Mac OS X 10.3.5 (#6): Fans stay running while system is asleep, possible solutions; Unrecognized RAM; AppleWorks fixes; more
Mac OS X 10.3.5 (#6): Fans stay running while system is asleep, possible solutions; Unrecognized RAM; AppleWorks fixes; more
Fans stay running while system is asleep In addition to a wide array of sleep issues reported with Mac OS X 10.3.5, some users have begun reporting that their fans stay on during sleep after the upgrade:
"Just a note that I have verified a upgrading to OSX 10.3.5 has changed the behavior of my 1.8 GHz G5 machine. [...] My machine will not sleep fans when put into sleep mode. The hard drives to spin down and monitor sleep but fans continue to run. In addition I have notice that the fans in general run a high speed for most operations.
"My first step was to reset PRAM and NVRAM. This was followed by a reset of PMU. Next step was to check your site followed by the Apple discussion boards. What I found is that a large number of G5 users had this same issue. My resolution was to restore my previous system. This results in normal function. I then upgraded with the Apple security patch and Java upgrade and all is well. [...] I have elected to remain on 10.3.4."
If, like this reader, you choose to revert to Mac OS X 10.3.4, your best bet in this scenario is to perform an archive and install process from the Panther CD/DVD, and then re-apply the Mac OS X 10.3.4 combo updater.
Contrarily, some users report that their PowerMac G5s are actually quieter after the update:
Jim writes "I did the 'delta' stand-alone upgrade. Followed the suggested procedure (repair disc from software DVD, fix permissions, install, fix permissions) All went smoothly.
"The most obvious difference is how quiet my 2x2 G5 is now. Previously, under 10.3.4, the hard drive would constantly crackle and scratch as if it were perpetually searching or writing to itself. After the update, the disc is whisper quiet."
Possible solution for some sleep problems Several readers have been able to resolve their sleep issues (inability to wake from sleep, etc.) by booting into Open Firmware (Hold Command+Option+O+F at startup), then typing the following commands with a return after each:
- reset-nvram
- set-defaults
- reset-all
After entering these commands, type mac-boot then press return to continue the startup process.
Unrecognized RAM Some users are reporting problems with unrecognized RAM after the Mac OS X 10.3.5 update. In many cases, some versions of Mac OS X will be more picky about which RAM modules they will recognize and properly use. As such, "bad" RAM can be the culprit behind a large number of issues including some of the aforementioned sleep problems.
One reader writes "As well as experiencing the sleep issues, where screen goes black when put to sleep but HD and fans stay alive, I am also experiencing a RAM issue which i am not sure if any one else is. Ever since upgrading from 10.3.4 to 10.3.5 (using the Combo update) the OS only recognizes 512MB instead of total of 1GB. And this ONLY happens from a cold start up, when I do a restart all 1GB appears!. From looking at system profiler it seems that the first 2 slots are empty (the preinstalled Apple RAM), I have Crucial RAM in the other 2 slots that are ok. I used to have this issue way back with 10.2.8 and I think may be 10.3.1, but after either 10.3.1 or 10.3.2 its been perfect all 1GB has been showing in System Profiler. If I take that Apple RAM out, the G5 wont start up."
For more information about "bad" RAM, see the following MacFixIt articles:
Another solution for AppleWorks 6.2.9 issues We previously reported an issue where AppleWorks 6.2.9 fails to launch or unexpectedly quits after updating to Mac OS X 10.3.5. We also noted a solution involving deleting specific AppleWorks preference and cache files.
For some readers, however, the deletion of these specific files is not sufficient, and removal of the entire AppleWorks Preferences folder is required.
MacFixIt reader Eric writes "I had the same problem and trashing those few preferences didn't really work. However removing the whole Appleworks folder (plist and all) from the ~/Library/Preferences folder then restarting the machine did the trick."
More on the Microsoft input device problems We continue to receive reports of Microsoft Intellimouse units losing settings and behaving like a standard Apple mouse. In most cases, reverting to to the previous version of the IntelliType or IntelliMouse software using the built-in uninstaller resolves the issue.
A MacFixIt reader writes "I installed 10.3.5 combo update and installed recently released Intellitype 5.1 for a Microsoft Keyboard--I have the Natural UBS keyboard on a KVM with a Mac and PC.
"It refused to recognize the setting to flop command and windows keys to match normal keyboard layout. I finally uninstalled 5.1 and dropped back to a previous version that works fine. Having command key in wrong spot will drive you nuts."
Norton AntiVirus behind some kernel panics, other issues Several readers have reported problems with kernel panics that are resolved by removing all traces of Norton AntiVirus from the Startup Items tab of the Accounts Pane in System Preferences.
One reader writes "Updating my blue-white G3 from OS X 10.3.4 to 10.3.5 (combo updater) resulted in a kernel panic right at the beginning of the boot process. Booting the machine from CD was also no longer possible. The only way I managed to consistently boot the machine and gain access to the OS was by using single-user mode. After suspecting permission issues at first I finally found that Norton Antivirus 9.02 is responsible for the kernel panic. Moving the Norton Antivirus components out of the StartupItems folder fixed everything."
In some cases, simply turning off AntiVirus' Auto-Protect function resolves the issues:
Alejandro Molina writes "I have users that have complained about consistent crashing in Illustrator CS, running OSX 10.3x with Norton AntiVirus installed. When I turn the Auto-Protect function off, no problema."
Printing functionality lost We have started receiving reports of users losing all printer functionality -- in fact all printer profiles -- after the Mac OS X 10.3.5 update.
MacFixIt reader Dave writes "I updated to 10.3.5, I tried to fax and lost that connection. I then attempted to print out a hard copy and I had no printers in my printer panel. I reloaded from the panther install discs but I still have no printers. Has any one figured this out or am i the only one.
Reader Stefan adds "I don?t know whether there is a connection to 10.3.5 or not. I installed the new OS yesterday, and today when I try to print, the computer looks like it wants to print, actually processing the job - but nothing comes out. Nothing else about the computer is changed. I reinstalled the printer drivers, repaired permissions for the OS install per MacFixit advice."
If you are having a similar issue, please let us know.
Workaround for Safari Flash issue We previously reported that some Flash content does not automatically play properly in the new release of Safari included with Mac OS X 10.3.5. David Oshel, the same user who originally reported the issue, has found that opening Flash file via dragging it to Safari's icon (or presumably using the File>Open command) allows the file to play properly:
"Well, the problem is not caused by Safari 1.2.3. If you drop a flash.swf file on Safari's url box, the local file loads and plays better than other browsers can do.
"I think there must be an intermittent between 10.3.5 and Flash somewhere, maybe something uninitialized, since I was able to get online Flash downloads to play (eventually), and local files play without incident."
Confirmation for reset of audio-out settings during sleep We've received additional confirmation of an issue where the audio-out settings reset to Internal Speakers after the Mac OS X 10.3.5 update. It now appears that this issue is not relegated to PowerMac G5 systems.
Derek Hedstrom writes "I have also noticed a problem where my sound output is no longer sent though the headphone jack and can only be heard coming from the internal speakers. This has occured twice after waking the laptop from sleep, though not 100% consistently (meaning it may have to do with unplugging various USB devices, Ethernet cables, or video out - all of which I do regularly as putting the computer to sleep). I have installed all updates, including the security update and am running 10.3.5. This problem seems to have begun after those installations."
Craig adds "I have the same wake from sleep and reverting sound preference. But other than that, I haven't noticed any other issues. Its something I can easily live with, although I won't miss the bug when they fix it."
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
For more information on Mac OS X 10.3.5 problems and solutions, see our special report on the update.
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