iMac G4 Keeps Crashing

Question

iMac G4 Keeps Crashing

I have an iMac G4 and it keeps crashing. I've zapped PRAM, bought more RAM, re-formated HDD, installed Mac OS X over and over, I don't know what else to do. Even if I boot it up and let it run, it will eventually crash, but at random times. If I re-boot right after it crashes, it crashes again, but if I wait, it doesn't. Any ideas? If you need anymore info please ask.

iMac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.9), 800MHZ, 512MB RAM

Posted on Jun 5, 2007 10:13 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 5, 2007 11:01 PM in response to derekwilkinson

Hello derek:

Have you taken a look at the crash logs to see if anything looks "funny?"

Barry

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Answer 2

Jun 5, 2007 11:43 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I found the Kernel Panic log, but found nothing in it. I also found a log of everything, and no sign of it even crashing. It is very strange.

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Answer 3

Jun 6, 2007 5:53 AM in response to derekwilkinson

Hi derek:

Try running the hardware checker that came with your computer's software. It is odd that nothing is appearing in the logs. Have you looked at the console and system logs after a crash occurs?

Barry

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Answer 4

Jun 6, 2007 9:58 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

I don't have the original CDs... 😟

It crashes most of the time before I can do much, but I will give it a try.

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Answer 5

Jun 6, 2007 11:07 AM in response to derekwilkinson

Here is the log file
I found this interesting...

Jun 6 12:54:22 christopher-wilkinsons-imac crashdump[233]: Unable to save crash report!\n

Edit: It crashed with the log the screen. It says, "Exception State (sv=0x2DEABA00)
and another thing that seems to be of importance...
"Unresolved kernel trap (cpu:0) 0x300 - Data Access DAR=0x0000000000000000 PC=0x000000000002F27B

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Answer 6

Jun 6, 2007 12:43 PM in response to derekwilkinson

Hello derek:

Without being able to run basic troubleshooting things from your original software install DVD, there is a problem. Crashes may be either hardware or software related. I scanned through the log file, but nothing jumped out at me.

If you have reinstalled OS X, it would "appear" to indicate that the crashes are hardware-related. Again, it is hard to tell without running the hardware checker and repair disk from the DVD.

Barry

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Answer 7

Jun 6, 2007 12:51 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

I reformated the HDD and tried to re-install Mac OS X, and it crashed. I then tried to reformat it again, and it said it couldn't un-mount the HDD. So, I think it is the HDD...

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Answer 8

Jun 6, 2007 2:08 PM in response to derekwilkinson

Hello Derek:

Sounds logical.

If you can bring the system up without crashing, open disk utility. Highlight the HD (not your files). At the bottom will be something called S.M.A.R.T. If that says anything other than "verified," you have a failing HD.

Barry

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Answer 9

Jun 22, 2007 12:16 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

Does Verbose mode run off the HDD? Because even in Verbose mode, it crashes. It runs fine off the Tiger DVD, but when it is installing Mac OS X, it crashes (which accesses the HDD).
Edit: it says the SMART status is verified... but than what could it be?

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Answer 10

Jun 22, 2007 12:44 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

Now this is weird...

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Answer 11

Jun 29, 2007 4:19 PM in response to derekwilkinson

I booted off an iBook G4 runing in Firewire Target Mode, and it still crashes. So I am guessing it could be the RAM? What else could it be?

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Answer 12

krik48

Level 1

0 points

Jul 2, 2007 10:38 PM in response to derekwilkinson

i also have a crashing imac. Mine, however, doesn't seem to fit a pattern. It may go for months running smoothly, then wham, it's crash city. I have run a hardware test and it reports the following error code: disp/13/2. This occurred after unplugging all nonessential peripherals.

Any suggestions?

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