[G4] Memory Cache Problem 400 Mhz Sawtooth

[Mel]

Cache is fast memory that helps the processor retrieve instructions 
faster and is usually on the processor module. If you can find a 
machine which you can swap the processor card on you can check it out 
that way, or it might be time for that new processor upgrade you've 
been wanting.
Mel

On Thursday, September 25, 2003, at 09:25  AM, Lynn K. Persing wrote:

> G4 400 mhz AGP Sawtooth running OS 9.1
>
> I think I've got big problems.  This morning when trying to reboot my 
> computer after a crash, my boyfriend discovered this message on boot. 
> "Apple's built-in memory test has discovered a problem with memory 
> cache.  Please contact an Apple Service Technician."  It then proceeds 
> to boot, I get my desktop, but then I get the message that the finder 
> has unexpectedly quit and I should restart.  If I click restart, it 
> goes into a finder loop again.  So I have to hit the button on the 
> front of the machine.  And the whole flippin mess starts all over 
> again.
>
> So I tried a few things. Booting with extensions off, booting from a 
> Tech Tool CD (it won't boot from any cd).  With extensions off, I got 
> the same error message but it stayed running long enough for me to 
> trash a bunch of system and finder prefs.  That didn't help.  I also 
> ran the ROM (?) checker in Tech Tool and my L2 cache was not being 
> recognized.
>
> So, then I shut it all down and opened it up, and blew the dust out 
> with some canned air.  I re-seated my RAM (which probably makes no 
> difference at all since the problem is not with my RAM).  I hit the 
> cuda button and started it up again.  I got the same message so I hit 
> restart and this time it booted correctly and in Apple System Profiler 
> my L2 cache is now recognized and it seems to be working ok. I'm 
> guessing that I'm on borrowed time with this motherboard though.
>
> Anyone else experience this?  Am I going to have to shell out bucks 
> for a new computer?  Figures, the trusty ol' 6500 that I wanted to 
> replace soon is still running like a charm.
>
> I'm headed out of here today for a mini vacation in NH, so may not 
> check back in until Tuesday for advice.  Any advice anyone has would 
> be appreciated.  Really dreading shelling out the bucks for a new 
> machine.  Maybe just a new motherboard?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lynn