:

Size: 256 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-30330
Status: OK

DIMM2/J23:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2600U-30330
Status: OK

DIMM3/J20:

Size: 512 MB
Type: DDR SDRAM
Speed: PC2100U-25330
Status: OK

As for your comment regarding my "Boot ROM Version" - I've confirmed it as 4.4.7f1. Is the update to 4.4.8f2 something that applies to my model? Our machines do differ slightly.

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Answer 3

Nadav

Level 3

566 points

Dec 7, 2007 2:23 PM in response to SiRGadaBout

Hello!

Curiouser indeed!! hehehee!!!

Anyway, you need to do a search for the firmware 4.4.8f2 - this has many additions, + the power to cool your machine in terms of it controlling the fan's speed and other stuff. My MDD is a dual processor 1.25 2003 model(this is what the back of my machine says).

Goto Apple firmware updates(I forget the link), and ye shall find 4.4.8f2 - then apply it!

Why are you running 256MB and the rest 512MB? Did you know that 1GB dimms will work? I was thinking of going with this myself and selling off the 4 512MB dimms I have.

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Answer 4

SiRGadaBout Author

Level 3

606 points

Dec 8, 2007 10:18 AM in response to Nadav

I bought my Power Mac second-hand and it came with a 256MB DIMM. I can't be bothered to replace it, especially given 1.75GB seems to suffice for the moment. I am aware that 1GB DIMMs will work in our machines, but I've satisfied myself that my particular model will only recognise a maximum of 2GB RAM anyway - with luck, yours will be more accommodating.

I found and applied the 4.4.8f2 firmware - thank you. The release notes were ambiguous, but it sounds as though I'll only see a difference with the fans when running OS 9. Has this been your experience? I never run OS 9 so I'll never know.

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Answer 5

Feb 19, 2008 5:07 PM in response to SiRGadaBout

All I can say is this:
"Invalid memory access at %SRR0:: 0003030 %SRRI::00003030
Powerbook 5,6 4.9.1f1"

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Answer 6

sunbear

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2008 6:12 PM in response to SiRGadaBout

Hi everyone,

This is interesting because I just experienced the same error message when booting from the AHT CD.
My original problem is documented on this forum on the thread "OS X installer fails on G4".
I also ran tests w/ Tech Tool pro which indicated all my ram was ok.

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Answer 7

Feb 20, 2008 12:19 AM in response to sunbear

I don't think it's got anything to do with the Ram.
I have no problem with my Ram, my computer works great and never crashes...the fans are my problem!

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Answer 8

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 20, 2008 4:20 AM in response to SiRGadaBout

Hi-

There is a known issue with AHT v.1.2.6 and MDD's.
Apple Hardware Test CD: Computer Starts Into Open Firmware
Get the correct version ( 1.2.7) and all should be good.

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Answer 9

Marbot61

Level 1

5 points

Feb 20, 2008 10:38 AM in response to japamac

That sounds like my problem. Where do I get 1.27 Apple Hardware Test? I can't find the download on the Apple website.

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Answer 10

sunbear

Level 1

0 points

Feb 20, 2008 1:40 PM in response to Marbot61

Marbot,

Just verify it's truly not your memory by running another repair utility like Tech tools or Disk Warrior. I had the same error messages from AHT as you, when I ran Tech tools my main memory did not pass test.

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Answer 11

Feb 21, 2008 3:31 AM in response to sunbear

I think I got the wrong AHT as well, this is probably from my Titanium.
The newer AHT's aren't online it seems...bummer.

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Answer 12

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 21, 2008 3:48 AM in response to Marbot61

Hi Marbot61-

There is no download of AHT 1.2.7.
From the linked document:

If you need a new Apple Hardware Test disc, contact Apple technical support (1-800-APL-CARE in the U.S.) or your local Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for assistance.

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