Kernel Panic Problem

Hi, I'm using an iMac 17" flat screen (2003) running OSX 10.4.8

Recently the computer has been shutting down often on an irregular basis - sometimes it's ok for a couple of days - sometimes it shuts down 2 or 3 times in an hour.

When I restart it, I get the following log message

panic(cpu 0 caller 0x000A8800): Uncorrectable machine check: pc = 00000000002229F4, msr = 0000000040009030, dsisr = 000021A2, dar = 000000000576ACBE
AsyncSrc = 0000000000000000, CoreFIR = 0000000000000000
L2FIR = 0000000000000000, BusFir = 00000000fff00000

Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095138 0x00095650 0x00026898 0x000A8800 0x000A7A90 0x000AB780
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x2D5FDC80)
PC=0x002229F4; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0x0576ACBE; DSISR=0x000021A2; LR=0x00238694; R1=0x178E38A0; XCP=0x00000008 (0x200 - Machine check)
Backtrace:
0x00238668 0x000FB7A4 0x000FA42C 0x000D39A8 0x002AAE28 0x000AB930
0x00000002
Exception state (sv=0x2DB3B280)
PC=0x9001C040; MSR=0x0000F030; DAR=0x0576ACBE; DSISR=0x000021A2; LR=0x90B95314; R1=0xBFFFE180; XCP=0x00000030 (0xC00 - System call)

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.8.0: Fri Sep 8 17:18:57 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.12.6.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC

There doesn't seem to be any pattern as to the applications I have open. Sometimes I am using SKYPE, with Mail and Safari open. Sometimes only iTunes. Sometimes only Safari.

Can anyone help?

Insert the Hardware Test CD that came with your Mac and run the Extended Test. Quite often (but not necessarily all the time) kernel panics will be brought on by RAM going bad or another hardware component acting up.

If the Hardware Test doesn't spot anything unusual, create a new user account and use that one to see if the kernel panics happen there too. If they don't it means the problem is in your user account you are using at the moment. If it happens in the new account, it means the problem is system-wide.

BTW, it is said the Hardware Test results aren't always reliable as they can overlook certain problems or, if the problem is intermittent, it might not find it. So hang on this could be a process that will need a few days to solve. If you are pressed by time, you could always reinstall the OS.

Hi MacHeadCase,

Thanks a lot for your help.

Can I ask another question?

If I reinstall the OS, will I lose all of the applications that I have installed over the last few years? Will I lose all my photos/music/bookmarks etc?

Thanks again

Unfortunately yes because that would erase the hard drive.. That is why making backups is such a life saver.

Unless you did an Archive and Install but I am not terribly fond of that type of install.