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How to set usb-mouse not waking iMac PowerPC, OS X 10.4.11?

I got couple of iMac PowerPC's running with OS X 10.4.11. They are attached with standard third party optical usb-mouses.


My question is that is there anyway to stop the usb-mouse activating the computer from sleep, like the it is possible for example in Windows 7 where you can just unable that option from the mouse-behavior settings? I have googled around this matter for some time, but haven't found a solution yet. Help would be appreciated!

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), iSight, G5 PowerPC (3.1), 2.1 GHz

Posted on Jan 21, 2016 1:07 AM

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7 replies

Jan 21, 2016 9:48 AM in response to Rudegar

Don't think my Windows 7 setup is anything special, on the contrary, it is a rather 'cheapo' Compaq-HP desktop with Windows 7 Home premium 64bit, and here I found a general tweaking advice how to disable mouse waking up the Win7 computer: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/15132/stop-your-mouse-from-waking-up-your-windows -7-computer/


I am quite amazed if OS X10.4 doesn't have that ability, not to mention about the later OS X-systems...


This has been a hard subject to find any info by googling. I have found some discussions about it, but nonsuch final solution has come up in them. Mostly people seem to think that you can not disable mouseactivation in OS X 10.4.11, but quite often people say that it should be possible, but needs a system-core -specialist's advise.

Jan 21, 2016 3:50 PM in response to hakimac

There is a possibility of some other USB item, or anything that may share a powered USB hub (?)

or the wi-fi router in the vicinity, could awaken the sleeping computer. In cold weather, if I walk into

the same room where the computers are sleeping and take off a static-charged synthetic fabric

jacket, that alone can wake up at least one or two; out of three.


Awakening at night, could be attributed to a change in electrical power from the utility grid.

Mine use a UPS backup power supply that automatically switches, on change in line voltage.

The built-in software in OS X will awaken the computer in preparation of automatic shutdown.


Other items in the vicinity could affect the sleep cycle, and could appear in the Console log as

a USB inspired wake-event. Even the trackpad in a portable computer is a USB device. Some

wireless items also share the same bus in the computer. Troubleshooting can begin if you go

about isolating these other peripheral items. A microwave oven nearby or a cordless house

phone may send out a wake-up due to these frequencies having an effect on the Mac.


In other macs where a trackpad or other device is being used, the ignore input option helps.

Since I usually have at least two Macs, sitting around asleep when not in use, for up to

six months at a time, the issue hasn't been a great one. Unless I move or accidentally hit

a sleepy mouse; then it squeeks a wakeup to the Mac...


Good luck in this matter! 🙂

Jan 22, 2016 2:57 AM in response to K Shaffer

Thanks for comments! I think I'll manage by my self in this matter at this point.


However, in case interested, here are some additional info on this matter:


I have actually 3 computers on my desk at home: 2 old iMac PowerPC's and one Windows 7 desktop. The original mouses in the 2 old iMacs were not much to my liking as I found them sluggish and a bit difficult to handle, so I changed these to standard thirdparty usb-mouses that have the wheel option and sideclicking options. They are not anything special, but do the job.


As having three computers on the same desk and not having bought keyboard and mouse that could work for example for the iMacs, and maybe even for the Windows machine, you can imagine that workspace gets a bit tight on the table, and for example there always exists an easy chance that I accidentally move/hit a mouse and that this would activate a computer.


Having found that Windows 7 does indeed have an easy way to disable usb-mouse activating the computer, it of course came to my mind to look for same kind of configuration option in OS X 10.4.11 system. But I ques that is not possible.

Jan 22, 2016 11:29 AM in response to hakimac

Curious, if by setting the mouse sensitivity in System Preferences, if that would change

the accidental wake-up incidence of a USB mouse. (Regarding multi-button mouse, for

me the extra side buttons were too much & so were disabled; accidental clicking stuff.)


Too bad the 'ignore accidental input' couldn't be extended to outside elements other

than mouse-click to wake up, when that is a likely contender in random wake-up on

a messy desk. Or if a kitty stomps across? Real mice know what to do... Run! 🙂

How to set usb-mouse not waking iMac PowerPC, OS X 10.4.11?

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