iMac won't sleep

Question

Level 1

135 points

iMac won't sleep

I have a 2.1Ghz iMac with 1.5gb RAM. After updating to 10.4.8, and after the proper time period, the screen will dim and the light on the front will remain solid and bright. The fan stays on. The machine will never actually go to full sleep on its own--ie. fan off, light pulsating. I can put the machine to sleep using the apple menu, but it will not sleep on it's own after the proper period without activity. I have tried resetting the SMU without any improvement.
The only software that was added recently was Finale 2007. When Finale 2006 was left open, the computer never went to full sleep--just like when iPhoto is left open. I'm not sure if this is relevant. However, I can quit ALL programs, leave the machine for 30 minutes, and it will only dim the screen. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Ralph

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Oct 22, 2006 10:38 AM

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Answer 1

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 10:42 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

Hi Ralph - one thing you can do is check your Activity Monitor and see if there is some program running in the background that you are not aware of.

Please post back,

Miriam

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Answer 2

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 10:53 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

Here's what I found. Sorry if the columns don't line up.

94 Finder ralphsauer 0.00 4 14.66 MB 242.48 MB
247 Activity Monitor ralphsauer 3.00 2 11.66 MB 237.17 MB
77 loginwindow ralphsauer 0.00 4 6.50 MB 225.66 MB
92 SystemUIServer ralphsauer 0.00 2 6.52 MB 223.36 MB
216 Weather DashboardClient ralphsauer 0.00 4 8.45 MB 221.65 MB
219 Weather DashboardClient ralphsauer 0.00 4 8.43 MB 221.02 MB
217 Weather DashboardClient ralphsauer 0.00 4 7.95 MB 220.50 MB
220 Calculator DashboardClient ralphsauer 0.00 3 6.40 MB 219.89 MB
218 World Clock DashboardClient ralphsauer 0.00 3 6.68 MB 219.32 MB
221 Calendar DashboardClient ralphsauer 0.00 3 7.07 MB 218.88 MB
120 UniversalAccessApp ralphsauer 0.10 1 3.52 MB 212.80 MB
105 iTunes Helper ralphsauer 0.00 1 1.85 MB 211.53 MB
91 Dock ralphsauer 0.00 2 4.72 MB 208.91 MB
76 ATSServer ralphsauer 0.00 2 3.87 MB 82.95 MB
238 mdimport ralphsauer 0.00 4 3.62 MB 65.87 MB
86 pbs ralphsauer 0.00 2 1.99 MB 54.92 MB

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Answer 3

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 11:03 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

Then it could be one of your widgets. I would suggest disabling them and then returning them one by one till you find the culprit. Also, what is the ATS server?

Miriam

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Answer 4

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 11:06 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

I haven't a clue what the ATS server is. As for the widgets, they are the ones I've been using since day one. How do I disable them?

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Answer 5

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 11:12 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

Open Dashboard, click on the cross in the lower left hand corner and then click on manage widgets. Uncheck the active ones, and then try to sleep, adding them back in one by one until you hit the one that prevents sleep (if, indeed, they are to blame).

Miriam

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Answer 6

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 11:17 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

OK, thanks. I disabled everything except world clock. It would not uncheck. I'll adjust my sleep setting to 15 minutes, quit all applications, and let the machine sit for 15 minutes. I'll report back soon.

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Answer 7

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 11:34 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

Disabling the widgets had no effect on the sleep problem. New problem though. Now the three weather widgets all say Cupertino, even though I changed the city. They also do not show any temps--just blank.

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Answer 8

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 11:45 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

Boy, great help I've been! You might have to restart to get the widgets to show the proper temps.
As far as your sleeping is concerned, this Apple KB article sleep problems might give you some more clues.

Miriam

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Answer 9

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 12:02 PM in response to Ralph Sauer

Widget problem is solved. I was entering the city, state, and zip when only the zip code is necessary. After reading the article you sent, I'll try removing the external firewire drive. However, it never caused a problem with the earlier systems.
Still looking for suggestions.
Thanks,
Ralph

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Answer 10

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 12:05 PM in response to Ralph Sauer

Well, I hope something I've posted has been helpful, let me know how you make out,

Miriam

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Answer 11

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 12:55 PM in response to Ralph Sauer

Removing the firewire drive had no effect. Still looking for suggestions.
Ralph

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Answer 12

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 1:04 PM in response to Ralph Sauer

The only other thing I can think of is to reinstall 10.4.8 using the combo update. This often cures anomalies casued by updating.

Stay in touch,

Miriam

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Answer 13

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 22, 2006 6:25 PM in response to Ralph Sauer

Thanks Miriam. Can I install the combo update over my existing system, or must I delete something or reinstall 10.4.7?

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Answer 14

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Oct 22, 2006 6:33 PM in response to Ralph Sauer

You don't have to delete anything, just make sure all your peripherals except the keyboard and mouse are removed, repair permissions, download the update and install it, after you've restarted, repair permissions again and you should be fine.
Let me know how it goes,

Miriam

P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on any of the posts / replies above if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

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Answer 15

Ralph Sauer Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 23, 2006 9:13 AM in response to Ralph Sauer

I reinstalled the system as recommended. No change. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Ralph

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