Mac wont shut down..

fraggle101

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It just hangs there.. it gets to the point where all the icons have gone and your left with the wallpaper and the symbol that says it thinking about something.. and t just stays there... :shrug:
 
does it keep doing this or is it doing this for the first time? Has it just downloaded an update? how long have you left it?
 
there were a few updates last week, and im not sure how long its been doing it, its done it a few times in the past but now the last 3-4 days it not shut down properly at all!!..
 
the other thing it does is when i boot it up, the first thing it does is open the cd tray..
 
a mac crashed? Say it ain't so... :lol:

Sorry, couldn't resist. Sorry i can't offer any advice but I hope it's back up and running for you soon :)
 
there were a few updates last week, and im not sure how long its been doing it, its done it a few times in the past but now the last 3-4 days it not shut down properly at all!!..

Does it come up with any errors saying anything is not quitting?

If you click on the Apple icon and click "Force Quit" is there anything running on your computer?

Try quitting everything in turn then restarting - Does everything actually quit?

If there is anything that doesn't quit try forcing it to quit and seeing if it then shuts down.
 
a mac crashed? Say it ain't so... :lol:

Sorry, couldn't resist. Sorry i can't offer any advice but I hope it's back up and running for you soon :)


Ha :)
 
Nothing in force quit other than finder..

Im running bootcamp and the windows side did crash a few days ago, so, when i try to boot into windows it wants to do a disc check, when it gets to the final part it just sits at 0% of the check.. its happened in the past and to get around it i booted into osx then rebooted and was fine.. but now as it wont shut down correctly its not clearing the problem in windows..

It the windows disc check it says you can press any key to cancel the check, but it wont work as the keyboard is USB.. (I think!!) so windows wont boot either.. OSX is fine other than not shutting down correctly.. Why is the cd tray opening when i start the putta??
 
Nothing in force quit other than finder..

Im running bootcamp and the windows side did crash a few days ago, so, when i try to boot into windows it wants to do a disc check, when it gets to the final part it just sits at 0% of the check.. its happened in the past and to get around it i booted into osx then rebooted and was fine.. but now as it wont shut down correctly its not clearing the problem in windows..

It the windows disc check it says you can press any key to cancel the check, but it wont work as the keyboard is USB.. (I think!!) so windows wont boot either.. OSX is fine other than not shutting down correctly.. Why is the cd tray opening when i start the putta??

One of my tips shows how to make a particular partition the default boot partition. It would appear that the current boot partition is the MACOS SYSTEM DISC in your optical drive. Change this to be your MACOS partition and the check for your drive may change. It is feasible that this could fix the other problem but it is typical that is has started following a windows fault with bootcamp - Bootcamp is another partition and IT trying to boot could be the problem with the optical drive again.

Try restarting FINDER and shutting down together with the boot partition thing and you might find that the error goes away. If not we can look at it once the other fault has been removed.
 
One of my tips shows how to make a particular partition the default boot partition. It would appear that the current boot partition is the MACOS SYSTEM DISC in your optical drive. Change this to be your MACOS partition and the check for your drive may change. It is feasible that this could fix the other problem but it is typical that is has started following a windows fault with bootcamp - Bootcamp is another partition and IT trying to boot could be the problem with the optical drive again.

Try restarting FINDER and shutting down together with the boot partition thing and you might find that the error goes away. If not we can look at it once the other fault has been removed.

Sorry mate, but how do i do that?? :thinking:
 
Sorry mate, but how do i do that?? :thinking:

Which bit?

COPY OF TOP TIP....

Tip 63 – MacOS [25] - Change the default boot disc.

Use the usual boot drive selection process and boot whilst holding down the [ALT] key. You will now see a selection showing your currently bootable drives including the removable media.

Instead of just clicking on a drive to boot from it hold down the [CTRL] key and click on a drive. This will work just the same BUT it will change the default drive to be the drive you just selected.


