Panther install: everything crashes?

Lunatic Prods · 01-04-2004, 06:18 PM

Only a fool starts an installation after supper . . . but . . . tried to install 10.3 onto G4 17" Powerbook (was running 10.2.6, loads of RAM) and had immediate problems once the installation had finished and PB restarted.

Everything crashes 'unexpectedly' as soon as it is activated . . . First to go was Suitcase, as a login item, then everything crashes - even System Prefs (so can't change log-in items) and Disk Utils and all the built-in applications . . . the only app I can get working is Acrobat 6!

Safe boot (starting with shift down) does nothing different, so I remove Suitcase from the disk, and now it just 'blinks' . . . the top menu bar and all finder windows disappear, leaving background image, then bar and windows redraw and disappear . . . on and on . . .

Any clues to what has gone wrong? No firmware update required, nothing external plugged in . . . I'm going to bed . . .

Huw

hayne · 01-05-2004, 12:22 AM

Try following the suggestions of the "Generic OS X Troubleshooting" thread (the list near the end of the thread). In particular, do the 'fsck' to fix the filesystem, and try logging in as a different, preferably freshly created user.

rusto · 01-05-2004, 07:30 AM

Make sure you have the very latest version of Suitcase: I JUST resolved a case with similar symptoms for a friend simply by updating Suitcase to v11 after first booting to single user mode and running fsck.

Bummer warning: we had to completely re-introduce all her fonts to Suitcase afterwards.

Lunatic Prods · 01-06-2004, 04:58 AM

Thanks Rusto and Hayne for your help . . . I'm a UNIX virgin, though . . . so in need of a little TLC!

Managed to boot into single-user mode, managed to run fsck, which gave happy results . . . but unable to create new user as, when I startup (even on Safe Boot), System Prefs quits unexpectedly before I can create new user or indeed do anything else . . . at least the menubar and windows aren't flashing at me now.

Is there a way to lose whichever settings of the old 10.2.6 system are upsetting 10.3 (this would have to be done before 10.3 starts up, as everything crashes immediately)?

Can I create a new clean user without trying to use Sytem Prefs (which crashes, of course)?

And wouldn't that mean that the settings of the current user with all prefs etc would still be unusable?

Or should I shoot the upgrade installation, delete the new tainted system and reinstall 10.3 from scratch (instead of as upgrade?)?

Thanks

Huw

rusto · 01-06-2004, 07:04 AM

You could try an Archive and Install, Saving User Preferences first (I think the options, or custmize button for that appears when you select the destination of the install). That way any old System prefs would be shuttled aside and your User prefs preserved, which would help you determine IF it was a user pref that was fouling things up.

hayne · 01-06-2004, 10:10 AM

1) You should run the "Console" application (under /Applications/Utilities) to see what error messages are given when System Preferences crashes. It likely writes a log file with crash details.

2) It is possible to create a new user via the UNIX command line (in Terminal) - this has been the subject of some articles on the main macosxhints site, so you could look at those articles.

Lunatic Prods · 01-06-2004, 10:44 AM

Thanks to both of you ...

I've successfully done fresh install of 10.3 on other partition of the Powerbook disk, so at least I know the installer works and I can access the files.

I've checked log files with console, Hayne

The fc-cache.crash.log notes 'EXC_BAD_ACCESS" exception and Code 'KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE (0x0002) at 0x0000000', amongst lots of other impenetrable chat.

Console.logs note 'WirelessAttach: getInterfaceWithName failed' and a large number of 'DFX: Finder query returned error -609' . . .

Does that mean something?

(Do tell me if this is beyond your kind remote help - and I might just have to do a clean install of 10.3, and then reinstall whatever applications lose their balls in the process)

Thanks again

Huw

hayne · 01-06-2004, 11:01 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by Lunatic Prods The fc-cache.crash.log notes 'EXC_BAD_ACCESS" exception and Code 'KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE (0x0002) at 0x0000000', amongst lots of other impenetrable chat.

I don't know what "fc-cache" is. It would seem that it is some application that has crashed. What is the time/date on that crash log? Maybe it is old and has nothing to do with your current problems? The "impenetrable chat" might suggest something to us so you might post it here (if the date suggests that this is related to the problem).

