I get a kernel panic every time I try to install OS X 10.4 Tiger on an ibook g4. I have zeroed the disk and repaired with Disk Utility before reinstalling but I still get the kernel panic. Not sure if I need a new hard drive or how to proceed. Thanks
iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)
At which stage exactly is this happening? Are you able to install or is the KP happening when you try to boot from the installer disc? This is a black, retail version disc?
Are you sure the G4 has enough RAM to run Tiger?
Yes I bought this computer new and I am using the silver retail install discs. I ran memtest on the RAM twice and it passed. Yes I am sure the G4 has enough RAM. I was able to install Tiger on the 3rd try but I am pretty sure the KP is going to come up again. I started getting KP a few months ago (less often) and I did not know what it was then, I just turned off my machine and turned it back on again.
When I run Disk Utility to verify and repair permissions it alters some permissions; then if I run it again, it does the same thing.
Retail discs are black. In this instance "retail' means upgrade discs rather than ones which were supplied with a computer originally. However, if you managed to install using your silver discs then those are original.
Have you tried Apple Hardware test on the original discs? Use it in an extended test. For sporadic issues those test utilities may not always pick up on an issue. If they report an issue then it is real. If they do not report an issue it doesn't mean there isn't one.
If you suspect it is RAM and your machine has several chips you can always try removing one and see if it will run with just the other. Then swap out again.
When I run Disk Utility to verify and repair permissions it alters some permissions; then if I run it again, it does the same thing.
That is common & not a worry really.
RAM is really hard to test, any RAM test needs to run a couple of days at least, then can only be trusted if it finds a problem... sadly OSX presses the RAM Harder & in different ways & will "find" the error without ever noting it's a RAM problem directly.
I've had RAM so bad it wouldn't boot OSX at all & only boot the AHT RAM test one out of 5 times, but when AHT did boot the RAM always tested "good", replacing the RAM cured it. 🙂
Thanks Limnos and BDAqua:
Any idea where I can find the AHT in the original install disks. I looked for it but could not find it.
My G4 came with a bundle of 8 CDs. I just looked and one of them has Apple Hardware Test on it in big letters.
I just tried to search Apple's site for one for a G4 (it would help if you were more specific as to model). I couldn't find anything and it is not surprising since for Apple anything older than 5 years it is as if it never existed and they don't even want to know it ever existed.
If you don't know the model, find the Serial# & use it on one of these sites, but don't post the Serial# here...
https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349
But I think all G4 iBooks use Disc... 018-2056-A
I'm about to give up on Apple's site, so if you have more questions feel free...
My Site...
Howdy BD
Thanks for the other lookup links...
I have seen "selfsolve" reported as failing to find a device (I could find it if I searched hard enough) -- in that case, http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/ found it right away (OP posted the serial number which then got edited out)
*makes ya wonder where these folks get their database?
Thanks for your link also! 🙂
Kernel panic when installing os x 10.4 on ibook g4
