how do you fix kernel panic?

powiuet · May 15, 2009

hi i was updating my macbook when i closed the moniter and opened it back up then it shut down. so then when i tried to turn it on. this came out.
(reading other things i found out taht i shouldn't have done that)
i cant log in or do anything. i've tried the whole press option and turn it on also command option + R + P or something. i dont know what to do. i cant go on the system preferences or anything.

panic(cpu 0 caller 0x001A8CEC): Kernel trap at 0x00000000, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x00000000, CR3: 0x01af9000, CR4: 0x00000660
EAX: 0x00000001, EBX: 0x001363b6, ECX: 0x00000000, EDX: 0x00000598
CR2: 0x00000000, EBP: 0x1bfabf38, ESI: 0x035ef800, EDI: 0x00000001
EFL: 0x00010002, EIP: 0x00000000, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x00000010
Error code: 0x00000010

Debugger called: <panic>
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x1bfabd28 : 0x12b0fa (0x459234 0x1bfabd5c 0x1333243 0x0)
0x1bfabd78 : 0x1a8cec (0x4627a0 0x0 0xe 0x461f50)
0x1bfabe58 : 0x19eed5 (0x1bfabe70 0x216 0x1bfabf38 0x0)
0x1bfabe68 : 0x0 (0xe 0x48 0x1bed0010 0x10)
0x1bfabf38 : 0x1be86d73 (0x3421c00 0x0 0x34816b0 0x3481a78)
0x1bfabf58 : 0x1be8b30b (0x34816b0 0xefb7c48 0x0 0x6ece)
0x1bfabfc8 : 0x19eccc (0x0 0x0 0x1a20b5 0x3481a78)
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with de..... this part gets cut off from the sign saying you need to restart your computer. etc.
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagem... this part gets cut off from the sign saying you need to restart your computer. etc.

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: W....this part gets cut off from the sign saying you need to restart your computer. etc.

Mac OS version:
Not yet set

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.5.0: Wed Sep 3 11:29:43 PD...this part gets cut off from the sign saying you need to restart your computer. etc.
System model name: MacBook2,1 (Mac-F4208CAA)

Please Help

also i bought this laptop from my school so i never had the mac os x cd.

Collin Bl · May 15, 2009

Here is that path i would follow;
First Step;
Start computer by pressing power button then holding down the Shift key (L or R)

it will take a bit longer to boot up but will not load any extra apps.

If that makes no difference to problem;

Start computer by pressing power button;
and hold down Command Option P and R buttons at same time and hold until you have heard the start chimes 3 times, then release all buttons and let it boot up.

Practice holding the 4 buttons first before pressing power button as it can be a bit of of a juggle.

If that does not sort issue;

then find DVD that came with computer and press the power button and immediately insert the DVD and once it goes in Hold the D key down.
When it boots up hit return and then select which Hardware test you want to run, probably a good idea to do the extended test even though it may take an hour to an hour and a half to run through.

If that does not identify any issues then shutdown and restart holding down the C and it should boot up off of the DVD

If you are no further ahead then it is time to take it to an apple repairer.

Kevriano · May 15, 2009

Which software are you using?
I would start up holding command and 's' to boot in single user mode and then run FSCK. This is how Apple advised me to cure kernel panic many moons ago.
While it won't necessarily fix what caused the panic, most times it does.
It sounds and looks scary at first, but it's not really.

So. start up holding the Apple and "s' keys and keep them held until some text starts loading. Release them and let the text load.
Type the following exactly as this with the spaces fsck -fy and then press the return key.
The system runs through a load of checks. If it comes back with errors repeat until it says "the Macintosh HD appears to be ok"
Type reboot.
That should be it. You can then zap pram as has been suggested.
You could also reset everything else if you wish.
Start up holding Command, Option, O and F.
When the text has loaded type the following:

reset-nvram then press return
set-defaults then press return
reset-all then press return

It will boot back to your OS then.

Good luck, and don't worry. Easy fixes.

cwa107 · May 15, 2009

Let's back up a bit and talk about what causes a kernel panic in the first place.

Kernel Panics (KPs, for short) are simply a severe OS crash. This is highly unusual for UNIX-based operating systems, where there is quite a bit of abstraction between the underlying OS and the software that runs on top of it. So, in most cases, we're not talking about a piece of third-party software that is causing the problem. More often the problem is due to a hardware fault or corruption on the system disk.

With that said, the first and easiest thing to do would be to simply open Disk Utility, select your system disk (probably called "Macintosh HD") and click the First Aid tab. Then run Verify & Repair and then Verify & Repair Permissions.

The next thing to do would be to run the Apple Hardware Test to make sure everything is OK that way.

Now, if there were no issues found in either operation, I will have more suggestions for you. But I would start simple and then move onto the more complex. A good analogy is that if your car won't start, you should check to see if it has fuel before you start rebuilding the engine.

