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Tech Tips: System Software Blues
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Installing, repairing and optimising Apple's OS and how to get the most from the desktop
Which Mac OS is best?
How do I rebuild the Desktop?
How do I switch extensions Off at startup?
How do I delete 'locked' files from the Wastebasket?
What's the latest version of Mac OS that I can run?
I want to run Mac OS 8 but my machine won't do it - Is there anything I can do?
Why can't I run OS 9/OS X on my 68K Mac?
Is it true that I can get system software for free and NOT get arrested?
[Q]: Which Mac OS is best?
[A]: There is no hard and fast answer to this and there is no ONE version of Mac OS that is better than all the rest. Even looking at the versions of Mac OS that your machine will support is not always clear - just because your machine will run Mac OS 8.0 doesn't mean that it's sensible to. OS 7 will do most things that OS 8 can and for 68020, 68030 and 68040 machines it really does offer the best combination of performance versus features. Slower 68000 systems can often be coaxed into running OS 7 but usually perform better with OS 6. Of course some of the REALLY early machines are restricted to not being able to run THAT so you may find that the decision is taken out of your hands.
[Q]: How do I rebuild the Desktop?
[A]: Rebuilding the desktop can improve performance (sometimes), fix corrupted icons and lets your Mac get itself in order. To do this either hold down Command and Option during startup (until you're prompted whether to rebuild the desktop) or force quit the Finder (by pressing Command+Option+Escape) and hold down Command+Option while the Finder relaunches.
[Q]: How do I switch extensions Off at startup?
[A]: Hold down the SHIFT key when you turn the Mac on and keep it down until the you get a message saying 'Extensions Off'. Doing this forces the Mac to boot with no extensions or control panels and while this may make certain devices and functionality unavailable, it will allow you to track down any conflicts. It also makes your Mac a whole lot faster to boot!
[Q]: How do I delete 'locked' files from the Wastebasket?
[A]: Hold down Option when selecting 'Empty Trash'.
[Q]: What's the latest version of Mac OS that I can run?
[A]: This will depend on your actual machine and, to find that out, simply locate your machine in the museum section of this site. As an absolute rule NO 68k based Mac can run anything higher than Mac OS 8.1 (unless it's had a PowerPC upgrade).
[Q]: I want to run Mac OS 8 but my machine won't do it - Is there anything I can do?
[A]: You could try getting hold of a copy of Born Again which can allow some Macs to go beyond what Apple allow, and be able to run OS 8. If your hardware isn't supposed to run OS 8 though then even if you do manage to get it working it'll probably run v-e-r-y slowly.
[Q]: Why can't I run OS 9/OS X on my 68K Mac?
[A]: Mac OS 8.1 was the last version that would run on 68K Macs (after this it was PowerPC only). As it's PowerPC software, there's no way to get anything later than OS 8.1 to run on a 68K Mac as your machine literally won't understand the software.
[Q]: Is it true that I can get system software for free and NOT get arrested?
[A]: Amazingly it is. Apple have made several older versions of the system software free for download from their site. At the time of writing this you can get OS 7.5.5 (as well as enablers) for free from www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html
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