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mac_tech_advice [2011/07/13 16:34]
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-Information Technology +
-Last Modified 11/1/2004 +
-What Happened to My Happy Mac? +
-S  o  m e   ​t ​ i  p  s   ​t ​ o   h e  l p   ​s ​ o l  v e   ​p ​ r  o b  l e  m s   ​t ​ h a  t   ​a ​ r  i s  e   ​a ​ n  d   ​p ​ r  e  v e  n t   o t  h e  r  s   f r  o  m e  v e r   h a p p e  n  i  n  g +
-REBUILD PERMISSIONS +
-Directories get written to the disk when you shut down or restart. ​ Usually, everything  +
-works fine. But if your computer crashes or some other problem occurs, these directories  +
-may not get properly updated. ​ There is a procedure called Rebuild Permissions which can  +
-restore your Mac to a state of digital bliss. A sure sign that your Mac may need this done is if  +
-your machine takes a long time to shutdown or applications seem to take a long time to  +
-load. +
-As a general practice, I would recommend rebuilding permissions any time you crash, install  +
-new software, update existing software, etc.  This will ensure your smoothest operation. +
-You are advised to do this procedure in Safe Boot Mode +
-1. Restart your computer holding the SHIFT key down. +
-2. When the blue screen appears, let go of the Shift key (notice the words, "Safe Boot"  +
-that appear on the screen) +
-3. When your system boots, go to Applications -> Utilities -> Disk Utility +
-4. Open "Disk Utility"​ +
-5. Select your boot disk +
-6. Run "​Repair Permissions"​ +
-7. When done, restart your computer +
-UNIX BACKGROUND UTILITIES +
-Because OSX is Unix based, our Macs now have built-in system utilities that are designed to  +
-run when the user is least likely to be at the machine, i.e. the wee hours of the night. Most  +
-UNIX machines are left on for years, maybe centuries. So leaving the machine on was never +
-an issue. But for those of us who would like to maybe save a few bucks on the electric bill,  +
-we don’t necessarily keep our machines running for long periods of time. So those utilities  +
-don’t get to run. And they are critical for keeping your machine at peak performance. +
-To solve this, here is what you can do: +
-Let your system stay on over the weekend at least once a month. +
-Or, install a utility program that will run these programs for you automatically. Here are a  +
-couple of programs that can do it: +
-• Macaroni (www.atomicbird.com) +
-• MacJanitor (http://​personalpages.tds.net/​~brian_hill/​macjanitor.html).Information Technology +
-Last Modified 11/1/2004 +
-THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE +
-These things will also help you keep your Mac purring like a kitten +
-• Try to keep your drives from getting more than 85-90% full. +
-• If using external storage, including Firewire and USB storage devices, make sure you  +
-eject them before pulling the cables. +
-• Avoid installing software that you will not use. A cluttered machine is an unhappy  +
-machine. +
-• Just because it is a Mac and life in Macville is usually pleasant, DO backup your  +
-drive(s). Carbon Copy Cloner is a good utility for making an exact clone of your hard  +
-drive. You can never have enough backups. Okay, maybe you can, but still this is  +
-something that can save your life some day. +
-• If all else fails and you are banging your head against your desk trying to figure out  +
-why your Mac won’t run properly, use a disc utility from a 3rd party. I’ve listed some  +
-below. I recommend not installing the preventative portion of these applications,​  +
-especially if you are doing any kind of video work. They tend to cause problems  +
-when the video app goes to access the drive. +
-REPAIR UTILITIES +
-• Disk Warrior X (version 3.1 or higher) – This utility is indispensable for restoring  +
-corrupted disk directories. It has saved me on a number of occasions. The best in its  +
-class. +
-• Tech Tool Pro (version 4.01) – This system test and maintenance tool can help you  +
-spot trouble before it occurs. Only run this when you need it. But keep it close at  +
-hand. +
-• Macaroni - Forces key background UNIX utilities run in a timely fashion. +
-FINAL THOUGHTS +
-Just like a car needs an oil change, your Mac needs some maintenance too. Keeping up with  +
-it will give your Mac longevity. And it will keep you from banging your head on the desk too.+