How to Deal With a Crash-Prone Mac

Computers crash, or freeze, as a result of operating system problems, software-operating system conflicts, and hardware problems. Occasional crashing is normal and usually can be resolved simply by restarting the computer. These instructions can help you solve some persistent system and software problems.

Things You'll Need

• Norton Utilities

Instructions

Rebuild the Desktop

1. Restart your computer.

2. Immediately hold down the Command and Option keys.

3. Continue holding down the keys until the computer asks if you are sure you want to rebuild the desktop. Click OK.

Run Disk First Aid

1. Start up your computer from your system software (also called "recovery" or "restore") CD. (Put the CD in the drive, then turn the computer on. Hold down the C key on the keyboard until you see the MacOS screen.)

2. Open the Disk First Aid program.

3. Click on the hard disk icon.

4. Click Verify.

5. Click Repair if the software indicates repair is needed.

6. If Disk First Aid doesn't fix the problems (it will tell you), try two more times.

Check for Duplicate Extensions and for Extensions That Conflict With Each Other

1. Open the Extensions Manager control panel to check for duplicate extensions. (If you don't have the Extensions Manager control panel, open the Extensions folder in the System Folder.)

2. Look for two extensions with the same name.

3. Remove the older one.

4. Reopen the Extensions Manager control panel to check for extensions that conflict with each other.

5. In the Selected Set menu, choose the option for only the extensions that came with your version of system software.

6. Restart the computer.

7. If your computer is still having problems, you might need to reinstall the system software. If it's not, open the Extensions Manager control panel once more and turn on another extension.

8. Restart your computer again. If it starts crashing, you've found the problem extension. If it works normally, open the Extensions Manager, turn on another extension, and restart again.

9. Repeat the process until you find the problem extension.

Tips & Warnings

• Run the Disk Doctor application if you have Norton Utilities. Note that Disk Doctor and Disk First Aid solve different types of problems.