House Calls
Okay, your computer has quit recognizing your printer,
or your internet connection is down... You have tried everything you
can think of, and you're frustrated.
What should you do first?
Step
away from the computer: Take
a breath, get a beverage and then look at the situation as a whole.
Think back to the last time everything was working... Now
isn't that nicer?
No really, think about any changes you've made
since then, or the first time you noticed something seemed different.
Did you have a program crash, or have you installed a new mod
you downloaded. Maybe the dog pulled the plug out when she got
behind your desk... |
What to do next
Looking
back on the total picture is a great way to start. This can give you
clues as to what went wrong, or where to look. Then, start making a
checklist:
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Check the obvious first
Wiggle connections and check the cables. Try to localize the
problem. Disconnect peripherals except the one you are troubleshooting.
In OS 9, start up the computer and hold down the shift key to
disable extensions, if everything else starts up okay, then
you know it is an extension conflict.
Use the tools
Apple supplies some pretty good tools for fixing things. In
OS 9, in the Utilities folder you should use Disk First
Aid, to check & verify your disks when you first notice
problems. In OS X Panther, your first place to go when things
start going wrong is in the Utilities folder and run Disk
Utility to verify your disk, & to repair privileges.
In earlier versions of OS X look for the Repair Privileges
Utility. There are instructions for using these programs
in the Apple Help system. |
If all else fails
After you've covered the "ususal suspects," you may decided
that you need professional help. You can save time and money by gathering
the information we might need to quickly get your computer functioning
again. By having certain items at your fingertips when I visit, you
will insure an efficient process.
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Names and numbers
Before you call me, Find out what version of the system your
using, look this up in "About this Mac" under the
apple icon in the menubar (some versions call it "About
this Computer.")
Get the specific name of your Mac (PPC 8500, Blue G3, etc.)
and of any peripherals that you have hooked up, like your
Canon S520 color printer.
If you are having trouble with a specific program, tell me
the version (ex: Photoshop 6.5 or iTunes 4.)
May I see your documents
Here are some things that are handy to have when I make a
house call.
Make sure you have your user names, passwords & phone
numbers for your internet applications. (email, internet service
details, etc.)
Gather
up any installation disks and documentation you have for your
system, troublesome programs or pesky peripherals.
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Going
through these steps you can save you not only time and money, but
also your sanity. By having the items we need to fix your computer
handy, we can usually find and fix your problem right away.
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Use
the Web |
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Tell
us your best tip or trick. Go on, show off a little bit.
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Email
a friend about the Mac ER newsletter.
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| Find
Macintosh help on the web. |
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| Read
this page to be ready for a house call. |
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Mac
101 |
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| Dude
where's my file? Finding lost files on your Mac. |
| R/com
MediaSchool Using Apple's QuickTime to create movies. |
| ResExcellence
This site contains a huge amount of tricks that will keep you
busy for months. Have fun, but don't forget to backup first! |
| Learn
AppleScript learn the basics of AppleScript in a slow-paced
way. Read a short description, and download the free booklet
in PDF format. |
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