Mac OS 9 Troubleshooting
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[edit] Keyboard Shortcuts
Mac OS 9 keyboard shortcuts: http://davespicks.com/writing/programming/mackeys.html
[edit] Error: Files do not open in correct application on a Macintosh
You should rebuild the desktop.
Procedure: Start up the computer while holding down the option and command keys until the Macintosh prompts you to rebuild the desktop.
Applications: If the affected Mac has icons that do not display correctly, has incorrect sizes reported for files, etc., then it needs a Desktop rebuild to start it over from a clean slate. This rebuilds the Desktop DB and Desktop DF files, so the problems disappear.
[edit] Error: Type 2 Error on a Macintosh
Relevant Operating Systems:
- Mac OS 9
- Mac OS X
Problem Description:
In the Macintosh Operating System, type 2 errors will occasionally show up. These are because of memmory allocation problems. They are easy to fix though, and should be infrequent.
Remedy: First thing I would suggest is rebuilding the desktop. You can do this by holding down the Apple and Option keys while starting the computer until a dialog come up asking to rebuild the desktop.
The second thing I would do is take a look through the Mac's extension and control panels list in the Extension manager (Apple Menu, Control Panels, Extension Manager). Pay attention to any extensions that are not identified as being part of the Mac OS and are not related to Mac OS applications (for example, iTunes extensions are unlikely to cause a conflict). It's rather hard to do standard extension troubleshooting for intermittent problems, but if there is an identifiable behavior which causes the crashes you can troubleshoot normally. If there isn't you basically want to look for and disable unused/questionable extensions.
Third, if the problem occurs when using a specific application or when performing a specific operation there may be a problem with the application or a conflict. Type 2 errors are Memory Address errors - which may result from applications stomping on each other, Extension conflicts, or insufficient memory allocated to the application. If the computer always crashes when using a specific application, try allocating more memory or reinstalling the ap and its extensions.
[edit] General: Extension troubleshooting in Mac OS 9
To troubleshoot extensions in OS9, you should look through the Mac's extension and control panels list in the Extension manager (Apple Menu=> Control Panels=> Extension Manager). Pay attention to any extensions that are not identified as being part of the Mac OS and are not related to Mac OS applications (for example, iTunes extensions are unlikely to cause a conflict). It's rather hard to do standard extension troubleshooting for intermittent problems, but if there is an identifiable behavior which causes the crashes you can troubleshoot normally. If there isn't you basically want to look for and disable unused/questionable extensions.
[edit] Tutorial: How do I troubleshoot extension conflicts in Mac OS 9
Problem Description: Extensions let you customize the Macintosh by extending or enhancing the system software. The term "extensions" refers to both system extension files (for example, Sound Manager or File Sharing Extension) and control panel files (for example, Apple Menu Items). When you start the Macintosh, the system software loads extensions in alphabetical order. The system searches first for system extension files in the Extensions folder, then control panel files in the Control Panels folder, and finally both system extension and control panel files in the System Folder. All extensions are enabled once the system loads them, except for the control panels that you opened and disabled.
When an extension is damaged or conflicts with one or more other installed extensions, an application you're running, or the system software, one or more of the following symptoms occurs: - system error (for example, a dialog box displaying an error message, freeze, or endless processing) - slow performance - unexpected behavior - unsuccessful software installation
How to use: An extensions manager, such as Apple Extensions Manager or Casady & Greene Conflict Catcher, enables you to selectively disable extensions. Keep in mind, however, that any extension you use to disable other extensions may itself be contributing to your problem. Most extensions managers support the same features as Apple Extensions Manager, which installs with Mac OS, and may also support additional features. For information on using a non-Apple extensions manager, consult its documentation.
Procedure: The Extensions Manager control panel lets you selectively disable extensions or sets of extensions. To start up the computer with a specific combination of extensions, choose an extension set from the Selected Set pop-up menu. (You can create a customized extension set by choosing File > New.) After you restart the Macintosh, Extensions Manager loads only those extensions that have an "x" next to their name. Extensions that aren't loaded at startup are moved to either the Extensions (Disabled) or Control Panels (Disabled) folder within the System Folder.
To disable extensions using the Extensions Manager control panel:
Note: If you want to back up an extension set, click Duplicate Set, name the backup set, and click OK. The backup set will appear in the Selected Set pop-up menu.
- Do any of the following in the Extensions Manager control panel:
- Choose Mac OS (version) Base to load only the Mac OS system extensions.
