Maintenance Basics
David Anders,The Computer Guy, a freelance systems engineer in Seattle, WA.
Resolves computer problems, assists with production issues, designs and installs networks.
The Basics
 
When your computer freezes, bombs, or crashes...Crashes 2 to 5 minutes
RUN DiskWarrior AND Norton Disk Doctor, or other drive repair utility. (Disk First Aid 8.2 or >)
AND run it at least 3 times or until the utility reports "No Problems Found".
REASON: The Macintosh does not write changes to the hard drive directory until shutdown.
When a crash happens, the changes are NOT written. This mistake will snowball and become worse over time &endash; especially with each crash.
THIS IS WHY &endash; your Macintosh complains that it "Was Not Shutdown Properly".
IF YOU DON'T... The problem will get worse. And Worse. AND WORSE.
Your Excuse: "I don't have time, right now, I've got a deadline.."
IF YOU DON'T... You run the risk of a damaged file, and more bombs - taking MORE time than running a repair.
 
When your computer freezes, bombs, or crashes...Cras...hes 1 minute
Make a quick note of:
  • The program you were using at that moment Word, Pagemaker, Suitcase, Navigator, or the Monitors Control Panel.
  • The Action you were trying to do: Entering text, importing a graphic, printing, or saving.
  • The Time and Date: this helps in developing a pattern and fixing the problem.
  • Anything Unusual: You just plugged in a Zip Drive or changed the monitor setting..
IF YOU DON'T... It will be harder to diagnose and solve the problem - will cost more money and time to solve.
 
When you install or update software, or hardware...Crashes 1 minute
Make a quick note of:
  • The changes that were made: Program installed with version number, etc.
  • The Date: this helps in developing a pattern and fixing the problem.
IF YOU DON'T... It will be harder to diagnose and solve the problem - will cost more money and time to solve.
 
When you install or update software, or hardware...Crashs 3 - 5 minutes
Startup with extensions off - at the very least, disable your virus checker.
  • Some installers will add resources to the System File - virus checkers see this as a violation, and in trying to prevent it, will lead to System File corruption.
  • The Date: this helps in developing a pattern and fixing the problem.
IF YOU DON'T... You may have end up with a corrupt system - it will cost more money and time to diagnose and solve.
 
When you install or update software, or hardware...Crashs 5 - 15 minutes
After restarting, testing the newly installed software, defragment or optimize your hard drive.
  • During installation, files are written to the first open area on the hard drive, then the next.
  • If you create and delete or move alot of small files (use a web browser, for instance), large numbers of single sectors are scattered across the hard drive. At installation (or update), Photoshop could be installed in 256 separate pieces (I have actually observed this). This will cause a needless slowdown in using that application. The symptom of this would be excessive hard drive noise, slow opening application, or lots of hard drive activity LED blinking.
IF YOU DON'T... You may have end up with a fragmented application and slower operation.
 
Once a week...
On your Startup Hard Drive:
Run Disk First Aid v8.2 or greaterCrashes C....rashes Cra1 or 2 minutes
 
Once a month...
On your Startup Hard Drive:
1] Run DiskWarrior Crash..................es Crashes Cra2 to 5 minutes
2] Run Norton Disk Doctor ..................es Crash C.rar5 to 15 minutes
3] Run Norton Speed Disk ..................es Crash.. Cra10 to 30 minutes
4] Rebuild the Desktop with TechTool .......es Crash. .Cra 2 to 20 minutes
IF YOU DON'T... Your computer will not be as fast as it could be.
 
Once a quarter...
On your Startup Hard Drive:
1] Clean your floppy drive using TechTool Crash...es rash...2 to 3 minutes
2] Clean your CD .................. ........es Crashrash...2 to 3 minutes
IF YOU DON'T... Your computer might act up at an inopportune time.
 
Once a year...(or more frequently in a dirty environment)

1] Clean out the dustbunnies inside of your computer.

 

. Operating System Basics .............................................Updated 6/1/99
.
The Basics 

System Version

No of Install Floppies
RAM Size
HD Space Required
Year Released

LaserWriter Ver

6.0.8

Two
650 KB
850 KB
1991
7.0

7.0.1

Seven
1.2 MB
2.8 MB

7.0

7.1 + Update 3.0

Eight
1.3 MB
3.3 MB

7.1.2

7.5

Eight
1.6 MB
5.7 MB
1994?
7.2 / 8.11

7.5.5 Update

Three
1.8 MB
11.3 MB

7.6

Twenty three
3.1 MB
28.0 MB
1996
8.34

7.6.1 Update

Four
3.2 MB
29.0 MB
1997
8.34

8.1

Thirteen

1998
8.51

8.5.1

1999

8.6

1999
8.6.5

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