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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Powerbook G4 Goes to Sleep At Random
pot - Aug 12, 2005 - 5:16 pm
I have a powerbook G4 running Panther 10.3.9. (less than a year old). Lately it has started to go to sleep at random times, even when I am working on it. Sometimes when I wake it up it immediately goes back to sleep. Usually I can wake it up by pressing a key, but sometimes it just doesn't wake up and I have to force restart it. I've run the disk repair utility and everything looks fine.
Do I need to take it in for repair?
Do I need to take it in for repair?
Cheryl - Aug 13, 2005 - 8:24 pm
Isabelle,
Normally, when a powerbook goes to sleep on its own, it is because the battery is running low.
First, double check to see if your model qualifies for the battery exchange.
https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html
Have you installed the Battery Update?
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...eryupdate.html
Now, you will need to calibrate your battery.
Plug the power adapter in and fully charge your computer's battery until the battery indicator lights turn off and the adapter plug ring goes from amber to green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Disconnect the power adapter and use your PowerBook. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen. Continue to use your computer until it goes to sleep. At that point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
Let me know how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Normally, when a powerbook goes to sleep on its own, it is because the battery is running low.
First, double check to see if your model qualifies for the battery exchange.
https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html
Have you installed the Battery Update?
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...eryupdate.html
Now, you will need to calibrate your battery.
Plug the power adapter in and fully charge your computer's battery until the battery indicator lights turn off and the adapter plug ring goes from amber to green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Disconnect the power adapter and use your PowerBook. When your battery gets low, you will see the low battery warning dialog on the screen. Continue to use your computer until it goes to sleep. At that point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
Let me know how you do.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
pot - Aug 15, 2005 - 12:48 am
Dear Cheryl,
Thanks for answering my question.
My battery doesn't qualify for the exchange program, because the serial number is out of the range (it starts with 3K51029...).
I tried to install the battery update program, but my computer runs a test and tells me the computer doesn't need it and therefore it cannot install this program.
I did what you suggested for calibrating the battery. My computer was asleep while the battery was recharging, and when I woke it up it immediately fell asleep again. Even as I am writing now it has fallen asleep 3 times (while I was typing or scrolling down windows).
The problem doesn't happen all the time. I can go for several hours without it happening, but then at times it does it a lot. It happens right as I am typing something, so it's not that the computer is inactive.
Anyway, do you have any other suggestions, or should I bring it for repair?
Thanks
Isabelle
Thanks for answering my question.
My battery doesn't qualify for the exchange program, because the serial number is out of the range (it starts with 3K51029...).
I tried to install the battery update program, but my computer runs a test and tells me the computer doesn't need it and therefore it cannot install this program.
I did what you suggested for calibrating the battery. My computer was asleep while the battery was recharging, and when I woke it up it immediately fell asleep again. Even as I am writing now it has fallen asleep 3 times (while I was typing or scrolling down windows).
The problem doesn't happen all the time. I can go for several hours without it happening, but then at times it does it a lot. It happens right as I am typing something, so it's not that the computer is inactive.
Anyway, do you have any other suggestions, or should I bring it for repair?
Thanks
Isabelle
Cheryl - Aug 15, 2005 - 9:08 am
Isabelle,
Before bringing it in for repair, let's try one more thing.
1. Shut down the computer if it is on.
2. Press the power button to start the computer.
3. Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and the "s" key for single-user mode.
4. At the command-line prompt, type: /sbin/fsck -fy
5. Press Return.
The fsck utility will go through five "phases" then return information about the disk's utilization and fragmentation. Once the check is finished, if no issue is found, you should see "** The volume (name of volume) appears to be OK."
Note: If fsck alters, repairs, or fixes anything, it will display the message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command until it no longer appears. It's OK if you need to do several "passes" of fsck, because first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues.
When fsck reports that, "** The volume (name of volume) appears to be OK.",
6. type: reboot
7. Press Return.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Before bringing it in for repair, let's try one more thing.
1. Shut down the computer if it is on.
2. Press the power button to start the computer.
3. Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and the "s" key for single-user mode.
4. At the command-line prompt, type: /sbin/fsck -fy
5. Press Return.
The fsck utility will go through five "phases" then return information about the disk's utilization and fragmentation. Once the check is finished, if no issue is found, you should see "** The volume (name of volume) appears to be OK."
