Kernel panics ad infinitum

Hi,

My girlfriend's Imac is in a mess!! We are getting repeated kernel panics at start-up, so now we can't even get past the white screen with the dial!
I've tried everything that I've been recommended by a Just Answer specialist, but have got to the stage now where any other extreme ideas may just do it!

I've tried, booting from my macbook pro discs to start disk utility, it doesn't start up, safe mode won't start, target disk mode won't start...all the special button start ups won't start, I think I've tried them all!!

I've also pulled out the RAM cards one at a time and tried that but to no avail!

I got close to carbon copying once this morning, after holding the mouse button down through start-up but the Imac panicked before I got to save her documents.

The only option the online help thinks now is to remove the hard drive and put it in my enclosure to back it up on my mac book, or to try forcing (hold X) while my carbon copy external is connected to try and open disk repair from that.
BUT, my install disk is still inside and I can't boot from that, or get it out!! so what's the chances??

Any other ideas out there?? Is this hardware or software do you think??

Please find below the panic log and the computer details

Any info or advice appreciated!!

Thanks

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 696 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 2
Anonymous UUID: 61B12C68-9D1E-49D6-BA64-11E3E45810AD

Fri Oct 30 00:18:38 2009
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x00C6CD7C): "AppleAHCIPort:opulatePRDTable [2715] status 0 segs 0 phys 0x0 : 0x0 \n"@/SourceCache/AppleAHCI/AppleAHCI-170.0.1/AppleAHCIPort.cpp:2715
Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x20d3bbc8 : 0x12b4c6 (0x45f91c 0x20d3bbfc 0x13355c 0x0)
0x20d3bc18 : 0xc6cd7c (0xc71f98 0xa9b 0x0 0x0)
0x20d3bc88 : 0xc705a3 (0x2b5b600 0x2b5da00 0x38ca700 0x1000)
0x20d3bcf8 : 0xc665ef (0x2b5b600 0x2b5da00 0x20d3bd28 0x42963b)
0x20d3bd38 : 0xc66fea (0x2b5b600 0x2b5da00 0x0 0xcea5b3)
0x20d3bd68 : 0xce4e50 (0x2a80f00 0x2b6c600 0x0 0x1a9ad9)
0x20d3bda8 : 0xce03cb (0x2b5ec00 0x2b15e38 0x0 0x0)
0x20d3bde8 : 0xce0f4e (0x2b66900 0x2b15e38 0x0 0x3f1571)
0x20d3be58 : 0xce67e1 (0x2b66900 0x2b15a28 0x2b5da00 0x0)
0x20d3be98 : 0xce58ba (0x2b5ec00 0x2b15a28 0x20d3beb8 0x2b5b61c)
0x20d3beb8 : 0xc6ec6a (0x2b6b500 0x2b5da00 0x0 0x0)
0x20d3bef8 : 0xc70332 (0x2b5b600 0x80 0x0 0x2a6f4f0)
0x20d3bf48 : 0xc6d4d2 (0x2b5b600 0x2bd9540 0x20d3bf78 0x136efd)
0x20d3bf68 : 0x425d58 (0x2b63fc0 0x522b60 0x20d3bfc8 0x13ec8f)
0x20d3bf98 : 0x425a3a (0x2b57180 0x511950 0x2b06000 0x429324)
0x20d3bfc8 : 0x1a14fc (0x2b57180 0x0 0x1a40b5 0x319e998)
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage(1.2.2)@0xcde000->0xceffff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily(1.5.0)@0xc64000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily(1.5.6)@0x6bd000
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort(1.7.0)@0xc6a000->0xc75fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x5ce000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily(1.5.0)@0xc64000
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily(1.5.0)@0xc64000->0xc69fff

