Kernel panic when I insert PCMCIA card

Question

My PCMCIA slot has started having problems upon insertion of cards.
Some cards seem to work OK - was able to transfer data to an external drive.
OTOH, it no longer detects PCMCIA wireless cards that it detected earlier. And, sometimes, if I push them in a little more firmly to be sure their seated, I get a kernel panic. Because of this mechanical aspect, I suspect a hardware problem.
Cards were pulled out of the slot twice recently -- once probably fairly roughly and quickly.
Unfortunately, I've changed enough things lately that it's hard to say if this a hardware or software issue. (OS 10.2 reinstall, changes of user names, passwords, and the abovementioned hardware abuse.) Permission repair has not fixed this problem.
Apple's service manual seems to suggest that Apple service centers don't bother with repairing PCMCIA cages but replace the whole unit.
I read a posting here recently from someone who had fixed a PCMCIA problem recently by reseating his cable to the motherboard. Wallstreets, unfortunately, don't have such a visible cable connection as he had.
Has anyone out there done maintenance on their own PCMCIA cages? I suspect that pulling the cards out may have loosened the connection to the logic board but I realise clearly that I know next to nothing about what seems to be a fairly involved and delicate electromechanical device (slightly kludgy).
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions on how to proceed or pointers to further information.
many thanks,
Pat
Wallstreet 266 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Answer 1

The 2011 iMacs were originally shipped with OSX 10.6.6 Snow Leopard and to my knowledge the Retail Snow Leopard DVDs are version 10.6.3 and thus too "old" for your iMac.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159
Use the grey-labeled OSX Snow Leopard DVD that came with your iMac instead of the Retail one.
If you don't have it anymore, call Apple with ythe serialnumber of your iMac at ahnd and ask for replacement.
Stefan