MacBook Kernel Panics Frequently

Hi WZZZ,

Thanks for the response. Much Appreciated.

I am using 2x4GB OWC Apple Certified RAM on this MacBook. See below for details;

Model Name: MacBook

Model Identifier: MacBook5,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MB51.007D.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.32f8

When I run TechTool Pro 6.0.4, it tells me all is sweet and fine.

To be doubly sure I replaced the RAM with identical OWC 2x4GB. The KP's still continued. Is there any other

test I could do to check out my RAM Sticks.

At this stage, I have NOT tried unloading any kext files. As for the DisplayLinkDriver, this was an extra monitor

screen that I only installed a few days ago. [Extra monitor to view Console & Activity Monitor reports etc]

The KP's have been "On Going" for nearly three weeks now.

Even the local Apple store couldn't tell me what was causing the KP's.

All I can say is that my Macbook works like a dream for a couple days then it goes crazy by having 10 ~ 15

KP's a day without much indication.

After the last KP approx 12 hours ago, it complained saying my TM was currupt and wanted me back it up

immediately.

This is what I found in the console reports:

Hfs: Run Time Corruption detected on TM Backup. "fsck will be forced on next mount".

On the next reboot the Macbook could not even find the TM Back Drive.

Since then, I have backed it up using a NEW External HD.

Any other suggestions will be most appreciated.

Thanks

Hi again, WZZZ,

Thanks for the speedy response.

I am not sure, if I am unstanding / reading your answer above correctly??!!.

1) Is there a difference between testing "RAM" and Testing "RAM SLOTS".

I happy to do a "Memory Test" using Memtest. I will use the links provided and give it a try soon.

Right now, I am formatting my "OLD TM External HD to Mac OS Extended Journalled". The OLD corrupted Backup!. This is going to take me a few hours to complete as I selected the "Zero out" method!.

I don't want to do Memtest whilst formatting an External HD.!!

Once that is completed, I will give your suggestion a try with Memtest.

Personnally, I want to load this "MemTest" to the Maximum. Can you please advise on the following, Thanks.

1) Duration of Memtest in hours or number of recommended loops for a heavy loaded Max'ed OUT Testing!!.

2) Should I disconnect, ALL External HD's hanging off my MacBook including TM during the MemTest.

3) Currently, I have TWO external 27" Montors hanging off the Macbook. Do I keep them Connected or Disconnected for the Memtest.

4) This Macbook is hooked up via a ethernet cable to a network of Two other iMacs. Whats your recommendation here. During Memtest do I leave it hooked up to the Network or Not ??!!.

Please advise.

Sorry, I forgot to answer some your other questions:

The Mac Store ONLY had my Macbook for a few hours at the front counter. They did a standard Mac approved diagnostics test run. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the app they were using. The test only took about 10 minutes. At the store the MacBook ran like a champion. A few days later the KP's appeared a again. In brief the KP's appear to be "Intermittant". Hope this info helps.

Thanks.

I eagerly await your response.

Thank you.

:-)

Message was edited by: MaxAus

Hi WZZZ,

Thanks for the good information above.

I now plan to do a overnight "Memtest" as suggested.

Please stay tuned. When available, I will update the outcome.

Thx.

[PS: The hardest thing with this MacBook is, that it is CURRENTLY running like a True Champ. (24 Hrs hours since last KP), Because the KP's are so sporadic, I am sure it will happen again in a couple of days!!!. Prove me wrong!!. This MacBook currently runs at about 70 ~ 80 Mb/sec on my local Net work, and it constantly achieves around 40 ~ 45 MB/sec on the Internet when connected to reputed organizations, such as Apple etc etc. In the past, this Macbook has run for TWO PLUS years without a single KP]

Hi WZZZ,

Just a quick update on the progress I have made so far. [Currently I am up updating this thread, using another Mac on my Home Network!!]

Downloaded and ran "memtest" on my "MacBook" from the links you provided.

In Single User Mode, I did the following command line:

"/usr/bin/memtest -L" [without the quotes ofcourse!]

after a total of 7863 seconds [Approx 131 minutes], the system returned a message as follows:

"All tests passed!. Excution time 7863 seconds"

Without any intravention from me the above result was posted by "memtest". I was surprised that the system stopped automatically. With the above mentioned command I was expecting "memtest" to continue until I told it to STOP.

Anyway, I have entered the following command line hoping it will NOT STOP this time until I tell it to do so.

