Power Button, Shut Down Help Please!

**FireAnt** · 04-23-2005, 06:01 PM

I want to use my start up / shut down controller to completely power down my mac mini. I went under energy settings and unclicked the let power but sleep the computer. Now the power button does not shutdown the computer like it would on a PC. (ie. close open progams and shut down) Is this normal.

If I can't send a shut down command from the startup/shutdown controller then when the power to the mac mini is completely killed about 45 seconds later it could corrupt data, right? Or is it really no problem?

Note: If I hold the power button for 6 seconds the result is an immediate loss of power with out closing any programs first.

Is there a setting to change this, I don't want to deal with the power drain of the sleep mode if I can help it.

Thanks,
Mike F

**Bugbyte** · 04-23-2005, 06:10 PM

You shouldn't need to worry too much about corrupting the data. The file system is journaled so the worst you should get is a lengthier start up time as the repairs are made.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say it doesnt' shut down like a PC. Under "energy saver" in the system preferences-->options, you unchecked "allow power button to sleep computer" under "Wake options"? If so, the system should shut down when you press the power button.

If so, the computer should shutdown when you press the power button.

If you hold it for 6 seconds it will simply shut all the power off.

**MikeH** · 04-23-2005, 06:58 PM

Bugbyte,

If so, the computer should shutdown when you press the power button.

So, the key question here is.....how long do you "press" the power button? When the box is checked for "sleep", the press seems to be very short. When it is unchecked, the press seems to be 6 seconds. It this correct? I guess we were thinking that, when the box is uncheced the length of the press would be the same as when it is checked. Are we wrong?

**FireAnt** · 04-23-2005, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

.

If so, the computer should shutdown when you press the power button.

If you hold it for 6 seconds it will simply shut all the power off.

That's the problem, the mac mini does not shutdown when you press the power button. It only does the shut all power off thing after 6 seconds.

The only way Mike H. & I can get it to do a proper shut down is to go up the the top left corner, click the apple and then click shutdown from that menu.

Can other people with a Mac mini confirm that the power button does not work for shut down?

thanks,
MikeF

**shizzle** · 04-23-2005, 10:49 PM

I am not able to power my mac mini down by using the power button. I will try further options later and let you know, but I think the only way to do a real power down, and not just turn it off, is through the OS.

**Bugbyte** · 04-24-2005, 11:39 PM

Yikes! I tried the same on my dual 1ghz Powermac and you can't shut it down using the power button unless you hold it for 6 seconds. Works just the same as the mini.

"It's not a bug, it's a feature!"

[Edit] Perhaps there's a way to have an Applescript run the shutdown for you. The power button event must be sensed by the system somewhere along the line. Then all you'd need to do is react to that by running shutdown?

Found this as a start: http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn2002/tn2075.html

This explains the power management scheme: http://developer.apple.com/documenta...als/index.html

I don't get most of it but apparently, an application can register to be notified of a power state change event, including sleep. I wonder if the application couldn't then be directed to force a shutdown.

**shizzle** · 04-25-2005, 12:55 AM

confirmed. interesting ideas you have there, bugbyte.

**rocketman** · 05-02-2005, 03:01 AM

Guys...the "hold the power button down" thing has been the case for macs for a while now. Shutdown is the proper way to end all apps and power down. Sleep is much faster, preserves the current state, and allows for a very quick resume. I have not shut my mac down for months, well it is a powerbook, but when the mini goes in the car a battery will take care of the sleep draw.

An apple script to end all apps and shutdown would probably be your best bet. I would prefer sleep, until I am taking the mini out of the car, then it must be shut down. The new os 10.4 has an automator which might prove helpful in this endeavor.

**shizzle** · 05-02-2005, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by rocketman

Sleep is much faster, preserves the current state, and allows for a very quick resume. I have not shut my mac down for months, well it is a powerbook, but when the mini goes in the car a battery will take care of the sleep draw.

The sleep draw is the one concern in the mac mini carputer community. It may make it through the night, or even month, but it can't be good for the car battery. At issue is the fact that the dc-dc supply is converting 12V to 18V, with some inefficiency, and this will be a little more drain on the battery than some find comfortable, even at the 100-200ma or however small the sleep draw is.
With the new power options for the mini, it is now possible to sleep it when you are not away for too long, but it should be shut down when the car will be left off for more than overnight.
Mac min sleep solution