I have a macbook air running Lion that constantly brings up the shut down dialog box. When I click cancel it goes away for a few seconds but then returns. Any one else have this problem or know how to solve it?
Thank you for any help.
MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.1)
Could it be that you are accidentally touching the power key, when intending to hit the delete key?
It's happened to me a couple of times.
Thank you for the response, unfortunately that is not the case. This happens when I don't press anything at all. And it happens too frequently be from a simple key touch.
I do not know which Model of MBA you have, but this is likely due to a 3rd party program running in the background. You can go to system preferences > Users & Groups > Login Options > Login items and logo for a program that starts up with the computer. iTunes Helper should be there, so don't remove it.
cpickrell, Thanks for the adive. Again this did not help. I removed everything but the iTunes Helper. It still appeared. I closed all applications, so nothing but system programs were running and the message still appeared.
Moving into possible hardware territory then..
To you wear anything with magnets in it or have nothing magnetic very near the computer?
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2055
How long does this take to happen? Does it happen on ac power AND battery power? Does it happen when started to the recovery volume?
Thanks again. But still no, but I have some new information/insight into the problem. It only happens when inactive. If I am typing or keep a finger on the track pad, it won't try to shut down. I have checked the securtiy preferences to see if the "Log out after X minutes" is selected and it is not.
Thanks for any more help.
Is it possible the computer is putting the display to sleep? Check Energy Saver and see what the delay is for Display Sleep. Try changing it to an hour or so.
If that does not work, you can try resetting the system management controller. This handles sleep and other power ststes.
No, it is not the sleep function. I have checked that. And the computer is not going to sleep, it is trying to shut down. I have tried resetting the SMC and this did not help either.
Thanks again for the suggestion.
Well if it happens from the recovery volume, I can only assume it is a hardware issue such as a temperature sensor or failed fan. I would suggest having the computer serviced.
Hi Ben,
I am facing the exact same issue on my new Mac Air purchased 1 month back. How did you resolve your problem ?
Hi,
I have the same issue now. Has anyone figured out how to stop it. I am currently taping down a random key with tape and it stops it. It's not running hot. Restting the SMC didn't do anything. Could it be that the power key is just broken? Seems like a hardware thing. Also, if I don't get to the dialog box soon enough and it shuts off it turns itself right back on. I don't think its the power key.
Hello, did anyone ever find a fix for this? Happens to my sister's Macbook Air 3,1 as well.
Thanks..
kreb
I took the macbook to a repair place that was not an apple store but did repairs on macs. They said it was the power button itself actually. They had to replace the keyboard though. It works totally fine now and they guaranteed it for a year. It was a quick repair. SADLY it cost around $400. Interestingly the repair person cautioned me to be careful of heat, to use the machine on solid surfaces and not let it overheat.
Just FYI, when the lap top was BRAND NEW it had a funky keyboard problem, when you hit a button it would do other things.. so they replaced the keyboard for free, it was only a few weeks old then. Now when this problem cropped up I took it back to apple since it had been less than a year since that replacement. They claimed the laptop had water damage based on some kind of funky stupid sticker, the kind they stick in cell phones. There was never any water spills on the laptop. I'm a grown person, if I had spilled something on it I would have suspected that caused the problem 🙂 Since when did THAT start...seemed really really like scam to me. So...I think I got a lemon from the start. This is second keyboard in less than a year. But, it was really the powerbutton.
Exactly. It is typical hardware problem. Most probably liquid damage to the power button (keyboard).
Wet hands, spray cleaning or other drink is enough to cause it.
Best
Michael
I'm so glad you suggested this. I've had this problem on and off for a long time now, and since my laptop is years old I am not about to spend $400 fixing it. I tried the whole holding a random key down f5 seems to do the trick and it seems to really do the trick! I'll definitely be putting on tape and since I don't use that key, I should be good to go! Thanks! 🙂
Shut down dialog box constantly pops up
