keeping mac in tip-top shape

**tisha** · 05-20-2004, 03:06 PM

Anyone have any suggestions on how to maintain your powerbook in top condition? Is there anything that should be done on a regular basis - like calibrating battery, repairing permissions, etc. - to ensure that it continues to run properly and lives a long, fruitful life?

**Sponsor** · 05-20-2004 03:06 PM

**super_ed** · 05-20-2004, 03:33 PM

start it by getting dependable powersleeve.

**McArenas** · 05-20-2004, 05:22 PM

Here are my rituals (got this tip from an Apple Discussion group):

Hard Drive

Daily:
* Backup your most important data.
* If you experience a few crashes, run Disk Utilities (verify / repair permission).

Weekly:
* Run Disk Utilities and a disk utility like Disk Warrior or Tech Tool Pro to scan for any problems.

Monthly:
* Rebuild the desktop by pressing command-option as the Mac is starting up.
* Defragment your hard drive using a disk tool utility like Disk Warrior or Tech Tool Pro.
* Scan your hard drive for viruses. Do this more or less often depending on your downloading or file sharing habits.

Every six months:
* Install a fresh copy of your system software, or upgrade to the latest MacOS. This will also update the hard disk driver.
* Zap your PRAM by holding down the command-option-p-r keys at startup until you hear the second startup chime.

Every two years:
* Back up your entire hard drive and do a low-level reformat.

Battery

Daily:
* Use the plastic protective cap that came with your battery when storing it outside of your laptop. Contact with a metal surface could cause a short in the battery.

Monthly:
* Use Battery Recondition to completely drain and recharge your battery. This will keep the memory effect to a minimum. Do this more or less often depending on how much you rely on your battery. Newer Li-Ion batteries are less prone to the memory effect.

Screen
Daily:
* Do not touch your screen. Not only does it leave an oily smudge, but you risk scratching the screen everytime you touch it.
* When not in use, play it safe by closing the lid and putting your 'Book to sleep.

Weekly:
*Use an Apple approved LCD screen cleaner to remove dust. Whatever you do, don't use a dry paper towel or other abrasive to clean the surface.

Keyboard

Daily:
* Avoid typing with dirty hands. Avoid dusty environments. Keep that cup of Java at least three feet away from the keyboard. Moral of the story? Try to keep particles or moisture from getting between the keys and fouling the keyboard or worse.

Monthly:
* Use a can of compressed air (again, commonly found in the computer section at stores like Wal-Mart) to blow out dust and particles in the keyboard.

Other Peripherals
Monthly:
* Check the manufacturer's website for an updated driver or software.

Software

Daily:
* Visit MacFixIt to check for software conflicts.
* Visit VersionTracker to check for updated software.

Every three months:
* Check the manufacturer's website for an update.

**Kris** · 05-21-2004, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by McArenas
Here are my rituals (got this tip from an Apple Discussion group):

Hard Drive

Monthly:
* Rebuild the desktop by pressing command-option as the Mac is starting up.
* Defragment your hard drive using a disk tool utility like Disk Warrior or Tech Tool Pro.
* Scan your hard drive for viruses. Do this more or less often depending on your downloading or file sharing habits.

Okay just a few questions here...

1. What do you mean by rebuilding the desktop? What does it actually do and how is this different from zapping your PRAM?

2. Where can i get/download Disk Warrior or Tech Tool Pro?

Thanks!

**ncarandang** · 05-21-2004, 08:57 AM

diskwarrior... www.alsoft.com
tech tool pro... www.micromat.com

**McArenas** · 05-21-2004, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by Kris
1. What do you mean by rebuilding the desktop? What does it actually do and how is this different from zapping your PRAM?

This might help explain. As i've found out, rebuilding the desktop is applicable only to OS 7 thru 9. But if you are using, OS X, but still using CLASSIC environment, it is still applicable.

And here is a good link about PRAM zapping.

Sana nakatulong.

**Kris** · 05-21-2004, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by McArenas

Originally posted by Kris
1. What do you mean by rebuilding the desktop? What does it actually do and how is this different from zapping your PRAM?

This might help explain. As i've found out, rebuilding the desktop is applicable only to OS 7 thru 9. But if you are using, OS X, but still using CLASSIC environment, it is still applicable.

And here is a good link about PRAM zapping.

Sana nakatulong.

Thanks for the link!