[Drash]

I have a strawberry 266 with 160 MB (128 + 32 l/p) MacOS8.6. It has started crashing/bombing randomly on virtually any app especially the finder (even while idle in background) with type 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 41 errors, or totally bombing with messages along the lines "...sorry a system error occurred...restart..bus error...". Total system lockups just by moving the mouse pointer. Takes 10+ goes to boot, without bombing, enough for me to use Powerlogix G3/G4 Cache Profiler to switch off the cache, then it seems stable (the profiler says it can disable the cache through a boot, but doesn't actually, as reported by Gauge Pro, hence the number of tries needed).

I have tried the following which DO NOT solve the problem:
removed peripherals and hub
boot with all extensions off
boot from CD
deleted all the prefs
clean install of system
removed, cleaned and re-seated RAM and CPU cards
booted with all permutations of RAM installed

Is this fairly conclusive proof the CPU card is toast? If I do a swap for another working card will my problems be solved?

Couldn't have happened at a worst time when I really need email and am totally strapped for cash


TIA for any worthwhile comments

[seanyepez]

I think your findings are rather conclusive.

It might be something with the PRAM. Then again, you could try the CUDA switch. I recommend you do those before going out and buying a new CPU card, though a fried component somewhere along the internals might be the prognosis.