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UNIX-style operating systems (such as Mac OS X Public Beta, Mac OS X Server, AIX, and A/UX) may experience a type of error called a "kernel panic," which may provide information useful for software developers.
DISCUSSION
A kernel panic is a type of error that occurs when the core (kernel) of an operating system receives an instruction in an unexpected format or that it fails to handle properly. When this happens in either Mac OS X Public Beta or Mac OS X Server, white text on a black background is drawn on top of the last video image on the monitor before the error occurred.
Figure 1 A kernel panic
A kernel panic may also follow when the operating system is not able to recover from a different type of error. A kernel panic can be caused by damaged or incompatible software or, more rarely, damaged or incompatible hardware.
Kernel panics generate information that may be helpful to software developers. When using beta software, such as Mac OS X Public Beta, the information may aid in the investigation of a software issue. It is useful to record any information that appears during a kernel panic in addition to how the computer was being used when the kernel panic happened -- was the computer starting up, shutting down, or performing a particular task? Depending on when the kernel panic occurs, it may be formatted on the screen differently from the example shown in Figure 1.
Recording kernel panic information
When a kernel panic happens, the computer is in a non-responsive state. Since you cannot take a screen shot in this situation, type the information on another computer or write it out by hand. If you have the ability to photograph the computer screen without a flash, this may be preferred. Many digital, SLR, and video cameras are capable of capturing a legible screen image without the use of a flash. If you are not sure how to do this, it is best to write or retype the information.
For instructions on what information to record, please see:
Article 106079: " Mac OS X Public Beta, Mac OS X Server: How to Log a Kernel Panic "