Frequent Kernal Panics

Question

Hi there,
I've gotten a few kernal panics on my black macbook (pretty sure it's the first generation one). It's always been plugged in and I usually have a combination of illustrator, flock and msn open.
Also when I restart it takes a super long time to load up in the grey screen with the spinner.
Does anyone know what going on?
Tue Jul 10 09:38:59 2007
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x001A429B): Unresolved kernel trap (CPU 1, Type 14=page fault), registers:
CR0: 0x80010033, CR2: 0x00000040, CR3: 0x00d80000, CR4: 0x000006e0
EAX: 0x00000000, EBX: 0x0004b000, ECX: 0x00000003, EDX: 0x140fbc58
CR2: 0x00000040, EBP: 0x140fbd08, ESI: 0x00000002, EDI: 0x00001000
EFL: 0x00010297, EIP: 0x0011486a, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x00000010
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x140fb9c8 : 0x128d08 (0x3cb134 0x140fb9ec 0x131de5 0x0)
0x140fba08 : 0x1a429b (0x3d0e4c 0x1 0xe 0x3d0670)
0x140fbb18 : 0x19ada4 (0x140fbb30 0x2593000 0x140fbd18 0x32f98e8c)
0x140fbd08 : 0x117135 (0x3ee0e10 0x4a000 0x0 0x1a3010)
0x140fbd48 : 0x15ee4f (0x3ee0e10 0x4a000 0x0 0x1000)
0x140fbdf8 : 0x16133c (0x3f902a8 0x4a000 0x0 0x1)
0x140fbf48 : 0x1a450e (0x2d3e820 0x1cc06000 0x0 0x1)
0x140fbfc8 : 0x19acd4 (0x2b70c00 0x0 0x19e0b5 0x3736ed4) No mapping exists for frame pointer
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0xbfffe288
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.9.1: Thu Feb 22 20:55:00 PST 2007; root:xnu-792.18.15~1/RELEASE_I386
Fri Jul 13 09:49:02 2007
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0035CDB6): mbuf address out of range 0x65620900
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x1403bbe8 : 0x128d08 (0x3cb134 0x1403bc0c 0x131de5 0x0)
0x1403bc28 : 0x35cdb6 (0x3eb8f4 0x65620900 0x1403bc48 0x1253b4bc)
0x1403bc78 : 0x35d139 (0x1403bcac 0x1 0x1 0x1)
0x1403bcb8 : 0x34b8e9 (0x1 0x1253c754 0x1403bce8 0x95f146)
0x1403bcd8 : 0x9803e5 (0x1 0x1403bd0c 0x1403bd28 0x961ec2)
0x1403bd28 : 0x98fe26 (0x2b99c80 0x25bdad00 0x36 0x9f8ceb05)
0x1403bf08 : 0x39a463 (0x1253b2c8 0x2a66500 0x1 0x2765de0)
0x1403bf58 : 0x399635 (0x2a66500 0x0 0x1403bf78 0x4b0038)
0x1403bf88 : 0x39936b (0x2a6ec80 0x0 0x1403bfc8 0xffffffff)
0x1403bfc8 : 0x19ac1c (0x2a6ec80 0x0 0x19e0b5 0x301f460) Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0x0
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.driver.AirPortAtheros(223.47.4)@0x95e000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(1.5.1)@0x6a1000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.2)@0x582000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family(153.2)@0x941000
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.9.1: Thu Feb 22 20:55:00 PST 2007; root:xnu-792.18.15~1/RELEASE_I386
Sat Jul 14 21:55:26 2007
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x0035C2B2): mbuf address out of range 0xaac00080
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x13e2bd58 : 0x128d08 (0x3cb134 0x13e2bd7c 0x131de5 0x0)
0x13e2bd98 : 0x35c2b2 (0x3eb8f4 0xaac00080 0x360be6 0x199193)
0x13e2bdb8 : 0x360cdf (0x0 0x1 0x13e2be28 0x1416ad)
0x13e2be58 : 0x3658e5 (0x286a2d0 0x28f0764 0x35ea300 0x0)
0x13e2beb8 : 0x365c94 (0x35ea300 0x0 0x2707d8c 0x9c)
0x13e2bf58 : 0x379e23 (0x2848000 0x2707d48 0x2707d8c 0x0)
0x13e2bfc8 : 0x19b17e (0x25dce40 0x0 0x10 0x25dd620) No mapping exists for frame pointer
Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0xbffff1c8
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.9.1: Thu Feb 22 20:55:00 PST 2007; root:xnu-792.18.15~1/RELEASE_I386
Tue Jul 17 10:38:20 2007
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x0035DC60): mbuf address out of range 0x3570aea5
Backtrace, Format - Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x13fcbab8 : 0x128d08 (0x3cc0a4 0x13fcbadc 0x131de5 0x0)
0x13fcbaf8 : 0x35dc60 (0x3ecf78 0x3570aea5 0x13fcbb18 0x125544c0)
0x13fcbb48 : 0x35dfe3 (0x13fcbb7c 0x1 0x1 0x1)
0x13fcbb88 : 0x34c765 (0x1 0x12555758 0x13fcbbb8 0x96e1f4)
0x13fcbba8 : 0x98f6f6 (0x1 0x13fcbbdc 0x13fcbbf8 0x970f79)
0x13fcbbf8 : 0x99f93f (0x2b890b0 0x25d0be00 0x3a 0xc6e04df5)
0x13fcbdd8 : 0x9a1059 (0x125542c8 0x2365 0x13fcbe38 0x6)
0x13fcbf08 : 0x39b3c3 (0x12554000 0x2a68280 0x1 0x2bb74a8)
0x13fcbf58 : 0x39a595 (0x2a68280 0x135eb4 0x0 0x2bb74a8)
0x13fcbf88 : 0x39a2cb (0x2a63840 0x0 0x13fcbfc8 0x204ecf)
0x13fcbfc8 : 0x19ad2c (0x2a63840 0x0 0x19e0b5 0x45fee0) Backtrace terminated-invalid frame pointer 0x0
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros(230.8.5)@0x96d000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(1.5.1)@0x6dd000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.2)@0x577000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family(160.2)@0x94e000
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.10.1: Wed May 23 16:33:00 PDT 2007; root:xnu-792.22.5~1/RELEASE_I386

Answer 1

No, it is really clear that something is not
standardized. This has been a problem since the very
first Mac operating system. There are known working
routers, and those that don't. By buying cheaper,
you always risk getting something that won't work
reliably. Do research, and you'll find the real
working stuff before you buy. I'm living proof you
can have 10.4.10 without a problem.
I don't get your point. There are standards and specs for WiFi gadgets, but it's quite tricky to implement them correctly. This is true for all networking protocols, though most have been patched and tweaked to the point where interoperability is quite good.
Something changed in 10.4.10, to cause the sudden outbreak of problems seen in this forum.
I haven't had problems with WiFi on 10.4.10 either, but that doesn't really mean 10.4.10 didn't break something, or that 10.4.10 is more conformant to standards.
I almost wish I knew somebody who's having the current WiFi trouble, so we could try that computer with my linksys box.
Anyway, you suggest doing research. All the research in the world wouldn't change the fact that 10.4.9 was working, and 10.4.10 isn't, for a lot of users. It doesn't really matter how much you spend. I'm doing fine with a $50 linksys using OpenWRT (free!) Linux firmware.
MacBook 2.0GhzCore2Duo, 2.Gig, 160G HD, PowerBook G4 1.5Ghz 15"   Mac OS X (10.4.10)   Logic Pro 7.2.3, Focusrite Saffire...