iMac G4, Kernel Panic complications

[new-chivalry]

Howdy.

I'm a layman when it comes to Mac, first off.

About a year ago I purchased, for $300, a used G4 (or possibly G3, I can't really tell the difference for all the trivial factors) desktop Mac that came with Pro Tools and some other creature comfort goodies, so I could record music.

Well, within a few months the bugger crashed (naturally), and a friend borrowed it for a time in the hopes of fixing it. Since he borrowed and "fixed" it, it only displays the dreaded Kernel Panic screen that I've done some research on (within my ability, I'm not tech savvy) and discovered plagues many.

This is an older computer, I think it was dated to somewhere around Mar. 2005 (that date is listed among the error codes, I presume whatever faulty ware was installed at that time by the previous owner).

Guys, I'm stumped. Can you help a fellow out? I want to salvage this beast.

 

[BlueRevolution]

Unfortunately, a kernel panic is usually a hardware issue. Have you run Apple Hardware Test?

By the way, the iMac G3 is the colourful one, and the G4 is the flatscreen one that looks like a lamp.

 

[new-chivalry]

How do I run a hardware test? Is that holding cmd + s at the startup?

Also, I'm relatively certain its a G3 now. Thanks!

 

[BlueRevolution]

I believe the G3 comes with a dedicated disk for Hardware Test. If so, hold C to boot from that disk. On more recent computers, Hardware Test is located on the computer's restore disk, and you can boot from that by holding the D key.

Here are the G3 and G4 iMacs:

 

[new-chivalry]

Mine's a G3 with a flat screen that looks like neither of those.

 

[BlueRevolution]

The iMac has only gone through three designs.

 

[SkippyThorson]

About a year ago I purchased, for $300, a used G4 (or possibly G3, I can't really tell the difference for all the trivial factors) desktop Mac...

G3 = Colored CRT monitor looking desktop.
G4 = White Luxo Lamp looking desktop with the flatscreen.
G5 / Intel = White or Aluminum flatscreen looking one with the Jay Leno chin.

If you got a G5 / Intel Mac for $300, someone saw you coming.

Trivial? Hardly. The only 3 designs are all radically different. 4 if you count the switch from plastic to aluminum.