Level 1

9 points

An ALARM goes off every day at 2 a.m. - don't know why, please help

Over a month ago an alarm started going off everyday at 2 a.m.. I have exhausted dif. avenues to try to determine why. The alarm sounds similar to an alarm clock, but starts out slow and then reaches a frantic crescendo...and I almost swear its length of time is increasing. The alarm lasts around a minute. I used the app. to check the system and it found no errors. During the alarm, I can perform any function, so it's not affecting usage, but am desperate to find out its cause "and" cure, plus I'm tired of it making me up in the middle of night. Thanks for any help.

iBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on May 20, 2008 6:49 PM

107 replies

Clea Rees

Level 4

1,245 points

May 24, 2008 2:03 PM in response to shiptoshirl

How do you connect to the net? When you shut down, are you still connected by any physical means? (Ethernet cable/modem phone line etc.) If you are, does disconnecting this change anything?

- cfr

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 24, 2008 2:27 PM in response to Clea Rees

Hi,

I'm connected to the net wirelessly, Airport Extreme. I'm not sure how to disconnect. Are you suggesting that I'm being sabotaged via the internet? That's scary.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 24, 2008 2:32 PM in response to shiptoshirl

Never saw an answer to this, but is it connected via Ethernet?

Is Wake Ethernet for Admin purposes on?

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 24, 2008 3:56 PM in response to BDAqua

I could never find any info on Wake Ethernet.....don't know what it is or what it does except it obviously wakes something up. Can you enlighten me?

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 24, 2008 3:58 PM in response to Clea Rees

Just realized I can monitor ACTIVE PROCESSES in Activity Monitor. There may be hope.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 24, 2008 4:24 PM in response to shiptoshirl

Sure, System Preferences>Energy Saver>Options tab, there are 2 actually...

Wake when Modem detects ring and Wake for Ethernet administration usage.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 25, 2008 1:13 PM in response to shiptoshirl

Wait... one more thing, turn off Network time update, move clock 10-12 hours off, then see if it goes off at 2AQM or 10-12 hours off, should at least tell us if it's internal or external.

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 25, 2008 7:15 PM in response to Clea Rees

Do the logs have any entries after 01:56? When is the next entry?

Hi,

Will have to get back to you on this one....but keep those questions coming. Also, thanks for checking into log lingo.

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2008 8:13 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions....not sure I understand (still a little dizzy after reading them). But, will give it my best and let you know.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 27, 2008 1:45 PM in response to shiptoshirl

We're trying to see if we can get the Alarm to go off while you're awake, hence the suggestion to set the clock to 1:45 AM right now!

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2008 1:58 PM in response to BDAqua

Hi,

Am going to disable the Network clock this evening. Should be interesting.

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

May 27, 2008 4:23 PM in response to shiptoshirl

😉

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

May 27, 2008 5:29 PM in response to Clea Rees

....Just out of interest, what makes you so sure it did go off?

It has gone off every night for at least the last 4 weeks...if nothing else, it has been pretty faithful.

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

May 31, 2008 11:56 AM in response to shiptoshirl

Here's a widget -> http://www.dssw.co.uk/energyschedule/
which will show you when the computer is scheduled to wake-up and show which app scheduled it.

shiptoshirl Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 1, 2008 4:16 PM in response to Clea Rees

Hi,

Have you seen any of my new posts, dated June 1....not getting any feedback. Please let me know. I may be spinning my wheels. Shirl of ShiptoShirl

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An ALARM goes off every day at 2 a.m. - don't know why, please help