MuseScore may prevent some systems from going to sleep and/or hibernating.

• Mar 21, 2018 - 16:52

My Windows 10 system will not hibernate if MuseScore is running, whether or not a score is open, because the system sees MuseScore as "an audio stream... currently in use." I discovered that by going to

https://lifehacker.com/5924010/how-to-find-out-whats-keeping-your-compu…

It instructed me to run Command Prompt as an Administrator, and type :

powercfg -requests

It looks like this:

C:\WINDOWS\system32>powercfg -requests

and returned these results:

DISPLAY:
None.

SYSTEM:
[DRIVER] High Definition Audio Device (HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0662&SUBSYS_103C1495&REV_1001\4&148a919f&0&0001)
An audio stream is currently in use.

AWAYMODE:
None.

EXECUTION:
None.

PERFBOOST:
None.

ACTIVELOCKSCREEN:
None.

So, the only thing interfering with automatic sleeping or hibernating is the "audio stream" being output all the time MuseScore is running. When I closed MuseScore and re-checked, the results were all "None."

In MuseScore I edited the preferences, changing I/O from "PortAudio" to "JACK audio server." Leaving MuseScore running, I re-checked "powercfg -requests," and again, all the results were "None."

So, there are two ways to prevent MuseScore from interfering with hibernation on my Windows 10 system:
1. Quit (Exit) MuseScore when I'm done working with it
2. Switch MuseScore's I/O from "PortAudio" to "JACK audio server." I assume this will prevent me from hearing playback through my current setup.

For Mac, that same lifehacker site also has instructions for Mac that will tell you if a device is preventing sleep, and what that process is. I would assume, though, it's the same story. Maybe something can be done in a future release of MuseScore that will turn off the audio stream after a period of unuse.


Comments

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

Marc, I appreciate your attention on this.

My system will go to sleep with MuseScore running. What it won't do is hibernate, which is a full power down. Others may be having this issue too, and we need to be careful about asserting what is and isn't the cause of it. I mentioned "sleep" only because that's the problem reported by TheGuitarShawn with his Mac system, which might well have the same cause. Please see the latest comments at https://musescore.org/en/node/108241.

In reply to by WStites

Hibernating works fine as well. Been working fine for me for years, and worked when I just tested it right now, although as mentioned, my computer is currently experiencing other issues with sleep and hibernation independent of MuseScore, so it's difficult for me to get reliable tests.

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

You're incorrect just because it's working for you doesn't mean it's not happening to other users.. MuseScore definitely does prevent some systems from going into sleep mode including initializing the screen saver. I have a MacBook Pro with Catalina 10.15.5 installed. MuseScore does prevent my system from initializing the screen saver, sleep mode, and turning off the display.
This article has more details I found.
https://musescore.org/en/node/108241

I'm a python developer. I can't this week but next week I will take some time and dive into the code and see if I can find out what is causing this.

In reply to by wildernessfamily

For the record, I said in general it doesn't prevent sleep or hibernation. Meaning, it doesn't happen for most users. That in no way was meant to suggest that there isn't some number who, for whatever reason, are affected. So far it seems that no one fully understands what is different about those systems that are affected.

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

No, you stated "In general, this simply is not true" that's not correct. Multiple people I have found have reported this issue and are experiencing this. Which is being caused by MuseScore. I've spun up two VM's, Linux Mint and Mac OS Catalina this morning. Same issue on a clean system. Reading the other reports it seems to be an audio driver problem which I will dig into next weekend.

In reply to by Jojo-Schmitz

No, window users are being affected as well. In fact, I just spun on a VM with Windows 10 just about 30 minutes ago and encountered the same problem. I'm a python developer. I'm looking into if it's a particular hardware problem right now. And continue done my list as it's a major security issue for the people that this is affecting.

You leave MuseScore running and step away from your machine. The machine does not lock down per your variables you set for the screen saver, sleep/hibernate etc. After stepping away from your machine thinking that it should initialize your screen saver and lock the computer per your settings it does not. Allowing someone to have access to your computer while your away.

So far I've tested on clean systems, Mac OS Catalina, Linux Mint, and Windows 10 and have been able to replicate the issue each of these OS's.

In reply to by Marc Sabatella

Exactly my thought. I'm spinning the VM's on my MacBook Pro. The VM's are completely clean with clean OS's but...they are still utilizing the same hardware that my MacBook Pro uses. I'm thinking the same thing as you. "what do those systems have in common that the majority do not". I'm wondering if it's the sound hardware/chipset/drivers. When you turn off "Port Audio" the issue is resolved. Which makes me think it's something to do with the overall sound system. That's where I'm going to start. I'm going to message some of the other uses and see if they will respond. I'd like to know what soundboards they have installed on their systems. See if there is something in common among all of our systems.

