Chosen Solution
I have a used iBook G4. It’s been working great for 2 months. One morning I booted it up and this screen came up with a message that states that I must restart the computer now. So, I turn the power button off and restart the computer. The screen is still frozen. Later another message appears under this message. After further investigation, I learn that this is a “Kernel Panic”. According to Wikipeida, a “kernel panic is an action taken by an operating system upon detecting an internal fatal error from which it cannot safely recover.” What can I do to fix this? I’ve tried holding down the shift key just before the grey screen comes up upon reboot, but it didn’t work. The screen is still frozen. I haven’t added any software or removed any. I haven’t downloaded any software. I was on Safari prior to it crashing. Are there discs available to repair a “kernel panic”? Should I take out the OS and replace it? Should I add more RAM? Or, should I take it in and get it looked at by a professional? Would it cost a lot of money? Is it even worth taking it in and repaired, or should I buy another mac? I hope somebody out there can help me ‘cause this is really bothering me. I’ve been without my Mac now for 2 weeks. Using my husbands IBM PC and really miss my Mac. Thanks. Rose
The iBook G4 12" 1.33GHz is known for having a problem with the airport/bluethoot socket on the logic board causing kernel panics events. Try to desactivate Airport and bluethoot and check if the problem persists. If the iBook works without problem after the desactivation then your airport socket is faulty. You may try to reseat the airport card but often the problem will reappear. The only solution is to remove the airport/bluethoot card from the logic board and use a USB wireless dongle as a substitute for the airport card or to replace the logic board.
This is the logic board you’d need if it doesn’t turn out to be the Airport issue Lemerise mentioned (or if it is the Airport issue, and you still want to replace the board): [linked product missing or disabled: IF183-042-1] Please note, it may be cheaper to buy a used board, or a whole new machine for that matter, on eBay.
This 99% of the time means a bad logic board, unless you’re very proficient, have the time, and are willing to spend the money, it’s not exactly worth it to replace the board. What you can do, however, is salvage your data by taking out the hard drive using this guide and putting it in an enclosure, from which you can transfer your data after replacing your computer.
