Powerbook G4 won't restart or shut down

[macstatic]

For some unknown reason my Powerbook G4 (MacOSX 10.5.8) often doesn't want to shut down or restart. I've tried to do a force quit (ALT-CMD-ESC) and that window pops up, but without any apps to quit, so the only way to turn my computer off is to hold down the power button for several seconds.
I've tried fixing the permissions, but that didn't solve the issue. Having read similar threads I've also looked at the OSX console which does seem to give some errors (though I don't know what they mean):

09.10.11 23:01:08 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.RemoteDesktop.PrivilegeProxy) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
09.10.11 23:01:08 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.usbmuxd) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
09.10.11 23:01:08 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.cups.cupsd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
09.10.11 23:01:08 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.ntp.ntpd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
09.10.11 23:01:08 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.x.privileged_startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
09.10.11 23:01:30 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.UserEventAgent-LoginWindow[71]) Exited: Terminated
09.10.11 23:01:30 com.apple.launchctl.Aqua[87] launchctl: Couldn't stat("/etc/mach_init_per_user.d"): No such file or directory


Any ideas anyone?

 

[goMac]

Reinstall OS X.

 

[Tanner1294]

Try resetting the PRAM. To do this restart or shutdown the computer and turn it back on. When you hear the chime press and hold Command, Option, P, and R. The computer should stay black and eventually play the chime again as if it restarted. Once you hear the second chime you can let go and let it boot. This tends to be the solution to a lot of problems like this (my powermac G4's needs to be reset about once a month). If it doesn't seem to work you could try this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431?viewlocale=en_US

 

[666sheep]

Try resetting the PRAM. To do this restart or shutdown the computer and turn it back on. When you hear the chime press and hold Command, Option, P, and R. The computer should stay black and eventually play the chime again as if it restarted. Once you hear the second chime you can let go and let it boot. This tends to be the solution to a lot of problems like this (my powermac G4's needs to be reset about once a month). If it doesn't seem to work you could try this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431?viewlocale=en_US

TBH, second one only makes sense in OP's situation. PRAM doesn't store any power management info.

 

[Tanner1294]

TBH, second one only makes sense in OP's situation. PRAM doesn't store any power management info.

True but I figured I'd mention it because I've had an iMac and a PowerMac not boot because the PRAM needed to be reset. Oh and an old PB5300 but that's whole 'nother story. Also it's at least a harmless command that who knows, might work

 

[666sheep]

True but I figured I'd mention it because I've had an iMac and a PowerMac not boot because the PRAM needed to be reset. Oh and an old PB5300 but that's whole 'nother story. Also it's at least a harmless command that who knows, might work

Sure, but OP's problem is that his computer won't shut down or restart. It boots perfectly

 

[Tanner1294]

Sure, but OP's problem is that his computer won't shut down or restart. It boots perfectly

Haha, well yes but on Linux at least the two (or three if you count restart separately) are basically one in the same

 

[666sheep]

Haha, well yes but on Linux at least the two (or three if you count restart separately) are basically one in the same

I won't argue about Linux (I hate it ), but believe me (or not) PRAM has nothing to do with power management on Macs.

 

[Tanner1294]

I won't argue about Linux (I hate it ), but believe me (or not) PRAM has nothing to do with power management on Macs.

I believe you, it says on the Apple support site that some things stored are yadda yadda nothing about power management And personally I love Linux, but I also love how Mac is Unix-like also and it actually works when I need to it too.

 

[666sheep]

OP, if PMU reset won't help, it could be an OS issue (as goMac suggested).
Try to create new user account and see if problem occurs on this one too.

 

[Tanner1294]

Come to think of it, no one's asked this: What happens when you tell it to shut down? Does it go blue with a spinning gear? Or is your wallpaper there with a spinning gear? Or does nothing at all happen?