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
9L30

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.8.0: Wed Jul 15 16:55:01 PDT 2009; root:xnu-1228.15.4~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: iMac4,1 (Mac-F42786C8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 57046939554
unloaded kexts:
(none)
loaded kexts:
com.pctools.iantivirus.kfs 1.0.1
com.apple.driver.InternalModemSupport 2.4.0 - last loaded 26672976183
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.1.8f2
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.0.2
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAPlatformDriver 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9d0
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 2.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAHardwareConfigDriver 1.7.1a2
com.apple.kext.ATY_Wormy 5.4.8
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleACPILPC 1.0.6
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 6.0.3
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 2.8.15
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.3.1
com.apple.ATIRadeonX1000 5.4.8
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 1.7.7
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.0.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 113
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 3.4.0a17
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleTyMCEDriver 1.0.0d28
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.1.8f2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHIDMouse 1.2.4b3
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 1.0.9b4
com.apple.driver.CSRHIDTransitionDriver 2.1.8f2
com.apple.driver.USBCameraFirmwareLoader 1.0.9
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 3.4.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.1.1
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 2.7.91
com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport 1.5.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.2.2
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 1.7.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA 2.0.1
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 3.9.7
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx 365.91.19
com.apple.driver.AppleFileSystemDriver 1.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.AppleYukon2 3.1.13b2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 3.4.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 3.3.5
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPCI 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.2.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.4
com.apple.driver.ApplePCIConfigurator 1.0.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
com.apple.security.seatbelt 107.12
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 1.6.77
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 3
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 76.2.0
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 199
com.apple.BootCache 30.4
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 9.4
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.7.1a2
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.6.9fc5
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.1
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 3.4.0a17
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 2.3.1d1
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 1.7.3
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 1.7.3
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.1.8f2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.1.8f2
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse 1.2.4b3
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 3.4.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 1.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily 2.0.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 216.1
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 3.4.9
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.5.6
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.5.5
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 2 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM41.0055.B08
SMC Version (system): 1.1f5
Serial Number (system): W86101TLU2N
Hardware UUID: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-0016CB88E1A5

Hold the eject key down while powering it on, get your disc out.. then backup the data as recommended... or, see if you can boot off that HDD in an external chassis (works for me ).. if that's the case I'd say you've got a processor problem, or other problem on the logic board.

Looks to me like a problem with the IO on the board itself.

I'd recommend a boot from the original disc that came with the machine and run the extended hardware test.

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

Hi guys,

The computer was second hand about a year ago, and we don't have the original discs!

Holding down eject does not get the disc out, the panic kicks in too soon!

Mr Dysfunction, do you agree that opening up the machine and getting the hard drive out is the only way to back it up now? Is there no other way to bypass this kernel panic and start the old bessie up?

Mr Bobtomay, what does a "problem with the IO on the board itself" mean exactly?? and what can we do?

Thanks for any ideas guys!!

Looks like a take-apart job to me. There are good video instruction clips on YouTube. You don't need to buy an enclosure for the HD, should you in fact remove it. Buy a USB/SATA adaptor kit, and you can transfer all the files you want to another Mac that way. Cost? About US$20.

BTW - IO means Input/Output, the essential function of the processor and logic board.

Thanks hughvane,

Ok, taking it apart seems quite scary to me, but at least all her info is still in there!!!

Maybe I'll get a tech guy round to do this. I have an enclosure for a 1Tb drive so I guess we can use this.

If it is the IO on the board then is this likely to be expensive to repair or replace??

We're considering salvaging the hard drive then selling the rest as spares for someone. Is there any point spending loads on this to get it fixed or should we get something newer?

Thanks

sammyseadog said:

Ok, taking it apart seems quite scary to me ... Maybe I'll get a tech guy round to do this. I have an enclosure for a 1Tb drive so I guess we can use this.

Click to expand...

Labour costs are what push up the price of repairs to (often) uneconomic levels. I agree, the job looks "scary", but if you're sufficiently confident to have a go, then repair to or replacement of whatever is wrong may be feasible, and preferable to buying another computer.

If it is the IO on the board then is this likely to be expensive to repair or replace?

Click to expand...

I/O is a function, not a specific part or component. I believe the usual thing is to replace the whole logic board, which includes the processor. Check with the Mac technician about cost of logic board replacement, the rest of the computer may be just fine.