4/20/10 PMBurke

Troubleshooting Your MacWhen Things Don’t Work

Common and some uncommon problems

Preventive Maintenance

Quick Fix strategies.

Deleting a preference file

Internet Problems

Helper Apps

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Common Problems

Spinning ball keeps spinning

Programs don’t respond or behave strangely

Program freezes

Files don’t open-may or may not get error message

Force quit/restart Prg Upgrade Ram memory

Reboot computer, Repair permissions

Force quit/Restart or remove plist file

May need Program or Helper Application

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Problem Solution

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Quick Fix for Program Problems

• Force Quit program and restart.

• Apple>Force Quit

• Press: Command/Option/ESC

• Control-click on program icon>menu>quit

• Shut Down Computer, wait 30 seconds and restart.

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Beyond the Quick-fix • Repair permissions

• Applications>Utility>Disk utility

• Select repair

• Remove the preference file (plist)for the program and restart

• Home> Library>Preferences

• Select com.apple.program.plist

•Drag .plist file to Desktop, re-open program4

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Beyond the Quick Fix-2• Look for an update of program

• Apple> Software Update

• e.g., iTunes, QuickTime

• Reload the program from the original disk

• Find appropriate application and download

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Files/mail Attachments Wont Open• Save attachment to desktop

• Open directly or

• Drag file onto application icon

• e.g., iPhoto or Quicktime

• Open application and then open attachment within the application e.g., Excel/File/Open

• Download Helper application

• RealPlayer, Flip4Mac6

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Helper Applications

Flip4Mac (wmv files)

Adobe Reader (pdf files)

RealPlayer (audio files)

Vmware Fusion (any windows File)

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Forgot Password (can’t log in to your Computer)• Try likely passwords

• If nothing works, Insert Install DVD

• Click Install

• Go to Utilities, Reset Password

• Enter New password, Quit Installer

• Write Down Password in safe Place (LBB)

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Internet Connection Problems

• Open System Preferences/Network

• Check configuration (Ethernet or Modem)

• Modem or Router Glitch

• Shut down modem, Router, Wait 30 seconds

• Restart modem, wait until lights stabilize, restart router

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Get external HELP

• Google the Problem

• Help menu

• Apple website (FAQ) or MobileMe

• Apple Helpline 1-800-275-2273 (800-APP-CARE)

• Apple Store (Christiana Mall)

• MAC users Group (ALLMUG, Tuesday 3.15)

• Troubleshooting group Friday 12:30

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Free Mac SoftwareVirex (Anti Virus, free at Udel site)

Skype (free phone Calls Worldwide)

NeoOffice (Similar to Microsoft Office)

Picassa (Google Photo sharing)

Facebook, Twitter etc)

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Summary!!!?

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