Having a Powermac problem- Major one

S

SPZ

Veteran
My powermac is constantly crashing. It goes dead after a few seconds. This happened after I instaled an update for the pro applications, but they where dated for 2005/6 or something. The whole system is very unstable right now. I tried to trash some preference files, but to no avail- it still crashes. Any solution? I was getting sluggish DVCPROHD playback on the 1.65ghz powerbook, and decided to upgrade my software (clicked software update on the Apple icon) . Installed some stuff, and it went nuts. What can I do? Any suggestions?

Is there any freeware that can help me check out whats creating the conflicts for these crashes?

All help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
Startup from your DVD. Run DiskFirst Aid or better, Disk Warrior ($$).
Then repair permissions.
You can also do a hardware test.
If you're still having a problem setup a new account on the machine and try that out. If it works with no problem then the basic system is fine. There's a startup item or some other software installed on your normal account that has a conflict.
 
Scottdvx100 said:
Startup from your DVD. Run DiskFirst Aid or better, Disk Warrior ($$).
Then repair permissions.
You can also do a hardware test.
If you're still having a problem setup a new account on the machine and try that out. If it works with no problem then the basic system is fine. There's a startup item or some other software installed on your normal account that has a conflict.
Click to expand...

Scott, what is diskfirst aid?

I have the OSX disk, when I start up, it only ask for an installation... Is there any diference or problem If I repair permissions with a 1.4.0 disk with a 1.4.6 version installed?

Thanks for the Info!
 
powerbook g4 osx 1.4.6 (recently installed- no problems on 1.4.0)

Installed bunch of software updates, and got unstable machine.
 
try resetting the pram, do you have any applications that start on start-up? If you do you might be taxing the machines memory. How much ram have you got?
 
Disk first aid should cure it... worst case scenario, reinstall operating system. It'll save all your info, so you won't have to start from scratch, you'll just rid all the problems and still have the "previous system" on your HD so you can get to whatever you need.

I had to do it after some important info somehow got deleted from my powermac G5. I called tech support and told them what was going on, and that's what they suggested. I was a little nervous to do it, thinking that a bunch of stuff would get deleted, but it somehow saved all my info and started me a new OS with all the bugs out.

-brown
 
rcbrown23 said:
Disk first aid should cure it... worst case scenario, reinstall operating system. It'll save all your info, so you won't have to start from scratch, you'll just rid all the problems and still have the "previous system" on your HD so you can get to whatever you need.

I had to do it after some important info somehow got deleted from my powermac G5. I called tech support and told them what was going on, and that's what they suggested. I was a little nervous to do it, thinking that a bunch of stuff would get deleted, but it somehow saved all my info and started me a new OS with all the bugs out.

-brown
Click to expand...

I tought about it, but when I insert the cd, it says that I have a newer version of the OS installed, and need to erase the disk in order to install the OSX... So it is indeed pretty scary... Did it ask you the same thing?
 
rcbrown23 said:
Disk first aid should cure it... worst case scenario, reinstall operating system. It'll save all your info, so you won't have to start from scratch, you'll just rid all the problems and still have the "previous system" on your HD so you can get to whatever you need.

I had to do it after some important info somehow got deleted from my powermac G5. I called tech support and told them what was going on, and that's what they suggested. I was a little nervous to do it, thinking that a bunch of stuff would get deleted, but it somehow saved all my info and started me a new OS with all the bugs out.

-brown
Click to expand...

I tought about it, but when I insert the cd, it says that I have a newer version of the OS installed, and need to erase the disk in order to install the OSX... So it is indeed pretty scary... Did it ask you the same thing?
 
Do a clean erase and install (I do this about once a year). Like Hicks says in aliens "it's the only way to be sure".
 
Wow. Clean erase and install? pretty harsh.

I think it did ask me the same thing, but I found a way around it. I can't remember what I did, though. Argggg.

I agree... take it to an apple store and see what they have to say. If you have illegal software on your system, tell them that you just bought the computer from a friend and he must have done it. They deal with that ALL the time, and usually don't make a big deal about it...
 
rcbrown23 said:
Wow. Clean erase and install? pretty harsh.

I think it did ask me the same thing, but I found a way around it. I can't remember what I did, though. Argggg.

I agree... take it to an apple store and see what they have to say. If you have illegal software on your system, tell them that you just bought the computer from a friend and he must have done it. They deal with that ALL the time, and usually don't make a big deal about it...
Click to expand...

Lol! Unfortunatelly, in order to get to the closest Apple store, I need to take a boat, my passport and about 40 bucks to get there and back... Its not much about the money, but the hassle of going to Hong-Kong...

But " A man's got to do what a man's got to do" , right?

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Much appreciated :)
 
Have you recently installed any RAM? I had the same instability problem a year ago with my G5. It turned out I bought a defective stick of memory. If you haven't figured out the issue yet, make sure you've set autosave to save every few minutes. The apple forums should help if you haven't already gone there. Good luck!
 
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