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Level 1

0 points

my iMac won't go to sleep

I have gotten one of the new black and silver Intel iMacs, but a small issue popped up yesterday. The computer wouldn't go to sleep on its own. The screen would go black as if it was preparing to sleep, but the fans/disks were still running. If I click the sleep button on the login screen, it goes to sleep just fine and then wakes up normally.

I went onto the forums and looked around. I don't think it's because of anything external hardware because I have a wireless Airport base station, so the only things plugged in are the keyboard, mouse and power cord. I kept looking and found something that said to go into the preferences and go to Energy Saver/Options and uncheck the box that says "Wake for Ethernet network admin. access". Now it seems like I've found my answer, but I just want to be sure. Will unchecking that box fix the problem? Or maybe this is something that will go away on its own.

I just want to have an expert confirm this before I go messing around with my system.

Posted on Nov 1, 2007 1:53 PM

24 replies

Dec 15, 2007 5:46 AM in response to linkrocks

I was having the same problem with my aluminum imac, but today i got it fixed.

Just as h2oRover said, i looked at my System Log in the System Profiler and found out what was going on. There was a process running every 5 seconds and it kept my system from sleeping. This process was part of the CheckUp application. It's a new app from App4mac.

I removed the application and all it's files and restarted. Now my imac is sleeping fine again.

Thanks for the tips!

rel12561

Level 2

155 points

Dec 16, 2007 8:32 AM in response to NickRich

Nope, not a Leopard bug, I been having the problem for months before upgrading to Leopard, so something is amiss as I can sleep if I tell it to by pushing the button. I have usb cables connected for external drive, blackberry charging and my ipod Touch and my speakers go in the little hole for headphones and mouse and keyboard are bluetooth. I've been trying to figure this out for a year. I did find this place and did the unplugging, it worked once and now it's back to no sleep.

rel12561

Level 2

155 points

Dec 16, 2007 8:50 AM in response to rel12561

Yikes, I checked my log and I have an awful lot of "security message buffer overflowed" I can't seem to tell what all the other stuff means...it's all running together. Although I see an awfull lot of FLock entries which is my browser.

It wouldn't let me edit the last post so I had to post again.

Kirtap

Level 1

0 points

Dec 19, 2007 3:39 AM in response to linkrocks

*I've found the solution!*

I googled some from my systemlog and found this thread http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6084541

I followed the steps RAJN-B wrote

RAJN-B:
In an effort to do some research, I decided to search back through all OS X issues surrounding power on, power off, or sleep related issues for Tiger and Panther releases as well. I ended up finding several consistencies, and decided to try previous recommendations to see if it corrected my problems. I'm happy to say that after completing these steps my problems seem to be fixed!! I made these changes on Thur evening, and have now had 3 days of no mysterious power-on problems.

To summarize what I found, here are all of the steps I completed:
1. Trash the com.apple.AutoWake.plist file from HD/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration directory. You do not need to save this file as it will be re-created from scratch when needed again.

2. Trash the com.apple.PowerManagement.plist file from HD/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration directory. You do not need to save this file as it will be re-created from scratch when needed again.

3. Trash the com.apple.systemuiserver.plist file from the User/Library/Preferences directory. Again, you do not need to save a copy of this file.

4. After deleting all 3 files above, reset the system's PRAM/NVRAM. For Intel Macs, shut down the computer, and then when restarting it holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys. Keep holding these down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time. Then release the keys and let the system complete the boot-up process. See Apple Support Article ID 2238 for more detailed instructions.

Once this process was completed, I have not had any other random start-ups on my system. You will need to go back into System Preferences and re-set any custom settings in the Power Management pane after this is completed.

I hope this works for everyone else as well.

Good luck!

..and now it works like a charm. Still have to see if it stays asleep all night, though. I'll get back to you tomorrow.

Kirtap

Level 1

0 points

Dec 21, 2007 1:37 AM in response to linkrocks

Well.. I had a power outage, so I couldn't tell if it had been sleeping or not. But anyway.. now it won't go to sleep again! I have repeated the steps I quoted, but nothing.

Crap.

NickRich

Level 1

40 points

Dec 21, 2007 4:34 AM in response to Kirtap

Thanks for the update Kirtap. This seems to be a solution to random startups rather than inability to sleep in the first place, so I hesitate to start deleting files I don't understand. Maybe it can't do any harm though.....?

I've had a look at my system log (thanks h2oRover) but there was nothing obvious. I deleted a couple of applications which looked as if they could be causing the problem, but still no result. It's annoying.

Nick

Sterrell

Level 1

0 points

Dec 22, 2007 9:40 AM in response to linkrocks

did you guys try reading them bedtime stories? lol

rel12561

Level 2

155 points

Dec 29, 2007 8:39 PM in response to NickRich

I found what my problem was, it's the darn ipod that was keeping my imac from going to sleep. I didn't remove any software I unplugged all my USB devices and the imac went to sleep. Next I plugged in my speakers, while still asleep and it stayed in sleep mode. Next I plugged in the external hard drive, it woke the computer and again, at the specified time it went back to sleep, then the printer, the printer didn't wake the computer so I woke it up and again, it went back to sleep.

Finally, i plugged in the ipod, it woke the computer and shazam, no more sleep, I unmounted the ipod from within itunes and disconnected the cable from the ipod and wham..it went to sleep. What I've found is if I shut the ipod off instead of letting it go into sleep mode the computer will sleep as long as the ipod is totally off and not charging. Not sure what iPod is doing that would prevent sleep mode from activating...sounds big brotherish to me.

Hope this helps others.

linkrocks Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 5, 2008 2:55 PM in response to linkrocks

After installing the 10.4.11 update the problem went away. I have since upgraded to Leopard and am still having no trouble. Thanks for the ideas anyways.

my iMac won't go to sleep