FAQs and Testimonials

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FAQs
This is a list of commonly asked questions that we've encountered while working with customers. Hope this helps.

Q:
Sometimes my Mac hangs up and everything freezes. How do I force quit the program I’m in and get back to the Finder level? A:
While holding down the Command and Option keys, press the Escape key. This will bring up a dialog asking if you want to force quit the program. You should then restart your computer to avoid further instability.
Q:
What is the difference between a warm boot and a cold boot?
A:
A cold boot is accomplished by powering up the computer from a shut down state. A warm boot is done when you need to restart while the computer is still powered but unresponsive, (for example, during a freeze up that isn’t resolved with a force quit). You do this by holding down the Control and Command keys simultaneously then pressing the Power Up key (or the on/off key on a laptop).
Q:
How do I rebuild the desktop file? A:
Hold down the Command and Option keys when you start up the computer. Continue holding until you get a prompt that asks if you want to rebuild the desktop. Click OK. Another time when you may rebuild the desktop is when you mount a non-startup volume such as another hard drive or partition on the current hard drive. This is accomplished the same way—by holding down the Command and Option keys at mounting. Q:
When should I rebuild the desktop file? A:
Rebuilding the desktop allows the computer to inventory all the current files on the computer and determine information important to the Finder. Things such as links between aliases and the files from which they were created, special icons, and the links between programs and the documents created in them. Since the Desktop keeps track of files even after they were deleted, it can become large and cause sluggish operations. Special icons may no longer appear, double clicking a document may not launch it. Many of these issues are caused by a corrupt or bloated Desktop. When you experience any of these problems, rebuilding the Desktop is indicated.
Q:
What is PRAM?
A:
The Parameter RAM is a special bit of RAM maintained on the motherboard of the computer. It is where the information you set in the control panels is stored so that you don’t need to set them each time you use the computer. These include monitor, memory, and mouse settings as well as extensions settings, date and time, your choice of the startup disk, etc. These settings are maintained by batteries on the mother board or by the regular battery in laptops (with the exception of the iBook). They can be corrupted over time by improper shut downs, bombs, freezes, etc. Some symptoms of PRAM corruption include not being able to print or use a modem, date and time settings change on their own, random and persistent Type 11 errors, color settings on your monitor change, etc.
Q:
What is zapping the PRAM?
A:
Zapping the PRAM is a perfectly painless way to clear the Parameter RAM memory so that the control panel settings can be reset. It clears out any corruption in the PRAM.
Q:
How and when should I do it? A:
You zap the PRAM by holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys during start-up. Hold down these keys until the Mac restarts the second time. Some problems we have had in the office did not go away until we held down the keys for ten or so restarts, although this is unusual. Tech Tools by Micromat Computer Systems is an excellent maintenance tool which includes a utility for zapping the PRAM superior to the key holding procedure described above. If zapping the PRAM doesn’t seem to help, you may need to replace the battery that maintains the PRAM. Refer to your owners manual for your specific model for information on what battery to use and where it is located. Zapping the PRAM and resetting your control panel devices is the prescribed treatment for these ailments. You may also wish to do it monthly, just as a maintenance routine.
Q:
What is the minimum setting in the memory setting?
A:
The Get Info dialog box contains an area where you see values for suggested, minimum and preferred memory. Suggested memory size is simply the amount suggested by the publisher for the average user. It is not modifiable. Think of this number as a starting point until you know where you would like to set the minimum and preferred settings. The minimum setting is the least amount acceptable to the user for his or her average work session. The preferred setting is what the user prefers. When the computer opens the program it tries to give enough RAM to met the preferred setting. It will give all it has up to that amount. If it doesn’t have enough available RAM to meet the preferred setting, it will give all it has over the minimum setting. So the minimum is the low value of the range of acceptable RAM with which to run a program.
Q:
How do I know what the preferred memory setting should be for the programs I run on my computer?
A:
The preferred setting will be based on your own experience and the complexity of the documents you create in that program. If you are running an inventory database in FileMaker with relational links, your setting will be higher than if you are simply running a Christmas card mailing for both of your friends. Keep adding memory in chunks divisible by 1024 bytes, until the application runs smoothly without sudden quits.
Q:
What is virtual memory?
A:
Virtual Memory is the way the computer uses disk space to extend RAM. It is the way the System reads and writes operating instructions so as to maximize the amount of real RAM available to the computer.
Q:
Why should I use virtual memory?
A:
Virtual memory allows users to have more applications in the background so they are available without having to quit and application in order to access another. In Macs with Power PC chips, running virtual memory decreases the amount of real RAM necessary to run applications so the minimum and preferred settings can be set lower for the same performance.
Q:
What is a Type 1 error?
A:
A type 1 error is a Bus error. This usually indicates a software bug, an extension conflict, or insufficient memory assigned to an application. Pay attention to how consistently and when the problem occurs. If you get this error message immediately at startup you can suspect a problem with an externally connected SCSI device or an incompatible disk driver. If it occurs when the extensions are loading, try holding down the Shift key at start up so the extensions do not load and see if this is the area causing the problem. Corrupted system software could be the cause if problems occur while the computer is in the Finder. If it happens while you are in an application, you may suspect a bug in the application. You may then want to call the publisher for a possible bug and appropriate fix.
Q:
What is a Type 11 error?
A:
A miscellaneous hardware exception error. This is an error caused by the processor the cause of which is not known. Your best bet is to call the software publisher for a bug fix.