- Choose All Off from the Selected Set pop-up menu to disable all extensions.
- Choose View > as Folders, and disable the following folders by clicking to the to the left of a folder's name to remove the "x.": Control Panels, Startup Items, SystemFolder?, Extensions, and Shutdown Items.
- Selectively disable extensions by clicking to the left of an extension's name to remove the "x."
- Click Restart.
To isolate problem extension(s), reenable them one or a few at a time, then try to re-create your problem. For example, you can reenable them beginning with those included with your system software, then reenable your favorites, or you can add two at a time in alphabetical order. While reenabling extensions, keep track of which extensions you just enabled. When you're manually reenabling extensions by moving them from old Extensions and Control Panels folders into new ones, you can use label colors to keep track of which extension files you've moved. For example, you can assign the color orange to all extensions before you begin moving them from old Extensions and Control Panels folders into new ones, then change the label color of each extension after you move it to the new folder. For information on how to use labels in Mac OS, see the online Help (Help > Help Center).
If the problem recurs after you reenable an extension, leave the extension enabled, then disable all other extensions so that your system and application are running with only that extension enabled. If the problem recurs after you restart, you've found the problem extension. If the problem doesn't recur, you'll know it is caused by a combination of extensions, and not that single extension. You can troubleshoot further by reenabling other extensions one at a time to determine which combination of extensions is the cause of your problem.
If your problem does not occur after reenabling all of your extensions, and you have manually disabled extensions by removing the Control Panels, Extensions, Fonts, and Preferences folders, your problem may have been caused by a damaged folder, or by a damaged font or preferences file. You can determine if a damaged font or preference file caused the problem by moving your font files from the old Fonts folder into the new Fonts folder, and your preferences files from the old Preferences folder into the new Preferences folder. Move them one or a few at a time, and try to recreate the problem after each move. If the system or an application has created new font files or preference files in the new Fonts or Preferences folder, do not replace those files. If your problem occurs after you move a font or preferences file back, the file is probably damaged and you should reinstall it from the original installation disks. If a preferences file seems to be the problem, start the application that uses the file to force it to recreate its preferences file, or reinstall that application.
Resolving Extension Conflicts:
There are several solutions for resolving problems caused by a damaged or conflicting extension. You can use the one that works best depending on your needs and which extension is causing the problem.
To resolve extension conflicts, use one or more of the following solutions:
Solution 1: If the problem is caused by a control panel, change its settings. A setting in a control panel may be causing a conflict. Try changing the settings to see if other settings can eliminate the problem.
Solution 2: Replace the extension. You can rule out a damaged extension by deleting the extension, then reinstalling it from the original installation disk. When you delete the extension, make sure you also delete any additional files that it may have installed or created (such as, a preferences file).
Solution 3: Reinstall files the extension uses. The conflict may not be caused by the extension, but by a damaged file it's trying to access. For example, font management extensions (for example, Adobe Type Manager, Extensis Suitcase, or MasterJuggler) read font suitcases. If the conflicting extension appears to be a font management extension, the cause of your problem may actually be a damaged font suitcase or a font file in the suitcase. In this example, you can prevent the font management extension from reading the font suitcases to determine if this eliminates your problem. If it does, you'll need to isolate which font suitcase or font file is the cause, then delete and reinstall it.
Solution 4: Change the loading order of extensions. The order in which extensions load can cause a conflict. When you start the Macintosh, the system loads extensions in alphabetical order, first from the Extensions folder, then from the Control Panels folder, and finally from the System Folder. To change the order in which the system loads an extension, change its name (for example, add a character at the beginning of an extension's filename). Extensions files whose names begin with a non-alphanumeric character (for example, a dash, tilde, or pound sign) load either first or last, depending on the character.
Solution 5: Update the conflicting extension. Check with the extension's manufacturer to see if there is an updated version or other information that may help you resolve your problem.
Solution 6: Run without the conflicting extension. Until an update is available, you may have to run the Macintosh without an extension that doesn't support or conflicts with other software you're running.
References: Rewritten From: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/497a.htm
[edit] Tutorial: How do I rebuild the desktop in Mac OS 9
Procedure: Start up the computer while holding down the option and command keys until the Macintosh prompts you to rebuild the desktop.
Applications: If the affected Mac has icons that do not display correctly, has incorrect sizes reported for files, etc., then it needs a Desktop rebuild to start it over from a clean slate. This rebuilds the Desktop DB and Desktop DF files, so the problems disappear.
