G4 Shuts down randomly while using PT

[panthaakp]

I've had this problem for a while. Here is what I'm using:

Dual G4 1.25
PT LE
20 inch Apple LCD
Digi 002 Rack

This problem also occurred when I was using Logic and a Metric Halo. What happens is that the power button on the screen lights up and the computer decides to shut down randomly while running PT.

I've been making music for a year despite the problem bc it only happens intermittently. It seems to only happen when I'm not touching the keyboard and I can stop it sometimes if I'm quick to push the spacebar.

The computer is set to never go to sleep and I've dropped the G4 off at the apple store and they couldn't reproduce or fix the problem. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated...Thanks!

[PaRaNoId]

Just, my 2-cents...don't trust the apple store. Not knocking apple at all, but being in the retail sales industry; it sounds like they took it in the back, basically did nothing and said "SORRY" so they could get you out of their x-mas shopper-laden store, so they could actually make some sales. SORRY

[mersisblue]

Id tell them to look harder and drop it off again

try to speak with the store manager or someone who is very personable

[panthaakp]

Actually, I took it in soon after it happened (about 8 months ago). Twice!

But I still totally agree with you anyway...Thanks for the 2 cents!

[panthaakp]

Maybe I should use Tech Serv instead? Anybody use them before (might just be an NY thing)?

It just really blows having to bring everything screen, firewire devices blah blah blah. I only dropped off the desktop before...

[RobMacki]

What OS are you on and what version of PT?
What drives are you using for audio?
Have you searched the AnswerBase on the Digi site?

[RobMacki]

Originally posted by panthaakp
I've had this problem for a while.
I've been making music for a year despite the problem bc it only happens intermittently.

It has been this way for a year??

[panthaakp]

Originally posted by RobMacki
What OS are you on and what version of PT?
What drives are you using for audio?
Have you searched the AnswerBase on the Digi site?

Im using OSX 10.2
PT 6.1 LE
2 Redline 7200rpm oxford 911 drives

I just looked at the answerbase and found something regarding bad ram. I did load the thing up with ram so maybe that's it. That would explain the problem occuring with my Metric Halo and Logic also...Anyone know how to check ram?

[panthaakp]

Originally posted by RobMacki
It has been this way for a year??

I know, I know... but it was hard not being able to record when the apple store had my computer and wasn't fixing anything! And like I said, it happens maybe once a week.

I also thought it could be some sort of power problem at my old studio but now that I've recently moved...

[Rab]

Here's a couple of things to try...

1. See if you can get hold of another Digi002 (or even an MBox) and try swapping out the hardware even for an hour or so. This way you'll know if it's the hardware causing the problem. I've seen a fair number of Digi002's (especially older units) with hardware issues.

2. With the G4 switched off but still connected to the mains (again, turned OFF!) open up your G4, locate the small button switch near the PRAM battery and hold it down for about a minute. Close everything up, reboot, repair disk permissions and see if it's any healthier. Also, when you say you're on 10.2, is that 10.2.8? If not, make sure you are... earlier MacOS were relatively flaky. Even better, upgrade to panther (10.3.5) and get hold of PT6.7.

Good luck!

[nvtmusic]

Hi ,
I had a G4 w/20 inch monitor with an hd system . I bought it brand new
the whole package computer and all from sweatwater sound . Here is what happened over a 6 months time . The G4 would randomly shut down and even turn on by it's self . I sent the computer back to sweetwater , they could find nothing . They even refused to take it back in on a trade for a g5 , although my sales person was doing the best he could for me . I continued to work with them - no luck . ended up buying a g5 and installing the hardware by myself . - so much for " proffessional setup ". Kept the apple 20 " monitor - guess what it still happened ! Worked with apple it found out it was the monitor . there is a setting you can use to disable power savor on the monitor for a temporary fix , but the monitor had to be repaired by apple . Sorry for the rant , but I have had the same problem , and learned a valuble lesson as far as having someone "setup a package" for you . -- Check your monitor .
Hope this helps,
Mike

[mersisblue]

Originally posted by Rab
Here's a couple of things to try...

1. See if you can get hold of another Digi002 (or even an MBox) and try swapping out the hardware even for an hour or so. This way you'll know if it's the hardware causing the problem. I've seen a fair number of Digi002's (especially older units) with hardware issues.

2. With the G4 switched off but still connected to the mains (again, turned OFF!) open up your G4, locate the small button switch near the PRAM battery and hold it down for about a minute. Close everything up, reboot, repair disk permissions and see if it's any healthier. Also, when you say you're on 10.2, is that 10.2.8? If not, make sure you are... earlier MacOS were relatively flaky. Even better, upgrade to panther (10.3.5) and get hold of PT6.7.

Good luck!

MAKE ABSOLUTLY SURE YOU ONLY PUSH THAT BUTTON ONCE

it was worth mentioning

[panthaakp]

Thanks for the advice...I'm gonna try both those things...I never did get the LCD checked out...and like I said the power button on it lights up before the computer shuts off...

[princetown]

all the tests in the world will never show this problem up if ,1.
it is a power supply problem ,2 a faulty system drive, or a cracked mother board ,i have been thru the same senario out of work for 3 weeks while the protools dudes check each card and discover that the cards are cool ,3 days on test bench. The cards are cool so back into G4 only to have the problem raise its ugly head again [random shutdown or freeze or errors that protools makes up to save face ,EVERYTHING FROM VIRUS TO FIRE WIRE DRIVES TO WHO COOKED TEA LAST NIGHT], the diagnostic tools cant show up an error in real woRld applications because you are not stressing the system,[ especially if it is a power supply] if it is an intermittent problem and it is not running Tools, [which it wont be to do the tests , the cards may also be out of the system when you do a diagnostic, everything will show up cool ] its kinda like diagnosing a crook car look at the obvious first ,everyone expects their computer to be great but power supplys and hard drives wear out, my greif cost me dearly , the funny thing is i said to the fix it guys, i think it is a power supply or a hard drive which was the last thing checked.Pro tools usually shows an error that you can reference back to answer base [my tools sessions froze and had errors that didnt make sense. ]AT the end of the day Tools worked fine, my G4 didnt ,hope this rave helps a few people out there, ,oh yeAh i got everthing back and the problems still persisted untill i tried another G4 that a mate lent me , keep on Tooling , Princetown