[marilyn29]

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: PowerBook G4 15"
Machine Model: PowerBook5,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.67 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 512 MB
Mac OS X Version 10.4.3

(by the way this problem started before downloading version 10.4.3) It started going into kernel panic a few weeks ago while playing The Sims 2 (I'd been playing it for about a month at the time), I thought it was the disc, thought it had a scratch or something, I even went and bought another disc and the same thing happened. I managed to exchange it for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, I'd been playing it for 3 days when it happened again. I've tried everything: disk utility, downloaded the drivers for my video card, installed/uninstalled the games, downloaded their respective patches.. it only happens when I'm playing one of those games, I wouldn't know if it happens with other games since I've only played those two in my Powerbook. I haven't installed any extra RAM or anything, nothing at all, so I don't know what to do. Thanks in advance for any help.

[seanc]

Try moving the ram from one slot to the other.

[marilyn29]

I switched the 512 mb stick to the upper slot and it ran great for a couple hours last night until I put it to sleep. When I turned it on it started freezing again, so I put it in the lower slot again, ran the hardware test and it only recognizes 256 mb instead of 512 mb. I put it back in the upper slot and still recognizes 256 mb only. I don't know if I damaged the memory stick, I don't think so, I handled it quite carefully, but it seems like one of the slots or both of them were already damaged anyway. I have AppleCare, will it cover the RAM too? It's the one that came with the PB when I bought it 3 months ago. Thanks for any help.

[galarneau]

Do those model powerbooks have separate Airport cards? Try reseating the card in it's socket.

I had an old 1.5GHz 15" PowerBook that would keep kernel panicing, and it was a loose Airport card causing it.

[marilyn29]

No, it's an internal Airport card..

I have a question. Some of the rubber around the memory door is broken, just a little (while unscrewing the screws), still could they claim I damaged the logic board because of that? I don't know how AppleCare works, I only took it once to where I bought it before and they charged me $20 because it was software-related so I don't know if I'd have to omit some details in order for them to cover everything, including the memory stick. Or even if they didn't cover the memory stick, what the hell, it's not so expensive, but at least I want them to fix everything else. I'm pissed off, I switched from PC to Mac 3 months ago to avoid exactly this kind of freezing/crashing thing. Thanks in advance.

[seanc]

Interesting problem with the ram there.

Since the 512 stick appears faulty, try the 1gb stick and see what happens.