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 | Compound problems sometimes require compound answers. That was the case when one of our Macs started freezing up after booting. It would display the desktop, and then freeze as soon as we launched an app. I suspected a corrupt preference file or login item was the culprit, but there was also the possibility of a failing drive. It's an older Mac whose drive has been in use for quite a long time. First things first. I used Safe Boot to gain access to the Mac's file system and delete the suspect preference file. In my case, this was a helper file for a Windows keyboard and mouse I use. With that possibility eliminated, I repaired the hard drive using Disk Utility. Everything is working again, but the drive is indeed on its last legs, so I'll start searching for a replacement. While I look for a new drive, I want to remind everyone that this is the last day to nominate a product or service for this year's Readers' Choice Awards, so get your nominations in! | |
How to Use Your Mac's Safe Boot Option
Apple has offered a Safe Boot option ever since Jaguar (OS X 10.2.x). Safe Boot allows your Mac to start up with the minimal number of system extensions, preferences, and fonts it needs to run. Safe Boot can get your Mac running again when you're having problems caused by corrupt applications or data, software installation issues, or damaged fonts or preference files. In all cases, the problem you may experience is either a Mac that fails to completely boot and freezes at some point along the way to the desktop, or a Mac that boots successfully, but then freezes or crashes when you undertake specific tasks or use specific applications... Read more
| How Can I Repair My Hard Drive If My Mac Won't Start?
When a Mac fails to start up normally, one of the common troubleshooting practices is to verify and repair the startup drive. A startup drive that is experiencing problems is likely to prevent your Mac from starting, so you may find yourself in a Catch-22. You need to run Disk Utility's First Aid tools, but you can't get to Disk Utility because your Mac won't start. There are a few ways of getting around this problem... Read more
| Getting iCloud's Mail Working on Your Mac
iCloud, Apple's solution to cloud-based storage and syncing, includes a free web-based email account that you can access from any Mac, Windows, or iOS device via the iCloud web site. While it's nice to have web-based email access when out and about, to tell you the truth, I'd much rather access the iCloud mail system from a standard desktop application than the web. I already have a couple of email accounts set up in Apple Mail; why would I want to open a web browser and log in to iCloud just to check one more email account? The answer is, I wouldn't. I want Apple Mail to check iCloud when I check the rest of my email accounts... Read more
| Personalize Your Mac by Changing Desktop Icons
Your Mac's desktop is a lot like your home; it needs to be personalized to make it seem like it's your place. Changing desktop icons is one of the easiest ways to bring a touch of you to your Mac's desktop, and it's as easy as a few mouse clicks... Read more
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