Recurring Kernel Panic on startup, pls advise

Question

Can I get some advice on how to diagnose a persistent kernel panic on startup?
About this Mac
Version 10.4.11
Processor: 1.67GHz PowerPC G4
Memory: 1.5GB DDR SDRAM
(PowerBookG4)
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x002E1EC4): Unable to find driver for this platform: "PowerBook 5.7".
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x000954F8 0X00095A10 0X00026898 0X002E1EC4 0X002C12A0 0X002C1AD0 0X002C20DC 0X000A9714
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x00BFF500)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0X0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000;
XCP=0x00000000; (unknown)
Kernel version
Darwin Kernel Version 8.11.0: Wed Oct 18 10:26:00 PDT 2007; root:xnu-792.24.17~1/RELEASE_PPC
No debugger configured - dumping debug iformation
MSR = 00001030
Latest stack backtrace for cp 0:
Backtrace:
0x000954F8 0X00095BF8 0X002E1EC4 0X002C12A0 0X002C1068 0X002C1AD0 0X002C20DC 0X000A9714
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x00BFF500)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0X0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000;
XCP=0x00000000; (unknown)
Kernal version:
Darwin kernel version 8.11.0: Wed Oct 10 15:26:00 PDT 2007; root:xnu-792.24.17~1/RELEASE_PPC
panic: we are hanging here...
-The PowerBookG4 starts up when selecting the local hard disk via Startup Manager (press and hold Option key); PowerBookG4 starts up when inserting the install disk 1 and selecting the local hard disk via Startup Manager (press and hold C key); PowerBookG4 starts into safe mode (press and hold Option+Shift keys).
I have verified and repaired disk permissions and the disk itself. This behavior occurs consistently with or without external devices connected.
I can work in my applications ok and everything appears to function as expected once I get the PowerBookG4 booted, but I am concerned about how long it may continue to function - got a lot to do!
Advice? very appreciated thank you! -ben
Message was edited by: Bendervish
Message was edited by: Bendervish

Answer 1

Understanding crash logs isn’t easy and it’s hard (sometimes impossible) to decipher the cause of the problem. Take a look at Apple’s Crash Reporter document at http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn2004/tn2123.html
Also look at Tutorial: An introduction to reading Mac OS X crash reports
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20060309075929717
Kernel panics are usually caused by a hardware problem – frequently RAM, a USB device or a Firewire device. Since you've disconnected external devices, USB & Firewire don't appear to be a problem. Are you using an external mouse?
Have you added RAM recently? To eliminate RAM being the problem, Look at this link: *Testing RAM* @ http://guides.macrumors.com/Testing_RAM Then download & use Memtest & Ramber.
Do you have an Apple Hardware Test disc? Running the Apple Hardware Test in Loop Mode is an excellent troubleshooting step for finding intermittent hardware problems. It is especially useful when troubleshooting intermittent kernel panics. If Loop Mode is supported by the version of the Apple Hardware Test you are using, you run the Extended Test in Loop Mode by pressing Control-L before starting the test. Looping On should appear in the right window. Then click the Extended Test button.The test will run continuously until a problem is found. If a problem is found, the test will cease to loop, indicating the problem it found. If the test fails, be sure to write down the exact message associated with the failure.In some cases, RAM problems did not show up until nearly 40 loops, so give it a good run.
Look at 12-Step Program to Isolate Freezes and/or Kernel Panics
 Cheers, Tom