11-04-2007, 06:41 PM

Sometimes I will be working on something and my screen will suddenly and without warning turn to a semi-transparent grey color (like a windowshade coming down from the screen top) and a box comes up (in four languages!) saying simply: "You must restart your computer by pressing and holding the power button." Everything is locked up at this point and I have to restart as commanded. Its also happened like 10 times in the few days I've had my mac and its very annoying, even though my mac does start up very fast.

I searched for a solution and I found out that it might be a kernel panic or something, so I found the panic.log....

Sun Nov 4 18:30:59 2007
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0039CDE0): "m_free: freeing an already freed mbuf"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1228/bsd/kern/uipc_mbuf.c:2742
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x211bb978 : 0x12b0e1 (0x4555b4 0x211bb9ac 0x133238 0x0)
0x211bb9c8 : 0x39cde0 (0x48cc84 0x1d48f200 0x3fb5001c 0x0)
0x211bba08 : 0x39d0dc (0x1d431200 0x8 0x211bba58 0x1)
0x211bba28 : 0x9e3b87 (0x1d48f200 0x0 0x20 0x2)
0x211bbb98 : 0x9e3ec5 (0x128ca2c8 0x128cc150 0x1bc8d 0x0)
0x211bbce8 : 0x9ef20b (0x129d7004 0x0 0x29b1c7c 0x19ccc1)
0x211bbe68 : 0x9bf84a (0x128ca4c0 0x2034836f 0x211bbe88 0x1a136f)
0x211bbeb8 : 0x9c0f3f (0xa47c80 0xa47c84 0xb0600000 0x0)
0x211bbf48 : 0x9bf4b7 (0x29b7804 0x0 0x0 0x19ccc1)
0x211bbf78 : 0x13e987 (0x29b7c94 0x29b7804 0x0 0xb070da48)
0x211bbfc8 : 0x19e2ec (0x0 0x0 0x1a10b5 0x34dc3a0)
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros(300.22)@0x9be000->0xa48fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family(200.7)@0x9a0000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.4)@0x63b000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(1.6.0)@0x64b000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
9A581

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.0.0: Tue Oct 9 21:35:55 PDT 2007; root:xnu-1228~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBook2,1 (Mac-F4208CAA)


I don't know if that helps at all, but its all greek to me. Please help me if you have ever heard of this.

~Sean

11-04-2007, 07:00 PM

it is being caused by the airport card.

What version OS X do you have?

If you have not installed all the updates, you may need to, if yours is due to the typical problem that was happening earlier in the year, one of the updates fixes it.

11-04-2007, 07:07 PM

I have leopard. Just got this like 2 days ago
Also, everything is updated, or at least the software update says so.

Ugh I was on the phone with apple for 20 minutes (nobody even answered after I talked to the automatic thing), and then another 15 minutes on the next call (I gave up and called again). This is rediculous. I can hear stuff in the background each time so its almost like the phone is just down.

11-04-2007, 10:30 PM

go get it exchange for a new one...

11-05-2007, 06:49 AM

If you just got your Mac 2 days ago, would take it back for exchange if you bought it at a store.

The line you're looking for in the panic logs is the one that has Airport.Atheros in it. If they all have that line, from past experience, they've all been caused by the Airport card.

The hold times are probably still pretty long right now as a lot of people are blaming every problem under the sun on Leopard. You might try calling them right when the lines open at the beginning of the day.

In the meanwhile, you might try turning Airport off and using a cable.

11-05-2007, 06:59 AM

Would it be possible to exchange it for a new one? I looked at apple's website and macbooks aren't one of the things to exchange. It says things like the macbook pro's battery problem and you can exchange ipods and stuff, but I don't know what I would do to exchange this for a new one. Also, the nearest apple store is like 2 hours away so I don't think I wanna do that unless I have to. If they would just answer the phone I might be able to get stuff done.
Also, if I did get a new macbook, would I be able to just use time machine and transfer everything over just like that? Because I have an external hard drive with time machine saving everything. Thanks for the help guys

11-05-2007, 01:39 PM

just drive to the store and save the hassle of trying to fix it or the hassle from getting apple to answer the phone! if you bought it within 2 weeks, you can get a refund if they don't exchange it. Once you get your refund, go buy another mac... simple as that.

i believe time machine will only back up your media files (photos, video, documents)... but you should double check and make sure you have everything you need back up on your external harddrive.

11-05-2007, 01:58 PM

A four hour drive, plus waiting at the Apple Store may not be an option for the OP. Plus they should be able to answer their phones on a timely basis for trouble shooting, they sure do when making a sale. And if he bought AppleCare, he shouldn't have to go to the store.

If they are overwhelmed with calls due to the Leopard release, they should hire some temps. Maybe he bought it online at either Apple.com or one of the resellers. I don't blame him at all for being a bit upset.

11-05-2007, 02:49 PM

Yeah I bought it online...I have off school tomorrow (election day) so I might just take a day trip up to the apple store and go to the huge mall there while I'm at it. I've called 4 times now, each for more than 15 mintues (one for thirty something minutes) and still no help.
Also, if I bought it on my dad's credit card, would I be able to get a refund at the apple store, or would I have to get the transaction voided and buy with cash there? Because I'd love to just buy the new macbook while I'm there. I hope they could just replace this one with a fresh new one.

11-05-2007, 03:32 PM

Make an appointment via Apples online retail store apointment system. If you show up without one, they will get you to do it there and the time slot you receive will suck.

11-06-2007, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by icywings8

Sometimes I will be working on something and my screen will suddenly and without warning turn to a semi-transparent grey color (like a windowshade coming down from the screen top) ...

Ahhh ... welcome to my world about once every single week (sometimes more, sometimes less) for the past year or so. I have a G4 Mini, however, and someone once suggested after ranting about this several months ago that my semi-transparent restart messages are likely due to a faulty RAM stick. Go figure about the Airport card theory - who knows for sure. In any case, this problem NEVER appeared until about 10.4.3, and I'm up to date with 10.4.10.

Anyhow, I've reminded Apple every time I send the error report after restarting that this is a chronic problem, but to no avail. I'm as updated as can be but the problem never goes away with each new update. There is no rhyme or reason as to when or why my message appears, so I've grudgingly learned to live with it.

However, this is the only real problem with my Mac. Unless I start getting the reboot message - the Mac version of the "blue screen of death" - every day or so, I'll be using my Mini for at least another 2 years before considering a 'Mactel'. Although no computer is perfect - not even a Mac - even this problem will never cause me to go back to the frustrating world of Windows that I left 2 1/2 years ago.

11-07-2007, 05:25 AM

I think I should update because of my experience yesterday. I drove to the apple store, and an employee helped me right away. I didn't even have an appointment, but he said he'd help me anyway. I described my situation, and after I was done, he took a look at my macbook, went somewhere to ask his manager, and came back with a brand new one. He gave me the brand new macbook (upgraded version too), filled out some forms, gave me a receipt, and said thanks for shopping at apple. I was so surprised... I almost bought an ipod on the way out just to support apple. The lady over the phone said if I wanted a replacement I'd have to pay the 10% restocking fee, but actually going to the apple store saved me all of that money. All of the employees were so nice too.
Anyways, I just thought I'd share my great apple store experience with you all =D
And iWish...have you checked your panic logs? They will tell you what the cause is of your kernel panic. If you google it you can probably find out how to find them (I forgot how myself...I just remember its in the console)