Java and Kernel Panic Issues

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Java and Kernel Panic Issues

Folks, I am in need of some serious assistance as I am supposed to be testing some Java software for release very soon. I should note I'm not a programmer.

I recently took the upgrade to Java 5; since that time I haven't been able to run ANY Java programs on my system.

I've also had a number of Kernel Panic incidents (which I had never even seen before) since upgrading to 10.4.6 a couple weeks back, as well as a vastly increased number of instances of virtually EVERY program shutting down unexpectedly at various times with no discernable pattern (though I'm not an expert by any means).

I understand from reading elsewhere in the forums that Java 5 has some issues with previous versions of Java programs.

QUESTIONS:

1 - Is restoring the ONLY way I can downgrade to Java 1.4.x?

2 - And does anyone have any ideas why I'm having all the Kernel Panic and unexplained shutdown episodes?

HELP!!!

(and thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide)

G4 Mirror Door, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Apr 24, 2006 7:03 AM

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Answer 1

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Apr 24, 2006 9:36 AM in response to mcjohnson

Hi, mcjohnson.

Responding by the numbers of your original questions:

1. You won't have to restore: it's a simple matter of following the directions in "Mac OS X 10.4.5 or later: Java issues after installing J2SE 5.0 Release 4 update." The "Java 5" update did not replace Java 1.4.2. Rather, it adds "Java 5" and sets it as the default version. The instructions in the linked document will simply let you set Java 1.4.2 as the default again.

2. See my "Resolving Kernel Panics" FAQ. This FAQ includes step-by-step instructions for identifying and resolving some of the most common causes of kernel panics. My FAQ is a roadmap: start at the beginning and work through to the end, following the instruction in the order specified, including the "If all else fails..." section if a cause or resolution is not found in an earlier troubleshooting step therein.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Answer 2

mcjohnson Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 24, 2006 11:23 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

Hey Dr. Thanks very much for responding to my OP.

I'm not quite there yet.

I tried the link on Java and followed the instructions. Unfortunately, when I try to open the Java Preferences app, nothing at all happens. Nothing. A lot of disk spinning, etc, but no action. In fact this is what happens when I try to open any Java app. So strike one.

I checked the link on Resolving Kernel Panics, but got a "file could not be found" (I even Googled it and got the same message). Strike two. [actually on second look I was able to get it from Google Cache -- will try it out]

I assume that the latter is just a temporary problem with the website. What about the former problem?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

- M.

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Answer 3

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Apr 24, 2006 12:57 PM in response to mcjohnson

My "Resolving Kernel Panics" FAQ just popped right up when I checked it just now, so the site is fine. Try it again.

The cause of the kernel panics may also be causing the issues you're having with Java, particularly if the OS install is corrupted. Perhaps working through the kernel panic FAQ will help you find an issue that, when resolved, solves both problems.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Answer 4

mcjohnson Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2006 2:47 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

Dr. Smoke: Thanks again for keeping up with me.

I am in some doubt now that I actually had a Kernel Panic because there is no panic log. Nevertheless, I have done the following:

- ran the Apple Hardware Test (19 loops, no problems)
- repaired the disk and permissions (no major issues, a couple of apparently minor things fixed)
- checked my RAM (I have 1.75GB, which should be more than enough)
- checked disk space (14GB free on an 80GB drive)
- cleared the cache(s)

I have since had other freezes and at least one instance of the black box with the four-language message instructing me to restart (I thought this was a Kernel Panic but maybe not). Java still does not work but I noticed that there are a bunch (32) of JavaNativeCrash_pidXXX.crash.log files in the Java log file (even though I never got any notification of the crash - just no activity). Does any of this tell you anything?

Next on my list is checking startup items and disconnecting the cables. I'd welcome any more guidance you can provide.

Thanks,
Marc.

G4 Mirror Door Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1.75GB RAM, 80GB HD

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Answer 5

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Apr 25, 2006 3:20 AM in response to mcjohnson

1. You wrote:

"- repaired the disk and permissions (no major issues, a couple of apparently minor things fixed)"

What was fixed in Repair Disk, if anything? You did write down any messages from such as instructed, yes?

2. You wrote:

"I have since had other freezes and at least one instance of the black box with the four-language message instructing me to restart (I thought this was a Kernel Panic but maybe not)"

If you are seeing this message, that indicates a kernel panic.

A panic may not generate a panic log as cited in Note [1] of my FAQ.

3. You wrote:

"I noticed that there are a bunch (32) of JavaNativeCrash_pidXXX.crash.log files in the Java log file (even though I never got any notification of the crash - just no activity). Does any of this tell you anything? "

Probably not. That you're continuing to see kernel panics implies something is wrong with the Mac itself that needs to be corrected first.

4. You wrote:

"Next on my list is checking startup items and disconnecting the cables. I'd welcome any more guidance you can provide."

My FAQ states it all. Unfortunately, troubleshooting kernel panics can be rather laborious, especially without a panic log.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

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Answer 6

mcjohnson Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2006 4:27 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

Thanks (again) very much Dr. Smoke.

Things are much better now. For the benefit of others who might be having the same problem, I'll document what else I did following my last post.

Basically I followed Dr. Smoke's instructions (though I admit not quite to the letter -- bad me -- I didn't copy down all the messages from Repair Disk).

- disconnected all peripherals
- checked/fixed startup items
- ran Yasu
- re-installed Java (downloaded J2SE 5.0 Release 4 (PPC))
- rebooted

I will have to use the machine for a while to see if the KP problem is still happening, though I am optimistic this had the proper effect. My major issue, though, (being able to use Java) is resolved.

Appreciate your help, Dr. Smoke!

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Answer 7

Dr. Smoke

Level 9

56,586 points

Apr 25, 2006 5:03 AM in response to mcjohnson

Hi, mcjohnson.

You're most welcome. Glad to help.

Here is some follow-up info for you:

1. Here's what I suspect happened:

a. You installed the "Java 5" update with the directory corruption — later fixed by "Repair Disk" — already extant.

b. This resulted in a corrupted "Java 5" install and the panics.

c. Correcting the directory corruption, then reinstalling the "Java 5" update corrected both problems.

2. Note that if the panics recur, I'd then suspect that the directory corruption may have affected more than the just the "Java 5" install, but the OS as well. In that case, given the troubleshooting you've already done, you might want to perform an Archive and Install of Mac OS X. This is one of the first steps in the "If all else fails" section of my kernel panics FAQ.

3. Finally, to avoid such problems with software updates in the future, I suggest you consider the procedure specified in my "Installing Software Updates" FAQ.

4. PS: You may wish to mark my earlier post here as Solved as it appears to have solved your problem and may help others with the same problem that find your topic know the post that contains the answer. Click the Solved button in that post.

Marking posts that are helpful or solve the problem as Helpful or Solved, respectively, helps others find answers and awards points to those who take the time to respond. See "Why reward points?".

Marking a topic as Answered indicates the question is resolved, but only you, as the person who asked the question, can mark posts as Helpful or Solved. The "Answered" status neither awards points nor provides an indication to others of the posts that were either helpful or solved the problem.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Reply