In reply to by wildernessfamily

And that simply isn't true. I'm on Windows, 7 and 10, and both do go to sleep

The major security issue though is between keyboard and chair, or in this case even not: if you leave your computer in an unsafe environment, lock the screen! Don't rely on some screen saver that may kick in 5 or 15 minutes after you left!

In reply to by Jojo-Schmitz

That is not true! Just because you're on Windows 7 & 10 and it works for you does not mean that it works for everyone. Especially on Windows machines that have an assortment of hardware options, you can install. And sorry to tell ya…you’re 200% wrong because if you took the time to read my other comments I replicated the issue on a fresh Window’s 10 VM just this morning. HMMM so your plain wrong! And also again on a fresh install of Linux Mint. I’m working to see if I can replicate it on Raspberry OS with a raspberry pi 3 B+ as I’m writing this.

I'm a python developer and that is Marjory incorrect what you stated. 100% incorrect! "major security issue though is between keyboard and chair" Security issues are normally a programming issue. Not a user issue. Not being able to print because you have your printer installed incorrectly yes is a keyboard and chair issue. Where a program that is installed is preventing your system from initializing screen saver, sleep/hibernate, or auto turn off display is a huge security problem. And as I have said have replicated this issue on Linux Mint, macOS Catalina, and Windows 10 all FRESH INSTALLS.

Don't rely on some screen savers that may kick in 5 or 15 minutes after you left! OH PLEASE. GIVE ME A BREAK. Are you living in a fantasy world??? This is the real world. Where you get up and grab a cup coffee from the break room, your drinking coffee, and need to make a quick run to the bathroom, your co-worker says hey come over for a second and take look at this. I know nobody in my office that always remembers to lock their screen before leaving their desk. Yes, at night when leaving for the day. You fooling yourself if you actually believe that. I've worked for a large medical EMR company and now own my own business. I don't know a single employee that remembers to do so. Which this issue causes a huge security hole! And…the problem, in this case, is the program, not the user forgetting to lock their computer. The program is preventing this in some way that I’m taking my time to diagnose and trying to fix for all the other users that are experiencing this. So yey for you that on your Windows 7/10 it’s working for you. For the rest of us that are having this problem. I’ll try to help them.

In reply to by Jojo-Schmitz

As I teach python and use to be a high school teacher...I teach my kids assumption is the mother of all (fill in any word you would like here) for the kids I use "mistake". So...where in the world did you assume "but you seem to continue to claim that it fails for everyone"
No where did I claim that it fails for everyone! PLEASE SHOW ME...WHERE I said that or even presumed to state that! In fact, I even stated that it seems to be that most likely it might be a particular soundboard. And that's where I'm working on finding out.

It's not happening on my Mac Desktop. But, if you read my comments and apparently you do and somehow put words in my mouth that I'm claiming something that I'm not. I have replicated the issue using clean VM's with Windows 10, Mac OS Catalina, and Linux Mint using the VM on the same machine (MacBook Pro) which makes me conclude it's a particular hardware issue that is interfering between the two. But, in 5 minutes from now don't say I said it's a hardware issue. I don't know. Right now, that's what I'm working on. Maybe it's one line of code in MuseScore. Maybe it one line of code in a sound driver. For some, they hate this. I love a good mystery and it could be something completely different than what I'm thinking right now.

But let me be very clear. No, I never stated that everyone is experiencing this issue! I'm glad you're not. But for us that are including the ones in the two forum posts, I'm working on solving it for the ones that are experiencing this issue including myself.

In reply to by wildernessfamily

The real world you speak of is full of software that causes problems with sleep/hibernation. But I'm sure that because you teach Python (of which you so kindly remind us of with almost every post) you already know about. You also state that employees don't remember to lock down their computers before going on a break. It seems to me that a situation like that has more to do with improper training. A definite problem between the chair and the keyboard. There may indeed be a problem line of code somewhere. I hope you find it. It is interesting to me that you are able to set up so many scenarios that demonstrate this problem. But, as you have already stated, the problem probably lies more in your hardware. Which says to me that even if you find the problem, it may only help on systems like yours. But it's a start, for sure.
On the other hand, where are you using MuseScore where it is a security issue? I know you never said you were, but you did bring security up. It seems to me to be proper use of a computer that when something causes a problem, to either fix it or work around it. Not ignore it. I never, ever use sleep/hibernate. I have commercial software that doesn't play nicely with sleep. But then, I'm not in the office situation you describe, so I can walk away. I don't have a browser open with 15 tabs, and four programs running. If I'm going to be away from my computer for awhile it's not a problem for me to shut it down. And definitely shut down over night.
I worked in a school district with ancient computers. Everyone was told they had to leave their computers on all the time. It would often run updates and other things over night. There were all kinds of issues with speed and such because of this. I always advised them to restart their systems at least once a week, if not more.

