External Monitor in causing Random Sleep and it doesnt wake up!

Hi all,
After recently buying a new 22" Asus monitor and hooking it up to my macbook core 2 duo (Late 2006 model) running Leopard it has been playing up. I have the computer in clamshell mode, so the top is down and i am using an apple bluetooth keyboard and mighty mouse. The problem is however, every so often my macbook goes into a weird unwakeable sleep. I wouldn't even call it sleep its like it freezes up and the screen goes blank and the light at the front is on, i can also still hear the fans and the hard disk doing their thing. When i try to wake the computer by lifting up the macbooks display the light goes off but nothing happens. The only way i can get the system to run again is by a hard restart. This is really annoying as i can not longer rely on my external monitor, which defeats the purpose of having it!

I have this exact same issue, and am wondering what to do. I have a 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and am using 10.4.11 as software. I have a Dell monitor. Anyone have any thoughts?

Similar Messages

Powerbook G4 Randomly Sleeps (and didn't wake up once)

Greetings,
Context: Clean install of 10.5 and moved all my files okay from 10.4.10 (yesterday). Machine is a 1.5Ghz Powerbook G4 w/ 2GB SDRAM. Running the machine closed with Dell 2007WFP monitor and the new Apple aluminum keyboard.
Problem: My machine randomly goes into sleep mode without warning. After wiggling my mouse around for a couple rounds it comes back to life. I don't get it.
It's not the screen saver or the power savings settings. I set it so that it never sleeps. Earlier today, I returned home from work to discover it had went to sleep, except I couldn't wake it up! or hard power down. I took out the battery, and the light was still pulsing as usual. I then pushed the power button again to finally shut it down, then power back up.
Thoughts?

Try this then:
1) Try trashing these 2 .plist preferences and reboot. Reset your Energy Saver preferences.
HD > Library > Preferences > SystemConfiguration > com.apple.AutoWake.plist & com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
2) Do an Open Firmware reset: Hold the CommandOption+OF keys during startup. At the '>' prompt type:
>reset-nvram
Return
>set-defaults
Return
>reset-all
Return
Reset PRAM:
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound (bong) for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
3) Reset your PMU.
-Bmer
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Computer goes into random sleep and won't wake!

This all started over a year ago, but I no longer remember what started it. After downloading an apple update my computer no longer goes into sleep mode on it's own. I have to manually put it to sleep. I tried every solution recommended...resetting everything, changing things in terminal, etc. I used a sleep assist program for a while but then I removed it b/c it was creating other issues. I finally just got used to doing it manually and lived with it.
Well, about 6mo ago (I cannot figure out why it started happening) my computer would just randomly go into a hard sleep mode. The screen goes black but I can still hear the computer running. NOTHING wakes it up. I have to shut down the computer holding the power button and then turn it back on. There seems to be no ill effects and I cannot figure out what is triggering it. I downloaded a cpu temperature program thinking that was it but it stays generally under 40C. It usually just happens while surfing the internet with only 1 or 2 tabs open. I generally only keep 3 programs running at a time (firefox, mail, itunes). It is totally random as I can go weeks without it happening but then yesterday it happened 4x in one day.
Help, I will try anything! Thanks

chic,
This could be caused by a dead PMU battery. This is from the service manual:
"Logic Board Battery
Important: Apple highly recommends removing the battery when handling the logic board. Make sure to use proper ESD protection when handling modules.
The battery on the logic board controls the stored system settings, such as date and time. It is only necessary to test the battery when you can’t power on the computer, or the date and time are
reset every time the AC power is removed.
The battery is also used to power the PMU chip (because the PMU chip keeps time and must always be running) when the computer is unplugged from the wall (AC power). The PMU is very
sensitive and touching any circuitry that is connected to the PMU can cause it to crash. If the PMU crashes, the battery life goes from about five years to about two days if the PMU is not reset. Once the battery goes dead, the PMU will reset the time and date every time the AC power is removed. To fix this situation, replace the battery and reset the PMU (refer to “Resetting the
PMU on the Logic Board” mentioned earlier in this chapter).
If the computer has a “No Power” situation, check the battery before replacing modules.
Testing the Battery
1. Remove the user access door on the bottom of the computer.
2. Locate the battery test point.
3. With the computer powered off, measure the battery voltage. Does the battery measure at least +3.5v?
If no, replace the battery and reset the PMU. If the battery measures +3.5v or higher, reinstall the battery and reset the PMU as above."
The battery test point is the lone one to the left and the ground point is just to the right of it.
Richard

MacBook Pro won't stay asleep with external monitor attached. When sleep is selected from the Apple menu the computer will go to sleep only to continually wake up...go back to sleep...wake up...etc. every few seconds.

