Powerbook won't sleep!

M

Manta

Registered
Hi all,

Hope all is well with you.

I'm having trouble getting my PB to sleep (and no I haven't told it bedtime stories yet..hehe). I've set the preferences in Energy Saver Panel to go to sleep after 15mins. The screensaver comes on and then the screen goes a bit darker but thats it. If the computer is on battery, it simply discharges as if I was using it. I can choose sleep in the Apple menu and it does so but it wont automatically. Im not sure if it related to removing USB devices while the computer is operating but the settings in the Energy Saver Panel dont seem to be working. The stats are:

PB 17 - 1Gig/OSX 10.3.4
USB Wacom Tablet & Canon Scanner

Anyone able to help?
 
Go to your Home folder>Library>Preferences. Trash the com.apple.systempreferences.plist file. Empty the trash.
Go to Utility folder>Disk Utility. Run Repair Permissions.
Go to System Preferences and set your choices.
 
Hi again,

Tried what you said. Went to screensaver, then woke up. Doesn't make sense. Was I supposed to reboot? BTW Cheryl, could you explain to me why you suggested what you did? I dont know OSX very well and resetting permissions etc needs some explaining to me thanks...
 
deleting plist files sorta puts the corresponding application into the default mode. It's like you "reinstall" the software and all adjustments will be lost.
To have an effect on such applications, you will need to restart them or log-ou/in.
 
Thanks Zammy.

I restarted but Im still experiencing the same problem. After the alotted time as set in the Energy Saver Panel, the computer goes to screensaver, dims for a bit and then comes back on.

Hoping someone else out there has experienced this sort of issue. I'll call apple support on Monday otherwise.
 
Something's triggering it. You mentioned USB devices. If you plug a USB device in or out, the system returns from its idle state. (Will even wake up from sleep if you connect a device...) This could be it. Or: Some background software that lets the system believe it's still active and not idle, really.
 
And: Also try to create another 'clean' user, where certainly no background tasks are running.
 
Do you have the powerbook set up on a secure table/desk? It could be sensing movement with a shake of the table or a hit against a desk leg.

Do you have any programs running but hidden? Or your email program set to check mail every 5 minutes?
 
Cheryl said:
Do you have the powerbook set up on a secure table/desk? It could be sensing movement with a shake of the table or a hit against a desk leg.

Do you have any programs running but hidden? Or your email program set to check mail every 5 minutes?
Click to expand...

Yep it's secure. I have extensis font management software active...havent checked the email yet...I'll take out the USB devices I have and go from there. Another User account is an excellent idea. I just hope it isnt a hardware related problem. Thanks everyone youve been a great help so far.
 
Just an update:

Changed to different User account - No difference
Removed USB devices - No difference
Repaired permissions - No difference
Changed Mail settings to update manually - No difference
Tried different settings in Energy Saver Panel - No luck

Im starting to get worried now. It's not a major issue but I would like to know what, if anything, is wrong. Just to remind you, my PB goes to screensaver, then dims, then maybe blank screen but it wont sleep. The hard drive is active. This is not good for travelling...
 
Bugger me dead. Turned off Extensis and it seems to be working now. Ive gotta say extensis suitcase has been one of the worst programs ever made. It seriously screws with everything, Ive already had to do a complete re-install because of it. I hope this is the end of the problem, I'll report a little later.
 
What Cheryl said: verisons of SuitCase prior to X1 are not fully compatible with Panther and may cause problems. Make sure you've got verson 11.0.2 running.
 
Yep. I should have mentioned. I have Extensis 11.0.2. Still no luck with the settings. I was wondering though. Can I have Suitcase in the dock but off and just turn it on when I need to use a corresponding app? Its a workaround I know but even though it was working before I'll put up with the inconvenience.
 
Yes, you can -- that's exactly how I use it. I don't like an app running that I'm not using, so there's no point for Suitcase to launch every time I login. I have no trouble launching it manually, activating a font, then launching the app I wanna use that font in.
 
Thanks for the reply El Diablo...it seems to be a good enough workaround...Ive noticed though I dont think it is just Suitcase causing the problem. I spoke to Apple support who suggested after everything that the 'clock?' settings are not in sync with the apps or some crap like that and I might have to take it in to be looked at...does that make sense with anyone else?
 
Have you run Disk Utility? Start up the book with the OS CD (insert CD, restart, immediately hold down C key). At the installer screen, go to the Installer menu and select Disk Utility. Run repair disk. (at far bottom right).
 
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