Imac 333 Problem, repeated crashes Options

[MOLLOWITZ]

i currently own an imac 333 with a 6gb hard drive, 160MB RAM, running system 9.2. basically, the only program i can run is ProTools Free. the computer has some kind of hardware problem (i don't think it's software because it does the same thing with basic system software installed) that causes it to crash repeatedly for no reason. i use ProTools for recording my band with a direct interface from the amp to the computer and then burn the bounced audio to an external burner with toast.
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anyway, it's very annoying to have the computer crash most of the time when you try to open the 'sound' control panel or toast, and all the other applications besides ProTools.
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the computer was examined by apple service people and they thought that it was either the logic board or the cd drive causing the problems (the only reason i didn't replace these components is because they still weren't sure that was the problem). apple diagnostic tests were run and revealed that there were no 'bad blocks' in the disk. the computer has been continually maintained with Norton Utilities and DiskWarrior, and i routinely optimize and rebuild the disk at least once a month. when i run DiskWarrior (once a month) the graph shows that over 33% is out of order- this is odd considering that all i do on it is record with ProTools!
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if anyone else has had a problem similar to this please help!
i am considering purchasing a used ibook 500mhz/20gb/256mb RAM (to be used for audio) if this computer can't be fixed.

thanks in advance-

cody

[carnagex2000]

160 MB is not enough memory (and make sure you have Virtual Memory turned OFF otherwise your computer will crash) If anything, upgrade your memory to 512MB. Put 256 in the lower and 256 in the upper slot. Make sure they are low profile sticks for your iMac, you can order them from OWC for $68 each.
http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm...OWC100SO256168L

This should solve your problem with the crashes, also run your iMac Hardware Test CD that came with your iMac to make sure everything is ok with your logic, RAM, etc. (if you need one let me know, ill find you one)

REASONING IS THIS:

ProTools:
128 MB minimum, 192 MB highly recommended. More RAM increases overall system and Pro Tools performan
Note: Some users with newer Mac systems have been unable to launch Pro Tools LE with the minimum 128 MB RAM. Due to the increased RAM requirements of the Mac OS and newer Apple computer models, a minimum of 192 MB of RAM may be required in these systems.

MAC OS9:
On the Apple Web site, the Systems Requirements for OS 9 list 32MB of physical RAM and 40MB of virtual memory as the minimum memory requirements. Apple goes on to state that with minimum memory you will achieve only minimum performance that with additional physical RAM, you can improve performance.
However, If you have 40MB RAM or more, you won't need to turn on virtual memory for OS 9. In fact, many users experience difficulties when they try to install OS 9 with only 32MB of memory and 40MB of virtual. For instance, if you have a large RAM disk defined, you won't be able to install OS 9 until you delete the RAM disk or install additional memory.

YOU HAVE 160MB AND IF PRO TOOLS FREE REQUIRES A MINIUM OF 128MB WITH VIRTUAL MEMORY OFF. AND OS9 NEEDS 32MB WITH 40MB OF VIRTUAL MEMORY, THEN YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MEMORY

160 MB TOTAL INSTALLED
-128 MB ProTools
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32 MB Left over

72 MB Need in Mac OS 9 (when Virtual memory is off)
32 MB Left over memory
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40 MB MORE NEEDED TO RUN PROTOOLS ON
MAC OS9 (with virtual memory off, as required by Protools)

HOPE THIS HELPS!!! (you could get away with only buying one 256MB stick of RAM, and you'll notice a huge difference)

[inocybe]

Although I agree that more RAM would be an option .. I doubt it would really make the machine more stable. OS9 should be able to run with 160MB installed.. and before adding RAM he should first get his system stable.. btw.. first generation imacs cannot exceed 192Megs Ram. 128 in the top slot, 64 in the lower slot..(the lower slot is not adviced to change yourself, since gaining access to it is not easy ..)

First of all, zap the PRAM (check your mac manual on how to do this..) and check your Firmware version. See if it needs an update (there are important issues with the imac and USB, which cause serious crashes..). You may downgrade to OS9.1 or OS 9.0.4 if you don't use OSX as any updates beyong 9.1 are just for OSX support (witch you don't use judging from your post)..

You may also want to reset the CUDA switch, but on an iMac I have no clue whatsoever if there is even one.. If not you can always open up the mac, remove the battery for half an hour and put the thing back together. This will force your mac to 'reset' ALL motherboard settings back to default.

You may also try to reformat the drive with a low level format, rather then a quick format.. this might resolve drive issues.

