Bizarre Macbook issue

Skytree · Post by **Skytree** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:59 pm

This probably isn't the best place to post this, but thought one or two of you here might be able to help.

Recently, my Macbook has been waking up from sleep mode with the lid still closed, for no reason.

The strangest bit is, it only does it when I walk into the room. IE: The Macbook will be asleep, lid closed, LED pulsing...then I walk in, and the hard drive revs up, the display turns on inside the lid, and the LED stops pulsing. It's rather creepy, in a 2001 sort of way.

My only hypothesis is that I'm somehow tripping the infrared sensor for the remote control on the front of the computer. Why this happens, however, is a complete mystery. Is it some spyware that only operates when I'm not present? That'd be really clever, actually.

Anyhow, any guesses/solutions would be welcome. I've looked this issue up all over the web, and haven't found another mention of it. I know this sounds really fucking weird, but I'm not making it up for laughs.

The Friendly Stranger · Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:59 pm

You can disable the infrared receiver in system prefs, security, general tab. the option is at the bottom and you can also pair the receiver with other devices. That might help confirm if that is the problem. This is in leopard btw.

88marquis · Post by **88marquis** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:35 pm

Sounds creepy for sure man, good luck with that!

I once had a virus that only played Japanese TV commercials out of my speakers at random - i decided to keep that one around!

novayshun · Post by **novayshun** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:47 pm

i just bought one, are there any other weird things i need to be aware of?

Skytree · Post by **Skytree** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:45 pm

The Friendly Stranger wrote:You can disable the infrared receiver in system prefs, security, general tab. the option is at the bottom and you can also pair the receiver with other devices. That might help confirm if that is the problem. This is in leopard btw.

Thanks for the suggestion. The remote is really handy, but I lost it a while ago...just disabled the infrared sensor. While I was in the Security tab, I also played about with a few other settings to be sure. I'll wait and see if the problem persists. Cheers!

Skytree · Post by **Skytree** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:51 pm

novayshun wrote:i just bought one, are there any other weird things i need to be aware of?

This might sound kind of strange, but sometimes I feel like my computer has developed its own personality over time. Odd little glitches pop up now and again, but nothing systemic. My biggest issue was an HD failure last year...lost about 1.5 years worth of unreleased tunes (I've since bought an external HD for backups). The problem was that I didn't wait for the HD to lock before carrying it around; slight jostling eventually led to the failure, I think. So, keep the laptop steady when it's operating. This isn't just a Macbook thing, obviously, but worth mentioning.

The Friendly Stranger · Tue Feb 03, 2009 1:41 am

novayshun wrote:i just bought one, are there any other weird things i need to be aware of?

It really depends on the build version. I assume it's a new model? In which case it's impossible to say right now if there's anything to look out for. It's inevitable that with Apple pushing the boundaries in terms of design that there are occasional faults in certain builds of their machines. At the moment my MBP has developed this apparently common problem so I'll need to take it in for repair under warranty. Not ideal but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on this occasion.

In terms of os x, it's been really reliable for me so no worries there, runs like a dream.

markNine · Post by **markNine** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:47 am

Your Macbook may just be turning itself on and then off at random intervals without your consent (you out of the room, etc.) and it turning on when you enter the room could be coincidental.

Or it could be happy to see you.

Do you have any wireless peripherals? (Bluetooth Mice or Keyboards?)

Also, try this:
Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth > Advanced... > Uncheck "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer"

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jsp ... ID=1760972

Also, next time it happens, open your Macbook, type into Spotlight "Console" and look for anything that might tell you some information, for instance, "10/30/08 12:51:26 AM kernel Wake reason = OHC2"

hexagon son · Post by **hexagon son** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:07 am

i just had a problem with my macbook yesterday actually. i let the battery drain completely while in sleep-mode, came to plug it in a week later, and now its not detecting the battery at all! i've tried removing the battery and putting it back in, but to no avail. has anyone else had this problem? if the plug comes disconnected from the macbook it just instantly shuts off now, and that cant be good for it.

hexagon son · Post by **hexagon son** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:34 am

well, i just phoned apple in japan about my problem, they had somebody to speak to me in english, i told them about the problem, and they are sending me a battery out within 2 days, free delivery, free of charge!!!! i'm not sure i've ever had customer service this good in my life. yet another reason to go on and on about how cool apple is.

The Friendly Stranger · Sun Feb 08, 2009 7:16 pm

Just to say, I mentioned my MBP issue earlier int he thread. Had an appointment at the Genius Bar at Apple in London at 11.00 yesterday. They took my machine for a hardware repair and quoted 7 to 8 days for collection. 12.30 today I got a message saying my laptop was ready for collection. And I now write this message to you on that machine!

My point: Best customer service I have ever had and probably will ever have. Awesome.

hexagon son · Post by **hexagon son** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:16 am

awesome! actually my battery arrived at my door about 20 hours after i phoned them.