Finder appears to be dead on wakeup

Question

Level 1

4 points

Finder appears to be dead on wakeup

I've had this issue for some time now on my 24" imac. On wakeup from sleep (boinc is the screen saver ) the login box takes a long time to appear then I click on the password box but the keyboard does not work I hear the dull thunk noise when I press a key the mouse still works. At one stage playing around I managed to get the option command esc dialogue box and finder was not responding. The only resolution of the problem is to restart with the power button.

I've looked around on the board and back in august someone posted a similar problem with long wait for login after sleep but he got no answer.

If anyone has any Ideas I would be grateful.

imac, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Oct 25, 2009 5:53 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 25, 2009 6:38 AM in response to Melic

Hello M:

I think I would reset the SMC. Your profile does not indicate what flavor of iMac you have. I have posted the Intel-based instructions:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543

Barry

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Answer 2

Melic Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2009 6:48 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Thanks Barry, I'll try that. Though recently I did have to unplug from the wall though I did not unplug keyboard so I'll follow the steps recommended.

Many thanks for your response.

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2009 6:50 AM in response to Melic

Hello again:

I should have also suggested resetting the PRAM:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Barry

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Answer 4

Melic Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 26, 2009 1:49 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Once again thanks for your attention and response. I have reset both now and will report back on whether that has been sucessful.

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Answer 5

Melic Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 26, 2009 5:28 AM in response to Melic

Well some sucess, Having reset both settings I used the computer with no problems the system came back from sleep instantly, then I noticed that I was not being asked for a password, i.e no login. I checked the security tab in control panel and require password was still checked. So I unchecked it shut down powered up again and rechecked the require password. Now I have a long wait and the password box does not accept text. It's not a problem with the keyboard because the tab keys and the arrow keys still function. So it's not a usb system problem. My title may be misleading because I really don't have any evidence that finder is directly implicated. My thanks for the attention anyone gives this.

Intel imac 24" 2.4ghz intel core 2 duo osx leopard

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Answer 6

Oct 26, 2009 6:46 AM in response to Melic

Hello again:

I do not require a PW myself, so I have no sense of the time required.

There are a couple of preference files you could move to trash and then restart. If that fixes the problem, empty the trash:

com.apple.loginitems.plist
com.apple.loginwindow.plist

Also, I do not use keychain. If you do, there could be some issue there.

Barry

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Answer 7

Melic Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 5, 2009 3:23 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

I wanted to update this issue as so many others are having similar problems.

I think this issue on my imac has been caused by my boinc software. I have changed the screensaver and the problem goes away.

In common with similar problems others are reporting the system log reports problems with launchd and com.apple.coreservicesd. This does seem to lead to problems with finder. Variously people report no login menu on waking from sleep bottom bar not working top menu bar not appearing, in addition when I have been able to get the command option esc menu it does not show any applications running.

As I said above I think mine is an issue with boinc I tried to update the client but when it came to authenticate the installer the same problem occurs.

Many people out there are having this problem I hope these observations can help some of them resolve their issues.

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