Troubleshooting Programs
If a program won't launch, you have one of the following problems:
- Bad Alias
- Corrupt preference file
- Extensions conflict
- Corrupt software
- Corrupt Desktop file
- Corrupt settings in the PRAM
TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEM
There are three things you can do to try to correct a problem with the operating system:
| KEY COMMAND | OS Version Supported | FUNCTION | ||||
| <7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | X | ||
| hold SHIFT @ power on | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | ALL EXTENSIONS/CTRL PANELS OFF Starts the system with all extensions and control panels off. This is useful for troubleshooting an extensions conflict which is preventing the computer from booting up, or preventing a computer from launching. In Mac OS 7.3 through OS 9.2, you can use the Extensions Manager to troubleshoot extensions and control panel conflicts. OS X doesn't use 'extensions'. |
| hold CMD-OPT @ power on | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | REBUILD THE DESKTOP FILE The Mac desktop file keeps track of (amongst other things) the location of executable programs and their aliases. Sometimes when an alias fails to launch a program, it is necessary to rebuild the desktop so that the computer can match up the alias with the executable it is supposed to point to. Mac OS X doesn't use a desktop file. |
| hold CMD-OPT-P-R @ power on | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ZAPPING THE P-RAM (resetting the Programmable RAM) All Mac computers come with a programmable RAM or PRAM where hardware system settings are stored. Things like the serial port settings, mouse, keyboard and other settings are stored here. Resetting the PRAM sometimes will clear a communications error with your modem. Even OS X runs on Apple hardware, so zapping the PRAM still works on an OS X box. |
Apple recommends taking the computer in for service if these three options don't work. If you don't want to take the computer in for service, their only other recommendation is to erase all data on the computer by re-initializing the disk and reinstalling the operating system.