Restart Message in Safari

Question

My wife recently experienced some warning signs that don't look like an Apple warning. The screen went into a semi-sleep mode (dimmed dark) and the message told her to restart the computer by either holding down the restart button or by holding the power button. Ever since that, the computer starts up with the error message right from the start. Now, we can't do anything. The error message was in 4 different languages too. (Something I don't think Apple does with it's error messages). Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi fortress and welcome to the forums!
What you are seeing is the standard message for a Kernal Panic.
What is a Kernel Panic?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106227
Your Mac needs a bit of servicing!
Repairing permissions is an important part of regular maintenance, and should always be carried out both before and after any software installation or update.
Go to Disk Utility (this is in your Utilities Folder in your Application folder) and click on the icon of your hard disk (not the one with all the numbers).
In First Aid, click on Repair Permissions.
This only takes a minute or two.
Background information here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751
and here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672
If you were having any serious problems with your Mac you might as well complete the exercise by repairing your hard disk as well. You cannot do this from the same start-up disk. Reboot from your install disk (holding down the C key). Once it opens, select your language, and then go to Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select your hard disk as before and click Repair.
Once that is complete reboot again from your usual start-up disk.
More useful reading here:
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417