MacBook Pro won't stay asleep with external monitor attached. When sleep is selected from the Apple menu the computer will go to sleep only to continually wake up...go back to sleep...wake up...etc. every few seconds. This only happens when using the external monitor. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Mine does that too. The worst thing is when it goes to sleep, then wakes up and keeps running while the lid is closed and it is wrapped up in a case. I am afraid when the hot weather comes it is going to burn up. I am hoping Apple fixes it in the software or they may have a melted MBP to replace.
Then when I open the lid it is crashed running at fill tilt, pumping out heat to beat the band. I am forced to hold the button down and reboot.
I wiped my hard disk and reinstalled my OS, but it didn't help. I reversed my OS to 10.5.0 and it solved the DVI problem but still won't sleep. This post will probably be deleted by Apple, they did it a few days ago. I just don't know what to do, and I consider myself a real Apple expert. Just hoping you realize you are not the only one.

I plugged my macbook pro into an external monitor, then unplugged it later and now it is stuck with black borders on top and bottom and zoomed out like it is still on the monitor. How do I fix it?

I started using my external monitor with my macbook pro and as soon as I plug it in it to the monitor it adjusts the screen by zooming out a bit and creating about 3/4 of an inch black borders on the top and bottom of the screen. But these dont show up on the monitor so I assumed it was fine. But when I took it off the monitor, the borders were still there like it was still on the monitor. Any hellp? Its starting to mess with my eyes haha.

Hi aefulcher,
It sounds like you had the external display set to mirror the internal display so the resolution(s) were changed to match each other.
OS X: How to use multiple displays with your Mac in Mountain Lion and earlier
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5019
Check if the current resolution matches your screen's natiive resolution.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
Nubz

Media for Itunes on external hd. When drive sleeps itunes won't wake it up

I have a new mac mini. I keep all of my songs and movies on an external hd and itunes knows to look for them there. When I stream to my apple tv everything works great. If I wait a few hours without using it, the external hd will go to sleep and the apple tv will not wake it up. I have two different hd's so it is not specific to one. I have to restart the computer for Itunes and the apple tv will work properly again. Is there a setting that will solve my dilemma? I have troubleshot this extensively and I am certain the drives going to sleep are the cause of my problem.

is your idea to have the computer put the harddrive to sleep, then when it is needed it will wake it up? Because the sleep is what is causing the problem. I have verified the setting is not enabled but I suppose I could try enabling it to troubleshoot further.

My Macbook pro, (late 2010) sometimes will sleep and won't wake up. then the sleep light flashes.What's the problem?

My Macbook pro, (late 2010) sometimes will sleep and won't wake up. then the sleep light flashes.What's the problem

Hi I've been following this thread (along with a different one on the same topic). I've been having the same problem with my ibook. I can add that I have no problem with startup. It's just that the screen "goes to sleep" unexpectedly and may operate normally for a few minutes or a few hours at most. Opening and closing the lid or restarting seems to cause it to awaken but then usually for just a few seconds or minutes. If it is connected to another video display that display continues functioning fine even though the computer screen is blank. In addition the desktop is there and visible faintly or if totally blank can be backlit through the apple logo and can be read. I've had my logic board replaced twice under the extended warranty and assumed it was that but now I'm thinking of the reed switch. Apple refuses to consider any further work under warranty as the last repair was in Jan, 06 and they claim only a 90 parts warranty and the machine is from 03. Any thoughts before I cut the wires? I have reset the pmu, run cocktail and disk utility. Other than the sleep issue the machine works fine. thanks Ronda or anyone else who has any ideas... Dave

My iMac 27 2010 vintage goes to sleep and won't wake up...I have to push the on off button and hold till it shuts down and then re start...This is not good..Help please

My mac iMac 27 2010 vintage goes to sleep and won't wake up till I hold the on off power button....Then I have to restart as it is locked up....This it intermittent..
Help Please
Jim

Ops I replied to myself in error.....
Tom:
I performed the steps indicated but this morning when I clicked the mouse and hit the space key and clicked the track pad again as before nothing happens.
I hold the power button for a few seconds and the screen fills as if the computer was normally awakened but it is locked up.
Then I have to shut it down with the power button and then power it up as a reboot.
Not good...SMC reset didn't work....Throughout the day yesterday I put the computer to sleep and woke it up normally. It seems to be a overnight problem.
Am I going to have to shut it down everynight?
Jim

Why does updating virus definitions on microsoft security essentials make my macbook go to sleep and hard to wake it up from its sleep state?

