[JLG]

I have one of the new iMac 20" Core Duos and whenever I am gone for a little while the monitor turns off automatically but does not go into sleep mode (which I have set it to do). Well, whenever I come back and, usually, if I try to click on an IM I got while I was gone or a song on iTunes, the cursor will just turn into a pinwheel forever and I have to restart the computer by holding the button down. This is my first mac and I thought that they aren't supposed to freeze or crash like this, so is it something I am doing or is there something wrong with my computer? Thanks

[alcimedes]

Did you happen to add a cheap USB hub into the mix somewhere?

[JLG]

I apologize but I dont follow what you mean by "usb hub".

[chucker]

Well, do you have any external hardware connected?

[JLG]

Well I have my mouse, keyboard, and printer.

[Windowsrookie]

sounds kinda like the xbox 360 problem.........

try a reinstall of the os. or delete any apps you installed

[alcimedes]

Originally Posted by windowsrookie sounds kinda like the xbox 360 problem......... try a reinstall of the os. or delete any apps you installed

Ugh. That's bad advice.

The printer you have connected, what brand/model is it?

The symptoms you describe are typical of a bad USB device somewhere in the chain.

[JLG]

Originally Posted by alcimedes Ugh. That's bad advice. The printer you have connected, what brand/model is it? The symptoms you describe are typical of a bad USB device somewhere in the chain.

I have an HP Deskjet 6540, I bought it brand new with the computer.

[FFL]

Originally Posted by JLG I have an HP Deskjet 6540, I bought it brand new with the computer.

OK.
Unplug the printer, restart the computer, and see if the behavior persists. If it does, the printer is not the problem, and you might need to take the computer to the Genius Bar, or contact AppleCare directly if you're not near an Apple Store.

[Gargoyle]

I have a similar problem with mine. It's very random - but now and again I cannot wake it from sleep (full sleep or just display sleep) using the mouse pressing a key reveals that the mouse has locked up.

I just unplug and reconnect the mouse and all is well again.

I use a Logitech MX518 mouse (Via keyboard), and I have my Epson R200 Printer and Terratec T2 connected in the back. If I pop my USB pen drive in the other keyboard slot I get a low power warning.

Also, next time it locks up disconnect all your USB devices and reconnect them before you forcefully shutdown your iMac. It is VERY unusual for OSX to get completely messed up like that!

Edit: On a side note, my "kernel_task" process was using 60% cpu the other day - not sure what caused that but a reboot fixed it.

[SpecMode]

I can't remember where I read it off the top of my head, but apparently some kernel_task CPU spikes are related to a badly coded trackpad (and mouse?) driver. I'll post the link here when I find it again.

[JLG]

Originally Posted by SpecMode I can't remember where I read it off the top of my head, but apparently some kernel_task CPU spikes are related to a badly coded trackpad (and mouse?) driver. I'll post the link here when I find it again.

Wow, my mouse has been acting up as well now that I realize it. It will be going fine and then all of a sudden the cursor will just go straight up and to the upper right corner of the screen.

[World Leader Pretend]

You may have a problem with your printer. I also have an iMac with an HP printer and sometimes it can cause the iMac to do some strange things. I would suggest resetting the SMU. Here's a link on how to do it, it's not hard.

Also try resetting the PRAM, which is a generic fix for lots of problems. Link

Check and repair if necessary your disk permissions. Go to Finder>Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility. Select Macintosh HD (or whatever you named it) and click "Verify Disk Permissions" After it does its thing, click "repair permissions" to fix the problems if any. Another generic fix.

If neither of these or other suggestions work, take it to Apple. Sorry about your problems with your Mac, it shouldn't ever crash under normal situations.

EDIT: Both of these should also help out your mouse. BTW what type of mouse do you have?

[JLG]

Originally Posted by World Leader Pretend You may have a problem with your printer. I also have an iMac with an HP printer and sometimes it can cause the iMac to do some strange things. I would suggest resetting the SMU. Here's a link on how to do it, it's not hard. Also try resetting the PRAM, which is a generic fix for lots of problems. Link Check and repair if necessary your disk permissions. Go to Finder>Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility. Select Macintosh HD (or whatever you named it) and click "Verify Disk Permissions" After it does its thing, click "repair permissions" to fix the problems if any. Another generic fix. If neither of these or other suggestions work, take it to Apple. Sorry about your problems with your Mac, it shouldn't ever crash under normal situations. EDIT: Both of these should also help out your mouse. BTW what type of mouse do you have?

Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to try them now. I am using the mighty mouse that came with my iMac.

edit: I did all the things you suggested and I think it worked. Thank you so much.