iMac keeps crashing

For about a week now my iMac keep crashing. A shaded curtain descends from the top of the screen, and a message appears telling me I need to hold the start button down for a few seconds to restart my computer.

There are other issues as well, like today, my iTunes deleted 99% of my music (It was still in the iTunes folder Thankfully so I could out it back) and also some programs like Safari quite often.

Any help please? Is this a bug from an update? Anyone else experiencing these issues? How can I fix it? It seems like it's more likely to crash if i have a few apps open.

Kindest Thanks in advance!!

Still no answers for this one? Anyone please? It's doing my head in. Mac should never crash, now its every hour!!

Hi...

How old is your iMac?
Do you use Time Machine?
Does your iMac ever just start with a white screen and not turn on?

Go into Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility, then click on your hard drive in the sidebar, and press the Verify Disk button... Wait until it finishes, and then copy - and - paste the output in the box into a new post...

Thanks,
Arthur

Please provide details.

What year is your iMac? What version of OS X? Are you up to date with all of your updates? Run the disk check as @Gadgetmo has suggested.

Regards

Okay.. No reply from you. I'm guessing that you've got it working. In future, try and say if you have.

I've been having similar problems as well with crashing and files being deleted, though not to your extent. Mostly, it crashed a few times when trying to import a CD to iTunes, and also once when I tried to shut down the computer it just stayed on the background screen and I had to hold the button to force shutdown. It's not a consistent thing, but strange for a computer that is less than a week old. Also, iTunes deleted all of my music a few days ago but luckily they were still on my external HDD and I chalk that problem up to importing all of my music to a new computer (very time consuming and frustrating in general). Still, I'm satisfied with the iMac so far (I got the 21.5 inch model).

Like I said to the before person, please do the disk check and answer the questions:

How old is your iMac?
Do you use Time Machine?
Does your iMac ever just start with a white screen and not turn on?

Go into Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility, then click on your hard drive in the sidebar, and press the Verify Disk button... Wait until it finishes, and then copy - and - paste the output in the box into a new post...

From,
Arthur

Also, if your iMac is less than a week old, then you get 90 days free phone support and a 1 year warranty. But it's quite a rare thing to happen...

Kernal Panic when using Safari.

Report info

Interval Since Last Panic Report: -2 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 1
Anonymous UUID: 43AB17A7-B33B-42E2-90D5-BBBD0BFAE3B7

Sun Nov 28 13:57:56 2010
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x001AB0FE): Kernel trap at 0x00b61c1e, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x000000bc, CR3: 0x014c0000, CR4: 0x00000660
EAX: 0x2eba1630, EBX: 0x04eedc04, ECX: 0x04e9d000, EDX: 0x00000000
CR2: 0x000000bc, EBP: 0x2eba1668, ESI: 0x00000000, EDI: 0xffffffff
EFL: 0x00010246, EIP: 0x00b61c1e, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x04e90010
Error code: 0x00000000

Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x2eba1408 : 0x12b4c6 (0x45f91c 0x2eba143c 0x13355c 0x0)
0x2eba1458 : 0x1ab0fe (0x469a98 0xb61c1e 0xe 0x469248)
0x2eba1538 : 0x1a1713 (0x2eba1550 0x9 0x2eba1668 0xb61c1e)
0x2eba1548 : 0xb61c1e (0xe 0x48 0x2eba0010 0xb90010)
0x2eba1668 : 0xb69baa (0xc1d00005 0x1000000 0x1000003 0x40)
0x2eba16c8 : 0xb5c28f (0x2eba1858 0x6 0x0 0x0)
0x2eba1828 : 0xb4d402 (0x0 0x600d600d 0x7027 0x2eba1858)
0x2eba18e8 : 0xd3b01b (0xc1d00005 0x1000000 0x1000003 0x40)
0x2eba1918 : 0xd467ac (0x24374000 0x1000000 0x88100090 0x3e)
0x2eba38a8 : 0xd22189 (0x24374000 0x1000000 0x15 0x2437401c)
0x2eba39a8 : 0xb48b29 (0x24374000 0x0 0x2eba3ab2 0x80)
0x2eba3a08 : 0xb3d69d (0x4995000 0x0 0x2eba3ab2 0x80)
0x2eba3b38 : 0xb3ef44 (0x4995000 0xb4262c 0x2eba3bec 0x4)
0x2eba3c08 : 0xad0c18 (0x4995000 0x1 0x0 0x13)
0x2eba3c68 : 0xac9be6 (0x4995000 0x2eba3d2c 0x423c770 0x4995000)
0x2eba3c98 : 0x415e83 (0x4995000 0x423c770 0x423c770 0x0)
Backtrace continues...
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.NVDAResman(5.4.8)@0xb45000->0xda3fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(1.7.3)@0xb37000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x5db000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.7.3)@0xac1000
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(1.7.3)@0xb37000->0xb44fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x5db000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.7.3)@0xac1000
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(1.7.3)@0xac1000->0xaddfff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x5db000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: WindowServer

