Macintosh Computer User Tips (OS 7 to 9): How the MAC OS works Finder This program manages the desktop and finds the programs and documents and does all the other housekeeping tasks (copying files, trashing files, etc.). Menu bar Runs along the top of the screen or desktop. On the left is the Apple Menu - which includes access to Control Panels, links to Favorites, etc. On the far right is the Finder menu which shows which programs are running (its icon is always that of the current program). In between are the menus for each program - File, Edit and then program specific menus and the Help menu. Control panels and extensions These small programs control and add features to the System. A KEY source of problems in running your computer, particularly in starting up. Crashes are often caused by control panels or extensions that cannot coexist. Preferences Almost all programs store specific settings in a Preferences folder that is kept in the System folder. Programs recreate these preferences when they are missing, although your stored settings would have to be reentered. Corrupted program preferences can also cause problems. Desktop database This is a key OS element in keeping your Macintosh running fine. The Finder depends on it. If it is incorrect, then it MUST be rebuilt. SAVE YOUR WORK. Since your work is kept in RAM, it will be lost if the program or power is interrupted. Thus you MUST save it to disk, either floppy or internal hard drive, when you are finished. SAVE OFTEN to prevent loss of your work in case the program or the computer freezes. And make BACKUP copies of your work REGULARLY from your internal disk to another disk(s). Regular Maintenance OS maintenance: Desktop rebuild (every 2 weeks or after several crashes) - during startup hold down the Option+Apple keys after the extensions and controls panels have completed Zap the PRAM (very occasionally if there are unusual problems). Disk maintenance Restoring directory integrity and re-optimizing (putting all the files back into a contiguous order). Restore disk integrity when needed or every 2-3 weeks or after a number of crashes. Re-optimize every 3-4 weeks. Viruses Take these SERIOUSLY. Most viruses are written to do damage to Windows (PC) computers and there are not as many Macintosh viruses. There are a number of excellent programs that offer anti-virus protection and updates against newly discovered viruses. See the virus help page for more information. Using the Mouse Any item that the cursor is ON is selected by a SINGLE mouse click Any item that the cursor is ON is opened or launched by a DOUBLE mouse click To move or DRAG and item, first SELECT it, and still holding down the mouse button, move the mouse to where you want the item to go Holding down the CTRL key while you click mouse button activates a new shortcut menu Troubleshooting Program freezes but Mac is still working: Force quit from program by Option+Apple+Esc Program crashes and Macintosh freezes Press Crtl+Apple+Power key to restart. ALWAYS WORKS (on early iMacs use paper clip in reset hole) Rebuild the desktop Do NOT worry if it takes 2-3 restarts to complete the restarting Cannot eject CD or disk Quit from program that is using it See below - "Disk stuck in drive" Memory Usage Problems: Look at the memory use in the About This Macintosh Use VM (Virtual memory) to gain more space Add physical RAM Adjust Application memory use in GetInfo Icons look funny or applications will not launch when double clicked: Rebuild your Desktop Finder will not open a document and says "no application" for the document: Do GetInfo to find out what kind of document it is Make sure Mac Easy Open Control Panel is turned on, then select an application to open the document Disk stuck in drive Use paper clip in small hole near drive to push it out CAREFULLY Cursor does not work well (jumps or moves very slowly): Clean your mouse Check your mouse pad Cannot trash a folder: Use GetInfo to unlock Quit from application using the folder Finder runs VERY slowly: Rebuild the desktop Check for disk fragmentation Check for viruses Application behaves oddly or crashes often: Check RAM allocated in GetInfo Check for Extension Conflict Preferences file may be corrupted - trash the program's preferences | 
