Imac G5 sleep problems 2

[Sue79]

Whenever I watch streaming videos on my Imac G5 powerpc, it goes to sleep. I then click my mouse and it wakes up but will keep going to sleep as long as the video is on. It doesn't go to sleep when I do anything else but watch videos. Why is this happening? Please help!!

 

[jmgalvin]

It's happening because you're not inputting anything - like typing or clicking the mouse. The computer senses no input and sleeps at its preset time.

To fix this go to Apple menu/System Preferences/Energy Saver. Change the time for computer and monitor sleep, to whatever you want or never. You can always sleep the computer by going to Apple menu/Sleep if you select Never.

Using OSX 10.3.9 & 10.4.11 on a G4, G5 & Intel Macbook

 

[Sue79]

I've done that and it keeps happening when streaming videos.

 

[jmgalvin]

You might try timing this to see if it always happens at a preset time, like every 20 minutes, etc. If yes, OSX is not picking up the changes in Energy Saver.

While this should not be causing the problem, you can try repairing permissions. In Finder go to Go menu/utilities and launch Disk Utility. Click on repair permissions. while in Disk Utility you can also click Verify Disk and see if it needs repair. If yes, start up the computer from your system install disk, open disk utility and repair your disk.

If no repair is necessary, and permissions are repaired, reset energy Saver and see what happens.

Using OSX 10.3.9 & 10.4.11 on a G4, G5 & Intel Macbook

 

[fisheromacse]

Also, you can try chaning your System Preferences ->
Desktop & Screen Saver ->
Screen Saver ->
Hot Corners Button ->
and now set one corner to Disable Screen Saver.
When you play a movie, place the mouse in the chosen corner.
But honestly, i think jmgalvin is on the right track.

 

[Sue79]

Well I tried everything and it still continued to happen. I then brought it to the apple store and they told me that the logic board was going. The cost to repair it, well I might as well buy a new computer. I can't do that right now so I will just keep this until it really goes. In activity monitor, whenever I open firefox or safari, it had a high CPU. I then downloaded flashblock and my CPU was lowered. I don't think this will fix the problem or have anything to do with it, but it does lower the tempurature of my mac. So we will see...

 

[jmgalvin]

Theoretically, if the only problem is the sleep when watching movies, it should not be much of a board problem. Yes, the board might be wearing out, but it still might have many years left. You could try reinstalling OSX, with an Archive and Install, and see if the problem disappears. The archive and install will preserve all your settings, documents, etc.

The high cpu usage with flash should not cause the sleep problem. Adding RAM can help with flash. I buy RAM from OWcomputing.com, a Mac specialist. If you do buy it, make sure to get a matched pair for your machine.

Flashblock is really good and I also use it on Firefox. I've also found that if you reset Safari (Safari menu/Rest Safari) relatively often, you avoid a lost of crashes caused by flash content. I leave cookies and saved passwords unchecked when I reset.

Using OSX 10.3.9 & 10.4.11 on a G4, G5 & Intel Macbook

 

[Sue79]

Hmmm, good to know. I think I will purchase some RAM. I do remember the guy from the apple store saying that getting more RAM may help it. I will check out that website. Thank you for your help.

 

[Sue79]

I have 512MB already built in and 1GB DDR2 SDRAM. How much more RAM would I need? I have an iMac G5 PowerPC 2.1 GHz.
Would I need another 512MB to max it out?

 

[jmgalvin]

You have 2 ram slots. One had the original 512. The other has the 1 gig. G5s work best with a matched pair - you actually buy the pair. You have to check Apple menu/about this mac/more info/hardware and check the CPU speed to figure out what ram you have to order.

I have one G5 imac here with a 1.8 mhz processor and it holds 2 gigs of ram - 1 gig, of a matched pair, in each slot.

I checked OWC for my machine and 2 gig matched pair costs $75.

Please remember that this would have no effect on your machine sleeping while watching video.

Using OSX 10.3.9 & 10.4.11 on a G4, G5 & Intel Macbook

 

[Sue79]

Is the CPU speed like the processor speed or BUS speed? It says:

Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
Number Of CPUs: 1
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1.5 GB
Bus Speed: 700 MHz

 

[fisheromacse]

I always buy RAM from DMS, NewEgg, or OWC and have never had a complaint.

DMS lists RAM for your model at $25 per 1GB.

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/_memory-information/1GB_DDR2533_DIMM_Econo_627E.asp

DealRAM lists newegg as slightly cheaper w/a coupon.

http://dealnews.com/memory/prices/PC2-4200-DDR2-533-MHz/49/1GB.html

You could put in a 2GB in place of your current 1GB and max it out at 2.5GB but i would concur with previous recommendations to get a matched pair for best performance.

 

[jmgalvin]

It's the processor speed.

Using OSX 10.3.9 & 10.4.11 on a G4, G5 & Intel Macbook

 

[Sue79]

well I just wanted you guys to know that my iMac died. They said it was the logic board that was going and it finally went late last year. To repair it they said its like 900 something dollars. Ridiculous. I was looking online to see if anyone was selling them but they are expensive$600 some where going for. Very upset. I am using an old Power mac g4 and its driving me crazy. I am very weary now to buy another iMac. I dont know what to do. I really do like desktops more than the macbooks. What would you guys suggest??

 

[jmgalvin]

Depending on what you use the thing for, you might look at the mac mini. The 800 dollar one has specs about the same as the base imac and is 400 bucks less. The cpu is a tad bit slower, but you really won't notice it in real life. If you just use your machine for general use, as opposed to editing movies, etc, it will probably do the job. I would probably avoid the 599 mini unless I special ordered from Apple's online store and got an extra 2 gigs of RAm ($100). But then, the difference between the 2 would only be 100 bucks and not worth it.

The 400 dollar differnce between the imac and the mini can buy you a pretty nice monitor if you want. You'll also be spared getting a new P;;e keyboard and Mouse (two things I happen to hate). You can just use your old ones.

The price difference between a top of the line mini and a macbook is still 200 less for the mini - with double the ram and a faster processor than the macbook.

If you have access to an Apple store you can play with it there. If you go to the Apple store look at the imac - especially the screen. It's glossy and you might not like it. I really don't like that glossy screen.

If your machines are presently "G" models, your software might not work well on a new mac. We haven't had problems with older versions of Office, but Adobe stuff won't go.

Using OSX 10.3.9 & 10.4.11 on a G4, G5 & Intel Macbook

 

[Sue79]

I just purchased a mac mini last night!! That is too funny. My iMac died in November and I have been using this old Powermac g4 since then. I heard nothing but good things about mac minis and I also bought it as a refurb. I am very excited about my new computer and I can't wait for it until it arrives.

 

[JimHilton]

Hmmm Mac Mini's are not the deal they seem. You need an external monitor k/b and mouse.

Plus they have the dog arse slow 5400 RPM HD's and to do a ram update is a whole new lesson in misery.

You've indicated that your using the previous mac for video. There are 3 things video apps like; RAM, fast HD and processing power.

I find it odd that the mac tech could "fortune tell" that your previous mac is dying. Logic boards are like light bulbs dead or not dead, not dying.

Personally, I would send the mini back and take a good look at the new iMacs with the intel cpu's. Lots of gas and they look good too.