Screensaver selection and wake-from-sleep issues

We are seeking confirmation for a potential workaround for the widely reported wake-from-sleep issues generally occurring under Mac OS X 10.2.x (and reaching back to 10.0.x and 10.1.x in some cases). When the problem occurs, Macs of virtually all shapes and sizes deliver a kernel panic when waking from sleep. Systems that have been asleep for several hours are especially susceptible.

After reviewing a number of reports, it appears that in some cases, the problem may be caused by certain screensavers. In particular, using the default "Computer Name" saver in Mac OS X 10.2.x seems to alleviate the issue, where as third-party screensavers seem prone to ruining the wake process. MacFixIt reader Frederico writes:

"[...]On my [G4 with multiple screens] and [PowerBook] when running an external screen, I can repeatedly and reliably reproduce a wake-from-sleep kernel panic [...] instantly upon hitting the spacebar when using any screen effect, third party or otherwise, apart from 'Computer Name'. [...]"

"[...]We first started seeing wake-from-sleep kernel panics and total machine freezes way back in 10.0.x-10.1.x on PowerBooks and machines using multiple monitors, who were also using any of the 'slideshow'-type 'screensavers' or many third party screen effects. Since [Jaguar's release], we've seen numerous reoccurrences, and in every case the problem has been rectified by reverting to the very basic screen effect." [Frederico further notes that this issue is not to be confused with and is unrelated to other reported cures for USB and network-based WFS issues.-ed.]

If you have insight on this issue, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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