PowerBook G4 1.5GHz randomly falling asleep

Hello all.. In just the last 10 minutes, my PowerBook G4 1.5GHz has fallen asleep three times without warning, twice while watching videos on YouTube and once while navigating my way here. The computer was plugged in and receiving power. The first two times it "awoke" quickly with a press of the spacebar. The third time, it did not respond to the spacebar for 15-20 seconds.
This has never happened, and a a perusal of the active topics failed to find similar problems--wondering if anyone might know what's going on...

Here's a follow-up to my posting about my narcoleptic PowerBook G4. Got my PowerBook G4 back today (9/10), by 9:30am... I dropped it off at the local Genius Bar on 9/6 in the afternoon. Pretty snappy turn-around!
Parts listed as replaced:
658-0267 KEYBOARD,BACKLIT,PWRBK
620-3349 TOP CASE MOD ASSY,Q16B
No mention of replacing the main logic board (which the Genius had thought was the culprit of my random sleep woes). So far, in about two hours of use, no sleep problems.
Moreover, they really overhauled the rest of the machine. Here's a list of replaced/repaired items (none of which I had requested):
• Replaced the feet on the bottom (two had broken off)
• Replaced the rubber pads around the top latch on the screen (both had long since popped off)
• Replaced the PC card eject button (this broke off some time ago)
• Extensive cleaning of the PowerBook. Not that I had let it get too grimy, but the outer case definitely the regular scratches of use. Many of the scratches are no longer visible, and the few that are left are much less noticeable than before. The screen is outstandingly clean.
• The casing around the keyboard had long since had peeling paint, and since they replaced the TOP CASE MOD ASSY, all of this is new and perfect. In addition, this fixed the rather crunchy trackpad button the unit had shipped with initially (that I did not feel was bad enough to have repaired)
• The replaced backlit keyboard is of much higher quality than the original keyboard—especially in terms of the backlighting. It is much, much brighter than before. Perhaps even too bright! The key response is also much better, in particular the space bar (pressing the left side of the original spacebar would often not register, this is no longer an issue
• The unit was fully charged out of the box.
Cost of repair: $310
I am thoroughly impressed with the care and attention to detail Apple gave this computer. With these repairs, I fully believe I will be happy with this notebook for many, many more years. I don't want to buy a new Mac until it ships with Mac OS X 10.6 (Ocelot or Lion or whatever they choose to call it).
There's a reason I choose to continue giving Apple, Inc. my business.

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Powerbook randomly falls asleep

Ever since installing 10.4.7, my 17", 1.67 GHz G4 randomly falls asleep. I red somewhere that in order to fix this i need to replace the case as it has something to do with a sensing bug in the hinge region of the case that senses whether the lid is closed or not. Anyone have any more information concerning this? Basically, I'm expecting to have to send it in for a hardware repair.

Daniel, you might want to check this website I have put up. A lot of 15" PB owners have a nighmare problem with random sleep caused by a faulty trackpad temperature sensor. Let me know if your symptoms match ours...
... ie computer will sleep without warning and wont wake up without drastic measures... ie take out battery, remove power supply and wait for the catch light to die... replace battery, restart and then shut down again. Take out battery and hold down the power button for 10 sec. Replace battery, restart. This wipes the PMU memory and we can restart and reset our date etc etc.
If you install the free s/ware Temperature Monitor, you can see if your trackpad is showing false high temperatures... if you check your system log you will see 'emergency overtemp signal causes system sleep" messages after a sleep event (refresh the log)
Good luck and join up to my mail group if you have not found a cure by now.
http://web.mac.com/rickcameron/iWeb/Electric%20Lamb/N.A.P./N.A.P..html

T530 randomly falls asleep

I recently had an overheating problem and had the motherboard replaced in my T530. Now my computer randomly falls asleep. Most of the time this happens when I am on battery power or the computer is in my lap. To prevent more overheating I now have a flat board that the computer sits on when on my lap, but it still randomly falls asleep. The fan is working because I hear and feel it turn on and off from time to time.

