Kernel panic...what is it? how to fix it?

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Kernel panic...what is it? how to fix it?

Is it the CPU? I have a G5 which I bought three years ago. It would crash occasionally and I would get the frozen screen with the white type in several languages. Had to reboot several times.
Today, I couldn't get the hard drive to mount. Called Tech. Brought it to Genius Bar. Was told to get new hard drive.
Installed new hard drive.
Bought Leopard.
During installation, I get the KERNEL PANIC.
Frozen screen and type that reads....

System Failure: cpu1; code=00000007 (Corrupt skip lists)
Latest crash info for cup 1:
PC=0x000AAEF4; MSR=0x00001000; DAR=0X20380000;

Continues on...then....

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
9G66
Kernel version:
Darwin KernelVersion 9.6.0: Mon Nov 24 17:39:01 PST 2008; root:xnu-1228.9.59-1/RELEASE_PPC
System model name: PowerMac11,2

and more...

Does anyone have a clue?

Thanks,
Carona54

G5, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Kernel panic

Posted on Jan 31, 2009 8:12 PM

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Answer 1

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japamac

Level 7

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Jan 31, 2009 9:26 PM in response to carona54

Hi-

Welcome to Discussions!

A kernel panic is caused by corrupt/incompatible software and/or drivers, or, more commonly, by bad/failed hardware.
What is a kernel panic? (Mac OS X)

Kernel panic reports have the path of the panic source detailed in the lines immediately after the word "Backtrace". These lines can be the most telling.

The "Corrupt Skip Lists" report in the system failure report could indicate failed RAM.
Testing the system with the Apple Hardware Test disc would be prudent.
If unable to boot to the AHT disc, remove any third party RAM, or, any RAM other than that which was shipped with the computer.

There is a possibility of a bad RAM slot in which moving RAM around would be required to test.

Resolving Kernel Panics

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Answer 2

carona54 Author

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Feb 1, 2009 6:16 AM in response to japamac

Excellent! I have 4 DIMMS installed. Is there a specific order of replacement/exchange that works best? Many thanks

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Answer 3

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 1, 2009 6:28 AM in response to carona54

Is there a specific order of replacement/exchange that works best?

Not really, but..
Take out the latest, or, one pair. It is best to start with a pair that shipped in the Mac.
Try the remaining pair using the innermost pair of slots. If a no go, move them out one slot, test and so on.
If there is no improvement with that pair, remove them, and try the other pair, repeating the slot placement and movement.

If the machine becomes bootable, and will remain stable long enough, download Rember to test the RAM.

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Answer 4

carona54 Author

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Feb 1, 2009 7:19 AM in response to japamac

Good news! Up and running.
Removed the outer pair of DIMMS and was able to instal Panther on the new hard drive.
Do you think the slots are the problem or the removed DIMMS? Any way to tell? My old drive has data on it that I'd like to keep. Can I put it in the other slot and see if it will mount?
Thanks again

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Answer 5

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Feb 1, 2009 3:43 PM in response to carona54

Great!

Do you think the slots are the problem or the removed DIMMS?

Only testing the DIMMs will tell.

Any way to tell?

Rember.

My old drive has data on it that I'd like to keep. Can I put it in the other slot and see if it will mount?

Why not? Go for it.

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Answer 6

carona54 Author

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Feb 1, 2009 5:34 PM in response to japamac

Domo arigato! I can take it from here...wiser and happier. See you around.

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Answer 7

carona54 Author

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Feb 14, 2009 9:56 AM in response to carona54

Hey, I'm back. Quick question for anyone.
Had a "Kernel Panic" and got some great advice.
Installed a new hard drive on my Power Mac G5,
Still had trouble so I installed new RAM.
Everything is running smoothly smoothly.
Tried installing my old hard drive and ran Disk Utility.
Here's what came up:

_"Incorrect number of thread records_
_Invalid volume directory count_
_Invalid volume file count_
_Incorrect number of Extended Attributes_
_Volume Bit Map needs minor repair_
_Invalid volume free block count_
_(It should be 6446269 instead of 6429456)_
_Volume Header needs minor repair_
_The volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired._
_Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed._"

Should I toss it? Great to get that data back.

Thanks - carona54

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Answer 8

Feb 14, 2009 10:42 AM in response to carona54

Hi carona54;

Is there anything of value on that disk?

If not you could simply reformat which will recreate all of the directory structure during the reformat.

If you don't want to reformat then you may be able to repair those problems with DiskWarrior.

As far as throwing it away, I wouldn't. The errors all sound like problems with the directories which can be fixed and not an irreparable disk problem.

Allan

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Answer 9

carona54 Author

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Feb 24, 2009 3:52 AM in response to Allan Eckert

Allan,
Sorry for the delay...had to go out of town.

Great advice.
Three rounds of Disk Warrior, and the old drive is humming along fine.
Four years of data is now available minus a few bum files.

Thanks very much for the help.

Carona

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