TUNING UP A MACINTOSH COMPUTER.....(note - these instructions are for the older Macs NOT running system X) (originally posted 3-99)
.....I receive numerous emails and calls asking for help with tuning up home computers. I write this column in the hope that it will be helpful to individuals experiencing problems. As much as these machines act as if they have minds of their own, they obviously do not. Sometimes, though, they need a little "TLC" and this column should provide you with the skills to provide just that. This column will focus on MACINTOSH computers.
There is a big argument as to whether or not you should shut off your Mac when it is not in use. Bits of information can be misplaced or lost whenever a computer is shut down so most Mac experts advocate leaving them on 24 hours a day. I went through a period of time when I never shut down my Mac. The result was a machine that ran beautifully and required little tune-up, but the fan started making noise and needed replacement. To me the best idea is to simply go through proper shutdown procedures. The standard method for shutting down properly is to go to "special" in the file menu, and select "shut down". A proper shut down should normally protect your valuable data. If your computer "freezes" you may have to unplug the machine or turn it off. If this happens you should immediately "rebuild the desktop" (The procedure is described below.)
START OVER: A couple of years ago I was asked to write down the one thing to do that is most helpful when working with an unresponsive computer. I suggested going to "special" in the file menu on Macs and choosing "restart". This helps more often than not.
REBUILDING THE DESKTOP: The desktop file contains some invisible files which track information on your hard drive. Because these files can become corrupted, it is necessary to replace them from time to time. I routinely do this about once a week on the machine I use most frequently, and once a month on my other two Macs. When you start up your Mac or when you do a "restart" from "special" in the file menu, simply hold down the "command" or "apple" key and the "option" key until a dialog box appears asking you if you really want to rebuild the desktop. Release the keys, click the "OK" button, and give the machine a few moments to do its thing. Actually Apple says that the only way to completely rebuild your desktop is to start up with extensions off and then do the rebuild procedure. So if the foregoing doesn't seem to do the job for you do a "restart" while holding down the "shift" key to turn off extensions. When the message that extensions are off comes on the screen, quickly release the "shift" key and hold down the "command" and "option" keys until you can "OK" the rebuild. You'll then have to do another "restart" since you started up with extensions off. In short, rebuilding the desktop is the single best and least complicated tune-up procedure for the Mac.
ZAPPING THE PRAM: The PRAM - parameter RAM - pronounced pee-ram - is a tiny bit of memory that, among other things, stores your control panel settings. PRAM never gets shut down because it's kept active by the battery in your Mac. Still, it can become corrupted after months of use. It needs to be zapped (restored to default) from time to time. I do mine about once a year. Older Macs can be zapped by using a slightly different process, but ALL Macs up to system X can be zapped by holding down the "Command" or "apple" key, the "option" key, along with the "P" and "R" keys at the time of start up (not restart). This is a stretch, so you might need an extra pair of hands from a willing volunteer! Hold down those keys until you hear the start-up chord three times, and then release them immediately to let your Mac finish the start-up. Plan on resetting some settings on your computer after zapping (such as reselecting your printer in the "Chooser".)
DISK FIRST AID: Locate the CD that came with your Mac and start up from that CD. Usually this is done by starting up while holding down the "C" key. Once your Mac is fully restarted, click on "Disk First Aid". This will launch a diagnostic utility which will diagnose problems and fix them as well. Simply follow on-screen commands and click "fix" whenever you're given that option. Finally, do a restart and remove the disk.
TRASH FINDER PREFERENCES: Preferences can also become corrupted. When the machine starts acting "goofy" go into the HardDrive/SystemFolder/Preferences and scroll down to "Finder Preferences". Drag the "Finder Preferences" to the "Trash". After doing this immediately do a "restart" and the machine will build another fresh set of "Finder Preferences" automatically. Empty the trash to get rid of the old corrupted preferences. This is a good fix that lots of Mac users don't know about. Just be very careful that you are trashing the "Finder Preferences" and not the "Finder" as trashing the "Finder" is really bad and will require quite a bit of work to reinstall (the Mac will NOT automatically build a new "Finder".
REINSTALL APPLICATIONS: Boot up from your system CD while holding down the "C" key. Click on "Restore Applications" and let your Mac do its thing. This reinstalls all of the original applications that came with your Mac in a fresh, non-corrupted version. If you have applications installed that didn't originally come with your Mac you'll have to reinstall them separately.
REINSTALL THE OPERATING SYSTEM: This can be a scary fix because you know that you're going to lose everything on your hard drive except what was there originally. So be certain you back up everything you want to save. You can reinstall your additional software, documents, etc. after your system is fully restored. Again, as with reinstalling applications, boot up from your system CD while holding down the "C" key. Click on "Restore All Software" and let the Mac take over.
DUMP COOKIES: Cookies are tiny bits of information stored in your internet browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.) that assist your computer when surfing the internet. Thousands can accumulate in your Browser's cookie folder and it should be emptied every once-in-a-while as huge numbers of them can cause your browser to be sluggish. All browsers are a little bit different but with your browser active, look under the Edit Menu (can be under a different menu title on some browsers) for "Preferences" or "Options" and when that menu opens, look for "cookies". Click "delete cookies" or "empty cookies" button.
Well, there you have the short of Mac tune up. There is much more but these are the main things you need to know to get up and running when you face problems.
I was talking to a PC Tech the other day. We happened to be talking about PC and Mac tune-up problems. He said that over 90% of the PC problems could be fixed with relatively simple tune-up procedures. I'd echo that for the Mac, and I've tried to cover those procedures in this column.
Let me close by saying that in my estimation the Macintosh is a wonderful machine. The Mac is easy to use, has a friendly userface, is undergoing exciting developments, and incorporates fun features for gaming, internet, and graphics. Mac users tend to be loyal (almost fanatics) to Apple. PC's are manufactured by so many companies that they simply dwarf Apple. You can usually buy a PC for a lot less money, hence their popularity.
good luck...
...larrymorphew
MAC OS-X UPDATE: Two things to remember when optimizing your Mac running OS-X (newer Macs). "Repair Disk Permissions" and "Repair Disk". Otherwise, from the above discussion of older Macs, the following also will pertain: START OVER, ZAPPING THE PRAM, REINSTALL APPLICATIONS, REINSTALL THE OPERATING SYSTEM, and DUMP COOKIES.
Here's how to "Repair Disk Permissions." With your computer started and no additional software active, click on the following - "Go/Utilities/Disk Utility and in the resultant screen highlight your hard drive (on the top left - click once to highlight). Then click the button named "Repair Disk Permissions". I tend to do this everytime I install new software - other times as well but particularly when any new software is installed - even Apple software.
From the same screen that you used to Repair Permissions, you can verify your hard drive and see if it needs repair. To do this simply click the "Verify Disk" button. Normally your disk will not need repair but if it does you will need to do that after starting up from your system install disk.
OS-X info added 10/06.
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