In that case I would suggest contacting Tech Support, especially if the laptop is still under warranty.
ThinkPad: T530 / X1 Gen 2 / Helix - Yoga: Tablet 2 Pro (Win) / Yoga 3 Pro
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please click the "Accept As Solution" button.
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SpywareHammer

My iMac G5 randomly falls asleep during use.

A few weeks ago I was using my iMac and suddenly lost control of the cursor, cursor became invisible and computer went to "sleep" (ie; screen went black, "woke up" a few seconds later after moving the mouse). This problem has persisted in all sorts of conditions and uses. Usually the intial episode is followed by another shortly after. The problem happens a lot while streaming video on the internet. However, the computer also falls asleep when using photoshop.
The problem began when the hardrive was nearly full (15 GB left on drive). I cleared out many of the larger files (lossless music files) to gain 87 GB or so. Problem persists. I mostly use this computer for typical web stuff (email, facebook, videos on youtube and the like) and graphic design (Illustrator and Photoshop). Hard drive had never been defragged. I usually restart the computer when problem gets really bad.
I've searched various forums for a solution. Many argue about defragging, some mention OS reinstall, no real clear consensus seems to exist about why the problem occurs or what to do about it. Any ideas?
Specs: Mac OS X, 10.4.11, 2.1 GHz G5, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM

Your problem sounds more like a heat problem. Try resetting the SMU:
   1. Shut down the computer.
   2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
   3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
   4. Release the power button.
   5. Attach the computers power cable.
   6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
If that doesn't clear things up defragging won't do anything much, the best would be to try an
Archive and Install http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710
which will give you s shiny new OS, but keep your prefs and settings. Make sure you select that option when reinstalling.

Display randomly falling asleep

My PowerBook has begun to randomly go into sleep mode while I am in the process of using it. The screen simply goes dark, the sleep light indicator on the front of the computer begins to slowly flash, but it is only half as bright as full sleep mode. If I close the lid, the sleep light indicator will immediately begin flashing at normal brightness. When I open the lid, everything is back to normal.
I have checked on my energy settings in System Preferences. This has happened about five times today. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem as well as possible solutions?

My five and a half year-old 17" G4—which until now has worked almost flawlessly—just started displaying this behavior on Thursday. Brief flickers to a black screen (usually twice in quick succession) followed by immediately going to sleep. I can always wake it up from sleep mode (for now), but it's annoying and makes it difficult to concentrate. If I close the lid and the computer goes to sleep for more than a few minutes, when it wakes up the screen is almost (but not entirely) dimmed out, and the only way to resume normal brightness is execute a forced shutdown, after which it's fine.
I've read everything here and on the other online forums, which suggest that the problem is tied to either the temperature sensor or the ambient light sensors. And I've come across two solutions (possibly related) that seem to work for me. First go to System Preferences and disable the trackpad when a mouse is plugged in (I almost always use a mouse). Since I've done that, there have been no random sleep episodes. Second, when shutting down for the night (or anytime), tell the computer to go to sleep (or let it go to sleep on its own, as dictated by System Preferences) but don't shut the case. This allows it to wake up normally with normal screen brightness.
A very helpful "genius" at my local Apple Store (whom I saw before hitting on the interim fixes above) said the problem could also be a failure of the mechanical switch that helps put the computer to sleep. The only permanent solution is to replace the entire top case (the piece covering the trackpad and keyboard), to which these sensors and the switch are attached. If your laptop is more than five years old, you will need to get the repair done by an authorized third-party company, as Apple no longer stocks the necessary parts.

G5 Randomly Falling Asleep

Seems my 2.7ghz dual PPC G5 tower running 10.5.8 sometimes falls asleep on it's own while I'm using it... I have to press the power button to wake it up - Bluetooth mouse and keyboard lose connection when this happens. I have set the Energy system prefs to 'never' fall asleep and it still does it.
I'm wondering if this is some kind of safeguard or something? Maybe I'm overheating? It's definitely not a case of staying idle too long. Seems to do it most when I'm using processor intensive software.
Can anybody tell me why this is happening?

