I have had a number of Panic attack crashes on my MacBook and have asked at Apple stores for a possible reason, but have been told that the problem is too technical for them to comment. I would be grateful for any suggestion that might resolve the problem.

The MacBook is a 13" White with 2.13 GHz Intel core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB SDRAM. The current OS is 10.6.8.

On most attacks I have taken screenshots of the fault report code (forwarded automatically to Apple, apparently for research only) but these mean nothing to me - I have long used Macs but not deeply.

Grateful for any suggestions.

Cyderman

I assume that you mean a kernel panic. Read Resolving Kernel Panics for tips. Also, see OS X: About kernel panics.

Do these "panic attacks" force you to reboot your MacBook in order to recover? If so then those are likely kernel panics as JChuzi suggests. Kernel panics are most often related to hardware or kernel extension problems and the items suggested by Jon are as good a place as any to start trouble shooting.

If these "panic attacks" do not force a reboot what you are seeing is more likely an application crash. There are lots of reasons applications crash but if you have recently upgraded to Yosemite it is highly probable the crashes are the result of applications that are out of date and not fully compatible with Yosemite. As with any upgrade to OS X there are applications that have to be updated or upgraded for compatibility with the changes in the OS. Applications purchased through the app store will be automatically updated but with non-app store applications you may be on your own to contact the developer to see if there is a new version available.

In either case the Apple stores are correct when they say the problem is too technical (or too complex) for them to comment unless you take your MacBook to the Genius Desk and allow them to troubleshoot the problem.

Very many thanks JChuzi and joemikeb - it is a reboot situation and I will certainly follow suggested links.