Mac OS X 10.4.8: Mac Pro - kernel panic at startup after installing on a RAID volume

Resolution

This situation may occur on a Mac Pro when a software RAID volume is updated to Mac OS X 10.4.8 while the machine is booted from that same RAID volume.

To avoid the issue before installing a Mac OS X 10.4.8 Update:

1. Insert your installation disc that came with the computer.
2. Select the installation disc as the startup volume using System Preferences but do not restart yet.
3. Install the Mac OS X 10.4.8 Update.
4. Restart. The computer will start from the install disc.
5. Open Disk Utility (choose it in the Utilities menu after starting from the disc).
6. Repair the RAID volume on which Mac OS X 10.4.8 is installed.
7. Quit Disk Utility.
8. Open Startup Disk and select your regular startup volume.
9. Restart.

Note: You may experience multiple reboots.

To resolve this issue if you already updated to Mac OS X 10.4.8:

1. Insert your installation disc that came with the computer.
2. Restart from the disc (press the C key during start up).
3. Open Disk Utility (choose it in the Utilities menu after starting from the disc).
4. Repair the RAID volume on which Mac OS X 10.4.8 is installed.
5. Quit Disk Utility.
6. Open Startup Disk and select your regular startup volume.
7. Restart.

Note: You may experience multiple reboots.