newbie questions re: os x 10.4 and panics

[jsfry]

HI ,
I just got a macbook pro - my first mac (before had pc). I am new - very new. It was used and had a problem which I have just about solved - one of those kernal panics at bootup. Finally what helped was booting in single user mode and using the command: /sbin/fsck -fy
Yet, it still panics every now and then.

A few questions:
1. I have the original install discs from my friend who I brought it from - os x 10.4. If I boot from disc and run install of os x again will it over-write my data files or just the system files . I don't want to lose my data but I would like to reinstall system files and one or more may have become corrupt from all the powering down with the power button.

2. the battery seems extremely hot - way too hot. I suspect there may be a problem. Is this normal for macs? Is there anything one can do for this? The laptop runs better when the batter is out.

That's it for now.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Mactasia]

Hi Jeff,

To answer your first question, this might help: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1103.html

2nd, what type of MacBook Pro is it? I've had some older MacBook Pros (1st gen) that ran extremely hot!

 

[jsfry]

further on

@ Mactasia: thanks for the link - very helpful.

re: computer (see my sig below).

Interesting that a hardware test flags the video controller - apparently there is a known issue with my video card in these laptops yet my display is fine. Rather I am concerned about how hot the computer gets esp. when the battery is in it. I am going to run a more extended hardware test overnight.

When the battery is out the computer seems to run fine. When its in it is more apt to freeze or experience a panic.

computer: mbp 3.1, os x 10.4, 2.2ghz mem, nvidia GeForce 8600M GT