Reluctant to Boot (first, chime), Freezes or gives Kernel Panic in OS.
Hi Folks,
I've found some great questions and comments on iFixit, and commented there myself, but was recommended by Mayer to start up a new Question. So, here goes:
My PowerMac G5 (June 2004) is very reluctant to boot. My situation is very similar to that of others who have posted (with no resolution). Most of the time I'll get no chime, and will only hear the optical drive revving up, will not get video, and all this will be followed a few minutes later by fans which get increasingly louder, forcing me to shut it down manually.
Thanks to some posts, I tried resetting the PMU/SMU by the button on the bottom of the Logic Board. That worked to allow the computer to boot, and I heard the lovely chime and finally got power to the screen. I thought I was home free. The next day however, the computer froze with a Kernel panic that read as follows:
System Failure: cpu=1; code=00000001 (Corrupt Stack)
Latest crash info for cpu 1:
Exception state (sv=0x6bc1ea00)
I checked out some forums that had similar errors (though none exactly the same beyond the first line) and when I was able to boot the next time and get into the OS, I checked the system profile and noticed that it said I had 2 processors (which I do).
I read some other forum threads that said one should check the Console to look for consistent errors. I noticed one of this basic nature occurring a lot:
com/apple.SystemStarter[X] The process has forked and you cannot use this CoreFoundation functionality safely. You MUST exec().
Break on __ THE_PROCESS_HAS_FORKED... to debug.
''[the ... is mine, indicating that it's the same message as prior]
[X = several different numbers]''
I also notice this message
... *** error for object 0xa1b1c1d3: Non-aligned pointer being freed.
- set a breakpoint in malloc_error_break to debug
[... = osascript(289), and other things in other instances, or perhaps it was just the number that changed]
I was able to get to the console because it started to boot and even restart successfully. However, the Apple Hardware Test procedure didn't go so well.
I was unable to use a USB keyboard to enter commands during boot, but was able to use the Apple BlueTooth one. I was only able to get it to recognize the holding down of "Alt" during startup, though, which allowed me to boot to the AHT DVD. I started performing the Extended Test and the G5 froze after 50 seconds and the fans remained blowing very loudly.
I had devised a method which seemed like it was working to make the G5 start:
1) Unplug power
2) Reset PMU
3) Plug cable back in while holding power button
4) Release and then press power button
Alas, this process didn't work after two times, so I don't think it was the process itself that was doing it. Perhaps it's the amount of time between attempted starts.
Oh, and BTW, I tried removing and switching out RAM. No go.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to use it, but if you could direct me to the Apple Service Diagnostic, that'd be great.
Thanks Mayer, and thanks All,
Andrew
Is this a good question?
2 Comments
+ excellently stated question. I have some ideas but need to get into my Apple Service manual and refresh myself to avoid giving you any red herrings.
What is your current RAM configuration?
by mayer
My current config is 1 GB of Ram. I had 5 total (2-1 Gigs, and 6-512 MB) when the unit failed, took out the 2-1 Gig chips to put in another computer, and have tried booting with just one pair in at a time, trying different pairs. No luck. I think it's probably not a RAM problem, given the lack of chime. From what I've read, similar non-boot problems seem to go away temporarily when the G5 has been left unpowered for a period of time. I just got home and tried to boot and got a Gray screen with an Apple. I couldn't get any video before I left. 30 minutes+ did something, even though I did have it plugged in during that period of time.
by Andrew