[renavoo]

Hello, I'm rather new to macs so I may be overworrying but here goes.... In the last couple of weeks, my imac (flat panal 800 mhz g4 768 mb; Panther) has "crashed twice". Meaning, I do something, come back and the computer turned off by itself and I have no idea why. I then keep trying to press the on/off button and it doesn't work for about a minute and then it turns on. It just happened about 2 hours or so ago. I know I accidently bumped into the desk prior to this happening but otherwise, I have no idea why this would happen. Does this happen to other people or is this something I should be very worried about? Any ideas what is wrong?
Thank you!
Serena

[Will C]

Originally posted by renavoo:
Hello, I'm rather new to macs so I may be overworrying but here goes.... In the last couple of weeks, my imac (flat panal 800 mhz g4 768 mb; Panther) has "crashed twice". Meaning, I do something, come back and the computer turned off by itself and I have no idea why. I then keep trying to press the on/off button and it doesn't work for about a minute and then it turns on. It just happened about 2 hours or so ago. I know I accidently bumped into the desk prior to this happening but otherwise, I have no idea why this would happen. Does this happen to other people or is this something I should be very worried about? Any ideas what is wrong?
Thank you!
Serena

Sorry if this seems a really stupid question, but it would be even more stupid not to ask.
Are you sure it is not just sleeping? - the white led on the display should 'breathe' slowly when the machine is asleep - to awaken it, click the mouse or press a key on the keyboard and it should be awake in 5 seconds or so. If this is what is happeneing, you can modify the sleep settings in Sys Prefs>Energy Saver.

If this is not it, what are you leaving the iMac doing when you leave it alone?

Will

[renavoo]

Thanks Will! Believe me, when it comes to me, there are no stupid questions because I'm, so illiterate in many cases. I thought of that too except that nothing is lit up. The light on the screen is off and my mouse also doesn't light up (optical). Is there another way I should be checking to see if it is asleep? I thought this light on the screen (that little white light on the bottom right of the screen) at least would always be lit if it was on, even if it is asleep. At least it is when I manually put it to sleep. (If it's a silly question, I'm sorry!) Otherwise, yesterday, I had just bent down to look at something on my floor, which is how I accidently bumped my desk (I'm clumsy to boot). Next thing I know, it was off. What do you think? Thank you!

[Will C]

Originally posted by renavoo:
Thanks Will! Believe me, when it comes to me, there are no stupid questions because I'm, so illiterate in many cases. I thought of that too except that nothing is lit up. The light on the screen is off and my mouse also doesn't light up (optical). Is there another way I should be checking to see if it is asleep? I thought this light on the screen (that little white light on the bottom right of the screen) at least would always be lit if it was on, even if it is asleep. At least it is when I manually put it to sleep. (If it's a silly question, I'm sorry!) Otherwise, yesterday, I had just bent down to look at something on my floor, which is how I accidently bumped my desk (I'm clumsy to boot). Next thing I know, it was off. What do you think? Thank you!

Loose power cable? - Check both ends are seated properly.

[renavoo]

Thanks Will. It didn't look like either side was loose but I just replugged both sides in. I also downloaded Onyx and tried to clean the drives. Thanks again for helping!

[zeebe]

This is probably not a solution as it sounds like it shuts down randomly, but did you check the system preferences? Go there, click on Energy Saver, then click the tab in the middle called "Schedule" and see if there is a scheduled shut down time. This wouldn't count for the reason why it won't restart after it shuts down though, but just a thought.
Good luck.

[MoontaMacman]

The power cord can be deceptive -it requires a really sollid push to make sure it is fully inserted - saw this in a friend's iMac - BUT if it is this it is likely to give the odd spark or other less than desirable amd potentially damaging side effect so do make sure it is really well located.

OK having got that one out of the way--I have had a similar problem - I posted numerous messages aobut it since last January- my 20" iMac has been rerstarting itself intermittently- some times while i am nearby but - shades of voodoo- most times when I was away from it- surfing, working on Photoshop iMovie etc no particular pattern - leave the room -come back and there it is in the intiall start up screen-- drove me nuts--I checked it out for faulty RAM - twice for periods of 3-5 days- I was convinced I had a faulty RAM chip until it did the same thing as I was watching it without the suspect RAM-- the good news is I have had it in for repair and hope to pick it up next Monday-- the bad news is it was the logic board, apaprently faulty from day one - in my case the second lot of good news is it is covered by warranty -- now the suspense begins - will it go away and stay away- I think the 20" is great but ........... as a long time Mac user I knew it should not be this way- as a long term Mac user I did not want to believe it cvould possibly be faulty - but let's face it at the end of the day they are only electronic gadgets (is that an act of blasphemy on the Mac forums ?)

I know I will buy antoher mac whenit is time to upgrade

Let's hope in your case it is just a loose cable!

good luck
Ron