Another Mac Question

November 12, 2007 11:01 AM

Yes, another ibook question... Freezing/Crashing...(more inside)

Okay, I know this has been asked before on Ask Mefi, but it just gets so specific from machine to machine I thought I'd ask again. Of note, I am not the most computer savvy person.

Here goes: I have a 14" 1.33 GHz Power PC G4, w/ 1.25GB RAM ibook bought in Feb, 2005 that runs 10.4.10, has 5 GB left on a 60 GB hard drive (lots o' music)... In the last 2 days (and for the first time), it has crashed/frozen twice... The first time, an odd warning with 4 different languages came up telling me to turn off the power. The second time, the screen flashed 4 different colors, ultimately forcing me to turn it off manually again.

Also of note: In the last year I had to get the video card replaced, (this is bad, but I can't quite remember if it was the video card. Basically, the monitor cut out on me. The sound still worked, nothing could be seen). Apple fixed whatever it was for $300 in lieu of me not having apple care. I also got the battery replaced. (went through 300 cycles).

Most recently I did 2 things...
1. I downloaded Safari 3.0.3, hated it, and have since got another version of 2.0.4 that oddly enough, has "2.0.4" on the icon in my dock.
2. Had to get a 65 Watt power adapter as my 45W frayed. Since then, these two things seem to be the catapult....

My question is this: What should I do at this point that doesn't involve spending a bunch of money on an older but for the most part up-to-date machine? Is it time to start thinking about getting a new one?

Thanks for hanging in there and reading this lenghty question...

posted by priested to computers & internet (9 comments total)

The thing with 4 different languages is called a kernel panic, and is indicative of the hardware and software not playing well together. If you're not using any kernel extensions (drivers for special hardware you have), this probably means that there is some sort of hardware problem since the default Mac OS X kernel extensions are pretty rock solid.

The whole flashing 4 different color thing is not a uniform error though, it definitely sounds as though the logic board or video card is breaking/broken.

If you can get the problem diagnosed more specifically (someone online can only do so much) by any apple authorized service center / apple store, you can scan ebay for the parts you need and try to pick them up on the cheap, which could save you a bunch. Otherwise, you've either gotta pay to get it fixed again or consider a new machine. Sorry, I know that's probably not the answer you wanted.

Best of luck.
posted by patr1ck at 11:10 AM on November 12, 2007

I hate to bring you down, but, yes, I do think it is time to get another machine. There's just too much going on here for it to be a quick, simple, cheap fix, IMO. I'm sorry.
posted by misha at 11:38 AM on November 12, 2007

If you have an external drive, you may be able to install a FRESH MacOS X install on the external drive and boot off of that. If spending a day or so in that environment, surfing the web etc...., running videos, making the motherboard nice and warm doesn't cause a new kernel panic, its likely a currupt software install.

If on the fresh system you continue to get kernel panics, it could be bad motherboard, bad memory or a loose connection.

You can reseat any extra RAM (that means take it out and put it back in) and see if that helps.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 11:46 AM on November 12, 2007

So basically, I should backup everything on my external hard drive and then reinstall Tiger 10.4.10 and monitor for more crashes? If a crash happens, it's probably internal (motherboard, video card, whatever)... If not, it could be a faulty software situation (like the reinstall of safari 2.0.4)? Thanks for the clarification... Appreciate the patience...
posted by priested at 11:59 AM on November 12, 2007

You should make a backup ASAP no matter what you do, esp if you are seeing possible motherboard problems. Save your data while you can.

I was recommending making a separate install on an external drive so you can do a test without losing your internal drive's current install.

You should be able to make an other bootable version of your operating system on the external drive and set your machine to boot up off of it and monitor for problems.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 12:07 PM on November 12, 2007

Safari lives entirely in userspace, it's extremely unlikely to have anything to do with causing a kernel crash. If you had recently installed a new wireless driver or some other software that modifies the kernel, that could be causing or at least contributing to your problems. It sounds most likely to be a purely hardware failure. I agree with everybody else: back up your data, reinstall & start shopping for a new machine.
posted by scalefree at 1:07 PM on November 12, 2007

I used to have kernel panics with OS X 10.3.9 and the latest version of Acquisition (at the time -- maybe 8 months ago?)
My iBook was purchased in December 2004 -- 1.2gHz G4.

I guess my point is that probably something you're running isn't playing nice with your hardware. But that doesn't mean you should throw the thing out the window and buy a new computer. I would reinstall OS X and your software, and if the problem continues, get an estimate or assessment of the problem, before listening to that little nugget of advice.
posted by loiseau at 9:18 PM on November 12, 2007

Backed up the entire hard drive last night.
Will update soon, once I find my Tiger start up discs.
Of note, I use emusic and they just introduced a new downloading program (installed it maybe a month ago)... I wonder if that would cause the kernal panics kind of like Acquisition did? who knows... Of note, I had another one today
while using Safari 2.0.4 with itunes open (new version of that just installed) as well as MS office open.... anyway, not sure if that means anything... thanks for the help.
posted by priested at 9:43 AM on November 13, 2007

well, not sure if anyone will check this, but after reinstalling Tiger, everything has been smooth so far... this will probably jinx it... fingers crossed until I have to buy a new one... thanks again
posted by priested at 3:57 PM on November 25, 2007