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When a program suddenly starts misbehaving, you can usually fix it quickly by getting rid of its Preferences.
  technofile
Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

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How to fix software problems in OS X


March 19, 2003


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2003, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2003, The Post-Standard

   You know that Apple's OS X operating system is different from Windows the first time you look for "fix it" utilities for Mac OS X.
   They're almost impossible to find. Mac OS X (the "X" is the roman number "10") wasn't designed like Windows, and that means it doesn't need registry fixers (it doesn't have a registry to fix) or uninstallers (you just toss programs into the trash when you don't want them on your system any more).
   The few "fix-it" utilities that do exist for OS X seem pointless. With the exception of disk utilities, which I'll cover in a future column, all the "fix-it" programs for OS X either do the simplest possible things (such as finding duplicate files) or they merely do what you could handle yourself, such as deleting a configuration file.
   So I'm not, at this time, ready to endorse any Mac OS X utilitiy suites. They seem unnecessary as long as you're willing to use a few simple techniques when software problems arise.
   Here are three ways to do your own software fixing in OS X:
   1. Toss the prefs. Each program that runs on an OS X Macintosh has a configuration file referred to as its "Preferences." When a program suddenly starts misbehaving, you can usually fix it quickly by getting rid of its Preferences.
   Preferences are text files stored in a folder named "Preferences." Each OS X Mac has a main Preferences folder and a separate one for each user. To locate a Preferences file, do this:
      A. Close the offending program, then make sure you have "Admin" privileges. (You probably have them already if you're the main user or the only user on your computer.)
      B. Use Sherlock (if you have an older version of OS X) or the function called, simply, Find (click once on the desktop and press Cmd-F) to search for a folder named "Preferences." You will find the main one and your own.
      C. Look in both folders for a Preferences file named for the program that's giving you trouble. Select it and drag it to the trash.
      D. Run the program again. It will rebuild a good Preferences file.
   2. Look for updates. OS X is a new operating system, and some OS X programs are still a little buggy. You should check every month or so for updated versions of all the programs you use, and you should check immediately for an update of any program that misbehaves. If the program still acts up after you toss its Preferences, chances are others have had the same problem and an updated version is in the works.
   Apple's own programs, such as iTunes, Safari, iPhoto and OS X itself, are easy to update. Just run the updater that comes with OS X. (It's in System Preferences in the OS X Apple menu.) You can choose to have the updater run every now and then -- once a week is fine for most users -- or you can choose to run it manually whenever you want to check for new versions.
   Other programs can be updated by checking Version Tracker, at www.versiontracker.com. Choose the Mac OS X section, then make a bookmark for the main OS X page. Version Tracker excels at keeping up with new versions of software, and a bonus is the chatter from users (at the left of each new-version page) who have tried the latest version and want to comment on it.
   3. Consider the source. Hardware troubles often masquerade as software problems. If your OS X Mac suddenly shuts itself down, for example, it might be overheating because of blocked air vents. Loose cables can also cause misbehavior. Check all the hardware connections when you're faced with a mystery ailment.