Here is my latest command line.

"/usr/bin/memtest all -L"

I intend running the test overnight.

Thanks.

Thanks WZZZ,

Please stay tuned, I will update when more info is available at hand.

Now on a slightly different can you please advise on the following:

OK, Assuming "memtest' returns 100% success [I.E. ZERO Faults] on RAM / RAM SLOT testing what would you recommend next.

In the PAST 36 hours, this MacBook is going like a "Rocket". Fully shutdown, then restart and running in 27 Seconds. [Standard, WD 750GB 7200Rpm. NOT a SSD].

What is mind numbing in my situation is that this Macbook works Magnificently for few a days then KP's constantly sometimes approx 10 ~ 15 per day.

The KP logs just don't seem to indicate any "Fatal Errors" !!??.

Are there any Software tools that test for "Motherboard / Graphics Cards" etc that could be causing these KP's.

What are the other tricks, I can try besides buying another MacBook.

Please advice

Hi WZZZ,

Thanks for the above info.

Yep, "memtest" automatically stopped after another SINGLE sequence.

Again 100% Pass rate. NIL Faults.

This time I have done the following command line;

"/usr/bin/memtest all 6 -L"

It is now telling me that it is on sequence "1 of 6" [On previous attempts, it always said sequence 1of 1]. So it appears that it's going to do 6 complete cycles on this attempt. Both my previous tests took approx TWO hours to complete. So for 6 cycles approx 12 hours estimated.

As for the AHT, that sounds like a pointsless test as I am right now flogging the RAM test to death with a total of 8 cycles approx 16 Hours.

Upon completion of the remaining 6 memtest cycles, if it returns a 100% Pass Rate, then it's a given conclusion that the KP's are NOT happening due to Faulty RAM / RAM SLOTS.

By any chance do you feel that TM was causing the previously mentioned KP's. "FSCK" will be forced on next mount.

File corruptions / Permissions corruptions etc etc. These are the ONLY errors I have ever seen on the console panel.

Additionally, I feel that the Files were getting worse after each KP. Obviously when a KP occurs, you are forced to power off the machine effectively causing file corruptions etc etc. [Apple claims HFS is hard to corrupt, I strongly disagree that claim specially on UNCONTROLLED "FORCED POWER SHUTDOWNS].

By the way when a KP occurs, are there any special tricks for a "Controlled shut down" rather than the Deadly Power Button Option.

Please advise.

Thanks

Thanks.

Message was edited by: MaxAus

Hi WZZZ,

Thanks for the above info.

I am not quite sure what you mean on the following sentence.

Why don't you at least verify that volume in Disk Utility?

Right NOW, I have put away that OLD TM Backup on the shelf.

After the LAST KP 36 Hours ago, I backed up My MacBook with a Brand NEW External HD for TM Use. This NEW TM backup seems to be OK so far!!.

When you say verify the OLD TM Backup in Disk utility, what do you exactly mean here??!!.

1) Do you mean try to fix up the OLD corrupt files / permissions using Disk Repair or First aid In the Disk Utility.app

All the files on my Macbook seem to be fine after those numerous KP's. It's the OLD TM Backup that kept getting corrupt after those uncontrolled Power shut downs. I am NOT sure if the OLD TM Backup External HD was causing the MacBook to KP.

Hopefully with the NEWLY backed up TM things might change and I may get back to normality like the good old days.

By the way the OLD TM External HD was over TWO years old and may have been on it's last legs, causing the file corruptions during the hourly backups. [This is just another guess of mine for KP's that have occured over past three weeks].

I will now do some reading up on TM corruption in the forum.

As a general rule when Mac KP's our 1st culprit is RAM. So that's why I wanted to be sure to be sure in eliminating the RAM issue. The TM issue is ONLY another thought of mine as the ONLY CONSOLE Error messages, I ever saw said TM Corruption etc etc.

Thanks

Hi WZZZ,

An update on my progress to date.

I have now completed a total of 8 Memtest loops / cycles.

All 8 cycles confirmed 100% Pass Rate.

Each complete cycle took around 2hours 15Minutes to complete.Total test time was approx 18 hours.

The TEST is very conclusive that there is NO FAULTY RAM on my MacBook.

See copy of report below.

