PBG4: System Failure message (bluescreen) on start-up after a kernel panic

Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Buffalo, NY
Your Mac's Specs
Mac Pro G5 and a PowerBook G4
Hi everybody -

I tried searching the threads first, but I'm looking for something pretty specific, so I'll try to be as specific as possible. It's my first post, so I apologize if I'm in the wrong category.

I have a PowerBook G4. My specs:
Machine Name: PowerBook G4 15"
Machine Model: PowerBook5,4
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.33 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.8.6f0
Capacity: 74.41 GB
Available: 63.36 GB (10/5/09)
OSX Version 10.4.11


At the moment, it seems to be running fine. I'm on it now. I've verified the disk permissions and nothing seems to be out of place. The problem: over the last few weeks, I've been getting the intermittent kernel panic message. I power down, sometimes it reboots without a problem and I can keep going, if it doesn't I reset the PRAM and it starts up and seems to run fine. The only time I get the kernel panics is when I'm using multiple tabs in Firefox - it will either spontaneously quit or freeze and I'll get the "gray box" telling me to restart my computer. The last time I restarted I got a blue screen with the following message:

System Faliure: cpu=0; code=0000007 (corrupt skp lists)
Latest crash info for cpu 0
Exception state (sv=0x35D3E000)
PC=0x000A3C74: MSR=0X00001000; DAR=0x0B198014; BSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x0009D038; R1=0x0D05B800; XCP=0x00000098 (System Failure)
Backtrace:
0x000318A8 0x00091FC 0x00098F78 0x000643F4 0x00063E94 0x00069A8C
0x00069D54 0x0006528C 0x002788F0 0x00276D28 0x0027631C 0x002ABDB8 0x000ABD30 0x01A10EE0
Backtrace terminated - frame not mapped or invalid: 0xF0294420

Proceeding via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0=0x35D3E000) Not mapped or invalid. Stopping...

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.11.0: Wed Oct 10 18:26:00 PDT 2007; root:xnu-792.24.17~1/RELEASE_PPC
ethernet MAC address: 00:00:00:00:00:00
ip address: 0:0:0:0


Waiting for remote debugger connection.


I couldn't move the arrow using the touch pad or cursor keys, it was just frozen. I shut it down, restarted, and it's running like nothing even happened.

Does anyone have any ideas on what's going on? Preventative maintenance I should be doing? How I can fix or resolve this?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know it's super long...it's just so frustrating!! (...and no worries, of course I've backed-up!;D )
 
Joined
Jun 11, 2009
Messages
186
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Your Mac's Specs
MacBook Pro 500GB hard drive 4GB ram PowerMac G5 Dual 2.2GHz Mirrored 500GB HDD, Mac Mini, and more
Just shooting in the dark here cause I am not really sure what is going on with your PB ...

Most of the troubleshooting I do is strictly hardware no boot bad hard drives
bad memory or broken screens. ect.

have you tried
restarting pressing command (apple key) and s
running an fsck -fy to check for errors on your hard drive
I know you have run permissions but did you check this.

the other thing that I know will corrupt things is flaky memory as well
this will show up as kernel panics as well..

Hopefully there is not a more sever underlying problem with the hardware that
is just on the brink.

The other thing to try is try reinstalling firefox you said that it does it when
you have multiple tabs open but that could also suggest memory or swap
issues..
Try this and let us know..
 
OP
evolutionaire
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Buffalo, NY
Your Mac's Specs
Mac Pro G5 and a PowerBook G4
Thanks for the response, csegeek.

I did the easiest (in my opinion) first and reinstalled Firefox. After about 30 minutes of normal usage (which, for me, is multiple tabs open) I attempted to open another tab, it stalled in loaded, the gray box of doom appeared and I had to power down.

I re-started holding down command-S and ran the fsck -fy and received the following information:

**/dev/r disk 0s3
**Root file system
**Checking HFS Plus volume.
**Checking Catalog file.
Invalid node structure
(4, 7335)

I then restarted without any problems and it seems to be running. The kernel panics are intermittent and I can't figure the problem out. I was thinking of upgrading to OSx10.5 (I don't have the 10.4 install disk - I got the PB used and on its last legs for a song about a year and a half ago and have been fixing it up) and upping the RAM to (2) 512Mb DDR card. I have a brand new battery and a new power adapter. I just replaced the hard drive back in March - I can't see why a brand new hard drive would go so quickly. BUT I don't want to do these things (obviously) if my motherboard or processor is crapping out. Any ideas?
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Really need the disk in order to run a repair disk with Disk Utility instead of fsck.

The Catalog file basically keeps track of where everything is and the invalid node structure is telling you there are problems.

First thing I'd do is back up your drive. Then try the 'fsck -fy' as noted above again. If it comes back with 'file system was modifed', keep doing it until it comes back with 'appears to be ok'.

If it's not repairing - need that disk and/or an erase/install may be in order.
 
OP
evolutionaire
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Buffalo, NY
Your Mac's Specs
Mac Pro G5 and a PowerBook G4
Thanks, bobtomay. I backed up at the first kernel panic, so at least if I have to erase and re-install, I know I won't "lose" anything. Considering the problem I've been having, would you recommend that I buy an OSx10.4 disk or get the 10.5?

I really appreciate all the help, guys!!! :D
 
OP
evolutionaire
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Buffalo, NY
Your Mac's Specs
Mac Pro G5 and a PowerBook G4
Hi -

It's been a while since I've posted with the problem, but I've finally got the full resolution so I thought I'd share (in case it helps anyone).

The first thing I did was upgrade the RAM. I swapped out the (2) 256Mb cards for 512Mb cards and that took care of the kernel panics - no more gray boxes. I still had the invalid node when running an fsck -fy in single user mode.

I bit the bullet and upgraded my operating system (I went to Leopard). No more invalid nodes.

Thank you all for your help.

Amy

P.S. Since that worked so beautifully and I had the OS, I decided to upgrade my HD afterall, doubled my internal memory to 160GB, so now I have 1GB of RAM and 160GB of memory running 10.5.8 with an internal superdrive on the way...I'm in geek heaven and as close to dancing as I've ever been... :)
 

bobtomay

,
Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
26,561
Reaction score
677
Points
113
Location
Texas, where else?
Your Mac's Specs
15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Glad you got it all sorted out and have an almost new machine for not much money - missed posting back after your last one - that was probably when I was going through and deleting the 50 pages of subscribed threads I had - lol.


P.S. Just a friendly FYI - your internal memory is doubled for sure, but it is doubled to 1 GB of memory with the two 512 MB sticks you put in. In relation to your hard drive - that wouldn't be called memory, they're just referred to according to the size drive you have. Then taking about what is used vs free on the drive, it's just called simply used 'space' and free 'space'.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top