After software update: kernel panics on Airport Extreme

Question

http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?p=337100
Exactly the same problems as mentioned in the thread above kernel panics, etc. How could this have passed Apple Quality Checks?
Tue Dec 5 09:26:34 2006
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x000A8800): Uncorrectable machine check: pc = 000000003931288C, msr = 0000000000149030, dsisr = 40000000, dar = 000000003A207F7E
AsyncSrc = 0000000000000000, CoreFIR = 0000000000000000
L2FIR = 0000000000000000, BusFir = 0000000000000000
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x00095138 0x00095650 0x00026898 0x000A8800 0x000A7A90 0x000AB780
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x39D1B780)
PC=0x3931288C; MSR=0x00149030; DAR=0x3A207F7E; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x39312858; R1=0x2285BA10; XCP=0x00000008 (0x200 - Machine check)
Backtrace:
0x39312848 0x393139B8 0x39333874 0x393336BC 0x393332F0 0x3933313C
0x002D124C 0x393314AC 0x39332774 0x002EB838 0x0008C6A4 0x0002921C 0x000233F8 0x000ABAAC
0x00000000
Kernel loadable modules in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.iokit.AppleAirPort2(405.1)@0x392f4000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily(1.5.0)@0x386e6000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(1.7)@0x32922000
Exception state (sv=0x39D3A780)
PC=0x9000AB48; MSR=0x0200F030; DAR=0x003B8000; DSISR=0x42000000; LR=0x9000AA9C; R1=0xBFFFCCA0; 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
Just by enabling the airport express card, the above error fills up my panic.log. Now I wonder what triggers the bug? Because I rebooted several times after the update. One thing I did see was the signal strength going less strong in the past days. Since today I cannot use it at all.

Answer 1

panic(cpu 0 caller 0x000A8800): Uncorrectable machine check: pc = 000000003931288C
That is an uncorrectablehardwarecheck type panic and the Program Counter (address: 000000003931288C) on CPU matchs with the closest value "com.apple.iokit.AppleAirPort2(405.1)@0x392f4000" followed by a typical events in relation with an AirPort card logical failure:
AsyncSrc = 0000000000000000, CoreFIR = 0000000000000000
L2FIR = 0000000000000000, BusFir = 0000000000000000
There is a problem on async program in the computer and the connecting network node with Mach port (=socket)-- not synchronized by a common timing signal. An exception problem also occurs on the core/L2 cache and bus Fault Isolation Register (FIR) on the CPU.
More importantly, you will please see CVE-2006-6292 (under review) :
http://www.cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2006-6292
The Apple should be working with it. So here is my recommendation:
1. Data backup.
2. Erase and Install by Zero Out Data for Security Options...
( This is for your risk contorol.)
3. Install Mac OS X 10.4.x to update to 10.4.8.
4. Perform the major updates except the AirPort Extream firmware.