Kernel Panic at Bootup, can't boot from Install Disk

jrtayloriv

Registered
Hello --

I've got a Powermac G5 desktop. I recently purchased a used keyboard for it off of Ebay. The computer was working fine with just a mouse. Shortly after the keyboard was plugged in, I got a kernel panic, and had to restart. I restarted, and immediately got a message saying "you need to restart your computer", and followed by another kernel panic.

Now, I get a kernel panic and "restart your computer" message, even if the keyboard is unplugged.

I was planning to do a clean install of OS X anyway, and figured that since the computer is completely useless at this point, now would be a pretty good time to go ahead and do it. So I tried to boot from the install CD by inserting the CD and holding down the 'C' key. No result -- it doesn't show me the "boot menu", and instead proceeds as usual, to it's "Restart your computer" message and subsequent kernel panic.

So I then tried rebooting and holding down the "Option" key, and managed to get to the boot menu. I selected "Mac OS X Install Disc 1" and clicked the "--->" button ... kernel panic again.

I'm at a complete loss for what to do next. Any help with this would be much appreciated. All I want to do is reinstall OS X.

How can there be a kernel panic from the boot CD? Apple didn't make it where it tries to use the kernel from disk during install did they?

I'm coming from a Linux background, and am not at all familiar with OS X, so forgive me if I've left information out that I should have included. Please let me know if this is the case, and I'll do what I can to provide it for you.

Thanks,
Jesse Taylor
 
Have you disconnected all other peripherals besides keyboard/mouse? If its kernal panic has happened both when booting to HD and optical that rules out software. Unfortunately for you parts are going to have to be pulled to see what might be causing the issue. Pull out/reseat extra RAM, unplug HD(s), unplug optical drive, reseat processors, try one processor at a time, etc...
 
Also, if you've got a liquid-cooled G5, check to ensure that there are no coolant leaks in and around the processors and power supply. Ensure all hoses are in good, working order and that the seals are tight and there's no leakage.

Coolant leaks are a huge problem on the G5s that use them (vs. air cooling):

http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/powermacg5/topic4243.html

Read the reports further toward the bottom (more recent reports) about people getting Apple to replace/repair their units free-of-charge, even when they're a year or more out of warranty.
 
Also, if you've got a liquid-cooled G5, check to ensure that there are no coolant leaks in and around the processors and power supply. Ensure all hoses are in good, working order and that the seals are tight and there's no leakage.

Coolant leaks are a huge problem on the G5s that use them (vs. air cooling):

http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/powermacg5/topic4243.html

Read the reports further toward the bottom (more recent reports) about people getting Apple to replace/repair their units free-of-charge, even when they're a year or more out of warranty.

Good point! I forgot about those which is surprising because I've had to repair several of them in the past. If the leak is bad enough you will even see coolant coming through the back bottom air vents of the machine and sitting on the back stand. Its usually light green in color.
 
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