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wwwluckyro · 04-12-2008

Hey,

I've been having this issue for quite a while. My mac wakes up randomly from sleep.

I noticed the hour is 3:00 AM. Why is that?

This is also happening to my girlfriend's mac, at the same hour.

Is there a app that is doing this? Is this "normal"?

Please, I am worriend. I don't feel pretty secure...

iPodmanTim · 04-12-2008

Hey there,

What Mac is this? I have a similar issue with my MacBook. I found out that there are a few potential causes of this problem, and this is actually why I first joined this forum, so here is my learning:

1) External hard drive/some other peripherals
Many USB peripherals run little processes when the Mac's asleep, kinda checking if their needed yet, this is especially true, I'm told, if they're powered from the USB port
2) Software
Most pieces of software that have an update checker thingy check for updates at really odd times, the logic, my Dad says, is that they won't detract from processes while you're actually running it.

Anyhow, I know this can be an annoying problem, it often wakes me up/prevents me getting to sleep. I hope this little insight can put you somewhat at ease!

Tim

houltmac · 04-13-2008

One of the most obvious things, while unlikely, is actually System Preferences. Go to Energy Saver>Schedule and make sure the Mac hasn't been set to wake at these times there.

Otherwise I would look at software installed and see if there is anything which could be causing this behavior as suggested. Of course, this should all be done without peripherals attached. If it still happens, try a new user account being logged in overnight.

wwwluckyro · 04-13-2008

I have an externat HDD attached, a Western Digital MyBook, but my girlfriend doesn't have anything attached to her iMac. So I don't think it's related to the HDD.

I checked the Energy Saver preference before I posted. Nothing is checked. And I'm sure my girlfriend hasn't messed with that setting either.

I have a intel Mac Mini and she has a last get iMac. I don't think the problem is hardware related.

I there a way, an Automator action maybe, to detect when my Mac wakes up? Then way maybe I could record the event. Can Little Snitch be used in this, to see what process uses the net at that exact time?

One thing to clarify, for an application to wake a Mac, it requires administration aproval, right? I mean an application such as Awaken (alarm)?

houltmac · 04-13-2008

Since they are both desktops... could it be your modem/router? If both machines are attached via ethernet then it could be the Wake for Ethernet network administrator access option in System Preferences>Energy Saver>Options.

Just another quick and simple one. Other than that, could you list the third party (not Apple or system stuff) apps that are installed on both machines, including preference panes and haxies? Sounds like it would be something they have in common most likely.

wwwluckyro · 04-15-2008

The "wake for ethernet net admin" is not checked.

I'm using a wired router while she has a wireless router. I don't think it's related. We are also on different ISPs. And that shouldn't be related with out problem either.

Common System Preferences: Desktoptopia, Growl, Perian

Common Applications: Adium, Adobe Photoshop with all the related crap (Bridge, Device Central, Extension Manager, Help Viewer, Stock Photos), AppZapper, Awaken, Disco, GimmeSomeTune, Google Notifier, Google Updater (I deleted it on my mac, maybe there are some remains), LimeWire, Pixelmator, Skype, Stuffit Expander, Transmission, VLC, Yahoo! Messenger.

That's about it. Ones that make sense out of these: Awaken, GimmeSomeTune, Google Notifier/Updater, Limewire, Transmission.

Out of these, only Awaken ever asked for special privilages. Is it possible to be the AwakenHelper background process?

I hope we can figure this out.

And thanks to TAB staff for posting this on the main page, as forum activity. I hope it helps getting more answers.

Update: Actually I don't think Limewire has any backgound process and I never keep it running, so let's just ignore that one.

**baseballboy828** · 04-15-2008

Try disabling the AwakenHelper app. Since Awaken is an alarm app and can probably wake the mac from sleep, it is a likely culprit.

