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    Kernel panic problem!!

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by skerryman, Jul 15, 2010.

  1. skerryman

    skerryman Notebook Consultant

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    Hi all, Been having a problem with my Macbook for some time now with random kernel panics. Have rang apple care on a couple of occasions and tried any possible quick fixes they usually suggest (resetting PRAM, safe mode etc) but to no avail. Rang today and the girl suggested that I do a complete reinstall of OSX and then it can be determined if its a hardware issue if it persists. My problem with this is that I have a Windows XP partition setup using Bootcamp which I use for all my college work. I have several programs also such as Endnote installed on the XP side and really don't want to risk messing up all my references for my thesis by wiping everything and reinstalling (I'd obviously back them up but there's always the risk of losing info). Also its gonna be a pain in the getting the folks in college to reinstall all the programmes I use.

    Anyway what I'm wondering is if there is any diagnostics test that any of ye guys know of that I can run to determine if it is a hardware or software issue, cos wiping everything and reinstalling is gonna be a major pain in the .

    Thanks in advance for any input
     
    skerryman, Jul 15, 2010
    #1
  2. Khris

    Khris Yes I am better than you!

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    Here's an easy solution to backup your Windows partition so you can do a clean install of OSX, and then restore the Windows partition....

    Winclone

    Insert Mac OS X Install disc 1 that came with your Mac and hold letter D at boot. This will load it to the hardware test.
     
    Khris, Jul 15, 2010
    #2
  3. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Take a look at the crash log located at /Library/Logs/panic.log

    That would say which device or driver caused the panic.
     
    Budding, Jul 15, 2010
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  4. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    if your worried about blowing away the Windows partition and you'll lose your thesis... wow, you have no backups? You know that hard drive could die any second no matter what right? any hard drive can. You should have it all backed up...

    Doing a clean install of just OSX can be done without affecting the Windows partition as well.
     
    doh123, Jul 17, 2010
    #4