December 12, 2005 9:30 AM PST

More on kernel panics with SCSI devices: Alternative backup solutions; Confirmation for fix

by CNET staff

Last week we reported on a resurgence of user reports indicating kernel panics when writing to or reading from SCSI devices under Mac OS X 10.4.x.

In many cases, these kernel panics occurred when writing to SCSI tape drives using EMC Dantz' Retrospect. Alternative backup solutions We've now received word from some users indicating that alternative backup utilities with SCSI tape-drive write capabilities do not suffer from similar susceptibility to kernel panics. MacFixIt reader David Besade has success with BRU LE. He writes: "As I write this my Server G3 is writing 22GB to my DDS-4 Tape Drive. I am not using Retrospect, and the server specs haven't changed, still using the Adaptec 2940U2B Ultra2 LVD SCSI Card, still running OS X Tiger. "The Product is called BRU LE for Mac OS X. There is a downloadable full functional Demo of the program. Its limited to 30 days and works great. It has all the features of Retrospect without the goofy interface. It works great with all Adaptec SCSI Cards I've test and most Tape drives. "

Confirmation for fix Last week we reported that removing the following files from the /System/Library/Extensions folder:

Adaptec 290X-2930.kext
Adaptec 29160x.kext
Adaptec 39160x.kext

but leaving the file

Adaptec 78XXSCSI.kext

in place, then restarting can resolve Adaptec-related kernel panics in a variety of scenarios.

We've now received a number of notes confirming this workaround. One reader writes:

"I experienced kernel panics whenever I tried to open my Nikon LS-2000 film scanner with VueScan in 10.3 using an Adaptec 2906 SCSI card. I upgraded to 10.4.3 and removed the files suggested. Scanning now seems back to normal. Thanks - saved by not having to get a new SCSI interface."

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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