Where’s my Dock?

[Reiddm]

Good morning, I'm having issues with my G4 1.67 17” powerbook, after about 3 days running the dock and application switcher quits working, this has been going on since purchase date, I've repaired permissions, repaired the disk using the disk utility, run Diskwarrier, and even reloaded the system software (10.4.7) and still have the same results, when I go to restart, all apps quit and then the screen just stays the same the mouse curser moves but that’s all, I have to hold the power button down till it shuts off, then push it again to start, this problem is only on the G4 not on any other (B/W 500, my Pismo 400, both running OS 10.4.7, and my 9600 running 10.2) computer I have, its my wife’s puter so I will be in the hot seat till it’s fixed, this is the first time I've had a problem I could not figure out, so I need help (no a divorce is not the answer), has anyone had this problem, if so how do I fix this problem?
Thank you!!!

[jcarter]

That is interesting!  This happened just once last week to me, we came back from a short vacation, I booted up this G4 iMac and the mouse cursor was there, the menu bar OK, but no dock and no icons on the desktop.
I restarted a couple of times, and had to use the power button, then ran Onyx, then it slowly slowly came back to normal.  So, even tho I had the problem just once, Ive not figured out why.
And since my G5 is in the shop, I havent turned this machine off, fearing it might happen again, and I would be Mac-less.  We are going off on vacation again tomorrow, will turn this off and unplug it, and when we get back, I will see if this problem re-appears.
Jane

[daryl66]

I did have a similar experience with my 12" powerbook. After  "shut down" I removed the power adapter, then removed the battery and counted to 20,  put everything back and it came right up and I have had no trouble since.

Daryl

[Xairbusdriver]

Do you ever run the PB on battery alone? For how long?
How long since a battery conditioning reset?

[daryl66]

QUOTE(airbusdriver @ Sep 8 2006, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How long since a battery conditioning reset?

ABD:

Some enlightment here please.    There was a thread here earlier that indicated the current family of batteries have no "memory" and cannot be "reconditioned"

"Parker" led me to an application called "cocanutBattery" that provides info as to the condition of your battery,  charge state and compares it to its original condition.

What are you refereing to "battery conditioning reset"?  

I used to have a 1400 laptop and there was a "reconditioning" application that worked on that family of battery.

Daryl

[Xairbusdriver]

From Apple <Standard Maintenance>:

QUOTE

For proper maintenance of a lithium-based battery, it’s important to keep the electrons in it moving occasionally. Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time. An ideal use would be a commuter who uses her MacBook Pro on the train, then plugs it in at the office to charge. This keeps the battery juices flowing. If on the other hand, you use a desktop computer at work, and save a notebook for infrequent travel, Apple recommends charging and discharging its battery at least once per month. Need a reminder? Add an event to your desktop’s iCal.

also...
<Exercise your battery>.

QUOTE

Lithium-ion batteries need to be used for maximum performance. If you don’t use your device often, be sure to complete a charge cycle at least once per month.

They even offer a couple of scropts to help you remember to fresh you battery's 'memory'!

<Another Apple battery related page>

The newest batteries have less 'memory' problems than older NiCad batteries, but that doesn't mean they should/could be installed and forgotten. They will 'wear' out faster if not kept in good order. YMMV.

[daryl66]

QUOTE(airbusdriver @ Sep 8 2006, 02:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<>
 YMMV.

ABD: I do not recall what exactly was transpiring when I had my issue, but the PMU sounds like a possible culprit. It has never reoccured. I use the laptop as (MY) computer, attached to a 19 inch lcd. She uses the IMAC. It gets to go traveling half a dozen times  or so a year when "she" makes presentations and when we travel for fun. Probably has not discharged to 50 percent more than 3 or 4 times.

  I was aware of the excercising procedure and it just makes sense. Now what does YMMV mean? Try as I may cannot come up with anything that makes sense.

Daryl

[Xairbusdriver]

YMMV = Your Milage May Vary, but hopefully not too much!

Maybe the batteries need exercising like the rest of us? I get lots just scratching my head for answers!

