TS3742: OS X: About kernel panics

Learn about OS X: About kernel panics
JP1033
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Q: I erased my hard drive on my 20' 2008 iMac and now when I try to install Snow Leopard from install disc, I get kernal panic "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the power button until it turns off, then press the power button again." Does it over

I erased my hard drive on my 20' 2008 iMac and now when I try to install Snow Leopard from my install disc, I get a kernal panic "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the power button until it turns off, then press the power button again." Using disc Utility, the hard drive appears OK.

What is wrong. Please help

iMac

Posted on Apr 17, 2013 6:30 AM

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JP1033

Q: I erased my hard drive on my 20' 2008 iMac and now when I try to install Snow Leopard from install disc, I get kernal panic "You n ... more

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  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 17, 2013 6:56 AM in response to JP1033
    Level 9 (52,089 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 17, 2013 6:56 AM in response to JP1033

    According to Mactracker, a 2008 20" iMac came with Leopard.  Have you tried the original install disk?  Perhaps the Snow Leopard disk is damaged.

     

    Can you print the kernel panic report so that someone can determine with specificity what may be the problem.  (not my strong suit).

     

    Ciao.

  • by ds store,

    ds store ds store Apr 17, 2013 12:39 PM in response to JP1033
    Level 7 (30,395 points)
    Apr 17, 2013 12:39 PM in response to JP1033


    Reboot the machine holding the option key down, when Startup Manager appears, click eject on the keyboard to eject the disk out of the machine.

     

    Clean the bottom of the 10.6 disk with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and a soft clean cloth and polish, allow to dry streak free.

     

    Reinsert and boot from the 10.6 disk (click the arrow), head to Disk Utility again and select your entire boot hard drive (drive makers name and size) and now click Erase, Security option > Zero All Data and then click Erase.

     

    Wait for it to finish, it's going to take some time. Once finished, then quit and use the installer to install OS X.

     

    If it fails, it's likely a bad, scratched or wrong disk for that machine.

     

    The 10.6.3 white retail disks will work in that machine, no gray or black ones will work.

     

    If the disk is bad, call Apple for a replacement copy.

     

    How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6

     

    For Snow Leopard Speed Freaks

     

     

    If the next disk fails, I would look at a failing machine or boot drive, you can test this by installing OS X on a blank powered EXTERNAL drive.

     

    .Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive

  • by JP1033,

    JP1033 JP1033 Apr 29, 2013 4:20 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 29, 2013 4:20 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    FYI - Turned out to be RAM related. Even though System Report said both slots were 800Mhz & OK, I ended up pulling them to see if reseating them might somehow help and found that slot 2 stick said 667 Mhz. Tried installing with just the 1ghz of ram in slot 1 and it works flawlessly. Thanks for your reply though!!

  • by JP1033,

    JP1033 JP1033 Apr 29, 2013 4:21 AM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 29, 2013 4:21 AM in response to ds store

    FYI - Turned out to be RAM related. Even though System Report said both slots were 800Mhz & OK, I ended up pulling them to see if reseating them might somehow help and found that slot 2 stick said 667 Mhz. Tried installing with just the 1ghz of ram in slot 1 and it works flawlessly. Thanks for your reply though!!