RESTART FINDER

Just FORCE QUIT it and it restarts automatically.
 
right, got it, thanks.. but, i can do the choosing which partition to boot bit, but when i choose the osx one it opens the cd tray and boots ok.. it just wont shut down..

Also, should it give me the option to boot from cd at that point? cos it only shows the mac drive and the other hdd that are marked up as WINDOWS i assume its cos they have the fat32 formatting..
 
right, got it, thanks.. but, i can do the choosing which partition to boot bit, but when i choose the osx one it opens the cd tray and boots ok.. it just wont shut down..

Also, should it give me the option to boot from cd at that point? cos it only shows the mac drive and the other hdd that are marked up as WINDOWS i assume its cos they have the fat32 formatting..

The CD boot option should only appear if you have a valid CD in the drive.

Have you set the auto boot partition to be MACOS ?

Once this is fixed I would suggest making sure that the computer has all its updates then check your boot programs in User Accounts to make sure it is not looking for a program that is on a CD during boot. ie goto system prefs>>accounts>>login items and turn them all off.

If all this fails to highlight what is stopping it shutting down then you will have to start the MacOs "activity monitor" in utilities and see what is running when you try and shut down.
 
Hi I had a Imac that locked I was told to hold the on button for five seconds until the mac closes down then restart as normal it may take alonger time than normal if this fails try comand shift P & I ( last resort ) hope this helps but dont hold me responible Cheers neil
 
I thought Macs were invincible to problems! Hope you get it sorted out.
 
Before i use the 'Shift p & I method, could you tell me what it does??? Last resort sounds quite..
 
booting the mac with the shift key held down starts the mac in Safe Boot mode and disables any login items that might be causing the problem. If the mac shuts down properly after booting this way have a look to see if there is anything in your login items list that might be causing the problem.
 
Hi I had a Imac that locked I was told to hold the on button for five seconds until the mac closes down then restart as normal it may take alonger time than normal if this fails try comand shift P & I ( last resort ) hope this helps but dont hold me responible Cheers neil

not heard of that one...command shift p & r resets the parameter RAM which isn't a bad thing - it can be likened to resetting the BIOS on a PC
 
I always find a good size hammer fixes most things. Hope you get sorted soon
 
I thought Macs were invincible to problems! Hope you get it sorted out.
Nope, nothing is invincible. But the number of crashes, fails, reboots, BSoD's seen on a Mac compared to Windows makes for sad reading for any PC user. Let's not make this thread a Mac v's PC debate eh.
 
Let's not make this thread a Mac v's PC debate eh.

Funny how it's usually the mac users who request this... :lol: I wasn't actually looking to flame a mac vs pc war, just observing the unusual circumstances here.

I get enough of a laugh on the mac vs pc war watching my dad beat himself up trying to figure out both his pc and his mac without need to see any more here! :D
 
Funny how it's usually the mac users who request this... :lol: I wasn't actually looking to flame a mac vs pc war, just observing the unusual circumstances here.

I get enough of a laugh on the mac vs pc war watching my dad beat himself up trying to figure out both his pc and his mac without need to see any more here! :D
You know, what is irritating is that when someone posts a thread stating they are having issues with their Mac and asking for help, some bright spark comes on and makes unnecessary, sarcast posts about 'what, a Mac crashes, never!' etc...

I wish people would just stop the drivel about Mac v's PC and stick to the topic in hand - use what you like using, period. We see enough of this rubbish on other forums, we don't need to see it here too.
 
Press the off button and return to Windows!
 
You know, what is irritating is that when someone posts a thread stating they are having issues with their Mac and asking for help, some bright spark comes on and makes unnecessary, sarcast posts about 'what, a Mac crashes, never!' etc...

I wish people would just stop the drivel about Mac v's PC and stick to the topic in hand - use what you like using, period. We see enough of this rubbish on other forums, we don't need to see it here too.

You mean the same way that every time someone has a problem with a windows based PC some Mac sheep comes along and says "get a Mac, they dont go wrong" :lol:
 
You mean the same way that every time someone has a problem with a windows based PC some Mac sheep comes along and says "get a Mac, they dont go wrong" :lol:

That sounds about right, folk in glasshouses an all that jazz!
 