[Reiddm]

Thank you for replying, yes I use my battery every Sunday, for about 4 hours, and it recharges great and no problems during those times, every once and a while, all of a sudden the dock just quits working, the keyboard short cuts also quits working (the keyboard and the mighty mouse are blutooth), when I try to restart it will close the windows and quit all the programs, then stays in the finder mode, the desktop changes the windows as usual, (it is set to show photo files), then the only way to get it to restart is to hold the power button till it shuts off, now it the dock is working properly the computer will restart? My B/W and Pismo have never had this problem just the G4, even with a new system installed?? It has been this way from the beginning when I bought it, Apple could find no problems, but they only had it for a couple so weeks, they reported no problems! I use this laptop for our church music or at least that is what I wanted to do, for now we are back to using my old faithful Pismo! Until I get this problem fixed, I don’t feel I can rely on the G4 to do what I need it for! I’m thankful for my OLDER laptop!

[krissel]

What procedure do you use to restart? From the File menu or keyboard? Have you tried using the touchpad to see if the Dock is still working? (Thinking maybe the bluetooth is at fault here.)

Can you use the old three fingered restart on that machine? Command, control +Power.
I've had that symptom on my 9600 (10.3.9) on occasion but I almost always can restart using the above key commands. Every once in a blue moon I need to shut down. I suspect in those cases that the computer has difficulty logging off certain connections, in particular network access or some background application won't quit therefore locking up everything else.

Have you had a look at your logs to see if you can see what is happening during these episodes?

You might also try creating a new account and seeing if it also gives you trouble on restart.

[Reiddm]

When all is running as it should I mouse to the apple menu to restart or shut down, but when the dock disappears and I do a restart it will shut the programs down, and the finder which is the last to quit, from that point on it stalls, no beach ball just the curser on the screen, both the trackpad and mouse can still move the curser and the keyboard shortcuts quit working yes the one on the puter itself, just does not finish that last but important step, I let it stay in that mode once for more than a hour before I depressed the power button until it shut off, it also did this before we went bluetooth. and as stated the mouse will still move the curser
Now if the dock is working it restarts fine?
Have not checked the logs yet, and it does this on either account, even the one I named test, and of course this happens usually at work, it is then I get a frustrated wife phone call, thanks for your help, and sorry it takes me time to get back as I work for the local electric company and they keep us going.

[krissel]

When this has happened to me (a refusal to complete the shutdown process), I can move the cursor with the mouse but clicking on things does nothing. Same with you, right? Fortunately I can use my keyboard to three finger restart.

You can use the power key obviously so next thing to try is see if when that happens you can do a power manager reset.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

[Reiddm]

Yes I can move the curser, but there is nothing to click on, when the finder shuts down the screen has nothing on it but the desktop photos, the three finger restart will not work, the only way is to press and hold the powerbutton, I just reset the PMU again (I did that just before I loaded the new system), we will see what happens now, thank you for the information. Apple could not get the dock to quit working when they had it, but they only kept it for a week or so, this happens after running 4 to 5 days, my only fear is one of these times it will happen when I need it the most, like during a recording session which may ruin the whole day for me!! So until the G4 is running as it should, I’ll stick to my Pismo.

Funny thing is I bought the G4 to replace my Pismo when I dumped a full cup of coffee (complete with cream and sugar) on the key board (this was very upsetting), so while I was waiting for the new laptop I disassembled the Pismo washed all the parts by spraying window cleaner (it took three cans) then rinsed with distilled water, used a blow dryer, let it set disassembled for 3 days (was called to work and 32’d out) when I woke up I reassembled it plugged in the powerbrick waited for smoke, when I got no smoke I pressed the power button and was quite surprised when I heard the bong at start up, it came back to life, the only thing that went south was the battery, yes God was on my side for that mistake but I figure he has his way for teaching us, and yes I learned I now have the lower body covered with a keyboard cover, because I primarily use a external keyboard and mouse, keeping the cover on does not hamper me, I love this keyboard and mouse it is the Logitech S530, and hold on tightly to my coffee cup, VERY TIGHT!
Again thank you all for your help!