[jszrules]

Hi, I have a "desk lamp" iMac G4 running OS X 10.4.9 and every time I restart the computer (usually when something in Software Update requires a restart), I experience the following three issues:

1) Machine gets hung up for 10 minutes on the gray "Apple" screen or the blank blue screen in the middle of restarting. Sometimes I hit the power button just to force it to restart again and then it works. Is this expected or a symptom of something serious?

2) When OS X finally loads, the machine does not recognize the external speakers that came with the computer. I have to keep unplugging and plugging them into the back and fiddling with the cord until they are finally recognized.

3) The screen dimmer does not work even though the box is checked in System Prefs. I have to uncheck the box and re-check it again just for it to work. I have tried deleting certain preference files but that hasn't helped.

Any ideas on what causes these problems? Thanks.

[Chito]

Try a PMU reset. Instructions are here
Resetting the iMac (Flat Panel) Power Management Unit (PMU)

[jszrules]

Thanks for the response...that solution seems like a last resort. Are there any other less extreme things I should try first?

[Cold Warrior]

PMU reset really isn't that serious.

[brokenjago]

PMU reset really isn't that serious.

Agreed.