imac running OSX now crashes almost immediately after startup

[spk]

Hi,
Been having this problem for about a month now, but haven't had time to address it fully until now. At first I would get the "you must restart your computer" message every once in a while, lately (past few days) it happens just a few minutes after desktop appears on screen. After reading more about how to post about this, I've got the following info:

Operating System : OSX 10.5 Intel

Run Startup Disk : Yes, repair disk tells me disk appears to be fine, verify Disk permissions gives the following message:

Permissions differ on "Library/Application Support/ProApps/Internal Plug-ins/BrowserKit/iLife.bkplugin/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-rw-r--, they are lrw-rw-r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/BrowserKit.framework/Versions/A/CodeResources", should be -rw-r-r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions Differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contyents/Plugins/DVD.frappliance/Contents/codeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CorfeServices/Front Row.app/Contents/Plugins/FrSettings.frappliance/Contents/Coderesources", shoudl be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/Contents/Plugins/FrSources.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/ContentsPlugins/Movies.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/ContentsPlugins/Music.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/ContentsPlugins/Photos.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/ContentsPlugins/Podcasts.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/CoreServices/Front Row.app/ContentsPlugins/TV.frappliance/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Permissions differ on "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/ProKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Leopard Panels.bundle/Contents/CodeResources", should be -rw-r--r--, they are lrw-r--r--.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/Filesystems/AppleShare/afpLoad" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/DiskManagement.framework/Versions/A/Resources/DiskManagementTool" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "bin/rcp" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "usr/bin/rlogin" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "usr/bin/rsh" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "usr/sbin/pppd" has been modified and will not be repaired.
Warning: SUID file "usr/sbin/vpnd" has been modified and will not be repaired.
ACL found but not expected on "Applications/Utilities".

Repair disk permissions gives same message.

Peripherals attached to this computer : Canon MP620 Printer (wifi) Seagate HomeAgent 2TB Hard Drive (wifi)

Latest error log attached.


Much thanks in advance.

-Shawn

 

[SGilbert]

I would strongly suggest you look into purchasing Alsoft's DiskWarrior. IMHO, it's the single most indispensable app a Mac user will need.

Barring that, look into Applejack; it's free. Also, startup with your system disk, go to utilities, and run disk repair with Disk Utility.

 

[spk]

SGilbert,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
I installed AppleJack, and ran it twice; the first time normally, the second with a Deep Clean. Now it will startup for a while, but still crashes very frequently. As far as running disk utility with the startup disk, that is what I did when I posted the results in my original post.
Is DiskWarrior any different than AppleJack in terms of what it does/can do? I'm not against spending the money on it, just wondering.
Any other advice? I actually use this imac not that often; my 7yo daughter uses it supervised playing on educational school-based websites. That is what is so frustrating about this, the fact that for a computer that is used so rarely it's suddenly having a lot of issues.
Thanks for your help.
-Shawn

 

[DeltaMac]

...As far as running disk utility with the startup disk, that is what I did when I posted the results in my original post.
....

If you booted to the startup disk (your OS X reinstall DVD), and ran Disk Utility, then you should run Repair Disk - different from Repair Disk Permissions.

It can be very helpful if you can tell us which Mac model this is.

 

[spk]

Okay, I ran repair disk in disk utility from startup disk:

"The volume Macintosh HD appears to be OK."

Model info:
Model Name: iMac
* Model Identifier: iMac8,1
* Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
* Processor Speed: 3.06 GHz
* Number Of Processors: 1
* Total Number Of Cores: 2
* L2 Cache: 6 MB
* Memory: 2 GB
* Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
* Boot ROM Version: IM81.00C1.B00
* SMC Version (system): 1.30f1

-Shawn

 

[DeltaMac]

I would suggest two or three things to try:
My first thought about kernel panics (that's the message in multiple languages that you must shut your computer down now) is faulty RAM memory - so you should try swapping your RAM memory between the slots.
Check on the cooling air intake on the _back_ of the iMac. It's the small round opening directly above the power cord connection. Just wipe across that opening, which will do the job.
Then, use your Mac for another day or two to see if that problem continues.
And, if there's no fix yet - reinstall OS X:
Boot to your installer DVD, and continue with the install. At the screen where you choose the destination - click the Options button, and make sure to select the Archive and Install option, with the sub-option to save your files and settings, and continue on with the reinstall. When that completes, you will be forced to restart. Be sure to run your Software Update, until the system is completely up-to-date again.