XJ-linux · May 15, 2009

One way is to speak softly, don't make any sudden moves, and reassure the kernel that everything is going to be OK.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

karolanne2002 · May 27, 2009

I am having similar issue... need help... very scared

I came across this thread while looking for help.
I too am having "Kernel Panic" please restart... four different languages...
Cannot boot
I tried holding shift while powering up... I get right back to kernel message...
If I hold "option" I get a screen with a "refresh" button, what looks like a drive with an "X" for leopard on it and a left arrow... if I click on any of these I end up right back to the restart four different languages box... over and over.

I do not know which of the options suggested for OP would work for me...
I do not know which key commands would be best to attempt to boot or troubleshoot.
I do not know if I can run single user...
Should try command "s" as Kevriano suggested... ????
I am a newby Mac owner and I am afraid I will make the issue worse...
I had a very old g3 for a short while which I sold and missed and then I bought a friends ibook g4 used last week... LOVE IT... until now...
I have no disc...
It has Leopard installed...
I believe the ram is original because there is a factory sticker under the keyboard stating specs and the ram it says it has is what I was told it had.

I did have a little trouble with Firefox (would not let me bookmark) and tried to trash "Limewire" that had been previously installed and it would not let me trash it. I really wanted to get rid of it as It was starting at power up and I think it was causing Firefox to act up.
I tried to go to System pref to check it not to run at login...
Then...
I tried to use "appzapper" to trash first and it would not let me without password (there is no password set on this ibook) tried over and over!
Then I tried to download "appdelete"... and it gave me an error and wouldn't download.
I tried to drag Limewire to trash... nothing happened.
I decided to restart to see if maybe Limewire would be gone. Wishful thinking!
Now I am stuck.
I know I am running on and on, but this must all be related.
I was stupid to even fool with it and I know! Please don't rub it in!
I HATE limewire... If I hadn't tried to remove it this would not have happened!
I am not under any warranty because I purchased used.
Any suggestions on my best option?
I am not the most technical girl, but I can follow specific commands well.;D

cwa107 · May 27, 2009

karolanne2002 said:
I came across this thread while looking for help.
I too am having "Kernel Panic" please restart... four different languages...
Cannot boot
I tried holding shift while powering up... I get right back to kernel message...
If I hold "option" I get a screen with a "refresh" button, what looks like a drive with an "X" for leopard on it and a left arrow... if I click on any of these I end up right back to the restart four different languages box... over and over.

I do not know which of the options suggested for OP would work for me...
I do not know which key commands would be best to attempt to boot or troubleshoot.
I do not know if I can run single user...
Should try command "s" as Kevriano suggested... ????
I am a newby Mac owner and I am afraid I will make the issue worse...
I had a very old g3 for a short while which I sold and missed and then I bought a friends ibook g4 used last week... LOVE IT... until now...
I have no disc...
It has Leopard installed...
I believe the ram is original because there is a factory sticker under the keyboard stating specs and the ram it says it has is what I was told it had.

I did have a little trouble with Firefox (would not let me bookmark) and tried to trash "Limewire" that had been previously installed and it would not let me trash it. I really wanted to get rid of it as It was starting at power up and I think it was causing Firefox to act up.
I tried to go to System pref to check it not to run at login...
Then...
I tried to use "appzapper" to trash first and it would not let me without password (there is no password set on this ibook) tried over and over!
Then I tried to download "appdelete"... and it gave me an error and wouldn't download.
I tried to drag Limewire to trash... nothing happened.
I decided to restart to see if maybe Limewire would be gone. Wishful thinking!
Now I am stuck.
I know I am running on and on, but this must all be related.
I was stupid to even fool with it and I know! Please don't rub it in!
I HATE limewire... If I hadn't tried to remove it this would not have happened!
I am not under any warranty because I purchased used.
Any suggestions on my best option?
I am not the most technical girl, but I can follow specific commands well.;D

Start at step 9 here:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/os-x-operating-system/93819-basic-os-x-mac-troubleshooting.html

...and let us know how you make out.

karolanne2002 · May 27, 2009

Still Trying

Thank you so much!
Well, I am stuck with several of those options because I cannot access anything.
I also do not have restore disc, so I cannot use that option either. I was going to try to purchase a disc, but since I have an ibook and Leopard was installed I would be worried I would get the wrong disc set.
I can't run updates or any utilities because I cannot boot...
I was able to command "s"... it gave me a long log..it said something about "bad journal magic" and "OS version not yet set" I went to try to fsck... but it would not let me key anything in.(I actually took a picture of the screen so I would have record of it) I restarted and now I can't get it back up... blank white screen...
I did see where it said to remove third party applications with uninstaller not an app remover, so that may have been where I went wrong trying to remove Lime wire. DANG!
Unless the "bad journal magic" or "OS not yet set" narrows it down for anyone to tell me what to do next I will continue with what on the list I can do with key commands (reset Pram, etc... since I can't do much else.
Man this stinks!

cwa107 · May 27, 2009

It was step 9 in particular that I wanted you to run.

Since that doesn't work, I would recommend following this tutorial:

Mac OS X - Using Disk Utility to Repair a Disk

...to run Disk Utility from the System Disc. This should allow you to Verify and Repair the disk as well as verify and repair permissions.

karolanne2002 · May 27, 2009

trying...

