Finder keeps crashing after 10.4.7 update

Question

first i did the update through the updater and found that finder crashes and relaunches every minute or so. a real P.I.T.A. to say the least.
then i ran DU to check for file or disk probems, none.
then i downloaded the full 10.4.7 update. the update made the computer reboot twice and then... same problem with Finder relaunching every 60 or 70 seconds.
it did it three times while i was typing this post.
HELP !!!

Answer 1

Hard disks can fail at anytime. And 3 GB is really not enough. Mac OS X needs space to build its swap file. And the more widgets you add, and third party software addons you add, the more space it needs for memory. The Finder crashing is usually an indication that the cache or preference files are getting corrupt, or not visible to the system due to directory issues, or hardware related causes such as a failing hard drive, or even more finicky issues with SCSI drivers. Let me say this much, I've seen SCSI fail really badly in the past, and worst it isn't all that hot swappable as Firewire is. If the terminator is failing or it is not properly terminated SCSI can be a real pain. I've also seen external hard drives which are searchable with Spotlight cause the Finder to freeze or crash and have kernel panics. Add the non-boot drives to Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Spotlight -> Privacy to see if that makes a difference. While it won't be searchable with Find File or Spotlight, you could always use an application like Devon Technologies Easy Find (freeware) instead replace it, if that is important to you.