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GUIDE: Zap PRAM, Repair Permissions, & run FSCK

In Linux, fsck is usually automatically forced to run if the disk hasn't been checked in ~30 or so boots. And it is only effective if the disk is not mounted. So OS X in single user mode must be a mode that doesn't have the hard drive mounted in order to run fsck, I suppose.

The OS X docs, as someone mentioned/posted, say that as of Tiger you shouldn't need to run fsck.
 
could someone explain why or when we would need to ZAP PRAM and use Disk Utility other than if your computer starts acting screwy?
 
Zapping the PRAM shouldn't be necessary except when the computer is screwy. Repair permissions each time you install something and you should be fine. That'll be more than enough. :)
 
qbmcnabb108 said:
I'm guessing cocktail doesn't cost any money? Also, which do you think is better?
Click to expand...

Cocktail actually costs around $15 bucks. They both do the same thing and I believe some (if not all) of the stuff they do you can do yourself from the terminal.app, but I'm too chicken to do that so I use Onyx.
 
what exactly is the point of zapping pram or repairing permissions....sorry im a newbie...just switched over from pc's, i'm getting a 15"MBP soon...i just need to learn all the little tricks and stuff to keep my mac in perfect shape
 
They are troubleshooting steps.
I'm sure if you search you can find plenty of information about the what and why of each.
 
zblaxberg said:
what exactly is the point of zapping pram or repairing permissions....sorry im a newbie...just switched over from pc's, i'm getting a 15"MBP soon...i just need to learn all the little tricks and stuff to keep my mac in perfect shape
Click to expand...

Files in any file system from Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Server types, All Linux, and Mac OS X versions have security access rights - not sure if I'm phrasing that right, but you have certain permissions of who can access what with a certain file. If they can execute the file they get X, if they get read, they can read the contents, if they get write they can write to the file. They associate these permissions with User, Group and Others' access rights.
Windows has ACL's (Access Control Lists) where Mac OS X uses the inherent Unix permissions base of RWX and T (sticky) and D ( not sure what d is I think its directory rights ). But if you open a terminal and type in ls -l you'll see the rights I am talking about.

Now PRAM contains information such as Brightness, sound volume, resolution etc. when you ZAP the PRAM you reset it to its defaults. Very useful if something messed up happens. Usually you won't have to worry about this unless its an extreme case, but its useful to know.
 
Zapping PRAM is simple, just reboot your Mac and hold down "Command(the Apple key)+Option(the Alt key)+P+R" while it is booting, when you hear the startup sound for the seond time the operation is complete, and you can release the key combination. Now just let your Mac boot as normal.
Click to expand...

how long does the booting up take after releasing the keys?
 
I thought zapping pram is pre osx? that was my understanding... it's not needed since osx.

same with rebuiding the desktop, and troubleshooting problems extensions...

none of this is required with OSX.

pogues osx missing manual mentions nothing about zapping pram in the troubleshooting tiger section.
 
The PRAM isn't at an OS level so whether your machine is running OSX or something earlier shouldn't matter. The PRAM is still relevant for OSX machines. :)
 
gazelleintense said:
I thought zapping pram is pre osx? that was my understanding... it's not needed since osx.

same with rebuiding the desktop, and troubleshooting problems extensions...

none of this is required with OSX.

pogues osx missing manual mentions nothing about zapping pram in the troubleshooting tiger section.
Click to expand...

Zapping the PRAM has actually saved my computer when it got stuck in a grey screen booting loop. Drove me nuts until I got ahold of that key combo. :D
 
phillipjfry said:
Zapping the PRAM has actually saved my computer when it got stuck in a grey screen booting loop. Drove me nuts until I got ahold of that key combo. :D
Click to expand...

I have to say its the most irritating thing to be on the phone with Apple Support while they tell you to do it! Its almost impossible to hold a corded phone next to your face with and reset PRAM, which has caused hassle in the past...
 
For what it is worth, I have a friend/Mac Guru with the same old Mac I have who does not even bother with a PRAM--he disconnected the battery long ago. When it gets "twitchy" it can mess up things. Not suggesting you do that with newer models--have no idea where the PRAM battery is. However, he has a few Pismos that were "unbootable and sold for parts" that just needed the dead PRAM battery removed.

Other than that using Cocktail/Onyx has served me well. Cocktail is more convenient in that it does not expect you to restart. Granted, I run it after a restart.

One thing: I removed program that was running bad . . . removed something I should not have . . . :eek: and had problems. So I tried zapping the PRAM.

I got the ?.

Long story short I caused something "bad" with OS X. Everything else worked fine--could restart on the Tech Tool "Rescue" disc--run program . . . run disc tools . . . run DiskWarrior . . . nothing wrong. Could see the files. Basically, I did a clean re-install.

--J.D.
 
hi, i have had my MBP for little over a year....never zapped the PRAM or run fsck.....is this something that i should be doing regularly?
 
i did both but still don't solve my problem, my files seem locked up, i can't delete none, i can't log in in system preferences, but to my files and run applications.
thank you:(
 
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