[gabevaradi]

My system ran like clockwork under 10.4.4 and on 3.7.06 I installed the upgrade. The system started freezing up almost daily requiring a complete shutdown and reboot. As soon as security update 2006-002 was issued, I applied it hoping that it would provide some relief. I experienced the same intra-day freeze.
When security update 2006-002 v1.1 was made available, I applied that as well and now the system freeze occurs every morning, prior to any use. What I find is a message instructing me to restart. I can not do a normal restart,the only way to get the system going is to pull the plug. I should explain that I leave the system up and running for weeks on end to take advantage of the built in cleanup scheduled by the operating system. I have been doing this for years without an issue. I am convinced that 10.4.5 is causing my problems but could the fact that I leave the system up overnight be a contributing factor? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[macnuke]

do you do permissions repair before installing OS updates?
do you have a 3d party disk utilities such as DiskWarrior or TechToolPro or Drive Genius?
I recommend the first which is why i tossed in the link.
odds are it will fix you up.
I don't think it's 10.4.5 causing your issue. I do think it's a lack of 3rd party maintenance.
and if this is occurring on the iMac you have listed in your signature, while you are at it, pull out disk 2 with Additional Software & Apple hardware test and run the long test to check your RAM. it may be bad and you not know it until one of the higher registries are written to.
I only say this as RAM is one of the most common causes of kernel panics and forced restart issues.

DiskWarrior is well worth what you pay for it.

while I do leave my Macs on 24/7, I also have YASU which can force the running of all your crons and clean out all the other caches that need cleaning.

[moose_n_squirrel]

While there is a problem with your Mac, it isn't a direct cause of 10.4.5 but some odd side effect or interaction. There are millions of people running 10.4.5 and it isn't causing the same issues on most machines. Also, it does not matter how long you run your Mac. Unix was designed for 24/7 operation, to withstand server workloads, originally, and Apple has adapted it for consumer and laptop uses as OS X, so it can't be a matter of how long you run it. Also, the restart message, or kernel panic, is not a normal error message. It usually indicates a deeper problem than the OS or permissions because its cause is usually beyond the scope of normal use and maintenance. Usually caused by failing hardware (like RAM as suggested earlier) or a hardware driver that's gotten corrupted. What I am saying is that while the basic maintenance could do some good you should also review Apple's tech notes on kernel panics.
For example, try to start up and log in with all hardware accessories (USB, FireWire, etc.) disconnected and with the Shift key held down to disable kernel extensions and startup items that may be disrupting startup. If it starts up, then you know the problem is because of an add-on.

[gabevaradi]

Thanks for both suggestions. What I didn't mention in my original message is that I do use a third party maintenance pgm (OnyX) as well as the built in maintenance procedures. Admitedly, I do not fire up OnyX daily but I thought that the internal maintenance was enough to keep the system healthy.
I will purchase DiskWarrior and try to educate myself on kernel panics. I downloaded YASU and will add it to my maintenance repertoir. Any suggestions as to how often I should run OnyX and YASU? Daily?

[macworldguy]

I suggest that you purchase macaroni
http://www.atomicbird.com/
whereby it will do the required maintenance all in the background.

It is well worth the money.

Another excellent utility programme I use is cocktail
http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/ .
This programme can also do very safe system tweeeks in addition to the required maintenace to maintain a healthy OS X.
It is also well worth the money.

[Typhoon14]

Just a note: If you're getting kernel panics, they are almost certainly not related to Disk permissions or any of the normal cron maintenance tasks. Problems in these areas may manifest themselves in other annoying ways, but not in a complete kernel failure. Damage to the disk directory can and does cause kernel failure, so DiskWarrior is your friend. Also, if you have any third-party kernel extensions installed, they can interact disastrously with certain system updates.
I just say this so you don't go out and start running a dozen little maintenance scripts and utilities that really don't do anything except waste time when run regularly.

[macnuke]

onyx isn't enough.
unfortunate, but it's not.
your directory gets messed up as time goes on. and DW or one of the other utilities will fix that.
luck with it.
m

[gabevaradi]

What is a "third-party kernel extensions"?

[macnuke]

3rd party = non-Apple software or non-Apple OS.
in other words, an extension created and used by any non Apple software.

[macnuke]

while those two are nice programs, neither do anything about Directory structure.
YASU is not only free, but pretty much covers what those two do.
forcing the issue on crons, cache cleaning and repairing permissions will never take the place of a good 3rd party DU.
cocktail, Macaroni, Onyx YASU and other applications of that type just don't do a complete job.
and if the truth be told, letting the OS handle crons on it's own, and cleaning your cache files out manually as well as repairing permissions is what those scripts do.. all which can be done relatively quick manually without any cost. they are a convenience script to get it all at one sitting at user demand.

[macnuke]

In reply to:

---

start running a dozen little maintenance scripts and utilities that really don't do anything except waste time when run regularly.

---

/forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif thank you

[gabevaradi]

To satisfy my curiosity, what makes any of these cleanup utilities better then any other? Or as a matter of good hygiene, should I run more then one (or all?)?

[macnuke]

my opinion on why I use YASU and not the others...
YASU doesn't to anything that can harm my system. it only performs tasks that can be done manually or with normal OS running such as crons and logging out and back in for some of the cache dumping.
the others have enough options in them to do damage if not used correctly or with intelligent decision.
and that is bad.. too many people hear they are good scripts and load em and run em.. without knowing just what they are doing.
DiskWarrior, Drive Genius and Tech Tool Pro all can do a total rebuild and replacement of your directory. Something the other scripts cannot do.
This is actually where 90% of the problems users have occur.
So the scripts just don't cut it for real maintenance.
I use DW first for two reasons.. even tho I own all three of the DU's I listed..
DW is the least expensive.
it does one thing and one thing great.
optimize your directory which speeds up the system responses and gets rid of some of those nasty bugs that work their way into any OS.
I have known users that have done it and I have performed a recovery on one drive that Drive Genius was able to get the data in a form that it could be saved whereas the rest of the OS was toast and the drive was beyond repair.. it was a hardware failure and not a software one. DW and TTP couldn't save anything.
that's a rare thing tho and most hardware failures result in a loss of whatever was there.
but that's why we have backups. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
running all utilities when not needed = too much time on your hands.
when my system gets to where I notice a bit of lag in it, I YASU, DW, fresh clone.
normally, I let the system perform crons when it wants to and leave em alone.
which gives me more time to actually USE my Mac and not work on it.. which is the whole point anyway. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Dr-NiKoN]

In reply to:

---

DiskWarrior, Drive Genius and Tech Tool Pro all can do a total rebuild and replacement of your directory. Something the other scripts cannot do.
This is actually where 90% of the problems users have occur.

---

Haha