Anyway, back on topic - is there a way with Mac's to see the running processes? (Like task manager on windows)

My guess would be that something is either processing and stuck in a loop or waiting for a response from something. Shut that process down and you'll be good to go. (You'll need to close the processes one by one and see which one frees up the system and allows the shutdown to happen) When you have the process name, either uninstall or reinstall that application.

:thumbs:
 
I would think it is more like something downloading, system updates or the like?
 
Anyway, back on topic - is there a way with Mac's to see the running processes? (Like task manager on windows)
In your utilities folder there is a program called activity monitor, this will list all running processes.

My guess would be that something is either processing and stuck in a loop or waiting for a response from somthing.

OSX usually gives a timeout error when restarting or trying to shut down and another process or program is running and stopping the shutdown or restart. It will also list the program/process responsible.

As previously mentioned press and hold the power button until the computer switches off give it a minute or two then switch back on, see if this helps.

Steve
 
OK, thanks for getting back on topic guys..

I found the 'Task Manager' and there are quite a lot of things running in there.. its not clear whT EACH ONE IS BY LOOKING AT THE NAME, BUT I'LL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK WHAN I GET HOME ON MONDAY..

sorry for the caps!!

I have been doing the ' hold the power button' trick to shut it off, and its not downloading updates.. its been left on over night trying to shut down!! still in the same condition in the morning..

The thing is, its always been a little slow to shut down.. even though its got 12 gig of ram, and its a dual quad! even opening or closing apps like photoshop can make it hang for a while (A min or so)

Thanks for all the responcws so far guys, i'll give an update in a few days when im home..:thumbs:
 
any chance you have any external devices connected to the mac...I have experience in the past of some external devices causing a mac to hang on shut down - if you have, try disconnecting them before shut down.
 
I have actually.. i'll have a go at disconnecting them and see if it helps.. Thanks!
 
OK, im still having problems with shutting down, the only thing to have changed is the CD tray isnt opening when i power up, it STILL wont shut down..

The problem is that im OK with a PC but dont know the first thing about Mac's!

Iv found a thread on a mac forum about this or a similar issue, but its all a bit above me! it says about crash reports (Where are they??) and other stuff!

Could someone PLEASE have a look at the thread and give me some sort of idiots guide for me to try???

Here

MANY thanks in advance...
 
OK, im still having problems with shutting down, the only thing to have changed is the CD tray isnt opening when i power up, it STILL wont shut down..

The problem is that im OK with a PC but dont know the first thing about Mac's!

Iv found a thread on a mac forum about this or a similar issue, but its all a bit above me! it says about crash reports (Where are they??) and other stuff!

Could someone PLEASE have a look at the thread and give me some sort of idiots guide for me to try???

Here

MANY thanks in advance...
 
HELP!!!!!!...... Please.... :)
 
looking at that thread it was an application error that caused their problem (a program called DoubleCommand).

so we don't go over old ground it might be an idea to list what you have already done to try and solve the problem...someone may then be able to point you to a solution?
 
Fraggle,

To make things a little simpler due to your limited knowledge on Macs, would it not be easier for you to do a full restore of the operating system? Have you got all of your files off the machine on a backup drive and have you got all the software you would need to reinstall everything you use?

If the answer is yes then the best move now would be to do a full reinstall of the system. You say that even programmes are slow to open and close yet you have 12 GB of RAM so something isnt quite right and it can be either a hardware or software issue and the easiest one to test right now would be the software so flatten it and start again.

Do you have the OS disk you need to reinstall? If not give me a shout and I will run you off a copy of mine if you like. Then all you do is put the CD in the drive, reboot but this time keep hold of the 'C' key on your keyboard until the apple logo appears then you should be able to do a fresh install.

Hope this helps but if this isnt the route you want to go down then once again let me know and I will ask a mate of mine tomorrow as he is an Apple Certified engineer so he might be able to offer some more advice.

Cheers
 
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