Imac won't wake up since 10.4.7 update

Question

Hello! I have a 17" imac g5 (purchased in 12/05) that will NOT wake up from sleep now since I have done the OS X 10.4.7 update. I have to hold the on/off button for at least 5 seconds and by the 2nd or 3rd time it will finally come on. Any ideas?? The only peripheal I have is a card reader. It does it with that unplugged. I also fixed disk permissions, still won't wake up. Since I am still relatively new to Mac, I need detailed instructions. Thank you so much in advance!!

Answer 1

Hello,
At this point, it would seem that you are down to two last options:
1) Re-install OS X from your original Restore disks.
2) take it in for repair and see if it's a hardware problem.
I think you have the last version of the iMac G5 (the one with the iSight). If so, you are still under warranty since those came out around November or December. So, you should still be in your first year (a 3 or 4 months left).
I think at this point, it would be best to do two things:
1) Run the hardware test that came with your computer. See if that finds a problem.
If it does, we'll stop there, and let you take it in for servicing.
This should be on one of your restore disks. It will say Apple Hardware Test on the disk somewhere (smaller print). And, provide directions for starting the test on your particular system.
Now, once you are in the test, run both the standard and extended tests. See if either finds a problem. This could take a couple of hours.
Let me know what it says.
2) Now, if it doesn't find any problems, then I would propose that you re-install OS X from scratch.
I would first copy any important information to an external drive or disk.
If you have an external hard drive, you could make a full backup of your entire hard drive using a program such as Carbon Copy Cloner:
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
This program can be used to create an exact clone of your main hard drive.
So, it is a bootable backup that can be used to put your entire system back exactly as it was at the time of the backup.
This means that if something happens, you can boot from your external drive, and resume normal work. Or, you can boot from the external drive and run the program again to restore your computer to match the backup.
This backup is an exact clone of your entire installation, so it is readable by another machine.
It works great, and I've never had a problem with it.
But, I use the "Clone" feature.
This has the advantage of being able to restore quickly, and return back to the exact point you were at when you backed-up.
In your situation, we would use this backup for two purposes. First, it ensures that all your important information is backed-up. Second, it means that if your new installation doesn't fix the problem, you could just revert back to this installation and everything would be like it was.
Now, if you don't have an external drive, then just backup your important files (e-mails, documents, downloads, anything of importance to you) to another disk (CD-R or DVD-R, etc.).
Make sure you get the 10.4.7 Combo Update stored somewhere so you can update again without downloading it.
Once you have verified that everything you want is safely stored on another disk or drive, then you could proceed with the re-install.
Make sure you disconnect any external drives (FireWire, USB) and other accessories before re-installing. Just keep your keyboard and mouse connected.
You can install OS X by booting from your Restore disks. Insert the disk, and restart while holding down the letter C on your keyboard until it finishes booting from the restore disk.
Once started-up, I would personally recommend using the "Erase and Install" option. This will give you a completely fresh installation without any of your old bugs getting carried-over.
The "Archive and Install" will basically install a fresh copy of your OS X while preserving your settings and installed software.
Here's a good article summarizing your options and how each works:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301270
The problem with Archive and Install is that sometimes problematic settings will survive using this method.
So, for best results, use the Erase and Install. Since you already have everything copied to another disk, this shouldn't be a problem.
Once the fresh installation is done, then see how your system behaves.
If everything is fine, then immediately install the 10.4.7 Combo Update.
Now, repair permissions.
See how things are now.
If everything is fine, then go ahead and setup your e-mail, programs etc.
Copy your data and files back, and resume operations
3) Now, if things still don't work right, then call your service shop and arrange for warranty repair.
It is a pain to go through all these steps. But, the service shop will blame software first unless the hardware test reveals a problem.
So, by doing a fresh install, you beat them to it. You can tell them you have already done that, and know the problem is hardware related.
Anyway, I hope that the re-install isn't needed. But, if it is, then the steps are listed above.
Start with the hardware test and other ideas above first. But, if those don't work or reveal something, then go ahead and re-install and let me know what you find.
Keep me posted on your progress, and let me know what does or doesn't work for you.
I hope this helps.