Mac OS X 10.4.8 Special Report: Closed-lid portable functions broken
It appears that Apple has made some changes to the way portable Macs operate with their lids closed under Mac OS X 10.4.8.
First, there is an issue where Front Row output does not function properly when some portable lids are closed. The situation is that users are unable to send Front Row output to external devices with their laptop lids closed -- a capability that existed under Mac OS X 10.4.7.
In a possibly related issue, SleepLess -- a utility that prevents portables from sleeping with the lid closed -- is currently incompatible with Mac OS X 10.4.8. A post the company's Web site states:
"Lid-closed operation on Mac OS X 10.4.8 (Intel) is broken. We are trying now to understand the problem and find a solution."
As such, it is recommended that you disable any sleep prevention utilities, and do not invoke closed lid operation (to obviate potential heat issues), if you are running Mac OS X 10.4.8.
Reader reports
MacFixIt reader Paul writes:
"Before Mac OS X 10.4.8, I could use front row to watch movies on my TV with the lid of my MacBook closed. Since 10.4.8, I can still wake up my sleeping MacBook with the lid closed using my Apple remote. The desktop appears as usual on my TV screen. I can access the front row menu, and select a movie to watch. The movie plays, but I only get audio on my TV. The screen is just dark. If I stop the movie, open the lid, and just leave it open an inch or two, everything works fine; the movie plays on both screens. Not a big deal, as the movie can still be watched, but it does not work as it should and as it did the morning before 10.4.8."
Index:
- Release Notes: Delta vs. Combo; Enhancements in this release, more
- Update procedure recommendation: How to apply Mac OS X 10.4.8
- Common workarounds: Resolving typical incremental update issues
- Adobe Illustrator: Problems with pathfinder function, other issues
- Audio issues
- Black border around cursor
- Burning media issues
- Classic: Problems starting up; launching apps
- Closed-lid portable functions broken
- Display coloring issues: Blue tinting and more
- External devices (USB/FireWire): Not recognized; can cause issues after system updates
- Finder Crashes, other issues
- Flash: Slowness caused by new version
- Incomplete update: Installing Mac OS X 10.4.8 stalls or otherwise fails
- Increased fan activity
- iSight difficulties: "In use," won't turn on, more
- Math problems in Rosetta applications
- Menu items: Disappearance, other issues
- Mighty Mouse problems: Scrolling, more
- Non-launching applications (including Rosetta apps): Fixes
- Printing issues -- fixes
- Safari Issues: Bad plug-ins, caches, more
- Spotlight issues
- Startup problems: Stalls, extremely slow booting, more
- Universal Access: New features, processor usage questions
- Wireless connectivity (AirPort, etc.) issues and fixes
