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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Problems with Finder and Shutdown/Sleep

steveyg20 - Feb 24, 2007 - 6:14 pm

Hello

I am using a Powerbook G4 (2 years old) running OSX Tiger with all the latest updates. Recently my Powerbook has developed a problem that manifests itself in the following ways:

(1) When trying to Shut down my system it just hangs until it says 'unable to close mirror agent' - I have not successfully shutdown in a few weeks and have had to manually hold down the power button to switch off.

(2) When putting my laptop to sleep, the computer now takes much longer to initiate this command, approximately 5 times as long.

(3) Serious problem with mounted volumes on my finder - This includes my iPod, USB drives, or mounted volumes when installing software - When I click the eject button, it just doesn't work.

I believe this to be some sort of problem with the Finder.

earthsaver - Feb 25, 2007 - 12:18 am

1. I don't know why you're in such a hurry to shut down, but the problem with Mirror Agent—the utility that manages your iDisk—can be solved simply by force quitting it in the Activity Monitor utility before shutting down or restarting.

3. Are you talking about the eject button in the sidebar or the eject key on the keyboard. The latter works only for the optical drive. For other volumes, what exactly doesn't work. Do you get an error that says the volume is in use? Can you use the File|Eject command (Command+E) instead?

2. It's possibly a network issue. A common solution is to either disconnect from your network first, either by removing cables if you're wired, turning off AirPort if you're wireless, or creating an unconnected network location and switching to it before sleep. Sleep and wake are always fast when there is no network connection to manage.

- Ben

steveyg20 - Feb 25, 2007 - 5:48 am

1. I have tried force quitting in the Apple menu, force quitting the finder makes no difference, and force quitting the mirror option is not an option as it does not appear as a programme in the force quit menu.

3. Eject button on the side bar - Take for example my iPod (or any other volume like when installing software) - I click the eject button in the sidebar and the volume doesn't disapear - Then when I click the volume it says ' The volume for X cannot be found'. With my iPod this is a serious problem, as I have to physically pull out my iPod when it says that I shouldn't on the iPod screen.

2. The 3 problem I outline have occured in tandem, and I have never had a problem with the sleep function being slow before, and I always keep my Airport switched on.

4. I have also noticed a problem with Software Update - When it has installed a system update, and it gets to the bit about 'optimising system volume' or whatever it usually says after installing something, it just hangs there and won't actually complete.

I think there is something wrong with my system, and I strongly believe that it is all connected.

earthsaver - Feb 25, 2007 - 8:38 am

4. Try using Disk Utility to repair permissions before your next software update and see if the update then works. Then, be sure to repair again afterward to make sure all is well.

1. As I said, you'll find the Mirror Agent process listed in Activity Monitor from which you can force it to quit.

3. For your iPod, have you tried ejecting it from the sidebar in iTunes? There might be a disk or permission error that is causing the optimization not to complete. Also, the most forceful way to unmount a volume or eject a disk, short of pulling the plug manually, is to do so from Disk Utility. Anything different happen on that end?

2. If the problems are dependent on each other, than the sleep issue is probably due the system's slow uptake on everything else you've just tried to do: logging out with Mirror Agent hanging and volumes getting only halfway unmounted.

Let me know what happens as a result of my suggestions.

steveyg20 - Feb 25, 2007 - 3:25 pm

4. I used Disk Utility to repair permissions.

1. Force quitting Mirror Agent made the screen go blank (apart from the background) but then it just hangs there and doesn't shut down.

3. I did try ejecting it from the sidebar in iTunes, iTunes froze up. I'm afraid that ejecting from Disk Utility is not an option, whenever any volume has mounted (software install, iPod, USB Pen Drive), Disk Utility doesn't work, saying it is exploring volume or something like that.

To be honest, the plot has thickened - It certainly seems to me to be a problem with mounting anything - But here is an example, I mounted my 1gb USB pen drive, which I can use fine, but when I go to eject it by click the symbol, it's icon remains in the finder, but when I click it it says it can't be found - Also, when I manually pull out the drive, it puts up a dialogue box saying the device was not properly removed. Also, whenever I have mounted anything, I am having serious problems with software and opening it - The worst occurence has been after my USB pen drive/data stick that I pulled out - Mail won't open, iTunes won't open, Disk Utilty won't open, in fact any software I have tried just keeps bouncing and then says it's not responding - Currently Safari is still working, which had been open previously anyway.

I hope something I have told you this time can help you.

earthsaver - Feb 25, 2007 - 4:02 pm

I wonder if your Finder preferences are corrupt. You might try trashing them and relaunching the Finder. You might also try downloading and reinstalling the 10.4.8 combo update, sometimes a solution for system glitches that crop up.

steveyg20 - Feb 25, 2007 - 5:33 pm

Unfortunately, I tried both your suggestions but they have not been successful. I installed the update as instructed, restarted, but the problem remains. I deleted what I believe to be the Finder Preferences 'com.apple.finder.plist' - Could you confirm to me this is the right file or run me through how to go about deleting the preferences?

earthsaver - Feb 25, 2007 - 5:39 pm

Sorry. I thought since you have "lots of experience" you knew. You got the right file. Then, you'd need to relaunch the Finder from the Force Quit window, accessed in the Apple menu or by Command+Option+Escape.

If another preference is at fault, you can try downloading and running Preferential Treatment.

One more idea is to zap the PRAM. Have you done this before? Restart and hold Command+Option+P+R and wait for three startup chimes before releasing.

steveyg20 - Feb 26, 2007 - 4:04 am

Yeah, that didn't solve the problem I'm afraid.

earthsaver - Feb 26, 2007 - 8:30 am

Do you recall what you might have installed or deleted or otherwise done before this triad began? I have no other ideas besides seeking the root cause, and will otherwise reopen your question.

steveyg20 - Mar 1, 2007 - 8:26 am

Don't recall installing or deleting any programmes before the onset of this problem. Thanks for your help, if we have exhausted all possible solutions, I would be grateful if this ticket was reopened.

TechSupport - Mar 4, 2007 - 8:30 am

We apologize for not being able to resolve the issue you asked of us. It is the absolute worst case scenario for us to do this. In our review of why this happens, it generally is related to either the particular issue being addressed or frequently, incomplete or incorrect information provided. We hope by moving your request to the public forums that you will be able to get a solution without leaving you empty handed.

Your ticket has been closed with our support team. Your request has just been posted to Mac OS X System & Mac Software and is available for your viewing at:

http://macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292261

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