Why does updating virus definitions on microsoft security essentials make my macbook go to sleep and hard to wake it up from its sleep state? does this happen to anyone else? its really bugging me.

Just you probably, having used it for years since its beta days.
don't run more than one malware suite/programs. it is possible to use some as long as they aren't running.
I'd look elsewhere for why.

W520 random sleeping and black screens - videos of issue attached

Btw my mobo,cpu,memory i believe were all replaced last time i took it in with this issue...
Still getting it consistantly:
Random Black Screens and Random Sleeping:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvWl9ck26xI
Black Screen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A3NqnC80iU
I thought before maybe its Bluetooth related as sometimes when screen would turn black and then come back, I would get a 'Bluetooth Device Not Discoverable'. So turned off Bluetooth in the BIOS, but still having display/sleep issues.
I removed hte Lenovo Power Manager/PM Driver, and turned off sleeping in the Windows power settings (in every setting including if Low Battery Action). Any ideas?
I just upgraded to a 3 year warranty (the more expensive one), should i just ask to replace mobo/cpu/memory again or will Lenovo actually test it for other issues?
Thanks,
Ari
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Well my issue wasn't an external monitor... it would goto sleep by itself when Im trying to write code/programming... then randomly wake and go back to sleep up constantly ruining workflow (or wait a few hours Im sleeping at odd times in the morning lol). or the monitor would turn black suddenly. I think I tested via external monitor but didn't matter what result was, the random sleeping issues indicated a larger issue.
It was a crimped connector the 1st time it went back to Lenovo. the past 4/5 times its gone back i think they are stumped. For me, Im honestly not sure... it might be the OS is on a mSATA instead of the regular hard drive and Windows doesnt know how to handle that hardware.
Their newer W540 manual seems to indicate do an OS on mSATA at your expense.
Do you have an mSATA OS? Anyway, thats a very small chance. not sure.

Random Sleep and Waking Up

So this has happened off and on for the last few months. My T61 will sometimes go through periods where it will just go to sleep when it wants. I can just wake it up again and all is fine (just like when I manually put it to sleep). It may do this two or three times in a row (within minutes of each other), every so often.
On the flipside, when I put my laptop to sleep, it will sometimes come awake when it wants, even when closed. This is troublesome because I'll start on my way to class and my computer wakes up and runs out of battery by the time I actually get it out to work on. This mostly happens when I'm on the go but has happened when at home, leaning against the couch. sometimes when it turns on when closed, I'll open it and it imediately goes back to sleep (like a kid who is supposed to be napping and gets caught and then pretends to be asleep like nothing happened). This random waking up also causes the laptop to generate a LOT of heat which gets pretty bad when it's in my bag.

My Thinkpad T61 has a similar problem. Over the past few days, it has begun to randomly go to sleep with increasing frequency. I will be in the middle of typing something or worse, transferring files, and the computer will go into sleep mode. Today it has done so at least a dozen times, sometimes in rapid succession. I will wake the computer and before I can even unlock the screen with my password it goes back to sleep.
I tried reinstalling Windows 7 Ultimate and had the same problem. I checked all the power manager settings. The computer is set never to sleep. The AC is always plugged in. I am at my wits' end. What if this happens in the middle of backing up My Documents to an external hard drive? I could corrupt important files.
This has been a relatively recent occurrence so I'm wondering if it may have something to do with a Windows update. I haven't installed new software. I did have the heat sink and cooling fan replaced a couple of weeks ago but this sudden sleeping has only started in the past few days. The temperature of the computer is FAR lower than it was several weeks ago (the keyboard used to get warm and now it doesn't feel warm at all, even under load), so I'm quite sure it isn't the temperature sensor forcing the computer to sleep.
Specs:
Thinkpad T61 7658 CTO
Core 2 Duo 2.20 GHz
4 GB RAM (3 used because of 32-bit limitation)
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
105 GB HDD (~70 GB free)
Intel Extreme Graphics 2 965 Express Chipset
Thinkpad 802.11 b/g wireless