Well, I was able to do a command "s" again, but again it would not let me key in anything for fsck...there is a curser... but it does not respond...

I do not have a Leopard or restore disc, so can I use Disk Utility?
It mentioned running it from the hard drive without dvd, but how?
I am confused... is there a way to access if I can't boot?

karolanne2002 · May 27, 2009

flashing finder folder?

Now I rebooted and there is a blinking folder with a finder guy on it and a question mark?
Do you know what that is?
Looking bad for me...

Collin Bl · May 28, 2009

karolanne2002 said:
Well, I was able to do a command "s" again, but again it would not let me key in anything for fsck...there is a curser... but it does not respond...

I do not have a Leopard or restore disc, so can I use Disk Utility?
It mentioned running it from the hard drive without dvd, but how?
I am confused... is there a way to access if I can't boot?

Ok so u do not have the install disk, but you say can u use Disk Utility? Where can u see that? and What are u using for sending these replies, in other words is there another Mac you can access for assisting in sorting this issue.

Collin Bl · May 28, 2009

The blinking icon with question mark is just an indication that i cannot find a boot disk/OS

Kevriano · May 28, 2009

If you're getting the blinking folder try the fsck again, because clearly your HD is visible, or as suggested, if you have another Mac, you can boot in target disc mode and run disc utility from that.

karolanne2002 · May 28, 2009

You guys have been great...
I thank you so much for your time!
I am using a PC laptop now... very bitterly, but I need it to sort this out and I am thankful I had not sold it yet.
No, I cannot run Disc Utility at all... here is what I can do...
*I can command "s" and get a log... journal magic bad...
*I can "option" and I see my os although if I click the arrow I end up back at the "kernel panic four languages"
*I can get to the OF screen and "mac-boot" but again I end up at kernel
panic... I also did all the resets Kevriano suggested.

I am not sure how I ended up with the blinking folder a couple of times...
I CANNOT "shift" and boot into safe mode... goes right to kernel panic
I was looking at another post where Kevriano suggested "Diskwarrior" and it worked... (also he mentioned Limewire as being a potential problem) I have also seen this on some searches...
I was going to order it, but it says that firmware must be updated (I do not know if it has been or not as I just got the computer) and I guess I must get the latest version for Leopard...
One thing I am confused about also is if Leopard was loaded shouldn't there be some previous OS I can boot into?
When I go to start screen it only shows one choice "X"...
When I read the "Darwin" screen it says "OS NOT YET SET"
Money is super tight, but if Diskwarrior is what I need I will get it... I am very sad to be back on a pc

I did have an old touchscreen g3... just sold it... too bad if I could have used it to help.
Again, you all have been great!
I do not want to give up... I really love my Mac! I just need to learn a little more about what I am doing...

Kevriano · May 28, 2009

As you can't tell what OS and firmware you have, I think it's risky buying Diskwarrior to try and fix this.
If you can't fsck (very surprising, but still) then I would suggest your best option is to try a completely clean install of Leopard, which will solve it.
Thing is you don't have an install disc do you. Hmmm, tricky, especially not having access to another Mac , whereby you could at least look at the HD in target disc mode.
Exactly what happens when you hold command and s on boot? You should just get a load of text loading, and then when it stops loading you type the fsck command as I posted. Remember, you need to keep them held down until the text loads.

dylio122 · Jan 15, 2010

Hello i know this is an old post but I am currently having the same problem on my mac. I recently tried to restart my computer and then it said it needed to update software. While it was updating my mac ran out of battery and shut off. When I tried to turn it back on I got the same script that the original posted had. I have tried most of the command and option things on start up but nothing works.

When I try the command s it loads a bunch of text but will not let me type anything.

Is there anything I can do at home to try and fix this?

cwa107 · Jan 15, 2010

dylio122 said:
Hello i know this is an old post but I am currently having the same problem on my mac. I recently tried to restart my computer and then it said it needed to update software. While it was updating my mac ran out of battery and shut off. When I tried to turn it back on I got the same script that the original posted had. I have tried most of the command and option things on start up but nothing works.

When I try the command s it loads a bunch of text but will not let me type anything.

Is there anything I can do at home to try and fix this?

If you can't get it to boot and you can't start it in single-user mode, then you have a badly broken OS install. Your best option would be to try reinstalling the OS by booting from your System Disc 1.

Emma7 · Feb 8, 2010

Hello,
I'm having the same issues. I shut off my computer during an update, now am getting that kernal panic message.
I have the 2 discs my macbook came with, but I have some photoshop cd already in. And just pressing the eject button doesn't make it come out. Sooo I can't put in the Mac OSX install disc in to try to see if the Disk Utility thing will work!

Anything I can do?

Thanks

Also, I really don't want to loose my iphone backup on there, with all my textes and music and photos. Is there anyway to back this up or something on a disc to insure I don't loose it?

cwa107 · Feb 8, 2010

Turn the Mac off. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold down the mouse or trackpad button. Continue holding until the disc ejects.