Hi everyone,
I am amazed at how well OS 10.4 runs on my iMac 333 that I'm trying to set up for my roommate, except that locks up/freezes at what seems like random times. I will use it for a while and then suddenly the mouse pointer stops moving and the keyboard doesn't work. If iTunes is playing the music skips then stops (as in, the computer *dies*). Nothing happens on the screen but it doesn't turn off. At that point the Mac must be unplugged because the power button doesn't do anything even if held down. I typically get about 20 minutes of use out of it before a crash. Everything else is normal. If it sits left alone and the screen saver turns on it's happy to sit indefinitely. It also is comfortable waking up after falling asleep.
It is a 333 that I upgraded to 256 MB of RAM (2 x 128). Original 6 gig or so hard drive (I know, cramped, but it works). I also changed the motherboard battery. No other software installed.
Weird part is that this problem also happened when running OS 9.2.2 with the original 32 MB of RAM. At the time, I attributed it to OS 9 extensions. I did do all 3 firmware updates before upgrading to OS 10. I did a complete reformat and reinstall.
I have tried:
memtest in single user mode (all RAM checks out ok)
repair permissions
verify disk (several times and in single user mode)
reset PRAM multiple times
holding the motherboard reset button
reinstalling OS 10.4
not using my surge protector (stupid, but i tried it)
taking the fan out, cleaning all the dust from it, and reinstalling (maybe it was/is overheating?)
This is so frustrating because it could be a perfect computer for my roommate (and she likes the purple color). If you have a suggestion I would love to hear it.
Thank you!
Dave
I am amazed at how well OS 10.4 runs on my iMac 333 that I'm trying to set up for my roommate, except that locks up/freezes at what seems like random times. I will use it for a while and then suddenly the mouse pointer stops moving and the keyboard doesn't work. If iTunes is playing the music skips then stops (as in, the computer *dies*). Nothing happens on the screen but it doesn't turn off. At that point the Mac must be unplugged because the power button doesn't do anything even if held down. I typically get about 20 minutes of use out of it before a crash. Everything else is normal. If it sits left alone and the screen saver turns on it's happy to sit indefinitely. It also is comfortable waking up after falling asleep.
It is a 333 that I upgraded to 256 MB of RAM (2 x 128). Original 6 gig or so hard drive (I know, cramped, but it works). I also changed the motherboard battery. No other software installed.
Weird part is that this problem also happened when running OS 9.2.2 with the original 32 MB of RAM. At the time, I attributed it to OS 9 extensions. I did do all 3 firmware updates before upgrading to OS 10. I did a complete reformat and reinstall.
I have tried:
memtest in single user mode (all RAM checks out ok)
repair permissions
verify disk (several times and in single user mode)
reset PRAM multiple times
holding the motherboard reset button
reinstalling OS 10.4
not using my surge protector (stupid, but i tried it)
taking the fan out, cleaning all the dust from it, and reinstalling (maybe it was/is overheating?)
This is so frustrating because it could be a perfect computer for my roommate (and she likes the purple color). If you have a suggestion I would love to hear it.
Thank you!
Dave