It should be noted that many error codes are the result not the cause of an problem. Usually there is nothing the end user can do except jot down the error code, when it occurred, and what was being done on the computer at the time. Then when you call tech support, they may able to report a problem area in the program to the programmers. Sometimes you may try to locate extension conflicts, corrupt systems, etc., but usually the error codes refer the programmers to specific processes or areas in the program that require fine tuning. Usually, there is very little the end users can do with the error code even if we know that they are bus errors, miscellaneous hardware exceptions, divide by zero errors, etc.
Q:
What causes a flashing question mark and the failure to start up my Mac?
A:
Essentially you get the flashing question mark when the Mac can’t find a system to initiate start up. There are basically five causes: 1) The System Folder is missing; 2) an unblessed system. If the System and Finder have been removed from the System Folder, the system becomes unblessed and the computer will not recognize it at startup. 3) a SCSI device conflict. This occurs when two SCSI devices have the same SCSI number. For example, if your internal hard disk’s address is 7, you cannot have another SCSI device assigned that number. 4) a corrupt hard disk driver; 5) sticky drive syndrome. The lubricant in the hard disk drive loses viscosity so the hard drive has difficulty spinning up to the appropriate speed. This is usually an indication of imminent failure and getting a current backup from this disk would be a wise thing to do.
Q:
How do I update my hard disk driver?
A:
Start up from an alternate disk (hard disk, Jaz or Zip Drive, CD, etc.) freeing the startup disk from any control. Launch your formatting software and select the startup disk as the target of the upgrade. In the menus of your formatting software will be a command, "Update Driver". Select it and the software will upgrade the driver.
Q:
Is it better to update an existing system folder or clean install a new one?
A:
It is always preferable to do a clean install of a new system folder so that corruption does not carry forward. First drag to the desktop or another folder any third party extensions, preference files, fonts, etc. that you want to keep in the new system folder. Install the new system folder. Compare the new items to the old so that you may eliminate any out of date or unnecessary files. Clean house then drag back the items you wanted to save into the new system folder.
Q:
If I am not on a network, should I turn off AppleTalk?
A:
Yes. There are some non-AppleTalk printers that will not work if AppleTalk is on. Additionally, you will be able to run on less RAM with AppleTalk turned off and your computer will not waste processing cycles looking for network operations. It is important to turn AppleTalk off from within the Chooser to make it a permanent choice. If you use the control strip to turn AppleTalk off, it will turn back on the next time you boot up the computer.
Q:
Do I need File Sharing on to access files across the network?
A:
File Sharing is only required when you want to share your hard disk and files on the network. It does not need to be on to access other’s files. Unless you wish to share what is on your hard disk, it is better to keep File Sharing off.
Q:
How do I tell how much RAM my Mac has?
A:
While at the Desktop Level, go to the menu, to About This Computer….You will see much RAM your Mac has and the composition of your RAM: whether it includes virtual memory or RAM Doubler. It also graphically displays how much is currently being used by the System and any open applications.
Q:
How do I know how big my Hard Disk is?
A:
Click on the disk icon and press Command-I for Get Info. This will show you the disk capacity, how much is being used, and how much is available. For those running the latest version of System 8, it will also tell whether you are running in standard or extended mode.
Q:
How many items can I have under the Apple menu?
A:
While the folder holds hundreds of files, the Apple menu only displays between 50 and 55.
Q:
How do I determine if I have an extension conflict?
A:
Boot up the computer holding down the Shift key until the you see the message "Extensions disabled." If the problem goes away when you have turned extensions off, the next step is to find what extensions don’t like each other. This is basically done by trial and error. If the problem persists, you can suspect other culprits of instability such as corrupted fonts, preference files, or systems. Most preference files can be trashed and the application will generate new preference files when it needs them.
Q:
What are the advantages to partitioning my hard disk?
A:
There are two main advantages to partitioning: speed and file size. If you are able to partition your hard disk so that temporary files and the applications that create them are in one partition, and more permanent files and the applications that create them in another partition, you are diminishing the time the Mac has to wade through fragmented files to read them. By keeping the applications and their files together, you keep the "problem" in one spot as opposed to keeping the files in one parti-tion and the applications in another. Some users keep a maintenance partition so they can repair system problems in the working partition and still use only one hard disk.

The second reason is file size. The Mac divides any hard disk into a given number of divisions, which is the minimum space to which a given file can be written. The larger the disk capacity, the larger each division. If a smaller capacity hard disk requires 10 k minimum per file versus a 20K minimum per file on a larger disk, and you write a 4k file to both, the smaller hard disk only "wastes" 6 k of disk space versus 14 k on the larger disk. When you partition the larger disk, the number of divisions per partition is the same as the number of divisions for the whole disk. You have effectively halved the size of the divisions by partitioning. This advantage is now available without partitioning for those running the last release of System 8, by running extended mode.