6.9 crashing

[shaun1234]

have 6.9 on a dual g5 2.0 system keeps crashing when it does come up on screen with a bunch of code
is this a kernel panic if so why
i have followed all the trouble shooting tips
still no joy
os is 10.3.5
seems ok until i start to use reason or tax the systenm in any way
had clients rather embariss ing

[shaun1234]

any body??????

[DigiTechSupt]

OS 10.3.8 is the only OS version that was tested for compatibility with Pro Tools 6.9. There may be issues with OS 10.3.5 that we are unaware of. If you've tried all the general troubleshooting steps, you may need to update your OS to fix the problem.

[Ultraslide]

You will need to download the 10.3.8 level patch directly from Apple. DO NOT USE SOFTWARE UPDATE! Software update will patch you to 10.3.9, causing more problems.

Heres the link for 10.3.8
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...pdate1038.html

the 'slide

[RobSivak]

I've just installed ProTools LE 6.9 (the CD) on my single processor 1.8GHz G5 running 10.3.8, and I'm getting NOTHING but repeated crashes. The launch starts okay, then just before it's done, ProTools prompts me to update the firmware on my Digi002 board from 1.2.0 to 1.2.1, and when I select "update", ProTools "unexpectedly quits" before the first 100KB of firmware data. If I bypass the update and select "later", the app finishes launching, but crashes within the first few minutes. I've done all the standards diagnostics: restarting the Mac; repairing permissions; shutting off and disconnecting the firewire on the Digi002, then reconnecting; I've even uninstalled ProTools and re-installed it. All this has been done with no other apps running, of course. I'm stumped. I'd just like to get to work editing some audio. Anyone have a clue?

[DigiTechSupt]

Rob - you should try the trashing of prefs and databases as indicated in the 'General Troubleshooting' sticky at the top of this forum.

[RobSivak]

Thanks, Digi, but I think I've now run through ALL the troubleshooting steps...all the trashing of preferences and databases and login items, and restarting the Mac and uninstalling and re-installing PT and running the plug-in validator, and disabling virus software and setting up a new account...and repairing the permissions... and I STILL find PT LE 6.9 crashes within a few minutes of launch. Funny: I upgraded from 6.4 to 6.9 to solve this problem; running PT 6.4 under 10.3.4 (and later, 10.3.6) was just as crash-prone. ....As suggested, I set up a dedicated admin account, which I call 'protools,' and launching PT in that new environment did permit me to successfully update the Digi002's firmware from v1.2.0 to 1.2.1, and I really thought for a second that I'd solved the problem -- until the app crashed a few minutes later during a new session as I started to import a .wav file from my desktop.

I've wondered if the data provided on Apple's crash reports -- which pop up after each event -- might be helpful, though it's geek to me. The reports all cite basically the same error, but different threads, in each of the crashes: the Exception is "EXC_BAD_ACCESS (0x0001)" and the Codes reads: "KERN_INVALID_ADDRESS (0x0001) at 0x08655030" with the last chain of numbers changing depending on whether it was thread 19 (in this case) or 14 or 20, or whichever, that crashed. I can't decipher the info in the 7-8 lines of describing each thread. Should I even be going here?
........I don't know where else the culprit could be. When I was still working in my name account, I got rid of a demo copy of SoundStudio that I'd installed on the same hard drive, thinking rival audio editor preferences might not get along. That made no difference. I can't believe that I might have to keep dumping apps...100 gigs worth... until I find an incompatibility. There must be an easier way.

[dubaifox]

Rob:

Sounds like a System Problem, disk problem or RAM, bad firewire cable.

Try running the Hardware test included on the Intall CD and see if anything comes up. I think RAM problem is most likely.

Disk Warrtior is another good alternative.

[DigiTechSupt]

Yes, RAM would definitely be suspect at this point. Have you installed any 3rd party RAM? You may want to try removing it to see if the crashing goes away. If so, you should consider purchasing Apple certified RAM.

[RobSivak]

Thanks, Digi and DubaiFox (Marhaba from an AramcoBrat, Dhahran 1960-70!). Good suggestions. I did install two third-party (PNY) 512MB DDR-SDRAM cards back in February, upping my RAM from 512MB to 1.5GB. PNY's a pretty reliable memory maker, from all I've read, but I suppose I could have picked a lemon. I can't say for sure whether my troubles with ProTools crashing began with that memory upgrade, but I don't think so. I've had NO other app instabilities since the new RAM went in. Just my pesky Pro Tools.

But I'll run the hardware test and check my firewire and drive connections. I should probably also pull the PCI USB card I threw in a couple months ago. Alas, I don't own Disk Warrior, though I keep telling myself I should, especially after my external (USB) 160GB Maxtor drive head-crashed without warning a couple months ago after running for just 18 months -- not that DW could have saved it.

I'll let you know if I can shake this problem out. Again, thanks to both of you.