[edit] Safe Boot in OS 9
Background: An extension set can consist of system extensions, control panels, startup items, and shutdown items. The Selected Set pop-up menu displays the name of the selected set. Mac OS 8.x All, Mac OS 9.x All, Mac OS 8.x Base, and Mac OS 9.x Base are locked sets supplied by Apple and have a lock icon next to them. These extension sets are known to work and cannot be modified. You can, however, duplicate one of the sets and make modifications to the duplicate. My Settings is a generic name for a set that has not been named.
Procedure: Holding the Shift key during startup instructs Mac OS to not load any item that is in the Extension folder, Control Panels folder, or the Startup Items folder. Holding the Shift key during startup does not cause any item to move. The Extensions Manager control panel, however, does physically move items around, but only listed items. When you use the "All Off" set, the Extensions Manager control panel moves all listed items to their respective "Disabled" folder, such as Extensions (Disabled). Items that are not listed in the Extensions Manager control panel are not physically moved, and therefore still load during start up.
Some control panels, including the Startup Disk control panel and the Extensions Manager control panel itself, can be opened after starting up with the "Shift down" method.
[edit] Force Quit in OS 9
Problem Description: While in OS 9, some programs will freeze themselves, but not the computer. It is then necessary to get out of these hanging applications. This is done by forcing the computer to quit. This will lose all the application's data that hasn't been saved, so only use it when necessary.
How to use:
- Press Command+Option+Escape
- Restart your computer (While this isn't required, it is a good idea since the memory of all pre OS X systems isn't protected)
[edit] Networking
Procedure:
- Open the Apple menu by clicking on the Apple in the upper left corner. Select Control Panels. Select TCP/IP.
- In the TCP/IP window, select AirPort. Also select Using DHCP Server. Close this window to save your settings.
- Click on Open AirPort in the bottom left on the Control Strip.
- Click on Settings so that more options appear. Then check Allow selection of closed networks.
- Select Other... after the Choose network: field.
- In the Name field, type the network name. Click OK to save your settings.
- Close the window to save your settings.
Procedure Wireless:
- Open the Apple menu by clicking on the Apple in the upper left corner. Select Control Panels. Select TCP/IP.
- In the TCP/IP window, select AirPort. Also select Using DHCP Server. Close this window to save your settings.
- Click on Open AirPort in the bottom left on the Control Strip.
- Click on Settings so that more options appear. Then check Allow selection of closed networks.
- Select Other... after the Choose network: field.
- In the Name field, type the network name. Click OK to save your settings.
- Close the window to save your settings.
[edit] Tutorial: How do I get a wireless card to work on a non-airport capable Macintosh laptop
Relevant Operating Systems:
- Mac OS 9
Problem Description: Apple officially doesn't support wireless networking on non-airport capable Macintosh laptops, however, that doesn't mean it can't be done. It is relatively simple to put an older laptop on a WiFi network, assuming it has the proper hardware.
Requirements
- Apple laptop with at least one open 16 bit PCMCIA (AKA PC CARD) card slot
- 802.11b 16 bit PCMCIA Card
- CD or Disk with a Macintosh driver for the WiFi card
How to use:
- Shut down your powerbook.
- Insert the Card into the open slot. Preferably the upper slot because most antennas are raised on the top, and would block the top slot if inserted on the bottom.
- Start up the computer.
- If you get a warning asking you to eject the card, click cancel.
- Open the installer for the driver
- Select the standard installation options, unless you have a good reason to do otherwise. (If available, select the box to run the setup assistant on the restart)
- Restart the computer. (If your WiFi card has any lights on it, at least one should probably light up at some point in the booting process.)
- Finish following any installation options that came with the card, as this part is pretty specific. When finished with the installation refer to the next step in this tutorial.
- Create a TCP/IP configuration for your card in the TCP/IP control panel (Apple Menu=>Control Panels=>TCP/IP).
- Switch to the wireless configuration, and click on the File=>Configurations, select your configuration that includes the WiFi card and click Make Active
- Choose your card from the Connect Via: menu, and then select to configure it Via DHCP
- Close the TCP/IP Control Panel, and let your Mac switch over to the new network setting.
- Restart your Mac, while this may not be necessary, it is probably a good idea after tinkering with network settings to keep it from generating its own IP address, and things like that.
- Try connecting to the internet.
References: http://www.penmachine.com/techie/airport1400.html
