Kernel panics can be deadly?

[SC68Cal]

Okay, thanks to some bad memory, I've been working through numerous kernel panics. It's only now that I realize that I cannot use X11 anymore, as well as NeoOffice. So, GIMP is non functioning as well as my word processing suite.

I tried removing and reinstalling X11 and it has not helped. Basically X11 opens, then quits (no error report) and takes whatever application was depending on it with it.

I'm loathe to re-install the operating system, but I'm afraid an archive and reinstall will transfer whatever has X11 and NeoOffice broken over to the new install.

Can multiple kernel panics do something like this?

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I'm not sure if Kernel panics be that detrimental to the system. I've always thought of them as just an indicator that hardware is having an issue.

Re-installing the system might answer the problem, and it is not that big of a job with OS X. It might be worth a shot. I've never had a problem with X11 never opening.

 

[dragon2611]

did u try to repair permissons on the disk?

im not a mac expert so i dunno if it will do anything in your case but ive often seen it suggested.

 

[SC68Cal]

Tried everything and no luck. I think some files got corrupted by the Keneral Panics, and just hosed some parts of my system. Archive and Install didn't help one bit, so off I go to reformat and install.

Good news: only one ram module is bad.
Bad news, I now have to go and redo my whole system. Slightly annoyed.

 

[SC68Cal]

Mods, please close.

Reformat solved my issues. I guess Kernel panicks can indeed corrupt your software if you have the unfortunate luck of having a program in mid swap when it happens.

 

[mad jew]

Just for future reference, did you run fsck before reinstalling the OS? An Archive & Install would have been useless if the file system was messed up.