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: MacBookPro3,1 (Mac-F4238BC8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 20370116119
unloaded kexts:
(none)
loaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.InternalModemSupport 2.4.0 - last loaded 18858694871
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.1.9f10
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.0.2
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAPlatformDriver 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 2.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAHardwareConfigDriver 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.7.1a2
com.apple.GeForce 5.4.8
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 6.0.3
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 2.8.15
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 5.4.8
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros 320.16.2
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.7.1a2
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 2.1.1d2
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 113
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.0.6
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU 1.4.5d1
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 3.4.0a17
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleTyMCEDriver 1.0.0d28
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 1.7.7
com.apple.driver.CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.1.9f10
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTrackpad 1.7.4f1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyEventDriver 1.7.4f1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 1.7.4f1
com.apple.driver.CSRHIDTransitionDriver 2.1.9f10
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 3.5.2
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.AppleYukon2 3.1.13b2
com.apple.driver.AppleFileSystemDriver 1.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 3.5.2
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.2.2
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 3.9.7
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 1.7.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA 2.0.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 3.4.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 3.5.2
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 158.10.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.2.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPCI 1.2.5
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 1.8.77
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.NVDAResman 5.4.8
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 216.1
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 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.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.1.9f10
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.1.9f10
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.IONetworkingFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 3.4.9
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 1.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily 2.0.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 3.5.2
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


Can any one translate that into layman terms?

Disk Verify everything appears okay little mesage in green saying the volume of the disk is fine
Mac is three years old in two weeks
No time machine in use
and no white screen when turning on

any ideas what might be wrong and how to fix?

forgot to mention its a MacBook Pro 3,1 OS X Version 10.5.8

Go into the Safari menu and press About Safari. Which version does it say?

Also, which website were you on when the kernel panic happened?

Clear the Safari cache and trash the preference file (com.apple.safari.plist in the library/preferences folder in your home folder) and restart.

From,
Arthur

Hi Arthur,

Okay i have done what you said, took me a while to find that plist

i have Safari Version 5.0.3 (5533.19.4)

i wasnt on any website that i hadnt been on the two days prior to the kenal panic, the usually facebook, hotmail, forums etc.

I'm hoping what you suggested has fixed the problem

it was crashing ever 10minutes or so

i'll keep a update of how it gets on

i'll be back pronto if it hasnt worked haha.

Thanks

okay i bumping this because ive just spent the last 20minutes dealing with kernal panics again, its gotten worse, it wouldnt even get as far as the desktop before crashing. Any other suggest as to the problem and solution please and thanks.

Help!!!

Why does my Imac keep crashing..

I have an iMac Version 10.4.11
It supposedly has a "kernel trap" and I want a solution really bad cause this makes using the computer almost impossible to use.

gnice30 said:

Why does my Imac keep crashing..

I have an iMac Version 10.4.11
It supposedly has a "kernel trap" and I want a solution really bad cause this makes using the computer almost impossible to use.

Click to expand...

Hard to say with the extremely general information you've provided here. Start here with troubleshooting and please do not cross-post.

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/93819-basic-os-x-mac-troubleshooting.html

Hi Maxi,

Do you have another Mac? If so, start up your iMac in FireWire mode (hold down the T key until you see the FireWire logo). Connect your iMac to your other Mac with FireWire. Transfer all your important files from your iMac to your other Mac. Also, make note of all the applications that you've got on your iMac. If you haven't got another Mac/FireWire Cable then you can just plug an external drive into your iMac and transfer files to there

Then I'm afraid you'll have to reinstall Leopard, but make sure you set it to do a clean install in the options. By the way this will delete EVERYTHING on your iMac. Afterwards transfer all your important files back to your iMac and see how it goes...

Arthur

Before anyone goes reinstalling OS X you should really rule out a hardware issue.

Run the Apple Hardware Test using instructions here:

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

Those of us who are used to Windows have a tendency to want to reinstall the OS if the problem seems severe, but in reality UNIX-based OSes are just not prone to collecting the kind of cruft that Windows does. So, this is almost never necessary. At most, you might want to consider creating a new user account.