After a month of kernel panics, my computer will no longer start.

[Zazzle]

I'm almost certain that this is a hardware issue after having issues on both my Mac and in Bootcamp on XP, and after trying to recreate the issue, but I'll post it here just to be safe.

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro

After about a month of kernel panics, my Mac crashed one more time and will no longer start. It sits at a black screen and just beeps, sometimes once, three times or more. Occasionally, it will go to a gray screen with a loading bar and an apple logo, but it returns to the black screen seconds later. I've been waiting for a friend to bring me an osx startup disk so I can fix it from the disk utility, but in the meantime I've been avoiding suspect programs as well as starting the computer holding command + s and typing /sbin/fcsk fy as many people have suggested, though each time my hard drive returns with no issues. My friend is coming back this week with the disk, but I am afraid it will be impossible even to boot from that. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't have apple care or a warranty so going to the nearest apple store (one hour away) or the nearest servic providerr (a few minutes away) doesn't seem good. What should I do? I'm also slightly worried because I installed a firmware update not long before the panics started, to get around the region limitations of the DVD drive (which I'm almost certain voids any warranty I could have had...). I'm hoping this didn't cause any problems, since these panics seem to be related to RAM but the timing is just too convenient. Could this be a factor?

If you need any more information, I'll try to tell you anything. Thanks for your time!

 

[harryb2448]

G'day and welcome to the forums.

KP's are hardware related. You do need your very own system software disc. If your friend has a different model Mac the same species e.g. MacBook, iMac etc, the disc will not work.

And often these are connected to memory failures. Put any new memory in recently?

Ohh those firmware updates. There is NO getting around region restrictions and it is possible you have killed your superdrive. Also a suspect is the hard drive. If you had your own discs things may have been remedied earlier, alas.

With no software disc how did you get the operating system, whatever it is as you have not provided system details, up and running? You should have received system discs with a 2009 MacBook Pro.

 

[Zazzle]

G'day and welcome to the forums.

KP's are hardware related. You do need your very own system software disc. If your friend has a different model Mac the same species e.g. MacBook, iMac etc, the disc will not work.

And often these are connected to memory failures. Put any new memory in recently?

Ohh those firmware updates. There is NO getting around region restrictions and it is possible you have killed your superdrive. Also a suspect is the hard drive. If you had your own discs things may have been remedied earlier, alas.

With no software disc how did you get the operating system, whatever it is as you have not provided system details, up and running? You should have received system discs with a 2009 MacBook Pro.

Howdy! And thank you!

My friend also has a MacBook pro, though it may be from a different year. I just assumed it would be the same disc, since it had the OS on it.

I have actually been able to get around the region restrictions, but I wouldn't be surprised if the hard drive has something to do with it now. At the time, the worst I assumed could happen is that my CD drive would be unusable. Oops?

Earlier the kernel panics would occur, and after waiting a few minutes I would be able to restart my computer, in either 10.6.8 (sorry to leave that out) or Windows XP (service pack 3) on BootCamp, if that helps to know. The thing is, I have the disc at home, but currently I am at school and did not think to bring it with me. Also I am in a position that makes it difficult to return home. Should I have my own discs sent to me asap? Will I be able to boot from the disc and use disc utilities to remedy the situation?

Thanks for the response I really appreciate it!

 

[harryb2448]

Get the discs mailed to you. They are invaluable trouble shooters.

 

[Zazzle]

Alright, so I have the discs. After attempting to repair my disc, which was successful, the computer had another kernel panic upon start up. Now, I am lucky to even make it past the gray loading screen! I am going to set up an appointment at the genius bar as soon as possible, but does anyone have any suggestions for the meantime? I would like to back-up some things, but I can't get on, even in safe mode. At least it won't be hard to prove my computer is having these panics >_>

 

[harryb2448]

Pop in disc one of the original discs, and hold down D after the chime to access Apple Hardware Test and run the extended mode and see what is reported.