Aletonum
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iMac Crashing; No Fixes Working/Getting a Chance to Work

Hi, this is my first time on these forums asking a question, so forgive me if I've categorised this wrong or something.

 

I use my iMac nearly everyday for browsing the Internet, word prossessing, digital drawing and playing Minecraft. So, personally, I don't think it is ever being put to degree of stress because I've been doing those same tasks on it for well over a year and it has run smoothly and given me no trouble. However, two days ago, I logged in and got a finder error message, which although I found odd, I simply okayed, not really taking a note of it as I in no way expected  crashing issues to arise from it. The error code started with something like -108, which I now believe was the code -10810.
So I continued using the computer after I okayed the message, only to find that Skype (which automatically opens at login) quit unexpectedly. After clicking the "reopen" button on the report,  the Skype icon bounced once, the blue light underneath appearing for a second. After this I noticed the finder report and clicked it's "reopen" button and thought it didn't work as the report was still there, but it was in fact a second report as every time I tired to open finder, I would receive a new report in mere mili-seconds. I tried other programs such as Safari and Minecraft and they all wouldn't open. Then I went to restart the computer when I noticed the Apple icon and toolbar missing. So I shut down the computer using the power button.

On reboot, things started going crazy. Booting took a while, when it loaded the desktop, it would fade to blue for a few seconds then fade back to the desktop. After a few minutes, the dark, transparent curtain moved down the screen and the message "You have to restart your computer" appeared.

 

I've tried numerous times to find out the problem/fix it but nothing seems to be working. Worse, the computer either crashes/freezes at login, crashes within seconds of reaching the desktop or works fine (with noticable odd things occurring [such as the screen going blue, desktop items disappearing and then reappearing] but if I try to run things that may help fix my problems (such as software update, reinstalling OS X) the computer crashes/freezes.

 

What I've tired so far:

  • The reset (I can't remember the name) where you detach the power cable and hold down the power button for five seconds, then reattach the cable and turn on the computer. No apparent effect.
  • Safe Mode:
    Worked first time, however it crashed while on the desktop on second and third use, after which I haven't used it.
  • Single-User Mode for fsck:
    fsck ran fine, reporting that it did alter something and I had hoped that this had fixed it, but as soon as I reached the desktop, the iMac crashed.
  • Software Update:
    My Internet is bad enough as it is (less than 1MB/Sec, problem with living in a rural area and being on a contract until October) so I haven't been keeping up with some updates as it takes forever to download them. However,  anytime I try to update now, the computer either crashes, won't open Software Update or freezes while it goes to install the updates.
  • Disk Utility:
    Found nothing wrong.
  • Reinstalling Mac OSX: (Via holding down C at bootup and from the disk if I reach the desktop.)
    Either the computer freezes on the Apple logo and spinning gear (which usually doesn't even appear whenever I booted up the iMac) when I hold down C, or it will freeze/crash as the computer tries to restart opening the utilities panel if I run the reinstall from the desktop.

 

Everytime I've tried to boot the computer today (day three) has resulted in the computer staying on the Apple logo and spinning gear. So without going any further, I decided to ask this to the community because nothing seems to be working, worse being the fact that I'm just on my holidays from University and I'm pretty much lost without the computer

 

As for the iMac's details I'm really not sure since I generally use the "About this Mac..." feature which I can't get to now. Although I think the only important bits is that it is running on OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.8 with no external hard drives.


I'd really appretiate any help, thanks

Aletonum

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Snow Leopard

Posted on Jun 8, 2012 9:17 AM

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Aletonum

Q: iMac Crashing; No Fixes Working/Getting a Chance to Work

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  • Helpful answers

  • by BGreg,Helpful

    BGreg BGreg Jun 8, 2012 9:22 AM in response to Aletonum
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 9:22 AM in response to Aletonum

    Try to run the Apple hardware test. Find your original gray-faced OS X disk that says 'AHT Version x.x' in small print on the label. Insert and boot holding the D key down. If that doesn't work, reboot holding the alt/option key down. Choose the Apple hardware test and when prompted choose the extended test (which may take awhile). What does that tell you?

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 8, 2012 9:42 AM in response to BGreg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 9:42 AM in response to BGreg

    Okay, I'm running the test now. Oddly, it didn't get to the Hardware Test on first boot but actually loaded the desktop, although with problems as usual. However, after trying with the option key, and choosing my drive, it booted the desktop as normal and, as a test, I ran Minecraft (which last time said it couldn't run because it didn't recognise it as a Mac program. I tested other Java files which also couldn't be opened). This time, Minecraft ran although the sound didn't work again, any time I've run it since the problems started it's either not opened or ran with no sound. That may help a bit regards what's happening.

     

    I'lll post the results of the test when it finishes

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 8, 2012 9:49 AM in response to Aletonum
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 9:49 AM in response to Aletonum

    Okay, the test came back:

    Alert! Apple Hardware Test has detected an error.

     

    4MEM/ 9 / 40000000: 0xb7fa0518

    I don't have any peripherals connected, so I'm assuming a second test is not needed to verify.

  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Jun 8, 2012 10:22 AM in response to Aletonum
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 10:22 AM in response to Aletonum

    The AHT is telling you there is a memory problem. You might try reseating your memory. If that doesn't help, swap memory cards. If that doesn't work, and you happen to have the right type of known working memory you could swap in, that would be the next step.

