Shuts off when idle, then have to unplug unit and replug
I've had this system for about 6 months. When I got it the previous owner said it would work for a while and then shuts down. If she let it sit, it would re-start and work for a while until it might do it again.
- I reinstalled the original OS, then upgraded to El Capitan
- I've added memory for a total of 8 GB now
- The hardware diagnostic says all is OK
- Used Disk Utility to fix, I did Command S and typed fsck -fy, results were OK
- Fan temps were normal, don't remember the numbers right now
- I have a laptop cooling fan behind the unit for better air circulation
- I've reset the SMC
- I did Command, Option, P and R, and turned on the Mac. Keeping holding the keys down until you hear the Mac restart again. Then reset NVRAM
Things work pretty well, except if I leave the unit for 15 minutes or so. When I come back it won't come out of sleep. Sometimes I have to unplug the power cord and re-plug it, or leave it plugged in and turn the multi plug breaker off and back on.
- Then the unit will power on when the ON button is pushed.
I can do repairs but want to know best suggestions for this symptom. This type of problem is part of my "therapy". :)
Update (05/24/2016)
Hello again, and thanks again!
I saved information from the Activity Monitor 5-24 at 6:49 AM, let the system shut itself down after 1 hour, then tried to start it up again and the On/Off switch would not turn it on. I had to shut the power strip off and then back on, then the On/Off switch worked. Then I made another Activity Monitor reading at 11:35 AM. At 1pm, I let the system shut itself down after an hour again and restarted it at 5:50pm. It would not start with On/Off, nor by turning the power strip off and on. I had to unplug the unit and plug it into another plugin in the same power strip! Then turn On unit.
Is this a good question?
3 Comments
I don't see anything that stands out as being the cause in these outputs. But you didn't follow my instructions as you needed to keep the system from sleeping and not restart it as once you do you loose the failed process (if that was the issue). At this point it's a crapshoot either the power supply or the logic board.
Maybe it would be better to bring the system in to an Apple Store and let them diagnose the problem and besides, it will be cheaper if they replace the wrong part as they will cover it under the repair warranty ;-}
by Dan
OK, makes sense. However, the process fails on a restart, not on bringing it out of sleep. If that makes sense.... Thanks for the insight, will try power supply, 6-7 year old computer, time for one anyway and this was a gift puter from an old writer/poet who really used the machine! Thanks
by Mic
I replaced the power cord with a new one....so far no problems with startup! Thanks for all the suggestions and help, they are in my "go to" file for the future. Mic
by Mic