[Harvey]

Lately my iMac has been "freezing up" after an extended period of non use (1 to 2 hrs). When I return my screen will go into a "mild fade" with a box telling me in 4 different languages that I need to hold down my start button to reboot. This is something that has never happenned in the past and the only thing I "played with" is the energy saver. Any ideas?

[dtriska]

You've had a kernel panic. We'll need more details to help you.

Which model iMac do you have? What version of OS X are you running? What software is left open when you leave your computer? Include anything that may run in the background and small utilities.

Have you installed any software, or software updates, lately? What peripherals do you have attached to the computer?

Is there anything else unusual about the computer, or how it's running?

[Harvey]

Where do I begin....I have a 1.25 ghz iMac purchased last September (2003). Usuall running programs are Safarie, Entourage, and possibly iMovie,iPhoto, or iDvd. I believe iphoto was running the last time the problem occurred. My Pather version is 10.3.4. As for peripherals...i have an epson printer, USB back-up drive, scanner and usb Zio flashcard reader. I really don't know what else I canadd. Thanks

[larkost]

Kernel panics are almost always due to hardware (or the drivers for hardware). While I hate Epson drivers, then don't tend to cause panics, so my suspicions would fall on the other three peripherals. My prime candidate would be the backup drive if it is one of those that has special drivers (...say for a front button to trigger backups). My second guess would be drivers for the scanner.

A good way of checking for this would be to disconnect the device for a while and see if you can localize the problem.

One last note: I have seen a single case where the mouse cord (frayed) was responsible for kernel panics, so you can't completely rule out Apple branded devices... but that is really low on my list.

[dtriska]

There's nothing in particular about your apps that should be causing problems.

I agree with larkost; it's most likely your peripherals. Disconnect them one at a time, and then let your computer sit for a while to see if it still freezes. Also, check to see if updated drivers are available.

It's mostly a trial-and-error approach you'll have to use. Remember to add back the peripherals that pass, as the problem might be two peripherals being connected at the same time.

[JMII]

Originally posted by Harvey:
...usb Zio flashcard reader.

My ZiO cardreader caused sleep issues with my G4 MDD tower & 10.3 but recent updates have fixed that. It never KP-ed or locked up, it would just fail to sleep or go back sleep immediately after waking as if it was really tired or something (hehe). Search the Apple Knowledge Base in the support section of the Apple's website and see if your iMac has similar known problem. Try unplugging the ZiO and seeing if it goes away for sure. Then make sure your running the lastest drivers for the ZiO as others have suggested.