[X4U] cause of kernel panics?

[Randy B.Singer]

J Flenner said:

>At least, I think they're kernel panics: a box that orders me in 4 languages
>to shutdown and grays my screen over wherever I was when it happened.
>
>I use Mac OS 10.2.8 on a 17-inch flatscreen iMac, still under warranty. 
...
>I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow unless you tell me there's still 
>something I
>should try.

If your computer is still under warranty, taking it back to the shop is a 
good idea.

What you experienced was indeed a kernel panic.  See:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106227
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25392

If your Macintosh is in good working order you should never see a kernel 
panic.  In my experience, kernel panics are usually (but not always) 
caused by a hardware problem.  Most often bad RAM (usually non-Apple 
RAM), or a bad USB hub or USB device.  (It can also be due to an 
incompatible PCI card, but obviously that isn't the case with your iMac.)

Troubleshooting usually entails disconnecting all non-essential USB 
peripherals, and if that doesn't help, removing all non-Apple RAM and 
seeing if that helps.  You can also try moving RAM from one slot to 
another.

You can use Memtest (free) to check your RAM, but no memory testing 
utility can do a through job:
http://www.memtestosx.org/

If the problem isn't due to a USB peripheral or RAM, then you can start 
suspecting third party applications, especially those that install kernel 
extensions.  Ironically, you are using Norton Utilities to try and fix 
your problem.  Norton Utilities, when installed on your hard drive, have 
been implicated with causing nasty instability issues with OS X.

See:
http://www.macattorney.com/tutorial.html 
Item #'s 3, 10 and 11



Randy B. Singer
Co-Author of: The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th and 6th editions)

Routine OS X Maintenance and Generic Troubleshooting
http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html