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My iMac Catalina 10.15.7 keeps shutting down - Oct 2020

My iMac Retina (5K, 27-inch 2019) running Catalina 10.15.7 keeps shutting down or trying to shut down - several times a day, instead of sleeping or staying asleep. I'm also on Safari 14.


Can anyone point me to solutions? Thanks.



Posted on Oct 17, 2020 12:34 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 17, 2020 4:03 PM

I don't see any of the usual suspects in the report. As for removing the Wacom files first boot into Safe Mode (How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support) by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts 
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
• Prevents 3rd party apps and keto files from running

Now download and run Find Any File to search for any files with the application's name  and the developer's name in the file name.  For the Wacom files you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains wacom


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


Also go to the Clean up: section in Etrecheck and remove the files it has identified as orphaned. There will be links to clicl onto take you to the files via the Finder so you can move them to the Trash.


5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 17, 2020 4:03 PM in response to LaurenMuney

I don't see any of the usual suspects in the report. As for removing the Wacom files first boot into Safe Mode (How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support) by booting with the Shift key held down and check there to see if the problem persists.  Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts 
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
• Prevents 3rd party apps and keto files from running

Now download and run Find Any File to search for any files with the application's name  and the developer's name in the file name.  For the Wacom files you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains wacom


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


Also go to the Clean up: section in Etrecheck and remove the files it has identified as orphaned. There will be links to clicl onto take you to the files via the Finder so you can move them to the Trash.


Oct 17, 2020 1:32 PM in response to LaurenMuney

Download and run Etrecheck. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support  to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.


Copy the report



and use the Add Text button to include the report in your reply. How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report


IMPORTANT:

Before running Etrecheck assign Full Disk Access to Etrecheck in the Etrecheck's Privacy preference pane so that it can get additional information from the Console and log files for the report:




Also click and read the About info to further permit full disk access.


Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine what might be causing the problem.

Oct 17, 2020 3:38 PM in response to Old Toad

Thank you, Old Toad.


I have run EtreCheck several times now. I can see immediately 4 issues:

-an old Wacom tablet, which I cannot remove elements

-a Microsoft Teams that I tried to install for a virtual meeting, but I didn't trust it - obviously I can't get rid of it.

-Amazon Music (which I've never used)

-OBS (an open-source video studio - just downloaded, never used)


Mail definitely keeps crashing.

And I do have many windows open on Preview while i work on a project.


Here is the full report:


I'm happy to follow clear instructions, should you have any.


I'm an artist, not a computer specialist but I have a good brain. Or tolerable enough anyway.


Thanks for any help.


My iMac Catalina 10.15.7 keeps shutting down - Oct 2020

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