Get freeware Temperature Monitor.
http://www.bresink.com/osx/0TemperatureMonitor/download.htm
What's going on when this happens? Are you doing something highly CPU intensive? I see you answered this.
Seems to do it most when I'm using processor intensive software.
Then that could be temp related.
Not sure about the G5 Tower, but just to get an idea, an iMac G5 CPU has to get up to 85C before it starts sleeping or shutting down.
Message was edited by: WZZZ

Macbook Randomly Falls Asleep?

Hi there,
I have a new aluminum macbook. I have it plugged in to an external display. Recently, a new problem has popped up. I'll be doing something (watching a video, typing, anything), and it will suddenly fall asleep. After it falls asleep, keyboard or mouse inputs don't do anything. I have to close the lid, wait a while, then open it back up for it to wake up. Any ideas on how to fix this?
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I'm not really sure if this answer will help you but I downloaded an app called caffeine which stops my macbook from sleeping. Maybe it will help you?
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/System-Utilities/Caffeine.shtml

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My almost brand new G5 iMac (using 10.4.6) has been randomly falling asleep every few minutes in a row. Of course, I have completely disablsed the sleep function and have no hot corners enabled and have restarted the computer every few minutes. This has happend about ten times in a row in a twenty minute period. Odd. Has anyone experienced this? Any solution?
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A number of sleep-related issues can appear after incremental Mac OSX updates, including the inability to properly go to sleep, problems waking from sleep, and having your display go to sleep without your Mac going to sleep. The most common culprit is Bluetooth. Try these tips to fix your sleep problems.
WAKE UP
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FILE CORRUPTION
Your Bluetooth preference file may be corrupt-you'll need to delete it. Turn Bluetooth off, then go to the /Users/user name/Library/Preferences folder. Look for a file called com.apple.Bluetooth.plist and trash it.The OS will create a new preference file when you enable Bluetooth again.
ENERGY SAVER
If you have issues with a Mac or display that goes to sleep at inappropriate times, you may have a problem with Energy Saver. Delete the following .plist files and restart:
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Yours would be the 10.4.6 Combo update. Others reading, download the combo update that applies to you!
Cheers!
DALE

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Hey Apple users
OK, I have a Seagate 500GB external HD formated with MAC OS Extended. This puppy is great, very dependable, only ONE issue...
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SO SO ANNOYING, the internal HD takes like .01 seconds to access data. And this HD takes like a painful 6 seconds Ugh,
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what i thought might be a partitioning error/issue might be another thing altogether... let's start from the top. lots of random details follow, but something might be the kicker.
i have an older AEBS (non-dual-band, non-giga-bit, circa 2007) in another room (garage -- with all of the other panels, switches, etc.) that distributes a signal to the whole house -- specifically to two airport express base stations (delivering music, printer sharing, etc.). the AEBS is sending out a G/N signal (for iphones, network cameras, etc.) and one of the expresses is sending out an N-only (for my macbook).
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-- the AEBS giving signs of failure (esp. with the network issues noted above)
-- is the new lacie drive either (a) a DOA-failure or (b) doing its job by falling asleep (if so, it'd be a new 1TB>>2TB feature)...
-- user error
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thanks for any wisdom you can lend...

I have pretty much the same setup with the same model AEBS and I get the same problem with a 2TB Western Digital drive plugged in. I solved this problem a month ago by updating my system to Snow leopard and updating firmware to the base station and rebuilding pretty much the whole network. But it came back this weekend. Is driving me crazy!
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HT1657 I rented a movie on Itunes last night and I watched half of it before falling asleep. Today I tried to open the movie and watch the last half but I cannot find it. It has been less than 24 hours since I rented it. Where can I find the movie?

I rented a movie on Itunes last night and I watched half of it before falling asleep. Today I tried to open the movie and watch the last half but I cannot find it. It has been less than 24 hours since I rented it. Where can I find the movie?

I found my answer in another Thread and it worked... so for anyone who needs it, here it is:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/19134562#19134562
Had the same problem and spoke with Apple Support. They had me reset the System Management Controller:
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Don't have it send email.
Answer the security questions.

PowerBook G4 1.5GHz randomly falling asleep

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