Aren't there any messages or crash logs dealing with System Preferences? You can run Console first and then you will see the messages appear as problems happen.

Quote:


	Console.logs note 'WirelessAttach: getInterfaceWithName failed' and a large number of 'DFX: Finder query returned error -609'

Do you know what this "DFX" is? I don't recognize it but a google search shows a DFX utility. Is this something you have installed? You should definitely uninstall any system "enhancements" (e.g. haxies or other things that modify the usual system look or behaviour).

Lunatic Prods · 01-06-2004, 11:25 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by hayne I don't know what "fc-cache" is. It would seem that it is some application that has crashed. What is the time/date on that crash log? Maybe it is old and has nothing to do with your current problems? The "impenetrable chat" might suggest something to us so you might post it here (if the date suggests that this is related to the problem).

The fc-cache crash log does date from Monday's attempt to install 10.3:

"Command: fc-cache (/usr/X11R6/bin/fc-cache)
PID: 484
Thread: 0"

The 'impenetrable chat' appears to be addresses in two blocks, headed 'Thread 0 crashed:' and 'PPC Thread State:' . .

Quote:


	Aren't there any messages or crash logs dealing with System Preferences? You can run Console first and then you will see the messages appear as problems happen.

If I try and run 10.3 from that upgrade installation, I don't think Console will run and show the problems - it will just crash as every application I've tried to run does . . .

Quote:


	Do you know what this "DFX" is? I don't recognize it but a google search shows a DFX utility. Is this something you have installed? You should definitely uninstall any system "enhancements" (e.g. haxies or other things that modify the usual system look or behaviour).

No idea what DFX is. And my problem has been to get into the system to suspend any start-up items (don't think I'm running any haxies à la unsanity) . . .

I'm beginning to feel that it might be easier all round to trash the upgraded system folder and try a clean install of 10.3 (but I'm too scared to try 10.3 on a production machine after this . . .!)

Thanks for your help - genuinely appreciated!

Huw

hayne · 01-06-2004, 11:51 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by Lunatic Prods The 'impenetrable chat' appears to be addresses in two blocks, headed 'Thread 0 crashed:' and 'PPC Thread State:'

Show us the "crashed" block - it might suggest something.

Quote:


	If I try and run 10.3 from that upgrade installation, I don't think Console will run and show the problems - it will just crash as every application I've tried to run does

Try it anyway - it might work.

Quote:


	And my problem has been to get into the system to suspend any start-up items

If you can boot from your other partition, then you should be able to remove any startup items from the folder /Volumes/your_original_disk_name/Library/StartupItems
You could also move aside your user's preference files (from /Volumes/your_original_disk_name/Users/your_user_name/Library/Preferences)
and the system-level preferences (from /Volumes/your_original_disk_name/Library/Preferences)

Lunatic Prods · 01-08-2004, 02:07 PM

Thanks for your help, people! Much appreciated . . . !

In the end, as it wouldn't even boot into safe boot without startup items and so on, I went for the backup and install again scenario . . . and think I've pinpointed the culprit!

Default Folder - a fab piece of software that makes navigation so much easier - was the problem. The latest version runs fine on 10.3, but versions earlier than 1.9 cause serious trouble - they know of the problem and are doing all they can to warn . . .

BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST "DEFAULT FOLDER" from http://www.stclairsoft.com BEFORE INSTALLING 10.3!!

Thanks, again . .

Huw

01-04-2004, 06:18 PM	#1
Lunatic Prods Prospect Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Panther install: everything crashes? Only a fool starts an installation after supper . . . but . . . tried to install 10.3 onto G4 17" Powerbook (was running 10.2.6, loads of RAM) and had immediate problems once the installation had finished and PB restarted. Everything crashes 'unexpectedly' as soon as it is activated . . . First to go was Suitcase, as a login item, then everything crashes - even System Prefs (so can't change log-in items) and Disk Utils and all the built-in applications . . . the only app I can get working is Acrobat 6! Safe boot (starting with shift down) does nothing different, so I remove Suitcase from the disk, and now it just 'blinks' . . . the top menu bar and all finder windows disappear, leaving background image, then bar and windows redraw and disappear . . . on and on . . . Any clues to what has gone wrong? No firmware update required, nothing external plugged in . . . I'm going to bed . . . Huw

