540c sleep problem

[beachycove]

PB540c with 7.1 Pro, + System 7 Update 3, + Open Transport, will not dim screen or sleep, despite PowerBook Setup Control Panel settings being set to dim screen after 5 mins or so and eventually sleep after 15 or so. Drive WILL spin down, however, exactly as instructed.

Any ideas as to why the machine will not do what it's told?

 

[Franklinstein]

Kill AppleTalk and/or File Sharing, zap PRAM, rebuild desktop, start with minimal control panels and extensions, make sure no apps conflict with power settings (like internet or fax programs), delete preferences files (everything except individual apps, ex. ClarisWorks).

Also, start up Key Caps to see if any keys are active when they shouldn't be, and make sure the trackpad is clean, as sometimes junk can get in there and induce random movements of the cursor, which would keep the machine from sleeping.

If it's not resolved after one or all of those steps, I don't know what to suggest other than a reload of system software.

 

[beachycove]

It seems that I have to set it from the Control Strip, choosing either better performance or better conservation. Seemingly this somehow overrides the Powerbook Control Panel settings in 7.1.1, so that unless one of these is ticked, the machine will not sleep.

System 7.1.1 on a Powerbook is new to me.