Member Avatar for ThPoleOfJustice

Hello,

When I ran OS 9, I'd use my computer as an alarm clock. I'd simply put Sound Jam in the startup folder, set the time, and my mp3s would wake me up.

Is there a way to have the computer automatically power on in OS X? I haven't been able to track one down.

Thanks!

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Dani AI

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Short answer: yes — OS X can be made to power on or wake on a schedule. already pointed to the GUI scheduler; for finer control (one‑off or recurring events, and to see exactly what the system has recorded) use the built‑in Terminal tool pmset. (support.apple.com)

Terminal examples (run these using an admin account — pmset needs root). The examples below set a repeating wake/power‑on and a matching shutdown, show how to inspect the schedule, and how to clear it:

sudo pmset repeat wakeorpoweron MTWRF 07:00:00
sudo pmset repeat shutdown MTWRFSU 01:00:00 wakeorpoweron MTWRFSU 07:00:00

pmset -g sched

sudo pmset repeat cancel
sudo pmset schedule cancelall

pmset is strict about syntax; use pmset -g sched to confirm what’s been written. Scheduled events are recorded by the system (the scheduler uses the same underlying prefs as the Energy Saver UI). (support.apple.com)

To reproduce the old “boot-and-play-music” alarm workflow: arrange for the Mac to power on (via pmset), then make the player auto‑launch at login. Add the music app to Login Items (or use an AppleScript as a login item). Note: FileVault/secure‑boot settings will prevent automatic login, so FileVault makes this approach unsuitable unless you accept manual unlock at boot. If a scheduled event doesn’t trigger, check pmset -g sched, inspect /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.AutoWake.plist, and, on older Intel Macs, try resetting NVRAM as a troubleshooting step. (support.apple.com)

Simple AppleScript to start playback at login (drop this script in Script Editor and add it to Login Items):

tell application "Music" to play

(or use tell application "iTunes" to play on older systems).

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Member Avatar for Dani

I'm in panther and I think it worked the same way in Jaguar. I don't know about earlier versions of OS X. But just go to system preferences and then to Energy Saver. Click on Schedule. Set up a time to start up the computer or shut down the computer.

Alternatively, there's a program called Alarm Clock which is distributed with Aladdin Ten for X Utilities volume 1. Alarm Clock is sold individually as shareware which you could register for $7. You could pick it up at any of the following URLs:




http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/system_disk_utilities/alarmclockse.html

I did a google search for "Alarm Clock SE" and got a bit carried away, sorry! :-P

Sorry for taking so long to reply to you. I guess I missed your thread ;)

Member Avatar for ThPoleOfJustice

I ended up just being lazy and booting into 9 to set the alarm. It still opens in 10 if you set the 10 disc as the startup, but only once (10 must reset those settings in the PRAM after it finishes a full boot.

Thanks for the reply!

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