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11. Why should
I use virtual memory?
A.
Virtual memory allows users to have more applications in the
background so they are available without having to quit and application
in order to access another. With Power Macs, running virtual
memory decreases the amount of real RAM necessary to run applications
so the minimum and preferred settings can be set lower for the
same performance. Apple recommends that virtual memory be turned
on for one more megabyte than your actual memory.
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12. What is a Type
1 error?
A.
A type 1 error is a Bus error. This usually indicates a software
glitch, an extension conflict, or insufficient memory assigned
to an application. Pay attention to how consistently and when
the problem occurs. If you get this error message immediately
at startup you can suspect a problem with an externally connected
SCSI device or an incompatible disk driver. If it occurs when
the extensions are loading, try holding down the Shift key at
start up so the extensions do not load and see if this is the
area causing the problem. Corrupted system software could be
the cause if problems occur while the computer is in the Finder.
If it happens while you are in an application, you may suspect
a bug in the application. You may then want to check with the
publisher for a possible update fixing the bug. Check online
for any application updates.
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13. What is a Type
11 error?
A.
A miscellaneous hardware exception error. This is an error caused
by the processor the cause of which is not known. It should be
noted that many error codes are the result not the cause
of an problem. Usually there is nothing the end user can do except
jot down the error code, when it occurred, and what was being
done on the computer at the time. Then when you call for tech
support, I will be better able to assist you. Sometimes you may
try to locate extension conflicts, corrupt systems, etc. It is
a lengthy process and is best done by a technical professional.
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14. What causes
a flashing question mark and the failure to start up my Mac?
A.
Essentially you get the flashing question mark when the Mac can't
find a system to initiate start up. There are basically five
causes: 1) The System Folder is missing; 2) an unblessed system.
If the System and Finder have been removed from the System Folder,
the system becomes unblessed and the computer will not recognize
it at startup. 3) a SCSI device conflict. This occurs when two
SCSI devices have the same SCSI number. For example, if your
internal hard disk's address is 7, you cannot have another SCSI
device assigned that number. 4) a corrupt hard disk driver; 5)
sticky drive syndrome. The lubricant in the hard disk drive loses
viscosity so the hard drive has difficulty spinning up to the
appropriate speed. This is usually an indication of imminent
failure and getting a current backup from this disk would be
a wise thing to do.
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15. How do I update
my hard disk driver?
A.
Start up from an alternate disk (hard disk, Jaz or Zip Drive,
CD, etc.) freeing the startup disk from any control. Launch your
formatting software and select the startup disk as the target
of the upgrade. Miss Mac can come to your location and make back
ups of your hard drive and burn it onto CD's for a permanent
record.
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16. Is it better
to update an existing system folder or clean install a new one?
A.
It is always preferable to do a clean install of a new system
folder so that corruption does not carry forward. First drag
to the desktop or another folder any third party extensions,
preference files, fonts, etc. that you will need to keep for
the new system folder. Install the new system folder. Compare
the new items to the old so that you may eliminate any out of
date or unnecessary files. Clean house then drag back the items
you wanted to save into the new system folder. This too is a
touchy process and is best done by a technical professional.
Call Miss Mac for more information before attempting a clean
install on your computer
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17. If I am not
on a network, should I turn off AppleTalk?
A.
Yes. There are some non-AppleTalk printers that will not work
if AppleTalk is on. Additionally, you will be able to run on
less RAM with AppleTalk turned off and your computer will not
waste processing cycles looking for network operations. It is
important to turn AppleTalk off from within the Chooser to make
it a permanent choice. If you use the control strip to turn AppleTalk
off, it will turn back on the next time you boot up the computer.
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18. Do I need File
Sharing on to access files across the network?
A.
File Sharing is only required when you want to share your hard
disk and files on the network. It does not need to be on to access
other's files. Unless you wish to share what is on your hard
disk, it is better to keep File Sharing off.
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19. How do I tell
how much RAM my Mac has?
A.
While at the desktop Level, go to the Apple Menu, to About This
Computer.You will see much RAM your Mac has. Built in memory
is what is physically installed on your machine. It also graphically
displays how much is currently being used by the System and any
open applications
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20. How do I know
how big my Hard Disk is?
A.
Click on the hard disk icon and press Command-I or got to File-
Get Info. This will show you the disk capacity, how much is being
used, and how much is available. For those running the System
8 or 9, it will also tell whether you are running in standard
or extended mode.
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21. How many items
can I have under the Apple menu?
A.
While the folder holds hundreds of files, the Apple menu only
displays between 50 and 55.
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22. How do I determine
if I have an extension conflict?
A.
Boot up the computer holding down the Shift key until the you
see the message "Extensions disabled." If the problem
goes away when you have turned extensions off, the next step
is to find what extensions don't like each other. This is basically
done by trial and error. If the problem persists, you can suspect
other culprits of instability such as corrupted fonts, preference
files, or systems. Be careful when trashing the preference files,
some can be trashed and the application will generate new preference
files when it needs them. But others, particularly folder preferences
do not.
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23. How do you
properly terminate a SCSI bus?
A.
The longer your SCSI chain, the more likely there will be problems.
Basically, termination is a way to tell the Mac where the chain
begins and ends to that the signal doesn't bounce back and interfere
with the operation of the devices on the chain. The SCSI chain
must be terminated at both ends of the chain. The Mac is usually
the first item in the chain and those with internal hard drives
are considered to be terminated. The last item on the chain should
have a plug which is called a SCSI terminator, available in most
computer stores.
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24. How many SCSI
devices can I have hooked up to my Mac?
A.
That depends on how many SCSI buses your Mac has. Typically Macs
may have 7 SCSI devices in a chain. These are numbered 06.
The Mac is assigned the number 7, although it technically is
not part of the SCSI chain. Internal hard disks are numbered
0, so that the external devices are numbered 1 6. The complication
arises when you add a SCSI device with the same assigned number.
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25. What are the
advantages to partitioning my hard disk?
A.
There are two main advantages to partitioning: speed and file
size. If you are able to partition your hard disk so that temporary
files and the applications that create them are in one partition,
and more permanent files and the applications that create them
in another partition, you are diminishing the time the Mac has
to wade through fragmented files to read them. By keeping the
applications and their files together, you keep the "problem"
in one spot as opposed to keeping the files in one partition
and the applications in another. With the introduction of OSX,
some users are finding that it is best to keep classic OS 9 one
one small partition and OS X on the other larger partition. This
type is set up is best done when setting up a new or newly erased
machine. Call Miss Mac for more details.
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