Mac OS X: "No Driver for this platform" Message

This document explains what you should do if a kernel panic that includes the message "No driver for this platform" occurs.
Symptom

A kernel panic occurs, and this message (or a similar one) appears:

For an example of what a kernel panic looks like, see technical document 106227, "Mac OS X: What is a Kernel Panic?"


Solution

Is the computer Mac OS X-compatible?

Make sure your computer meets the system requirements for Mac OS X. For a list of compatible computers, see technical document 106163, "Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1: System Requirements".

Verify that you have a "System" folder

Mac OS X installs a folder named "System" which contains required software. Moving or renaming this folder can cause this symptom. If you have moved or renamed this folder, then start up the computer from Mac OS 9 and take corrective action. The folder must be located at the top (or "root") level of the Mac OS X disk and must be named "System".

If you do not have Mac OS 9 installed on the computer, you may start up from a Mac OS 9 CD-ROM disc. After inserting the CD, press and hold the "C" key immediately after restarting the computer to force the computer to start up from the CD.

For more information, see technical documents:

106805: "Mac OS X: Do Not Move 'mach_kernel' or Other System-Installed Files and Folders, Some of Which Are Normally Invisible"
106464: "Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a Startup Issue"

Notes:
Published Date: Feb 17, 2012