Since Snow Leopard, Can't shutdown

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Level 1

4 points

Since Snow Leopard, Can't shutdown

Hi to everyone,

Got an MBP 17" not the newest version but the previous one.

Installed 10.6, updated to 10.6.1

Now, I can't shut down the computer, it will restart everytime.

I've tried via the Apple menu, and the Power button.

Also, when I close the lid, instead of going to sleep and the little light "blinking", the light stays full on, and every 30 seconds or so, I can hear the DVD player turn on and off. No disk is in the drive.

If it goes to sleep without the lid down, same behaviour as above.

Tried to repair permissions but it did nothing to cure this.

Anyone with an idea or solution ????

Thanks

Message was edited by: riseric

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 28, 2009 2:17 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 28, 2009 6:15 AM in response to riseric

Hello r:

Welcome to Apple discussions.

Try resetting the SMC:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1806

Barry

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Answer 2

Sep 28, 2009 8:10 AM in response to riseric

Here is a possible work around in case resetting your SMC doesn't work.

1. Log out;
2. If told someone else is logged in, enter your admin name and password; and
3. Now, try shutting down normally.

Try shutting down after logging out even if you are not told someone else is logged in.

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Answer 3

riseric Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 29, 2009 2:07 AM in response to riseric

Thanks guys for the welcome and advice.
BTW, I had a profile on here with a different e-mail but it was "disabled for security reasons"... :-p

And since 1 1/2 years with my MBP I had no issues... 🙂 until this one.

I did follow the advice on ressetting, I don't have the button since my MBP is early 2008.

I tried both suggestions, resetting and logging out, but to no avail.

If I shut it down with the power cord attached, it restarts within 10 seconds.

If I shut it down without the power cord it stays off. Then, just to replug the power cord, even after a long while, it will start up again.

Same behaviour when the lid is closed: DVD drive will power up every 15 seconds if power cord is in.

No DVD power up if power cord is out.

Seems to be directly related to the fact that the power cord is attached.

When no power cord attached, it behaves normally.

Oh, and one other thing, shut down and with the lid closed, if I plug in the power cord, it restarts with the lid still closed !!!

Any other suggestions ???

Thanks

Message was edited by: riseric

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Answer 4

Sep 29, 2009 6:14 AM in response to riseric

Hello again:

I don't have the button since my MBP is early 2008.

What button is it that you are referring to?

If you followed these instructions, forget my question.

To reset the SMC on a Mac Pro:

From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold the power >button until it turns off).
Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord and any display cables.>Wait at >least fifteen seconds.
Plug the power cord back in, making sure the power button is not being pressed at the time. Then >reconnect your keyboard and mouse to the computer.
Press the power button to start up your computer.

If resetting the SMC did not work (and because of the additional description of the problem), I would try to get a new power cord. If you are near an Apple store, I would make an appointment with a "genius" and take it in for diagnosis.

Barry

Barry

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Answer 5

Sep 29, 2009 6:18 AM in response to riseric

[Button, button who's got the button|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411]. 🙂

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Answer 6

riseric Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 1, 2009 12:56 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

This is the button I'm reffering to (or I should of said switch)
Taken from the link you suggested:
Another way to reset the SMC on a Mac Pro computer is:

1. From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold the power button until it turns off).
2. Open and remove the metallic outer door.
*3. Press the SMC_RST switch that is located slightly below and to the right of the row of diagnostic LEDs.* Use a non-metallic, non-conductive object, such as a wooden pencil. Note: Mac Pro (Early 2008) does not have an SMC_RST switch, refer to the reset procedure steps in the previous section.
4. Replace the metallic outer door.
5. Press the power button to start up your computer.

So I'll try another power cord to see if it does anything. If not, I'll go to an Apple Store, there's one close by...

I'll do that before doing something heavy-duty like erasing my drive and re-installing 10.5

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Answer 7

riseric Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 1, 2009 2:10 AM in response to riseric

UPDATE

Tried a different power cord with no change in behaviour.

One interesting observation though, if I hold down the power button until the screen is dark, then release it, it shuts down and stays shut...

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Answer 8

R C-R

Level 6

17,782 points

Oct 1, 2009 3:20 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Barry:

You are posting SMC reset instructions for a Mac Pro. The OP has a Mac Book Pro.

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Answer 9

Oct 1, 2009 5:10 AM in response to R C-R

Hello again riseric:

(Thanks, R C- R, I read too fast, I think).

These are the instructions for resetting the SMC on a Mac Book Pro. Sorry I posted an incorrect link.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411

Barry

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Answer 10

Oct 1, 2009 6:02 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

I posted the correct one above.

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Answer 11

riseric Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 2, 2009 2:31 AM in response to riseric

Thanks to you guys for correcting the link !!

I've done the reset 3 times...

Still got the same behaviour...

At least now, if I want to shut down AND keep the power cord plugged in, I can if I hold down the power button until all goes dark and off.

Could there be a hardware problem causing this ???

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Answer 12

Oct 2, 2009 6:01 AM in response to riseric

Hello r:

Could there be a hardware problem causing this ???

Anything is possible. Without having hands-on to your computer, it is really hard to tell if there is a problem or if the behavior is normal. I do not have a portable, so I cannot test here.

You might want to look at system preferences>energy saver and see what is checked.

Barry

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Answer 13

riseric Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 2, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

System prefs are all like before the upgrade to 10.6

Maybe it's only a coincidence.

Could a Archive and Install solve this ? Or a clean install??

Anyway, I might go to an Aple Store and see if they can find something.

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Answer 14

Oct 2, 2009 11:34 AM in response to riseric

Clean install might fix it. There is no archive and install under Sno. Have you tried reinstalling Sno over Sno as in a simple ungrade install? A repair install of this type might fix your issue, although somewhat unlikely.

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Answer 15

Oct 2, 2009 1:22 PM in response to riseric

Hello:

For heavens sake, _do not_ do an erase and install. Go to the Apple store and get them to help you.

Barry

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