In reply to by bobjp

"The real world you speak of is full of software that causes problems with sleep/hibernation. But I'm sure that because you teach Python (of which you so kindly remind us of with almost every post) you already know about." --> Apparently you just read what you want to read! I never said other software dosn't cause sleep/hibernation problems! Show me where I said that. In fact, I said that it's not normally user/chair issue. IT IS normally a software problem! Speaking of teaching Python; I said that "once" not on each post. I did say I am a python developer on a few posts. If you read my other forum posts...I do not say that. But...when I'm going to take the time to work on a problem I do state that so that people I contact or ask for help know that I'm educated in the field and possibly have the knowledge to be able to address the problem and fingers crossed fix the problem.

"You also state that employees don't remember to lock down their computers before going on a break. It seems to me that a situation like that has more to do with improper training." --> You must live in a bubble. You can train all you want. You right policies. Which he have. But, humans are humans. It's the real world. It dosn't happen! Even in the medical office that I was at yesterday, I asked the nurse. Her words were. Oh "H$LL no, the computer locks its self after a minute. I don't even know how to lock the d&mn thing" Once again, you're fooling yourself if you think that the norm is that office personal remembers to lock their computers when getting up...even for a minute. Maybe the FBI or CIA but a normal office...not so much!

"There may indeed be a problem line of code somewhere."-->I was going down the road of hardware but yep, as of right now it's looking to be a code problem with initializing hardware. From what I can see..MIDI devices. But...maybe not. That's the fun of finding a bug or as I sometimes call them...a good ole mystery.

"I hope you find it. It is interesting to me that you are able to set up so many scenarios that demonstrate this problem." --> It's pretty easy... It's called VM (Virtual Machines) And.. guess what....it's free too (for the most part. It's open source just like MuseScore)

"Which says to me that even if you find the problem, it may only help on systems like yours." --> Yep and nope! I don't know what you mean by "systems". If you mean the people like me that are experiencing it...because of....MIDI device, USB controller, i7 processor (have no clue yet), then yes! Because it's serious and needs to be addressed for us people that are experiencing it and for people that may not even know it's happening on their system. And as I stated...yes, I have been able to reproduce it on Windows 10, Mac OS Catalina, Linux Mint, Linux Ubuntu, and kind of on Raspberry Pi OS. Which is really making me scratch my head. I was able to reproduce it once last night when I first tried but I tried twice this morning before starting work and have not been able too. I was hoping it was something all in common with hardware. But........still working on the mystery.

"On the other hand, where are you using MuseScore where it is a security issue? I know you never said you were, but you did bring security up. It seems to me to be proper use of a computer that when something causes a problem, to either fix it or work around it. Not ignore it. I never, ever use sleep/hibernate. I have a commercial software that doesn't play nicely with sleep. But then, I'm not in the office situation you describe, so I can walk away. I don't have a browser open with 15 tabs, and four programs running. If I'm going to be away from my computer for a while it's not a problem for me to shut it down. And definitely shut down overnight."--> Next paragraph

Sleep/hibernate is a huge issue for many. But, for many like me, it's the screen saver. The screen saver is set for 1 minute. You get up, get a cup coffee, a co-worker starts to talk and boom it's 15 minutes later. Or, yey can you come in here and check this out. I just finished this project. One quick glance turns into 30 minutes later. Or, yae, grabbing pizza wanna come. Again, you're fooling yourself if you think everyone locks their computer. I don't know what bubble you're living in but it does not happen at any offices that I know of (maybe the FBI and CIA). And, I worked with at a very large EMR company were here in the USA medical records are a huge security issue. That's why we have the computer policies set for 1 minute to lock the screen. And some departments like mine we can install software like MuseScore because we're salaried and work way beyond eight hours. So break, lunch, etc we can jump on work on a score if we want.

"It seems to me to be proper use of a computer that when something causes a problem, to either fix it or work around it. Not ignore it." --> That's what I'm doing.

"I worked in a school district with ancient computers. Everyone was told they had to leave their computers on all the time. It would often run updates and other things overnight. There were all kinds of issues with speed and such because of this. I always advised them to restart their systems at least once a week, if not more." --> Again, I don't really care about hibernation/sleep. But, it should still work. I do care about screen saver, and auto turn off the display to save electricity.

I'm not going to debate offices/people that lock their computers anymore. If you like, feel free to do a poll. If you're office/school have employees that ALWAYS do...then great for you! Instead of debating on office personal that locks their computers or not, I'm going to use that time instead to work on this problem.

