Fix-it
Fix-it #1 Check for Incompatibilities Between Hardware and Software
Pages 665-670
Quick Summary: Read manuals and on-disk readme’s included w/ software to determine what known incompatibilities may exist.
Check to see if changes to control panel settings can resolve a problem.
Check if a software upgrage is available that eliminates any incompatibility.
Fix-it #2 Check for Problems w/ Preferences Files Pages 671-677
Replace an application’s preferences file and / or system software prefs files (such as Finder Prefs), usually found in the Prefs folder of the startup disk’s Sys folder.
Fix-it #3 Check for Mislocated or Missing Accessory Files Pages 678-681
Locate and / or move incorrectly located accessory files as needed. If they cannot be located, reinstall them from your backups.
Fix-it #4 pg. Check for Problems with Extensions and Control Panels (Startup Extensions) Pages 682-707
Temporarily desable all startup extensions. Hold down Shift key at startup. If symptoms disappear, you have startup problem. To solve it, first ID the offending startup extension, then either rearrange the loading order of the problem starup extension, remove the startup extension, or replace the startup extension.
Fix-it #5 Check for Problems w/ Sys Software Pages 708-728 If a sys software problem is suspected, update or replace the sys software files as needed. Generaly do a clean reinstall of the sys software, using the INstaller utility that came with your Mac sys software disks.
Fix-it #6 Check for Problems with Memory Management Pages 729-755 Increase free memory by closing unneeded documents and applications, adjust an application’s memory allocation from its Get Info window, or make more global adjustments to memory allocation (such as by modifying optioons in the Memory control panel).
Fix-it #7 Check for Viruses Pages 756-767 Use an updated anti-virus utility to scan your disk for viruses. Replace any infected files with clean copies from your packups. If no backup is available, use the anti-virus utility to eradicate the virus and repair the infected file.
Fix-it #8 Defragment / Optimize Disk Pages 768-774 Use disk optimizing utility (such as Speed Disk from Norton Utilities) to defragment / optimize the files on your hard disk.
Fix-it #9 Rebuild the Desktop Pages 775-786 To rebuild the Desktop, hold down the Command-Option keys at startup until a dialog box appears asking whether you want to rebuld the desktop. Click OK
Fix-it #10 Run Disk First Aid Page 787-792 Run Disk Firs Aid to check for and repair corruption of the Directory area of a disk.
Fix-it #11 Zap the Parameter RAM Pages 793-800 Hold down the command Option P-R keys at startup until the Mac restars itself a second time. Release the keys and let startup proceed normally.
Fix-it#12 Update the Disk Device Driver Pages 801-809 Use a disk formatting utility to update the device driver on hard disks and removable media cartridges. For Apple hard disks, you can use Apple HD SC Setup or Drive Setup. Click the Update button or select the Update Driver menu command, as appropriate to the applicationin use. Though not always required, it is best to start up form a separate disk that contains the formatting utility before updating a driver.
Fix-it #13 Check for Damage Disks, Repair, Restore or Recover Pages. 810-826 Use a data recovery utility package (primarily Norton Utilities or Macintosh) to repair or restore a damaged disk. If the disk cannot be fixed, recover files from the disk, as needed.
Fix-it #14 Check for Damaged Files, Replace or Recover Pages 827-837 Replace damaged files from backups, if possible. Otherwise, use utilities (such as Norton Utilities for Macintosh, MacTools Pro, and CanOpener) to repair or recover data form damaged files,especially document files. In all cases, check for and “repair” bad blocks.
Fix-it #15 Format, Initialize, and Verify Disks Pages 838-856 For floppy disks, use the Finder’s Erase Disk command to reformat the disk. For hard disks, use a formatting utility (such as Apple HD SC Setup or Drive Setup) to reformat the disk’s launch the utility and click its Initialize or Format button, as appropriate.
Fix-it #16 Check for Problems with SCSI Devices and Connections Page 858-876 Use a utility, such as SCSIProbe, to mount a SCSI device that will not otherwise mount. Check for other possible SCSI-related problems, such as ID conflicts, improper termination, or turning the SCSI deviceon or off improperly.
Fix-it #17 Check if Hardware Repairs / Replacements Needed Pages 877-902 Switch problem peripherals to another Macintosh to test for the source of the problem. Make sure cards and memory are properly inserted on the Macintosh’s main logic board. Check for possible problems due to defective or incorrectly connected cables. Use specialized software to diagnose your hardware. Try other hardware tests as your skills permit.
Fix-it #18 Seek Tech Support or Other Outside Help Pages 903-920 If you are unable to solve a specific software or hardware problem, contact tech support of the company that makes the product (via phone or web site). Otherwise, seek helpfrom more general online services, user groups, magazines, books and/or colleagues.