After OSX.4.11 update external monitor unresponsive+problems w/sleep etc

I've read some of the recent display problems. Here is my problem and what I've tried, my problem just started 6 hrs ago. I updated to OSX.4.11 a few days ago - eveything worked fine, yesterday I reinstalled epson printer driver as it was crashing and also yesterday I worked for several hours in iMovie 08. Nothing else unusual. This is STRANGE!
Today went to wake my MBP, 2.4 GHZ, 4GB ram, Cinema display 20", wireless keyboard/mouse up from sleep to check mail. Cinema display flickered and then changed to dark blue solid - and unresponsive. Couldn't get external display to function. Never had any problems with it. Tried to restart everything, unplug all cords, etc. Everything started up I got the log in password screen on my external cinema display - typed in my password - then saw my desktop photo for a second and the cinema display flickered to dark blue again and wouldn't change. It was unable to mount the desktop.
I went to my MPB while still connected got the screen on the MBP and saw the desktop but there were sort of black lines through the names of my folder files on my desktop. I then disconnected the cinema display, restarted just the MBP and the screen (of the MBP) that mounted was perfectly normal - no black lines through file folder names.
Then I tried various things. I assumed my cinema display was broken (almost 3 years old). But then I hooked my MBP up to an old 20" cinema display (they kind with 4:5 ratio and plastic all around), I think it uses some kind of converter to the DVI port anyway my MPB worked with that old display fine, desktop fine, but it would not stay asleep - no matter what I tried. I've never had that problem ever before.
Then I took the "newer" 3 year old cinema display (aluminum one) that I use all the time I I suspected was busted and hooked it up to my old Powerbook G4. And it mounted the desktop and worked fine!! The G4 just got updated to 10.4.11. Interesting thing is though when I closed the lid which usually made the G4 PB sleep it shut it down instead of making it sleep. Very odd.
Then I ran down to Apple store and bought new version of Disk Warrior and ran it on my MBP. I've never had anything Disk Warrior couldn't fix. It rebuilt my directory. I then hooked the MBP back up to the cinema display (aluminum) and the same thing happened I got my log in screen after startup, logged in password saw the photo desktop for a second then the cinema display went back to a dark blue screen that was unresponsive. I then ran Disk Warrior again with the cinema display attached to see what would happen. Disk Warrior mounted and I saw the whole process on the cinema display. The cinema display will mount disk warrior but it will not mount the MBP desktop as of 6 hours ago.
I then read these recent posts and tried a "safe" boot. I got my MBP desktop on the cinema display (aluminum) but as soon as I clicked on system prefs the cinema display went to dark blue unresponsive screen.
But the same cinema display (aluminum) works fine with the Powerbook G4 except for some issue with sleep
And the MBP works with an old plastic cinema display except again, it won't stay asleep.
But the MBP and the aluminum cinema display that I've been using together for my photo/video editing for 4 months straight now and I've never had any problems with - they won't work together as of 6 hours ago. That is when I get the dark blue unresponsive screen on the cinema display (aluminum).
Upshot is:
1) Something is up with sleep mode and the OS X.4.11 update on 2 different machines (G4 PB and MBP)
2) Something is affecting the way both the MBP and the Powerbook react with both my cinema displays. The MBP and the 20" aluminum Cinema display are the ones I need to work with and the ones that as of 6 hours ago just lock up in cinema display dark blue screen (almost black but not quite).
Is this a problem with sleep, startup or DVI output and OS X.4.11?
What can I do about it? I need to use my 20" aluminum cinema display it is clearly the better one of my 2 cinema displays. And even if I switch to my 20" older plastic apple cinema display the computer won't stay asleep any longer?
Please, Please I need some help.
Also since this is happening on 2 separate machines and 2 separate monitors there is something odd going on.
Apple tech people, is there a major problem with .11 and sleep and external displays?
Sincere Thanks, Carol
PS Note, I tried all this numerous times with both bluetooth and regular wired keyboards/mice along with MBP and PB keypads.
Message was edited by: oceangrant
Message was edited by: oceangrant

