Having problems with OS X 10.4 updates. System slows then crashes.

Question

Hi there,
Got an older G4 400MHz and have done a clean install of Tiger OS X 10.4 from the DVD onto a new hard drive. Have done the software updates to 10.4.11 and, for some reason, after a while the cursor freezes. I do a restart and the same thing happens. I have done an Erase in Utilities and then reinstalled and only did partial updates to 10.3. But after a while the same thing happens. Panther 10.3.9 is on the the second hard drive and it runs as smooth as glass. It runs iTunes up to 7.5 but 7.6 only runs on 10.4x.
I cant figure this out. A local Apple dealer told me I should be able to do the 10.4.11 updates and he's done it on an older G4 with no problems. Could this be a system requirements problem? Does Tiger require a faster processor? 10.4 works but just. Or do I have to do a firmware update?
Any help would be appreciated.
Take care,
RD

Answer 1

ali,
I didn't get back last night because of a certain football game on TV. WOW is the only word for it. It wore me out. I'm not exactly a Giants fan but I love upsets and close games that end like that. I think the whole country (and world) saw a truly unforgettable Super Bowl, one for the ages and perhaps one of the ten best ever. Not only that but the 1972 Miami Dolphins perfect season of 17-0 shall be preserved, maybe for another 35 years. I remember their 17-0 season with much fondness from my college days, and I'm from South Florida. Oops, I hope you're not a Patriots fan?
Anyway back to this issue.
*+If the Firmware, has already been updated, you won't need to do it again.+*
I did a Firmware update when I was still using 0S 9 and upgrading to Jaguar a few years back. I did the PRAM resets, too.
*+Check the System Profiler first, to possibly save yourself some time.+*
I did and it read: Boot ROM Version: 4.2.8f1.
*+Yes, that's a Kernel Panic.+*
*+Additional Kernel Panic info.+*
I read that and it was helpful. There are some workarounds involving holding down the X key etc.
*+Disconnect all peripherals, except the keyboard & mouse, and see if the system runs more successfully.+*
I disconnected my Firewire DVD burner. I have a printer and a scanner running off a USB port hub. I'll disconnect them on my next attempt to work in 10.4 on the other hard drive.
*+Use this utility Rember, to test the RAM.+*
Download complete and I ran a test on 640MB of SDRAM. The test just finished and I have a log report. As follows:
Mac OS X 10.3.9 (7W98) running in multiuser mode
Memory Page Size: 4096
System has 1 PPC processor(s) with Altivec
Requested memory: 640MB (671088640 bytes)
Available memory: 308MB (323526656 bytes)
NOTE: Memory request is too large, reducing to acceptable value...
Allocated memory: 308MB (323526656 bytes) at local address 0x01008000
Attempting memory lock... locked successfully
Partitioning memory into 2 comparison buffers...
Buffer A: 154MB (161763328 bytes) starts at local address 0x01008000
Buffer B: 154MB (161763328 bytes) starts at local address 0x0aa4d000
Running 1 test sequence... (CTRL-C to quit)
Test sequence 1 of 1:
Running tests on full 308MB region...
Stuck Address : ok
Linear PRN : setting 1 of 16ok
Running comparison tests using 154MB buffers...
Random Value :  ok
Compare XOR :  ok
Compare SUB :  ok
Compare MUL :  ok
Compare DIV :  ok
Compare OR :  ok
Compare AND :  ok
Sequential Increment:  ok
Solid Bits : ok
Block Sequential :
Oops, only 308MB of the 640MB allocated on the four slots seem to be working. Is that what you read? They are in 1 256MB and 3 128MB sets. I have some back up RAM in a drawer I took out of an old iMac G4. I'll replace some of it and run the test again.
*+Also run the Apple Hardware Test.+*
That requires a CD which I don't have. My wife has a iMac G5 which she guards jealously and she may have Hardware Test CD. She may also have a OS 9 Classic Support CD which I need to install Classic on the 8GB partition I created before my latest Erase and clean install. Is 8GB enough for Classic on an 80GB hard drive? I don't think Classic will solve the kernel issue. I had Classic partitioned before on another hard drive, before I bought the new 80GB, and had the same OS X 10.4x update crashes. The cursor becomes unstable and then suddenly freezes usually about 5-7 minutes after booting.
NOTE: In the kernel panic doc, there is mention of resetting the PRAM. Could the problem be my PRAM battery? I think it needs replacing. I've been getting the message "your computer is set to the wrong date". It presets to Jan 1 1970. A date I remember well. Hung over and sick after a drunken New Year's Eve saying farewell to the 60s and hello to the 70s on a beach.
You may be right, this isn't a software issue, it's probably corrupt hardware that's easily replaceable.
Later,
Rob