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Maintenance question

markjones05

markjones05

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 15, 2003
935
0
Brooklyn, NY
I have recently switched to a mac after using PC's for about 15 years. I know that on a pc I would frequently run norton and disk defragmentor to make sure my computer was still in tip top shape. Is there anyway to do this for my new G4? When i install a program is there a way to uninstall or do i just delete all the files? I know my questions may sound trivial to long time mac users but i just wanna make sure i am doing everything right. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
 
--First Post--

1) Mac OS X runs the UNIX version of chkdsk (scandisk) at startup. Also it does other checks at startup.

2) You can get Norton Utilities or System Works for Mac, and they work well, however I would stay away from System works untill at least verison 3, because it has some problems with OS X 10.2 file permissions.

3) On your System Install (when you boot from it) You can use the Application Manu to launch Apple's Disk First Aid. From there you can repair Permissions (Which can be courpted due to large numbers installations and deinstallations), also you may scan and repair most HD problems from there.

4) To Uninstall, 3 things may work, depending on who wrote the program, and which method they use to install.
a) Run the Installation Program Again, there will be an option to uninstall.
b) Run the included Uninstall application.
c) Delete the Folder containing the software (This will just remove the software, not the preferences like the other two will.)

Any more queries or questions feel free to ask. Thats what we are all here for.

TEG
 
First Aid

Teg I 'found' the first aid thingy (had to use finder), but when clicked on it - says 'not supported' by 'classaic' ? - - (in other words it won't work LOL).... I also am a 'switcher' and want to keep my computer (G4) 'cleaned' up - I DON'T like all the 'caches' and if I go into Caches is it 'safe' enough to delete all those in there too - instead of just the Safari ones? I use IE most of all thou - Safari :p

Jeanne
 
Re: Maintenance question

Originally posted by markjones05
I have recently switched to a mac after using PC's for about 15 years. I know that on a pc I would frequently run norton and disk defragmentor to make sure my computer was still in tip top shape. Is there anyway to do this for my new G4? When i install a program is there a way to uninstall or do i just delete all the files? I know my questions may sound trivial to long time mac users but i just wanna make sure i am doing everything right. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

at least on the defrag thing, i will tell you (as a mac and pc tech) that pc machines need much more defragging, scandisk, and tossing out of unnecessary files

also pc boxes need the anti-virus checks way, way more often

macs are really hearty machines and worth the initial extra cost for a "slower" machine...but what use is a fast pc when it always needs bookoo utilities and maintenance to keep it running?:p
 
- markjones05

Also, leave it on overnight about once a week.

There are built-in UNIX System Maintenance Chrons that run between 3:00am (machine local time) and 4:00am.

All you have to do is remember not to shut it off!
 
Overnight maintenance?

There are built-in UNIX System Maintenance Chrons that run between 3:00am (machine local time) and 4:00am.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


No Kidding Patrick???
 
Originally posted by patrick0brien
- markjones05

Also, leave it on overnight about once a week.

There are built-in UNIX System Maintenance Chrons that run between 3:00am (machine local time) and 4:00am.

All you have to do is remember not to shut it off!
Click to expand...

Or even simpler is to get MacJanitor and run it once a week or so.

I would not get any Norton Utilities product at this time. Norton has been patched to kind of work with OSX but it has yet to be designed from the ground up for X. When I tried Norton last it had to modify the system kernel when installed and this in the end led to a horrible downward spiral of different system failures, problems, and slowdowns. I ended up deinstalling Norton (did not fix what had been done) and selling it. I had to completely reinstall the system to finally repair the damage done.

The only 3rd party disk repair utility that I trust right now is Disk Warrior. You can't go wrong with it.
 
Re: First Aid

Originally posted by jes13
Teg I 'found' the first aid thingy (had to use finder), but when clicked on it - says 'not supported' by 'classaic' ? - - (in other words it won't work LOL).... I also am a 'switcher' and want to keep my computer (G4) 'cleaned' up - I DON'T like all the 'caches' and if I go into Caches is it 'safe' enough to delete all those in there too - instead of just the Safari ones? I use IE most of all thou - Safari :p

Jeanne
Click to expand...

On caches. Safari has an option under the "safari" menu, for empty cache. The other browsers all have "delete cache" buttons in their preferences, look around for it-- you can also turn the cache off on other browsers, which can actually increase speed on very fast internet connections, but Safari does not yet support cache modification.

not sure about your classic problem, tho, are you running OS X? someone with more experience with classic will have to help on this one--

pnw
 
Re: First Aid

Originally posted by jes13
Teg I 'found' the first aid thingy (had to use finder), but when clicked on it - says 'not supported' by 'classaic' ? - - (in other words it won't work LOL).... I also am a 'switcher' and want to keep my computer (G4) 'cleaned' up - I DON'T like all the 'caches' and if I go into Caches is it 'safe' enough to delete all those in there too - instead of just the Safari ones? I use IE most of all thou - Safari :p

Jeanne
Click to expand...

You're trying to use the wrong First Aid. The one you tried to use is an OS9 program found in the OS9 Applications folder. You want to find the First Aid program in the normal applications/utilities folder.
 
repair permissions every few weeks, run fsck in single user mode once a month, defragmenting is risky especially with the current versions of norton

Use the apple knowledge base (support) for details, really loaded with info there!
 
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