Freezing/crashing Powermac G4

Hi there, I am having a slight problem with the mac I bought the other day. It's running 10.4.11 had 2Ghz CPU, 1.5gig ramm and 150gig HDD.

The problem is, it keeps freezing after 10 mins of inactivity or tells me i need to restart the computer in about 5 different languages.

What could be the problem?

Please help

That's a Kernel Panic. It's usually caused by a Hardware issue. Try re-seating the Ram, sometimes that can help.

Otherwise, do you have any install disks so you can run the Apple Hardware Test?

So your G4 powermac is a Tower? That is an aftermarket CPU. I have seen some of them after years of use start to die and throw off Kernel Panics. Most clocked that high are actually Overclocked by the manufacture like Sonnet, Giga Designs, ETC. That is one reason I am so against Major Overclocking as it often shortens the life of the CPU.

Your Issue might also be RAM related. Try pulling one stick at a time (With the power off!!!) and then rebooting. See if the Kernel Panic still happens.

I have also seen a few G4 CPUs with BAD Cache RAM and got a Kernel Panic every time I tried to boot. Had to replace the CPU.

I had a bit of a monster Kernel panic yesterday, screen went black and loads of white writing. I opened up the machine about 15 mins ago and re-seated the Ram directly under the fan, it seems to be ok now.

Yes I have the install disks, so if it happens again i'll run the apple hardware test, thank you for your help

Misfits-138 said:

I had a bit of a monster Kernel panic yesterday, screen went black and loads of white writing. I opened up the machine about 15 mins ago and re-seated the Ram directly under the fan, it seems to be ok now.

Yes I have the install disks, so if it happens again i'll run the apple hardware test, thank you for your help

Click to expand...

My G4 DA with a Giga Designs 1.8 Ghz G4 all of a sudden started to KP. It turned out the RAM slots were dirty. Cleaned them and the contacts on the RAM and it was stable again.

And yes Dtravis7 it is a tower. It is also quite dusty in there, what is the best way to clean it, could this be causing the problem? or is that just clutching at straws lol

Dust and dirt are bad for a computer. Some friends of mine use an air compressor, some use cans of compressed air, But I use my Kirby G5 Vacuum in Blower mode. It BLASTS all the dust and dirt right out of my machines! If you try that don't do it in the house unless you want your house filled with dust!

Whoops, keep posting at the same time lol I'll give the inside a good clean. what is the best way to do it.

dtravis7 said:

Dust and dirt are bad for a computer. Some friends of mine use an air compressor, some use cans of compressed air, But I use my Kirby G5 Vacuum in Blower mode. It BLASTS all the dust and dirt right out of my machines! If you try that don't do it in the house unless you want your house filled with dust!

Click to expand...

I'll see if i can get hold of come compressed air, it is pretty dirty in there, looks like the previous owners took much care if it.

This is after cleaning my PowerMac G4 1.8Ghz with the Kirby!

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

Wow that is amazing, I'll take a pic of mine in a minute and show what is like.

hopefully this has worked.

Needless to say, I will be getting compressed air, £1.39 from amazon

You may need a soft clean paint brush to wipe down the metal areas..take it outside to blow it out. You should also reseat the pci cards. After you get it to run ...you should repair permissions.