iMac G4

Several things could be behind the kernel panic notice.

If the machine can boot into SafeBoot, you may be able to read
some of the system error and crash logs in either the Console
utility, and/or in the software logs in System Profiler.

SafeBoot mode on startup, hold Shift key down on boot, soon
after start chime; keep holding until you get dialog box and if
it asks for a password, then you have to enter one. Then you
can continue, if it is running that far, you could check for logs.

The clock battery on the logic board (a 3.6V 1/2AA lithium cell)
may be dead. There is a way for a tech to check that without
taking the computer apart. The battery has a storage life of 5 yrs
but probably less once installed and the computer sitting around
without the power cord plugged into the main current.

The computer's hard disk drive may be defective or have issues
with whatever may be installed on it. This could cause an error
message and kernel panic; even without an error-panic message,
a defective hard disk drive can present other evidence of failure.

Can the computer start up from its OS X boot install (original OS)
restore disc #1 from the software packet, or a full retail OS X install
disc #1 if no original as-shipped disc is available? (can't be the boot
disc from another computer's factory package, + it won't run SL 10.6.)

+There may be other items in the computer possibly related to the panic.+
+If you can get as far as reading system and crash log messages, note:+

• Technical Note TN2063: Understanding & Debugging Kernel Panics:
http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/technotes/tn2002/tn2063.html

• Resolving Kernel Panics:
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/kernelpanics.html

Hopefully these bits will be of help.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

05,

Annoyingly the screws on the G4 Bottom plate are strapped, I know this is off topic but do you have any ideas on how to remove them?

I don't think that's off topic.
If you're talking about the Phillips screws on the bottom user access plate you can use a Dremel like tool to grind a slot in the screw w/ the cut off disk. Then use a standard slotted screw driver. There is a tool called an EZ out screw extractor but it's usually hard to find the smaller size in those.
Occasionally if they're not too stripped you can use an appropriate sized slot type jewelers screw driver to catch an edge and extract them that way.
Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

05rr3y wrote:
I decided that the problem is the Hard Drive, so bought an old iMac G3 with OS X installed to take the hard drive from and install in the G4.

Chances of the G4 starting up with a G3 install is slim to none. The G4 needs different drivers to run and it's unlikely the OS on the G3 will have them.

Dale

Since ATA (PATA, IDE, EIDE) types of hard disk drives are
not really as costly as they once were, you could just get
a replacement new drive and save a lot of possible trouble
in avoiding the use of a tired older hard disk drive in a less
old model iMac G4.

• Info by serial number service - find out what one your iMac is:
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

• Get information on most Macs, free database download utility
from: http://mactracker.ca

{The serial number should be on the metal bottom plate.}

The older G3 computer may be using an older type of ATA
drive and the speed rate of the data through its circuitry
could be slower than the specs would allow on the iMac G4.

In the case of iMac G4 computers, it is a good idea to get
reliable replacement parts, considering the efforts involved.
The clock battery is likely needing a new replacement; and
while inside there, the RAM chip originally installed by the
factory could be upgraded to the maximum it can use there.

Depending on the exact build date series of iMac G4, the
parts can vary; including RAM and other specifications.

• iMac G4 Take-apart for Drive and Ram upgrades
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/imacg4/imacg4takeapart.html

The above link may help in looking into the computer, as
well as any attempts to take it apart or reassemble it. I
do think there is a possibility of a logic board circuit issue
behind the kernel panics; or maybe just a bad old piece of
RAM in either of the two RAM slots. And perhaps a bad HDD
that could be replaced. Do you have a suitable OS X installer?

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

{ edited 2x }

The real experts probably do more with a computer than I do, so I will
allow those to take any credit; however, when a full retail installer does
an installation to a computer model, there are bits that are put into it
which may not be made available to another model, such as drivers
for video graphics and support for hardware to do its job correctly.

The older iMac G3 does not have some components in it, which are
built into the iMac G4; so some software probably was not installed
in the OS X version via the iMac G3 that an iMac G4 would need.
This is why the installer disc for the full meal deal is so important; &
of course, the Intel-based OS X install-restore disc won't do at all.
A different animal from the genes to the jeans.

While it may work, the computer would do better with a new install on
a wiped and correctly set-up hard disk drive; it will make a difference.

But what do I know? I am not an expert, just a casual owner who has
done an above average amount of mucking about to some degree of
success in various Apple hardware and software. - +But not an expert!+

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Well, I was jokingly referring to the +not an expert+; as a truism it's accurate.

Regarding drivers, they are supplied by the full retail installer for the hardware
the disc installers find when the computer is booted from the disc to install it.
Some of these are probably installed even in a computer that may not need all.

So, there is a chance (I don't know precisely) the drivers are not an issue in
these; but they could be since graphic processors and LCD screens are a
bit different in the G4 series computers, than in a G3 with CRT. The closest
other computer series to the iMac G4 is the eMac G4 with 1.25GHz cpu.
The older iMac G4 with USB1.1 ports and slower cpu, and tamer gpu, has
a greater chance of few if any issues from running a swapped iMac G3 HDD
with an OS X version previously installed on it..

However, since the end user license for the software implies ownership and
possession of the installer disc, and that is usually a single-use license; if
the same installer has been used and that earlier installation is running in a
computer, then any additional installs would be outside of the legal use of it.
There is a family-pack installer for limited multiple installs, within specific rules.

I've utilized the idea to always be looking out for extras, such as good keyboards,
mice, and system discs, etc - because they are sometimes available only when
you think you do not need them. Getting a previously owned retail disc set from
someone who has bought a newer intel-based mac & sold the older computer,
(forgetting their license obligation to include the installed disc with the Mac) is
sometimes an opportunity to buy a disc at much less than reseller retail.

And regarding the other, no offense was perceived or taken in this matter.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Hey 05,

my os x disk is damaged

If it's scratched I polish the scratches out w/ Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #3 it's normally for auto clear coats but works well for this. There are other plexiglass and plastic polishes that work as well.

i fitted the hd originally from the g3 and it worked like a charm.

Yah I've seen that happen. I get a lot iMac G3s in and have a lot of pulled hard drives from them. It surprises me when it will boot a G4 MDD or iMac G4. It may not be the optimum install but "hey!".
Richard