Debugging OS X kernel and other deep crashes (needs two machines)

Macintouch Mac OS X Panther (10.3.5)

Panther Freezes

Steve St-Laurent
No, the 10.3.5 update does nothing to resolve this issue. Same pattern: iTunes plus heavy network activity (a file copy from a server, for example) causes a freeze. When did this mess start?

Rohan Lloyd
If you're not afraid of getting under the hood, this is the best way to track down what is causing the freeze and reporting it to Apple so they can fix it.

If you've never used the Terminal before, or don't know what I'm talking about, please don't just follow the instructions and blame me when something goes wrong.

* Enable remote debugging on your target machine by running the following command and rebooting.
$ sudo nvram boot-args='debug=0x144
* Download the KernelDebugKit from: http://developer.apple.com/sdk/#Kernel
* Mount the KernelDebugKit on a remote machine (not the one that is freezing)
* When the freeze happens, trigger a Non Maskable Interrupt (NMI). On a PowerBook you do this with Cmd-Power (google for other machines)
* On the remote machine, start gdb, and attach to the freezing machine:
$ gdb -x /Volumes/KernelDebugKit/kgmacros
/Volumes/KernelDebugKit/mach_kernel
(gdb) target remote-kdp
(gdb) attach ???.???.???.???
* Get a stack trace of all processes:
(gdb) showallstacks
* Report the bug to Apple including the stack trace: http://bugreporter.apple.com/

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There's an earlier blog posting of mine about the lockup. A Macintouch contributor says it's related to a fairly deep VM/HFS+ bug. This is a good description of how to debug OS X kernel issues.

Troubleshooting OS X: the role of receipts

MacInTouch Home Page

[Greg Cook] I also had difficulty with the java 1.4.2 install error saying I needed Java 1.4.1 first. The problem lies in one of the receipts. Delete the file /Library/Receipts/QuickTimeJavaUpdate.pkg and Java 1.4.2 should install just fine.

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A new debugging approach, in addition to repairing permissions, running fsck, deleting preference files, clearning caches, testing in a new user, etc.

For sale: Canon PowerShot S230 3.2 MP Digital ELPH Camera with 2x Optical Zoom

Amazon.com: Camera & Photo: Canon PowerShot S230 3.2 MP Digital ELPH Camera with 2x Optical Zoom

I'm selling our much loved Canon s230. This camera was purchased @ March 2003 and is no longer under warrantee.

I'm selling because I've replaced the s230 with a later model Canon s410. The s410 is 4 megapixel and 3 times zoom, it's a nice improvement on the s230, Even so, the s230 looks better that the s410 and I prefer the s230's smooth trigger action.

This would be a great starter camera or a second camera. It is very compact, very rugged, takes great pictures and comes with a very compact travel charger. Made in Japan and feels solid. Very good condition. Only oddity is sometimes the CF memory compartment door doesn't pop open, I have to delicately help with a thumbnail. It's been like that since day one, I noticed Canon put a much stronger spring in the later model s410.

I am selling the camera, camera case, and flash card in a package:

- 256 MB CF flash card: $30 (these sell new for $50)
- leather case (fits very nicely): $8 (selll new for $12)
- s230 camera plus all accessories including data cable, AV cable, charger, CDs, manual, etc: $202
- shipping: $10

TOTAL: $250

Note for purposes of comparison the s410 with case and memory card and shipping would be: $410.

Jon Udell: Bloglines

Jon Udell: Bloglines

Jon Udell likes bloglines too. A very strong review with some interesting background.

X1 instantly searches files & email. For Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora and Netscape Mail.

X1 instantly searches files & email. For Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora and Netscape Mail.

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Lookout works for me, but X1 searches file content as well: http://www.x1.com/products/viewable_file_formats.html

Lookout for Outlook Download: it's back!

Lookout for Outlook Download

I use Lookout every day. It was briefly unavailable, but as Fallows explains -- it's back!

In the face of bitter blog-world complaints, however, Microsoft reversed course and agreed to make Lookout available again. It is one of several intriguing free utilities in the Sandbox section of Microsoft's Web site.

This is a great application.

Keyfinder retrieves your Product Key (cd key) from registry

Keyfinder retrieves your Product Key (cd key) from registry: "The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office 97, and Office XP. This version is a quick update to make it work with Windows Server 2003. "