Also delete ALL extensions you don't need to run your main software, make several extension sets if needed.. use extension manager for this.. anything not related to Audio, 2D video acceleratiuon, RAM management and other 'system important' stuff can go (whatever you don't use, network, internet, Firewire, airport, etc...).. it will save you quite a few Megs of RAM and more important, it will minimize the risk of conflict in your system.


so there's a lot you can try before throwing the computer away.. In my experiences with Macs I have to come by a none fixable mac (as long as it shows a smiling computer when you boot up that is...)

[MOLLOWITZ]

thanks for the suggestions- the only thing i haven't done is put in more RAM and reformat the drive. the other day i took apart the computer, pulled out the logic board, reset the CUDA switch, pulled out the battery for about an hour, then put the whole thing back together and tested it. now it won't open internet explorer at all! it still freezes under normal operation (opening control panels, changing the volume on the control strip, moving the mouse after letting it sit for a few hours, etc.)- and i can't reformat the drive because it won't burn data cds correctly (they don't match under verification). i was thinking of taking it in to be backed up at a mac service center (i don't want to connect it to my emac because i don't yet know if the software is corrupted, or it the problem will spread to the emac).

any suggestions?
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thanks.

-cody

[dixiechicken]

You should be able to reformat the harddrive by booting your iMac from the original CD
( hold down the C-key -- while booting ) that came with it.

The Apple disk tool should be on the cd use it to format the hd,
or better yet buy a newer bigger drive - a Maxtor 60Gb -
a 6Gb drive is not very much when working with audio.

If your computer still crashes on you after a new formatted newly-bought hd-install,
you most likely got another hardware-problem.

1) the logic board
2) the cd-drive
3) the ram-memory
4) the powerpack
( thats a tricky one - can result in all kinds of weird errors - not very common though )

Bout the only thing that can be done after trying earlier advice on this list, is to keep changing
parts above, until the damn thing works.
Might in the end be cheaper to buy a new computer - watch your repair budget.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[MOLLOWITZ]

hmmm... recently i've taken the computer apart again in another attempt to reset all the default settings (reset the CUDA switch, removed the PRAM battery, etc.). apparently, i either didn't put the thing back together properly, or the PRAM battery has died (starting around a month ago the computer has been losing track of time, thinking it was in the 1950's) because now the only thing it can do is light up the power button- black screen, no sound. i'm definately going to take it in to a mac service center again, have it checked out completely, replace the hard drive (around 60gb, i think), and have an internal burner switched into it. before i took it apart, it was having some problems with Norton Utilities; just by simply running the program it would crash in the middle of a diagnostic.
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thanks-

cody

[dixiechicken]

If the computer clock starts losing time & date & maybe other params --
between reboots, you've got a faulty battery.

Or when you put the computer back together you managed to screw up the connections to the
pram battery so the connections is flaky somehow - you know sometimes on sometimes off.

A dry cell battery normally lasts some 3 to 5 years max, even if it's just laying on the shelf.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[cathode]

Just a word or two for you...
On the date thing? There has been some troouble after switching to os 10.2.5 so download 10.2.6 COMBO updater not the update only. Apparently the standard updaters are causing alot of problems with file extensions.

Why a new harddrive? if it is functioning mechanically well and you do not need a bigger one just reformat it and it will bw wiped clean.

Norton for disk repair? I have used Norton all my mac life (since the LC years) but have been recently told that Norton writes to disk during repair and can compound errors sometimes. I have been using Diskwarrior (reccomended by the techs) and have, so far, had good luck.

Be well,
John

[lepetitmartien]

Verify all the internal connections, turn the battery a little in case the contact is just wrong… a wrong connection of power and you have nothing.

Drive10 on X is a good solution also for repairs. Also use the internal repair tool inside OS X

Or MacJanitor at Brian Hill's site

among a lot of things

[dixiechicken]

Although Cathode have, on general principles the right idea, I beg to differ in fact.
( his idea == "if it aint broke, dont fix it" )

My reasoning:
6Gb of hd-space is NOT a lot when it comes to working with digital audio.

Mac OS X 10.2.6 with only swedish language and HP printer drivers and
the classic environment installed, takes 1.4 Gb of space.

Left for apps and audio-files is about 4.5 Gb. (on your 6Gb drive)
60 minutes of cd-quality stero-musik is about 600Mb od hd-space.

Just to give a rough idea of space requirements. This is somthing to
consider perhaps before you start spending too much money on repairing
your iMac 333.

Cheers & good luck: Dixiechicken