You need to restart your computere

[seanoge]

Yesterday got a secondhand core duo imac and was transferring data from a backup and I interrupted it . Now imac will not start, get the above message.
Writing on the screen starts " devfs_kernal_mount: failed to find directory "/dev"" and more. Panel says you "you need to restart computer. Tried holding various keys on startup including cmd., option, P & R but no good. Snow leo[pard is stuck in drive.Help.

 

[GGJstudios]

If you get a screen that looks like this:

It's called a kernel panic. If it doesn't happen again, or very infrequently, don't worry about it.

In most cases, kernel panics are not caused by an issue with your Mac. They are most likely caused by an issue external to your Mac. If the kernel panic doesn't happen again within a few weeks, you don't need to troubleshoot further.

"You need to restart your computer" (kernel panic) message appears (Mac OS X v10.5, 10.6)
Mac OS X 10.7 Help: If “You need to restart your computer” appears
Mac OS X: How to log a kernel panic
Understanding and Debugging Kernel Panics
Resolving Kernel Panics

 

[seanoge]

If you get a screen that looks like this:

It's called a kernel panic. If it doesn't happen again, or very infrequently, don't worry about it.

"You need to restart your computer" (kernel panic) message appears (Mac OS X v10.5, 10.6)
Mac OS X 10.7 Help: If “You need to restart your computer” appears
Mac OS X: How to log a kernel panic
Understanding and Debugging Kernel Panics
Resolving Kernel Panics

Problem is - it happens EVERY time, the machine won't start. Have already followed these links without success. In a mess.

 

[GGJstudios]

Problem is - it happens EVERY time, the machine won't start. Have already followed these links without success. In a mess.

Do a clean install of your OS. If that doesn't resolve it, you may have a failing drive.

 

[seanoge]

I can't get into the machine to do an Install. Every Restart it comes up with the dreaded message "you need......". Tried PRAM, Safe start and various other suggestions but getting nowhere.

 

[fastlanephil]

I can't get into the machine to do an Install. Every Restart it comes up with the dreaded message "you need......". Tried PRAM, Safe start and various other suggestions but getting nowhere.

Are you booting from an OSX installation disk?

 

[rkaufmann87]

Yesterday got a secondhand core duo imac and was transferring data from a backup and I interrupted it . Now imac will not start, get the above message.
Writing on the screen starts " devfs_kernal_mount: failed to find directory "/dev"" and more. Panel says you "you need to restart computer. Tried holding various keys on startup including cmd., option, P & R but no good. Snow leo[pard is stuck in drive.Help.

Kernel Panics can be caused by many things, one of the more frequent issues is RAM related. RAM issues can be:

Failed RAM (yes it can and does fail)
Incorrect RAM (did you recently upgrade it)
Unseated RAM (removed and reseat)

However they can also be software related too. In order to get an idea if it's software please post the last KP report located in:

/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

Also to learn more about KP's and what other potential causes could be the best article out there is currently X Labs Kernel Panic article located at:

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/kernelpanics.html

 

[seanoge]

First some good news: got the DVD out by poking in the slot as the computer started. Popped out.
Swapped the ram out with good ram - no good.
Can't get the machine started to get to the KP reports.
Do not have install discs only Leopard & Snow leopard.
Tried with another computer and Firewire in Target mode - no good.

Have hooked up a USB drive with Snow leopard and it is trying. It is accessing the drive but in the end the same KP. When I switch computer on I get the KP in less than 30 seconds but when I connect the drive and hold OPTION it take about 2 minutes before the KP screen appears.

 

[rkaufmann87]

First some good news: got the DVD out by poking in the slot as the computer started. Popped out.
Swapped the ram out with good ram - no good.
Can't get the machine started to get to the KP reports.
Do not have install discs only Leopard & Snow leopard.
Tried with another computer and Firewire in Target mode - no good.

Have hooked up a USB drive with Snow leopard and it is trying. It is accessing the drive but in the end the same KP. When I switch computer on I get the KP in less than 30 seconds but when I connect the drive and hold OPTION it take about 2 minutes before the KP screen appears.

You need to either get the original DVDs that shipped with the computer or you may get lucky and use a Snow Leopard upgrade DVD. I suspect because you let the KP's continue you have fatally damaged the OS and will need to do an erase and install. However it's also possible you simply have a hardware failure such as a failed HD. As mentioned KP's can be difficult to diagnose.