Sorry please forgive me, I'm so exhausted I posted this in MacBook instead of MacBook Pro, I'll try to move it but if I can't I'll try to copy it and post in MacBook Pro, regardless I think there is a problem with the .11 update.
Thanks, C

IMac always auto detects for external monitors after waking from sleep or from display off

I've got a Dell 24" monitor (2408WFP) plugged into my mid 2011 iMac via DVI cord and thunderbolt attachment. Things work fine.
When I need to leave my computer, I usually turn the displays off using the shortcut keys: CTRL + SHIFT + EJECT
This works perfectly and both displays go black. However, when I return to my computer and reactivate the iMac, the iMac display will turn blue as if I have just plugged in a new monitor even the external monitor is still plugged in. It usually flashes blue twice before displaying the password prompt. I can usually just log back in as normal. I've never had this happen before using Snow Leopard. It's annoying but strange.
However, even more strange is that sometimes when returning to the desktop, the iMac will do the auto detect display thing and then when I log back in, the external display just shows static as if there is no signal. I've checked the cable a million times and everything is as tight as tight can be and both ends are plugged in properly. Unplugging the displayport adapter from the iMac and then reattaching it restores the desktop on the secondary display although sometimes, it results in the secondary display showing a gray background picture instead of my normal picture. Replugging the secondary display seems to fix that too although sometimes it doesn't.
Why is this happening?
- Problem with the adapter?
- Problem with the DVI cable I'm using?
- Compatibility issues with my external monitor?
I need to stress the point that this has never happened before with Snow Leopard.
If I am the only one experiencing this then I suppose it may be an issue with the iMac or adapter or even the cable. But if anyone else can shed light on this problem, I'd really appreciate it.

Hi Micheal,
I've been experiencing the exact same issue with my new iMac I just bought. I bought it refurb so I wasn't sure if it was a defect with the hardware or not. Since I'm not the only one I will asume it's not for now.
Setup:
- iMac 27-inch 3.4GHz (Release May 2011)
- Dell 2709W external monitor
- Hooked in with mini display port to DVI adapter
- Lion 10.7.3 all up to date to this day
From what I've been able to gather the issue presents itself only when my Dell 2709W enters "Power Save Mode" after I do CTRL + SHIFT + EJECT or when the diplays simply goes to sleep by themselves.
Although if I hit that combination and the displays goes to sleep but I don't wait long enough for my Dell monitor to actually "Power Save Mode" (wait like 2 sec) then touch the keyboard then the 2 displays (iMac and Dell) resumes from sleep without the issue presenting itself.
I'm tempted to buy the mini-display port to HDMI just to see if the issue is still present with that adapter. If I do I'll update my post with the outcome.
If anyone else has any info to help with this issue it would be greatly appreciated. It's very annoying when you resume from sleep and you find all of your windows that where opened on the external display before sleep squeezed into your main display (iMac).
Thanks!

T61 external monitor permenantly in sleeping mode

Greetings,
I want to run an external monitor with my T61 for desktop extention. It was working fine, until I once booted up my PC before having switched on the external monitor. Since that day I have never been able to display anything on the monitor. It is just showing black, and the power button light is just flashing, which I assume means sleeping/power saving mode.
I tried changing things on the BIOS, did not work. I even bought a minidocking station now, hoping that the new VGA-out would deliver results. It also does not work.
I cannot believe the Thinkpad cannot cope with an external monitor not being on when the Thinkpad starts up. How can I fix this?
It does not seem to be the VGA port, since the docking station option also does not work, right?
Please help.
Regards,
Henning

Go into your display property, by right clicking your desktop, then select your second monitor and then tick the extend desktop box.
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

External monitor on mbp exits sleep

Hi,
when I sleep my mbp screen and external monitor both sleep. When I come back to the room later the external monitor is powered on, this occurs daily.
Does anybody know why this would occur and do you have any suggestions on how to prevent it turning itself on?
thank you!
Dan

Then I'd…
1) Try reinstalling WoW and try to keep as few preference/game files as you can. Granted you need to keep your character and game play files etc etc so just backup the lot and restore as required.
2) Contact Blizzard and check their forums and see if they know anything about this.

External Monitor in causing Random Sleep and it doesnt wake up!

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