Start Of Memtest Report

Memtest version 4.22 (64-bit)

Copyright (C) 2004

Copyright (C) 2004 - 2008 (Macintosh port)

Licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 only

Log file written to //memtest.log

Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) running in single user mode

Memory Page Size: 4096

System has 2 Intel core(s) with SSE

Requested memory: 7648MB (8020426752 bytes)

Available memory: 7648MB (8020426752 bytes)

NOTE: Memory request is too large, reducing to acceptable value...

Allocated memory: 7434MB (7795854784 bytes) at local address 0x0000000101000000

Attempting memory lock... ERROR: Memory lock failed - reason unknown.

WARNING: Testing with unlocked memory may be slower and less reliable

Splitting allocated memory into 2 comparison buffers...

Buffer A: 3717MB (3897927392 bytes) starts at local address 0x0000000101000000

Buffer B: 3717MB (3897927392 bytes) starts at local address 0x00000001e955a6e0

Running 6 test sequences... (CTRL-C to quit)

Test sequence 1 of 6:

Running tests on entire 7434MB region...

Stuck Address : ok

Linear PRN : ok

Running comparison tests using 3717MB buffers...

Random Value : ok

Compare XOR : ok

Compare SUB : ok

Compare MUL : ok

Compare DIV : ok

Compare OR : ok

Compare AND : ok

Sequential Increment: ok

Solid Bits : ok

Block Sequential : ok

Checkerboard : ok

Bit Spread : ok

Bit Flip : ok

Walking Ones : ok

Walking Zeroes : ok

Test sequence 2 of 6:

Running tests on entire 7434MB region...

Stuck Address : ok

Linear PRN : ok

Running comparison tests using 3717MB buffers...

Random Value : ok

Compare XOR : ok

Compare SUB : ok

Compare MUL : ok

Compare DIV : ok

Compare OR : ok

Compare AND : ok

Sequential Increment: ok

Solid Bits : ok

Block Sequential : ok

Checkerboard : ok

Bit Spread : ok

Bit Flip : ok

Walking Ones : ok

Walking Zeroes : ok

Test sequence 3 of 6:

Running tests on entire 7434MB region...

Stuck Address : ok

Linear PRN : ok

Running comparison tests using 3717MB buffers...

Random Value : ok

Compare XOR : ok

Compare SUB : ok

Compare MUL : ok

Compare DIV : ok

Compare OR : ok

Compare AND : ok

Sequential Increment: ok

Solid Bits : ok

Block Sequential : ok

Checkerboard : ok

Bit Spread : ok

Bit Flip : ok

Walking Ones : ok

Walking Zeroes : ok

Test sequence 4 of 6:

Running tests on entire 7434MB region...

Stuck Address : ok

Linear PRN : ok

Running comparison tests using 3717MB buffers...

Random Value : ok

Compare XOR : ok

Compare SUB : ok

Compare MUL : ok

Compare DIV : ok

Compare OR : ok

Compare AND : ok

Sequential Increment: ok

Solid Bits : ok

Block Sequential : ok

Checkerboard : ok

Bit Spread : ok

Bit Flip : ok

Walking Ones : ok

Walking Zeroes : ok

Test sequence 5 of 6:

Running tests on entire 7434MB region...

Stuck Address : ok

Linear PRN : ok

Running comparison tests using 3717MB buffers...

Random Value : ok

Compare XOR : ok

Compare SUB : ok

Compare MUL : ok

Compare DIV : ok

Compare OR : ok

Compare AND : ok

Sequential Increment: ok

Solid Bits : ok

Block Sequential : ok

Checkerboard : ok

Bit Spread : ok

Bit Flip : ok

Walking Ones : ok

Walking Zeroes : ok

Test sequence 6 of 6:

Running tests on entire 7434MB region...

Stuck Address : ok

Linear PRN : ok

Running comparison tests using 3717MB buffers...

Random Value : ok

Compare XOR : ok

Compare SUB : ok

Compare MUL : ok

Compare DIV : ok

Compare OR : ok

Compare AND : ok

Sequential Increment: ok

Solid Bits : ok

Block Sequential : ok

Checkerboard : ok

Bit Spread : ok

Bit Flip : ok

Walking Ones : ok

Walking Zeroes : ok

All tests passed! Execution time: 47271 seconds.

End Of Memtest Report

The MacBook now appears to be running OK again.

BUT, as I have previously said it runs well for a few days then KP's on me miserably. 10 ~ 15 KP's per day.

Please stay tuned and I will update my progress in due course!!.

WZZZ, If know of any other Tricks OR How to READ KP logs please let me know.

Thanks.