Post by: David on May 05, 2009, 08:43:17 AM
As the topic description says, my G4 won't complete the shut down process.
Everything disappears from the desktop - menu bar, dock and drive/folder icons.
Other than my selected desktop picture, I'm left with a totally blank desktop.
If I choose re-start, I end up with exactly the same situation.
I have to complete the shut down process by depressing the power button for about five seconds.
Any suggestions for a cure would be appreciated.
Many thanks
D.
Post by: gunug on May 05, 2009, 08:56:48 AM
Post by: Paddy on May 05, 2009, 11:38:36 AM
I'd repair permissions, clean caches etc. and see if that helps. Also run Disk Utility to check the drive for errors. You can also try creating a new account and then checking to see if the problem persists. And starting up from Safe Mode.
Post by: David on May 05, 2009, 05:23:55 PM
QUOTE(Paddy @ May 5 2009, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
David, have you checked in the system logs to see if you can tell what's stalling the shutdown?
I'd repair permissions, clean caches etc. and see if that helps. Also run Disk Utility to check the drive for errors. You can also try creating a new account and then checking to see if the problem persists. And starting up from Safe Mode.
I'd repair permissions, clean caches etc. and see if that helps. Also run Disk Utility to check the drive for errors. You can also try creating a new account and then checking to see if the problem persists. And starting up from Safe Mode.
PADDY - Many Thanks
From my Install Disk / Disk Utility, I've Run ...
... / Repair Permissions, and ... / Repair Disk - All OK!
NOW, "clean caches" , "create new account" & "Safe Mode" ....
.... errrrrrr, DOH!
Just 3 Questions arise -
WHAT !!!! ??? ; WHERE !!!! ??? ; HOW !!!! ???
Does it help to advise you (everyone) that, in trying to copy my Start Up Drive (7.87GB with only 211.9MB free) to a 100% clean drive (16.68GB) using SuperDuper, I get a SuperDuper message telling me "Failed to enable ownership on [Destination Drive] Megan"?
HELP! ..... all I need to do is shut down in a conventional manner, but things are getting out-of-control whilst all I REALLY want to do is copy/back-up my StartUp Drive (to a comfortable alternative) before it chokes to death.
Don't worry - I'll understand ALL your answers. After all, I've only been using Macs since 1988 (oh; how I miss System 7 and OS 9).
Many Ta's
David
... currently suffering from OverStressed TENsion
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 05, 2009, 06:13:39 PM
QUOTE("Paddy")
David, have you checked in the system logs to see if you can tell what's stalling the shutdown?
QUOTE("David")
WHAT !!!! ??? ; WHERE !!!! ??? ; HOW !!!! ???
Check your Utilities Folder and look for an Apple app called "Console." Open that and see if you can make it look something like this image:[attachment=1381:Console.png]
Hopefully, you will find repeated crash reports with the same name. Then you need to find one(s) that have the last date that you know this happened. Just report what the name in the left-hand column is and maybe the first few lines of the report. Please don't copy the whole crash report.
Most of us can't read it, anyway! 
Post by: Paddy on May 05, 2009, 09:51:29 PM
Generally, the recommendation is for a minimum of 5 GB free when running OS X - that's for swap space etc. (The 10-15% you sometimes see quoted is mythical from what I've been able to deduce, especially as drive size has gotten so much larger in the past few years!) You're actually lucky you're able to do anything, but PLEASE stop trying to shut it down by using the power button; at this point, the potential for disk corruption may be substantial and not at all helped by essentially crashing the machine.
What to do? Well, if it were my machine/hard drive, I'd install a fresh copy of the OS to the other drive, start up from that, and then use Migration Assistant to copy all your files, applications and settings. I don't think you'll get SuperDuper to work with so little space no matter what you do. And David, I'd give some serious consideration to investing in a bigger HD if you're thinking you'll be using this G4 for any length of time. Hard drives are dirt cheap these days and even 16 GB is cutting it pretty fine. Heck, some people have 16GB of RAM these days! I know you're thinking of getting a Mac Pro, so perhaps you don't want to spend anything on this G4, but you could perhaps get an external drive, or an external case with an SATA drive that you assemble yourself (often cheaper) and then you have the option of sticking it in the new Mac Pro later (or continuing to use it as an external drive). ATA drives like those found in the G4 won't work in the MacPro. An external drive may have either type, but if you ever want to swap drives in or out of the case in the future, stick to SATA. BTW - the Mac Pros have FOUR internal hard drive bays.
(Yes, mine are all filled...)
Post by: krissel on May 06, 2009, 04:05:51 AM
Maybe there are a few things you can eliminate from that drive (like GarageBand or other apps you probably don't use) and then try SuperDuper again.
Otherwise Paddy's suggestion regarding the other drive would be the next choice.