04-12-2008	#1 (permalink)
wwwluckyro Cashier Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 12	Hey, I've been having this issue for quite a while. My mac wakes up randomly from sleep. I noticed the hour is 3:00 AM. Why is that? This is also happening to my girlfriend's mac, at the same hour. Is there a app that is doing this? Is this "normal"? Please, I am worriend. I don't feel pretty secure... __________________ Lucky

04-12-2008	#2 (permalink)
iPodmanTim Inventory Control Specialist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: iTune's Forgetten Land (The UK) Posts: 51	Hey there, What Mac is this? I have a similar issue with my MacBook. I found out that there are a few potential causes of this problem, and this is actually why I first joined this forum, so here is my learning: 1) External hard drive/some other peripherals Many USB peripherals run little processes when the Mac's asleep, kinda checking if their needed yet, this is especially true, I'm told, if they're powered from the USB port 2) Software Most pieces of software that have an update checker thingy check for updates at really odd times, the logic, my Dad says, is that they won't detract from processes while you're actually running it. Anyhow, I know this can be an annoying problem, it often wakes me up/prevents me getting to sleep. I hope this little insight can put you somewhat at ease! Tim __________________ My Mac: 2GHz MacBook, 1GB RAM, 60GB HD My Site \| My dA \| MySpace \| e-mail

04-13-2008	#3 (permalink)
houltmac Mac Genius Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,056	One of the most obvious things, while unlikely, is actually System Preferences. Go to Energy Saver>Schedule and make sure the Mac hasn't been set to wake at these times there. Otherwise I would look at software installed and see if there is anything which could be causing this behavior as suggested. Of course, this should all be done without peripherals attached. If it still happens, try a new user account being logged in overnight. __________________ MacBook Pro 15" Glossy, 2.6GHz, 4GB RAM, 320B HD \| iPhone 3G 16GB (Black)

04-13-2008	#4 (permalink)
wwwluckyro Cashier Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 12	I have an externat HDD attached, a Western Digital MyBook, but my girlfriend doesn't have anything attached to her iMac. So I don't think it's related to the HDD. I checked the Energy Saver preference before I posted. Nothing is checked. And I'm sure my girlfriend hasn't messed with that setting either. I have a intel Mac Mini and she has a last get iMac. I don't think the problem is hardware related. I there a way, an Automator action maybe, to detect when my Mac wakes up? Then way maybe I could record the event. Can Little Snitch be used in this, to see what process uses the net at that exact time? One thing to clarify, for an application to wake a Mac, it requires administration aproval, right? I mean an application such as Awaken (alarm)? __________________ Lucky

04-13-2008	#5 (permalink)
houltmac Mac Genius Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,056	Since they are both desktops... could it be your modem/router? If both machines are attached via ethernet then it could be the Wake for Ethernet network administrator access option in System Preferences>Energy Saver>Options. Just another quick and simple one. Other than that, could you list the third party (not Apple or system stuff) apps that are installed on both machines, including preference panes and haxies? Sounds like it would be something they have in common most likely. __________________ MacBook Pro 15" Glossy, 2.6GHz, 4GB RAM, 320B HD \| iPhone 3G 16GB (Black)

04-15-2008	#6 (permalink)
wwwluckyro Cashier Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 12	The "wake for ethernet net admin" is not checked. I'm using a wired router while she has a wireless router. I don't think it's related. We are also on different ISPs. And that shouldn't be related with out problem either. Common System Preferences: Desktoptopia, Growl, Perian Common Applications: Adium, Adobe Photoshop with all the related crap (Bridge, Device Central, Extension Manager, Help Viewer, Stock Photos), AppZapper, Awaken, Disco, GimmeSomeTune, Google Notifier, Google Updater (I deleted it on my mac, maybe there are some remains), LimeWire, Pixelmator, Skype, Stuffit Expander, Transmission, VLC, Yahoo! Messenger. That's about it. Ones that make sense out of these: Awaken, GimmeSomeTune, Google Notifier/Updater, Limewire, Transmission. Out of these, only Awaken ever asked for special privilages. Is it possible to be the AwakenHelper background process? I hope we can figure this out. And thanks to TAB staff for posting this on the main page, as forum activity. I hope it helps getting more answers. Update: Actually I don't think Limewire has any backgound process and I never keep it running, so let's just ignore that one. __________________ Lucky Last edited by wwwluckyro; 04-15-2008 at 01:54 PM.

04-15-2008	#7 (permalink)
baseballboy828 Assistant Store Manager Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,102	Try disabling the AwakenHelper app. Since Awaken is an alarm app and can probably wake the mac from sleep, it is a likely culprit. __________________ iMac Intel Core Duo 17" 1.83Ghz, 2GB Crucial RAM ::Twitter : Ben Drucker Photography: Professional Photography Services :: Interested in a free trial Smugmug account?

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