Extreme system slowdown

aaron and wine · 08-03-2007, 10:52 PM

Hello, this is my first post on these forums and I am in dire straits with my G4. It has Dual 1 GHz processor, 1 GB SDRAM and 35 Gigs left on the hard drive, and is PowerPC. It has been working smoothly until i packed it up and drove to my parents house a few hours away. When I set it up here, it took at least 5 minutes to start up and takes a long time to run anything. Additionally, the colors displayed by my monitor are all screwy. For example, if I open Safari (because Firefox wouldn't even start), the browser window where text is usually displayed is completely red.

In hopes that it would help pinpoint the issue, I opened the console and found the following error message repeatedly displayed:
Couldn't cache colorspace 1

It is displayed over and over in the console and it keeps refreshing and displaying constantly.

If anyone needs any more information or can give me any advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

trevor · 08-04-2007, 12:37 AM

Try to open up your PowerMac and re-seat the video card and any other PCI cards you have in there. Also, reseat the memory DIMMs.

Try a different monitor and monitor cable to make sure that those aren't at fault.

Run Apple Hardware Test on the computer (if you still have it), and let us know what is reported.

Run a good memory checker overnight continuously: http://memtestosx.org

Trevor

cwtnospam · 08-04-2007, 12:51 AM

My guess is that the PRAM battery is dead. You probably haven't unplugged the computer in a while, so it hasn't been an issue. Try going into System Preferences, Displays and selecting the appropriate settings for you display.

aaron and wine · 08-04-2007, 01:38 AM

I reseated all of the memory but when I tried to reseat the video card it wasn't really coming out so I left it alone. I am going to try the memory test tonight and I'll bump this thread with some results in the morning. Thanks.

And in response to cwtnospam's post, I don't see how changing the display settings will help.

cwtnospam · 08-04-2007, 08:52 AM

By changing the display settings, as well as any others like network preferences, you'll keep the Mac from trying to create them from scratch, which can take some time. It will also keep your screen from displaying images improperly if the Mac chooses the wrong settings for your monitor. Of course, this only applies if it is your PRAM battery that's dead.

aaron and wine · 08-04-2007, 01:39 PM

Ran the memtest and here is the log:

Memtest version 4.13 (32-bit)
Copyright (C) 2004 Charles Cazabon
Copyright (C) 2004, 2005 Tony Scaminaci (Macintosh port)
Licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 only

MacOS X (Darwin) running in multiuser mode
POSIX version 200112
Pagesize is 4096
Requested memory: 825MB (865361920 bytes)
Available memory: 825MB (865361920 bytes)
Allocated memory: 825MB (865361920 bytes) at local address 0x02008000
Attempting memory lock... locked successfully
Creating test buffers...
Buffer A: 412MB (432680960 bytes) at local address 0x02008000
Buffer B: 412MB (432680960 bytes) at local address 0x1bcab000

Running 1 test sequence...

Test sequence 1 of 1:
Stuck Address : setting 1 of 16ok
Random Value : ok
Compare XOR : ok
Compare SUB : ok
Compare MUL : ok
Compare DIV : ok
Compare OR : ok
Compare AND : ok
Sequential Increment: ok
Solid Bits : setting 1 of 64ok
Block Sequential : setting 1 of 256ok
Checkerboard : setting 1 of 64ok
Bit Spread : setting 1 of 64ok
Bit Flip : setting 1 of 256 Walking Ones : setting 1 of 64ok
Walking Zeroes : setting 1 of 64ok

All tests passed.

trevor · 08-04-2007, 01:48 PM

I'd advise you to run memtest continuously overnight, not just one pass.

Also, I've not seen any response to the following:

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	Try a different monitor and monitor cable to make sure that those aren't at fault. Run Apple Hardware Test on the computer (if you still have it), and let us know what is reported.

Trevor

aaron and wine · 08-04-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	I'd advise you to run memtest continuously overnight, not just one pass. Also, I've not seen any response to the following: Trevor

Yeah, I don't have the disc for Apple Hardware Test and I don't have another monitor I could test it on. I'll keep memtest going all day though.

trevor · 08-04-2007, 02:31 PM

Also, have you zapped the PRAM, reset Open Firmware, and reset the PMU button since moving the PowerMac? (directions)

Trevor

aaron and wine · 08-04-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	Also, have you zapped the PRAM, reset Open Firmware, and reset the PMU button since moving the PowerMac? (directions) Trevor

No but I'll go try that now.

aaron and wine · 08-04-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	Also, have you zapped the PRAM, reset Open Firmware, and reset the PMU button since moving the PowerMac? (directions) Trevor

Tried zapping the PRAM and the Open Firmware and it didn't help. The PMU button is for portable computers only according to that link.

trevor · 08-04-2007, 06:01 PM

No, I wrote that link :-). Look under the "Hardware" heading for directions for pushing the PMU button.

Trevor

ThreeDee · 08-04-2007, 06:28 PM

Be sure to backup your work, just in case your HD fails or something.

aaron and wine · 08-04-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	No, I wrote that link :-). Look under the "Hardware" heading for directions for pushing the PMU button. Trevor

Didn't work :-/

edit: A few more error messages that console is giving me.

2007-08-05 18:27:50.635 SyndicationAgent[195] WARNING: SQLite error 5: database is locked
2007-08-05 18:27:50.635 SyndicationAgent[195] WARNING: SQLite error 5: database is locked
2007-08-05 18:27:50.635 SyndicationAgent[195] WARNING: SQL query failed:

2007-08-05 18:29:35.492 Safari[189] WARNING: Syndication database thread didn't close in 10 seconds. Timing out.

trevor · 08-04-2007, 11:36 PM

That looks like a Safari error. SyndicationAgent is used by Safari to monitor RSS feeds. I doubt that that has anything to do with a messed-up colorspace.