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 8, 2012 10:57 AM in response to BGreg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 10:57 AM in response to BGreg

    Thanks!
    Unfortuantly, I don't have any experience with changing memory in any computers or indeed doing anything to the physical structure of one. So considering this, I'm a little bit worried about doing anything wrong.

     

    I know how to get to my memory and all that, but as to what I'm to do when I get there, I'm a little bit lost.
    From the link you put on reseating memory, it seems to be that there is two cards in the memory bay, but I don't know if that will be the same with me, as I've never actually looked into the memory bay before and I can't for another hour or two because I'm away from the iMac.

     

    I just need to know what to do when I open up the memory bay; what I move, replace (although I've no spare memory cards if I need them), what I swap etc.

    I'm sorry I have to ask that as I feel I should be able to find it somewhere myself, but I'm worried about doing damage if read the wrong tutorial or if I think I know what I'm doing

     

    Although, thanks for your help this far. I've finally gotten somwhere

  • by BGreg,Helpful

    BGreg BGreg Jun 8, 2012 1:07 PM in response to Aletonum
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 1:07 PM in response to Aletonum

    In the Apple note, if you click on your system (you should know the screen size and date you bought the system). That will get you to the directions.

     

    Another set of directions, in video form, are at OWC. Choose your system and there should be a video to watch on how to change the memory. Unplug the iMac from the wall before doing anything, too. 

     

    You want to pull each memory card out, then push it back in. Then try and boot. If no change, pull out each memory card and put each one into the other slot, reversing them. Then try to boot again.

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 8, 2012 4:31 PM in response to BGreg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2012 4:31 PM in response to BGreg

    Thanks for all the help

    The earliest I can get access to the memory will be tomorrow morning, and as soon as I do that and find out the results, I'll be back here to hopefully say all is fixed

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 10, 2012 8:51 AM in response to Aletonum
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2012 8:51 AM in response to Aletonum

    I'm after taking out the memory and I've put it back in, but upon boot up the screen stayed blue after the logo and spinning gear. So I ran the AHT again and the same problem came up.
    I then swapped the memory cards around and tried again. This time the computer booted up and made it to desktop where everything worked fine and as normal, aside from Minecraft not having any sound. I shut down to run the AHT again just to make sure and it didn't run the AHT (that was my fault, I wasn't quick enough) but made it to the blue screen like mentioned earlier and stayed there. So I shut it down, successfully ran the AHT and I got the same memory error

     

    Do you know where I can go from here? I was thinking of removing one memory card and running a AHT and then change cards and run the AHT on the other one to see if one card in particular isn't working properly.

  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Jun 10, 2012 1:16 PM in response to Aletonum
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Jun 10, 2012 1:16 PM in response to Aletonum

    Three cheers for you ... you haven't changed memory before and now you're into mac hardware debugging! Tomorrow the world!

     

    That's a good sign that the system booted up when you swapped memory cards. It suggests one of the memory cards may be a bit wonky.  Your idea to try one at a time is a good one. Do 4 AHT runs, with each memory card by itself in each memory socket, ie, memory card A in socket 1, memory card A in socket 2, memory card B in socket 1, etc.

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 10, 2012 4:21 PM in response to BGreg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2012 4:21 PM in response to BGreg

    lol, ever since I've gotten a Mac I've done nothing but learn lots of computer related things!

     

    I took out one of the memory cards and ran the AHT, this time it took a good hour to run the test whereas before it stopped after about 5 minutes when it found the error. Good news is it came back with no errors, but since it took an hour, it's now too late for me to be swapping cards at the moment so I'll have to continue working at it in the morning, but so far so good

     

    Sound in minecraft however still doesn't work, but I doubt having 2GB of RAM instead of 4GB would affect the sound effects of a game, or could it? If it persits after all the tests, I'll adress it on the Minecraft forums.

     

    Thanks again, hopefully this time tomorrow the computer will be back to normal

  • by Aletonum,

    Aletonum Aletonum Jun 12, 2012 9:59 AM in response to BGreg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2012 9:59 AM in response to BGreg

    One of the memory cards was indeed faulty, and the other completely fine
    Thanks very much for all your help!

     

    Although there is one little thing that I've noticed. The iMac works properly, but I tried to software update to see if that may help my Minecraft sound issue (as I still don't think only having 2GB instead of 4GB would cause such a problem) but the software update application won't work. Running the "Software Update" from the apple menu on the toolbar gains no response, nothing happens. If I run the software update from  system preferences, the application icon appears for a second, then disappears (as in the blank app. icon, the blank canvas with the pencil, pen and ruler in the bottom right corner). It does this every time I try to run it. It did work when the computer was crashing, but this started when on one of the occasions I ran the app. while it was crashing. Since this occured during the crashes, and still occurs now, I'm wondering did something simlar happen minecraft, as it's sound disappeared during the crashes and is still gone now.

     

    However, the computer is now working again without crashes, which is the main thing, thanks for helping me fix the issue


    Edit: I would mark the topic as solved, but I'm unsure if this would lock the topic or something simlar, so I'd rather leave it open for any ideas regarding the software update and Minecraft issues I'm having