In reply to by wildernessfamily

Fair enough. But I think that if you are looking for a fix for Windows, You might want to not use Windows on a Mac. Why? One example is that on a PC, all you have to do to lock it is hit the Windows Key+L. I have four Windows 10 computers of varying age and quality. Musescore doesn't keep any of them from locking. Both the short cut and screensaver work.
But on a Mac, you don't have that shortcut.
You've mentioned a driver issue. Which is interesting.

In reply to by bobjp

"But I think that if you are looking for a fix for Windows, You might want to not use Windows on a Mac. Why?"
Do you know what VM Ware is??? Have you ever worked with VMWare or done any type of muti system programming?

"You might want to not use Windows on a Mac.".....That's why you USE VMware on....Mac, Windows, Linux..Raspberry Pi...Sun...etc.

In reply to by bobjp

First, you give me a hard time because I state that I'm a python programmer.
@Jojo-Schmitz excuses me that I stated that this problem exists for everyone.
Over a course of multiple posts, it reads that this problem only exists for a few and isn't a big deal. But that's the problem in the world today. If the problem doesn't affect YOU then why bother to fix it or find a solution (even if it's a handful of people). Example, the comment about hibernation/sleep. Is it a big deal for you...No. Is it a big deal for me...No. Is the screen saver not initializing a big deal for me...YES! Is the hibernation/sleep a a big deal for someone else... Maybe and most likely. Why,??? I have no clue. Each person's scenario is different. Does not mean that it's any less important. Their's a problem and being a security issue it needs to be addressed.

When I say I'm a python programmer it's to state that I'm educated in python/computers. If you are going to call me out on that by saying that I state that I'm a python programmer and then tell me that I should be using a Windows machine to diagnose a Windows problem and not on a Mac. Well...see! There is why I state I'm a python programmer. To state that I know what I'm doing (*most of the time :) ) I hate to ever assume but...I feel like it's safe for me to assume by what you have written on your posts that you are unaware of what VMWare is, does, and the function of VMware. Before calling me or someone else out and giving advice when I clearly stated beforehand that I am and was using VMware; educate yourself on what VMware is and why we programmers use it. You will find that I can use a Windows machine to program Mac applications. You will find that I can use a Windows machine to develop Linux programs. You will find that I can use a Linus machine to develop IOS applications You will find that I CAN USE WINDOWS ON A MAC 😉.

All of this time that I've had to defend myself on multiple fronts I could have been working on the problem. 🧐🤔

In reply to by wildernessfamily

Well then, let me make it as simple as I can.
1. You assume incorrectly.
2. I have no doubt you know what you are talking about. That's why...
3. ...because I don't own a Mac, I asked a simple yes or no question. You responded with another long post and did not answer the question. Of course I can use Windows on a Mac, but that wasn't the question.

In reply to by bobjp

Yes..you can run Windows on a Mac with VMWare. VMWare makes it so that it's completely independent of the MacOS. The VMWare system only utilizes the hardware on the system. Concerning the keyboard; makes no difference if you are on a Windows, Linux, Mac, etc. Yes, some keys are named different but they still perform the same functionality including the Command L/Control L

In reply to by wildernessfamily

FWIW, I can't speak for anyone else. But I can tell you that when I say it appears to only exist for a small number of systems, that doesn't mean I don't think it is important. It does, however, mean it is extremely difficult for anyone else to investigate further - it's quite hard to diagnose and fix a problem you cannot reproduce. So I for one am very happy you are on the case, as it seems like you have the right combination of a) having the problem, b) being concerned about the problem, and c) having the skills needed to help track down the cause!

If you do manage to figure out what is going on and can identify something we should be doing differently, I'm happy to help make sure that happens. That said, I should also caution that I really don't know much about that sort of low-level hardware code, and I know MuseScore really relies on third party libraries for much of that, so it's entirely possible the fix would have to come from outside.

This happens with my system as well, running Windows 10. I get the same results from querying powercfg as the OP.

Whenever I had MuseScore running, my system would not go to sleep. The screen would turn off as defined in my power settings, but it would not go to sleep on its own (hibernate). I could manually put it to sleep when MuseScore was open. On Tuesday of this week, my Windows drive died. Wednesday, I reinstalled Windows on a partition on my storage drive and reinstalled MuseScore to continue working. Again - on a fresh Windows install, it will not go to sleep while MuseScore is running.

In reply to by Ryan Lakanen

Hi Ryan, thanks for the info. I'm trying to find/diagnose the problem. I work from home quite a bit and don't have a lot of hardware at home at my disposal during the COVID19 epidemic. I'm thinking maybe we all have something in common that's doing this to us. I thought it possible was a MIDI device. But, I ruled that out. You talked about storage. May I ask? Do you have external USB drives? I do, and this evening I was going to start working on ruling out each device to see if a device was the cause.

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