Error message "you need to restart you computer hold down the power..."

Question

Hello, I am running an 09 Macbook Pro os x 10.5.7. I just got the above error message while I was browsing the internet and now I cannot load the system. I press restart, but it keeps going to the same screen. I know that this is a kernel panic message but I cannot get in the system to see the error logs. I tried loading the System disc and was able to run Disk Utility from the Cd. The drive is Verified and I ran a Repair Disk and I repaired the Disk Permissions. On completion of both I receive the message "The volume appears to be OK." so it seems like nothing was repaired.
I also ran a Apple Hardware test, and everything came back ok there as well, no problems. But I still cannot load the OS X.
I even tried booting from an external os x via USB that I have, and my mac was able to run that system ok, so I don't think it is a problem with the RAM. I have not loaded any new software, nor have I added any peripherals.
I am not able to boot in safe mode. What else could be causing this error? Is there any way I can access my data to backup so I can zero out the HD and reload the Os X?

Answer 1

If you have and use a Clone Utility (example: donationware, a free-running
tool from Bombich Software known as Carbon Copy Cloner) it can copy
the complete OS X system and apps, to a supported external hard drive
and all of your user files, accounts, contacts and passwords along with
all the applications {as they are and work in the computer} will be saved.
• Carbon Copy Cloner - home:
http://www.bombich.com/index.html
Short of having recorded or written down the actual pass keycode of any
third party application requiring it, if you do not make a clone of your Mac
to some boot-capable device with sufficient capacity to use it correctly,
you may lose them. The problem with getting support from software makers
whose products you bought, then lost all documentation, is that they may
not wish to help you; and you may not get a replacement pass keycode to
re-install the application, and won't get replacement install discs if lost.
So, the idea of a complete clone of the computer so you have all that
extra stuff, not just the System but the Applications and files, is about
the best chance of saving the contents just like they are in the computer.
An example of a backup strategy for Mac OS X using Disk Utility and
Carbon Copy Cloner, is as follows on this web site I just found. The
Home site for downloading CCC per above link, also has good info.
PS: When you make a bootable clone, and start the computer from it, for
the first time, be sure to run its Disk Utility, and +repair disc permissions+.
• Backup Strategy for Mac OS X using Disk Utility and Carbon Copy Cloner:
http://www.midwesternmac.com/tutorial/2009-03-31/backup-strategy-mac-os-x-using- disk-utility-carbon-copy-cloner-etc
Perhaps someone else may contribute insights; while I have other
chores to attend to, and am a bit rusty with my clone making skills
there's no help for me to get these other tasks done...
Good luck & happy computing!