Trevor

aaron and wine · 08-05-2007, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevor


	That looks like a Safari error. SyndicationAgent is used by Safari to monitor RSS feeds. I doubt that that has anything to do with a messed-up colorspace. Trevor

I don't think so, the entire system is really slow and the Safari errors only pop up when I open Safari. I usually use Firefox but it won't even open. And I don't have any RSS feeds on Safari.

trevor · 08-05-2007, 12:25 PM

Well, SyndicationAgent also handles .Mac bookmarks: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304340
and iCal: http://lists.apple.com/archives/Coco.../msg00003.html

But it is not related to color. Therefore, I don't think it's related.

Trevor

08-03-2007, 10:52 PM	#1
aaron and wine Prospect Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	Extreme system slowdown Hello, this is my first post on these forums and I am in dire straits with my G4. It has Dual 1 GHz processor, 1 GB SDRAM and 35 Gigs left on the hard drive, and is PowerPC. It has been working smoothly until i packed it up and drove to my parents house a few hours away. When I set it up here, it took at least 5 minutes to start up and takes a long time to run anything. Additionally, the colors displayed by my monitor are all screwy. For example, if I open Safari (because Firefox wouldn't even start), the browser window where text is usually displayed is completely red. In hopes that it would help pinpoint the issue, I opened the console and found the following error message repeatedly displayed: Couldn't cache colorspace 1 It is displayed over and over in the console and it keeps refreshing and displaying constantly. If anyone needs any more information or can give me any advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

08-04-2007, 12:37 AM	#2
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	Try to open up your PowerMac and re-seat the video card and any other PCI cards you have in there. Also, reseat the memory DIMMs. Try a different monitor and monitor cable to make sure that those aren't at fault. Run Apple Hardware Test on the computer (if you still have it), and let us know what is reported. Run a good memory checker overnight continuously: http://memtestosx.org Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

08-04-2007, 02:31 PM	#9
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	Also, have you zapped the PRAM, reset Open Firmware, and reset the PMU button since moving the PowerMac? (directions) Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

08-04-2007, 06:01 PM	#12
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	No, I wrote that link :-). Look under the "Hardware" heading for directions for pushing the PMU button. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

08-04-2007, 06:28 PM	#13
ThreeDee Hall of Famer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,418	Be sure to backup your work, just in case your HD fails or something. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro (Mid 2010), 2.4 GHz Core i5, 10.6.5, 4GB RAM PowerMac G4 "Quicksilver", 733 MHz, 10.4.11, 1.5GB RAM iPod Touch 5G, 32GB, iOS 6.1.3

08-04-2007, 12:51 AM	#3
cwtnospam League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,475	My guess is that the PRAM battery is dead. You probably haven't unplugged the computer in a while, so it hasn't been an issue. Try going into System Preferences, Displays and selecting the appropriate settings for you display.

08-04-2007, 01:38 AM	#4
aaron and wine Prospect Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	I reseated all of the memory but when I tried to reseat the video card it wasn't really coming out so I left it alone. I am going to try the memory test tonight and I'll bump this thread with some results in the morning. Thanks. And in response to cwtnospam's post, I don't see how changing the display settings will help.

08-04-2007, 08:52 AM	#5
cwtnospam League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,475	By changing the display settings, as well as any others like network preferences, you'll keep the Mac from trying to create them from scratch, which can take some time. It will also keep your screen from displaying images improperly if the Mac chooses the wrong settings for your monitor. Of course, this only applies if it is your PRAM battery that's dead.

08-04-2007, 01:39 PM	#6
aaron and wine Prospect Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8	Ran the memtest and here is the log: Memtest version 4.13 (32-bit) Copyright (C) 2004 Charles Cazabon Copyright (C) 2004, 2005 Tony Scaminaci (Macintosh port) Licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 only MacOS X (Darwin) running in multiuser mode POSIX version 200112 Pagesize is 4096 Requested memory: 825MB (865361920 bytes) Available memory: 825MB (865361920 bytes) Allocated memory: 825MB (865361920 bytes) at local address 0x02008000 Attempting memory lock... locked successfully Creating test buffers... Buffer A: 412MB (432680960 bytes) at local address 0x02008000 Buffer B: 412MB (432680960 bytes) at local address 0x1bcab000 Running 1 test sequence... Test sequence 1 of 1: Stuck Address : setting 1 of 16ok Random Value : ok Compare XOR : ok Compare SUB : ok Compare MUL : ok Compare DIV : ok Compare OR : ok Compare AND : ok Sequential Increment: ok Solid Bits : setting 1 of 64ok Block Sequential : setting 1 of 256ok Checkerboard : setting 1 of 64ok Bit Spread : setting 1 of 64ok Bit Flip : setting 1 of 256 Walking Ones : setting 1 of 64ok Walking Zeroes : setting 1 of 64ok All tests passed.

08-04-2007, 11:36 PM	#15
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	That looks like a Safari error. SyndicationAgent is used by Safari to monitor RSS feeds. I doubt that that has anything to do with a messed-up colorspace. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?

08-05-2007, 12:25 PM	#17
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 19,854	Well, SyndicationAgent also handles .Mac bookmarks: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304340 and iCal: http://lists.apple.com/archives/Coco.../msg00003.html But it is not related to color. Therefore, I don't think it's related. Trevor __________________ How to ask questions the smart way \| Pssst. Wanna play some FuMafia?