01-05-2004, 07:30 AM	#3
rusto MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,489	Make sure you have the very latest version of Suitcase: I JUST resolved a case with similar symptoms for a friend simply by updating Suitcase to v11 after first booting to single user mode and running fsck. Bummer warning: we had to completely re-introduce all her fonts to Suitcase afterwards. __________________ :: 3.4GHz Core i7 iMac 4GB RAM :: Black MacBook SR :: 10.7.2 :: iPhone 4 / iOS 5 ::

01-06-2004, 04:58 AM	#4
Lunatic Prods Prospect Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Thanks Rusto and Hayne for your help . . . I'm a UNIX virgin, though . . . so in need of a little TLC! Managed to boot into single-user mode, managed to run fsck, which gave happy results . . . but unable to create new user as, when I startup (even on Safe Boot), System Prefs quits unexpectedly before I can create new user or indeed do anything else . . . at least the menubar and windows aren't flashing at me now. Is there a way to lose whichever settings of the old 10.2.6 system are upsetting 10.3 (this would have to be done before 10.3 starts up, as everything crashes immediately)? Can I create a new clean user without trying to use Sytem Prefs (which crashes, of course)? And wouldn't that mean that the settings of the current user with all prefs etc would still be unusable? Or should I shoot the upgrade installation, delete the new tainted system and reinstall 10.3 from scratch (instead of as upgrade?)? Thanks Huw Last edited by Lunatic Prods; 01-06-2004 at 06:13 AM.

01-06-2004, 07:04 AM	#5
rusto MVP Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,489	You could try an Archive and Install, Saving User Preferences first (I think the options, or custmize button for that appears when you select the destination of the install). That way any old System prefs would be shuttled aside and your User prefs preserved, which would help you determine IF it was a user pref that was fouling things up. __________________ :: 3.4GHz Core i7 iMac 4GB RAM :: Black MacBook SR :: 10.7.2 :: iPhone 4 / iOS 5 ::

01-08-2004, 02:07 PM	#11
Lunatic Prods Prospect Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Note to installers of 10.3 - update Default Folder first!! Thanks for your help, people! Much appreciated . . . ! In the end, as it wouldn't even boot into safe boot without startup items and so on, I went for the backup and install again scenario . . . and think I've pinpointed the culprit! Default Folder - a fab piece of software that makes navigation so much easier - was the problem. The latest version runs fine on 10.3, but versions earlier than 1.9 cause serious trouble - they know of the problem and are doing all they can to warn . . . BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST "DEFAULT FOLDER" from http://www.stclairsoft.com BEFORE INSTALLING 10.3!! Thanks, again . . Huw

01-05-2004, 12:22 AM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	Try following the suggestions of the "Generic OS X Troubleshooting" thread (the list near the end of the thread). In particular, do the 'fsck' to fix the filesystem, and try logging in as a different, preferably freshly created user.

01-06-2004, 10:10 AM	#6
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	1) You should run the "Console" application (under /Applications/Utilities) to see what error messages are given when System Preferences crashes. It likely writes a log file with crash details. 2) It is possible to create a new user via the UNIX command line (in Terminal) - this has been the subject of some articles on the main macosxhints site, so you could look at those articles.

01-06-2004, 10:44 AM	#7
Lunatic Prods Prospect Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Thanks to both of you ... I've successfully done fresh install of 10.3 on other partition of the Powerbook disk, so at least I know the installer works and I can access the files. I've checked log files with console, Hayne The fc-cache.crash.log notes 'EXC_BAD_ACCESS" exception and Code 'KERN_PROTECTION_FAILURE (0x0002) at 0x0000000', amongst lots of other impenetrable chat. Console.logs note 'WirelessAttach: getInterfaceWithName failed' and a large number of 'DFX: Finder query returned error -609' . . . Does that mean something? (Do tell me if this is beyond your kind remote help - and I might just have to do a clean install of 10.3, and then reinstall whatever applications lose their balls in the process) Thanks again Huw