The kernel is the "heart" of the OS where are the actual operations are controlled. It handles in/out, time allocation to the various programs running, requests for microprocessor time, keeps track of what memory is being used for which routine, and stuff like that. There are several more "layers" of code that interface with the memory, hardware, and finally applications. As I understand it, a "kernel panic" will usually cause the computer to "hard crash" -- that is, stop operating. Remember, all current OS's, Mac, Windows, and Linux, use pretty much the same kernel from BSD (compiled for the Motorola chip in older OS Xs).
The usual cause of a kernel panic, since the kernel doesn't have changing code (it is a set of fairly small routines that only use data, they are not changed by it) is a bad operation code due to RAM that "changes" the data after it's written to the RAM location (or doesn't address it the same way for read and write, again garbling the bits and bytes). Enough illegal operations like this will cause the kernel to stop the OS and do a hex dump (write all the data it is using and the data it stores to switch tasks, etc) to a file so someone can figure out what happened) because too many operations like task switching or clock driven interrupt routines fail.. These days, the OS is usually robust enough to handle most program or operator errors without causing the OS to crash, but bad RAM can't be filtered for bad data like a data stream generated by a program can. Worst thing I've seen on my OS X 3.x is very long default startup errors in a couple programs if my USB scanner has gone wacky as it sometimes does and won't initialize. Probably only a long "hang" until the OS sorts things out, but I can always kill the program that does this and go right on. Peter _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
