ARGH (computer issues)

[fahye]

Hey, Mac users: has anybody else had problems with kernel panics?

(I love the name, I do, but I don't appreciate getting sudden half-transparent screens of death and instructions to restart. Followed by long periods in which my computer tries very hard to restart, but requires a good long rest before it can manage it.)

Preliminary research indicates that it could be a problem with simply not having enough power to run the computer, but...my power source hasn't changed...and I had a couple of panics even BEFORE I plugged in an external hard drive to the same power board. Other preliminary research wants me to reinstall OS X (I WOULD REALLY RATHER NOT) or download software updates, which is actually impossible due to the fucking college network settings, which hate connecting to useful things like the iTunes store or ANY SOFTWARE UPDATE SERVERS EVER.

*seethes*

Heeeeeeeelp. Does anyone know what else could be causing the panics? I had two today, and each time the computer was more reluctant to start up again. THIS IS A VERY NEW MAC. I AM UNIMPRESSED.

ETA: Following the advice of some helpful websites, I have also removed a couple of startup items, because apparently they can be the cause of this kind of problem. FINGERS CROSSED. But something wacky is obviously happening, because when I restarted the computer after deleting these things, it took ages to shut down.

Comments

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

... you are running a VPN while trying to update software, yeah? I never had any problems updating using VPN.

[fahye.livejournal.com]

Yeah? I don't use VPN on my main computer, but I'll give it a shot.

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

Can't speak for apples, but that's the solution on PCs.

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

I'm not very good at tech support, but Apple are usually pretty good at fixing/replacing new machines. Is it less than a year old? It might be worth calling the place you bought it.

Sorry it's happening though - they are usually so reliable and lovely.

[stars-like-dust.livejournal.com]

I can honestly say in three years of Mac ownership that has never happened to me. Not once. I have no idea.

TOTALLY UNHELPFUL, that is what I am.

[ryokophoenix.livejournal.com]

HUH. Can't say I've ever had the problem...and you'd think mine would take up more power than yours. Unless you have a faulty outlet?

[fahye.livejournal.com]

I wondered that! But I have no idea how one goes about proving it. I tried plugging the computer directly into the socket (no powerboard) at the height of the doesn't-want-to-restart issues, and it still refused to start. But I could get my speakers/desk fan to work okay (obviously, they take up less power...) so -- who knows.

It seems to be behaving now. But these things keep coming out of nowhere. Ugh.

[lilith-lessfair.livejournal.com]

I have an MacBook Pro and not an I-Mac, but I did have a problem with the way in which it read the power coming into the computer (it didn't think it was sufficient although it was.). Apple dealt with it pretty quickly; apparently, it only needed a software fix. No idea whether this would apply to yours, but it might be worth checking.

Good luck, and I hope you are able to resolve it quickly. I know it's very irritating; mine was happening when I had a deadline on a project, of course.

snapple

[drealle.livejournal.com]

If you call or email Apple, they will be very helpful.

In the meantime, repair permissions using disk utility (applications -> utilities)? This is good to do once in a while, anyway.

[schiarire.livejournal.com]

Uh ... I would give you advice, except you know what kind of relationship I have with computers. SO instead I'll just stay very, very far away!