What to do when your Mac gives trouble

1. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Troubleshooting Your Mac
When Things Don’t Work
Common and some uncommon problems
Preventive Maintenance
Quick Fix strategies.
Deleting a preference file
Internet Problems
Helper Apps
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2. 4/20/10
PMBurke
Common Problems
Spinning ball keeps
spinning
Programs don’t
respond or behave
strangely
Program freezes
Files don’t open-may or
may not get error
message
Force quit/restart Prg
Upgrade Ram memory
Reboot computer,
Repair permissions
Force quit/Restart or
remove plist file
May need Program or
Helper Application
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Problem Solution

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Quick Fix for Program Problems
• Force Quit program and restart.
• Apple>Force Quit
• Press: Command/Option/ESC
• Control-click on program icon>menu>quit
• Shut Down Computer, wait 30 seconds and
restart.
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Beyond the Quick-fix
• Repair permissions
• Applications>Utility>Disk utility
• Select repair
• Remove the preference file (plist)for the
program and restart
• Home> Library>Preferences
• Select com.apple.program.plist
•Drag .plist file to Desktop, re-open program
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Beyond the Quick Fix-2
• Look for an update of program
• Apple> Software Update
• e.g., iTunes, QuickTime
• Reload the program from the original
disk
• Find appropriate application and
download
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6. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Files/mail Attachments Wont Open
• Save attachment to desktop
• Open directly or
• Drag file onto application icon
• e.g., iPhoto or Quicktime
• Open application and then open
attachment within the application e.g.,
Excel/File/Open
• Download Helper application
• RealPlayer, Flip4Mac
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Helper Applications
Flip4Mac (wmv files)
Adobe Reader (pdf files)
RealPlayer (audio files)
Vmware Fusion (any windows File)
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8. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Forgot Password (can’t
log in to your Computer)
• Try likely passwords
• If nothing works, Insert Install DVD
• Click Install
• Go to Utilities, Reset Password
• Enter New password, Quit Installer
• Write Down Password in safe Place
(LBB)
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9. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Internet Connection
Problems
• Open System Preferences/Network
• Check configuration (Ethernet or Modem)
• Modem or Router Glitch
• Shut down modem, Router, Wait 30
seconds
• Restart modem, wait until lights stabilize,
restart router
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10. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Get external HELP
• Google the Problem
• Help menu
• Apple website (FAQ) or MobileMe
• Apple Helpline 1-800-275-2273 (800-APP-CARE)
• Apple Store (Christiana Mall)
• MAC users Group (ALLMUG, Tuesday 3.15)
• Troubleshooting group Friday 12:30
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11. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Free Mac Software
Virex (Anti Virus, free at Udel site)
Skype (free phone Calls Worldwide)
NeoOffice (Similar to Microsoft Office)
Picassa (Google Photo sharing)
Facebook, Twitter etc)
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12. 4/20/10 PMBurke
Summary!!!?
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