10.4.8 Tiger-Wake From Sleep Kernel Panics

Question

I've seen many discussions abound kernel panics and wake-from-sleep issues, but nothing exactly like mine.
Most importantly, mine is a desktop Mac-PowerMac G4, 2 proc, 1.25 GHz.
We are experiencing persistent kernel panic and system crash problems, all of which happen when we try to bring the machine back up from sleep by tapping the keyboard and/or clicking the mouse.
The system responses have included:
• Hard drive and fan spinning up, but no mounting of any USB device (the ZIP 250 drive doesn't whir and the Studio Display remains dark
• Machine wakes up but the display has what can only be described as "pieces" missing from it. Then the kernel panic display happens.
• Mouse pointer moves but activates and affects nothing.
The very last kernel panic was intriguing. The machine woke up and appeared to be fine for a moment but there was the problem when 'chunks' were missing from the display image. Firefox, which had been running when the Mac went to sleep, crashed with no error message-it simply disappeared. Then the kernel panic screen happened. The report generated at restart was thus:
Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 1): 0x300 - Data access DAR=0x000000000BA73004 PC=0x0000000000019068
Latest crash info for cpu 1:
Exception state (sv=0x2D504280)
PC=0x00019068; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x0BA73004; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0001BD1C; R1=0x17463CF0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x01A7CF40 0x0001C62C 0x00022674 0x00022804 0x000A9314
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x2D504280)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x2D5B6780)
PC=0x9004A3B8; MSR=0x0000F030; DAR=0xE0537000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x9004A2FC; R1=0xBFFF70A0; XCP=0x00000030 (0xC00 - System call)
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.8.0: Fri Sep 8 17:18:57 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.12.6.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC
panic(cpu 1 caller 0xFFFF0003): 0x300 - Data access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 1:
Backtrace:
0x00095138 0x00095650 0x00026898 0x000A7E04 0x000AB780
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x2D504280)
PC=0x00019068; MSR=0x00009030; DAR=0x0BA73004; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x0001BD1C; R1=0x17463CF0; XCP=0x0000000C (0x300 - Data access)
Backtrace:
0x01A7CF40 0x0001C62C 0x00022674 0x00022804 0x000A9314
Exception state (sv=0x2D5B6780)
PC=0x9004A3B8; MSR=0x0000F030; DAR=0xE0537000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x9004A2FC; R1=0xBFFF70A0; XCP=0x00000030 (0xC00 - System call)
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.8.0: Fri Sep 8 17:18:57 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.12.6.obj~1/RELEASE_PPC
Model: PowerMac3,6, BootROM 4.6.0f1, 2 processors, PowerPC G4 (3.3), 1.25 GHz, 1 GB
Graphics: ATI Radeon 9000 Pro, ATY,RV250, AGP, 64 MB
Memory Module: DIMM0/J21, 512 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC2700U-25330
Memory Module: DIMM1/J22, 512 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC2700U-25330
Modem: Dash2, UCJ, V.92, 1.0F, APPLE VERSION 2.6.6
Parallel ATA Device: PHILIPS CDD5301
Parallel ATA Device: IBM-IC35L090AVV207-1, 76.69 GB
USB Device: Hub, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Hub in Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Apple Optical USB Mouse, Fujitsu Component, Up to 1.5 Mb/sec, 100 mA
USB Device: Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 250 mA
USB Device: Generic USB Hub, ALCOR, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: PTZ-631W, Tablet, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: USB Zip 250, Iomega, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Studio Display, Up to 1.5 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: OfficeJet 6100 Series, Hewlett-Packard, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
While I do have 1GB onboard memory it probably ought to be said that 512MB worth is a memory stick from Crucial that I installed about a week and a half before upgrading from 10.3.9 to 10.4.6. I doubt it's the memory's fault in as much as that period of time was more than enough for the problem to crop up and it ran with no complaints whatsoever until I upgraded to Tiger.
I have also tried removing the ZIP 250 from the system; I have Adobe Version Cue CS2 running and had that turned off; various tips and tricks I found about too numerous to recount. So far the problem is proving intractable.
Does anyone have any idea of what I ought to try next?
Much appreciation in advance,
Sam Klein.
PowerMac G4   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   1.25 GHz, Dual Processor, MDD, 1GB RAM

Answer 1

I recommend having both Alsoft DiskWarrior 3.0.3+ (DW3) and Micromat TechTool Pro version 4.1.x+ (TTP4).
While both can build a new, optimized directory for a disk, I have found there are some disks that only DW3 can repair. DW3 is a "specialist" in disk directories.
Likewise, TTP4 brings a host of useful hardware testing routines that are neither in DW3 nor the Apple Hardware Test. TTP4 also includes an excellent disk defragmenter. Defragmenting is generally not required under Mac OS X 10.3 or later unless you perform an extensive amount of video editing or your disk is nearing full, in which case it can be useful. See Mac OS X: About Disk Optimization. TTP4's Surface Scan is also useful in determining if a disk has developed bad sectors.
If you own neither utility today, the initial investment may seem like a good deal of money, but compared to your data and your time, the cost of these utilities is insignificant in the the long run. I've found their upgrades to be reasonably priced for what they do.
Neither utility is a substitute for a comprehensive Backup and Recovery solution. But I've seen DW3 save more than one person's bacon and the suite of hardware tests and additional functions TTP4 bring to the table make both a worthwhile investment.
If you can only purchase one now, make it DW3. Add TTP4 when funds permit.
Better to have the tools and not need them, than to need them and not have them.
A good mechanic has more than one kind of wrench in their toolbox.
In some ways, you're lucky to have a PowerPC-based Mac: DW3 is not yet available for Intel-based Macs.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
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