Note: If fsck alters, repairs, or fixes anything, it will display the message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command until it no longer appears. It's OK if you need to do several "passes" of fsck, because first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues.
When fsck reports that, "** The volume (name of volume) appears to be OK.",
6. type: reboot
7. Press Return.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
pot - Aug 15, 2005 - 2:35 pm
Hi Cheryl,
I tried what you suggested, and the volume was ok right away.
Unfortunately, the problem happened again after that
Isabelle
I tried what you suggested, and the volume was ok right away.
Unfortunately, the problem happened again after that
Isabelle
Cheryl - Aug 15, 2005 - 5:46 pm
Isabelle,
Your powerbook came with a Hardware Test CD. Use that to check over things and let me know what it reports.
One more thing. Is the power adaptor plugged in snugly when this happens?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Your powerbook came with a Hardware Test CD. Use that to check over things and let me know what it reports.
One more thing. Is the power adaptor plugged in snugly when this happens?
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
pot - Aug 15, 2005 - 5:54 pm
Hi Cheryl,
Are you talking about the install CD where you restart the computer while holding 'c' and then do the repair and permission tests? I have already done that, and everything was fine (I think it repaired a few permissions).
The power adapter is in as good as in can be.
I've tried to think of everything; I am using the computer at work and at home, with two different power adapters; I am using two different mouse; I am using wired internet on one end and wireless on the other. So I have ruled out that any of these things is the reason since it happens in both places.
I usually use it with the power adapter plugged in at all times, so the battery doesn't get discharged very often.
I am not sure what else I could tell you about the setup.
Isabelle
Are you talking about the install CD where you restart the computer while holding 'c' and then do the repair and permission tests? I have already done that, and everything was fine (I think it repaired a few permissions).
The power adapter is in as good as in can be.
I've tried to think of everything; I am using the computer at work and at home, with two different power adapters; I am using two different mouse; I am using wired internet on one end and wireless on the other. So I have ruled out that any of these things is the reason since it happens in both places.
I usually use it with the power adapter plugged in at all times, so the battery doesn't get discharged very often.
I am not sure what else I could tell you about the setup.
Isabelle
Cheryl - Aug 15, 2005 - 6:04 pm
Isabelle,
There was a set of CDs that came with the PowerBook. Along with the installation CD was Apple Hardware Test CD. It could be on the same CD as Additional Software.
The Apple Hardware Test CD is the one to use. it will go through a battery of tests to check out all the internal hardware. From that report, we can determine if the powerbook needs to be brought in for repair.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
There was a set of CDs that came with the PowerBook. Along with the installation CD was Apple Hardware Test CD. It could be on the same CD as Additional Software.
The Apple Hardware Test CD is the one to use. it will go through a battery of tests to check out all the internal hardware. From that report, we can determine if the powerbook needs to be brought in for repair.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
pot - Aug 16, 2005 - 1:13 am
Hi Cheryl,
I found that CD and performed the hardware test. The result was that there seemed to be no problem with my hardware.
So, I am still stuck with my problem. Tonite, the computer fell asleep once and in order to wake it up I had to press the power button for a few seconds because none of the other keys worked. When it woke up from that, it immediately fell asleep again, and that time I was able to wake it up with the space bar the normal way. The battery is at 98% throughout all this.
Prior to all that happening, I was on the computer for at least 1 hour without the problem happening.
Isabelle
I found that CD and performed the hardware test. The result was that there seemed to be no problem with my hardware.
So, I am still stuck with my problem. Tonite, the computer fell asleep once and in order to wake it up I had to press the power button for a few seconds because none of the other keys worked. When it woke up from that, it immediately fell asleep again, and that time I was able to wake it up with the space bar the normal way. The battery is at 98% throughout all this.
Prior to all that happening, I was on the computer for at least 1 hour without the problem happening.
Isabelle
Cheryl - Aug 16, 2005 - 9:01 am
Isabelle,
I have completely run out of ideas. I suggest you call Apple or bring in the powerbook to an authorized Apple Tech and have them look at it. There is something seriously wrong, but I can not pinpoint it. Your machine should not randomly go to sleep.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I have completely run out of ideas. I suggest you call Apple or bring in the powerbook to an authorized Apple Tech and have them look at it. There is something seriously wrong, but I can not pinpoint it. Your machine should not randomly go to sleep.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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