Generic OS X Troubleshooting List - Page 8

hayne · 02-20-2004, 12:40 AM

1) Please do not post the same message twice in different threads.

2) Do not add an unrelated message onto the end of a thread. This thread is not about solving your specific problem, it's not even about solving any particular specific problem - it's about a set of steps for general use in troubleshooting.

3) It would be a good idea for you to delete your post to this thread (Press Edit, then click the checkbox, then Delete.)

cookieme · 05-17-2004, 04:47 PM

Does it matter if you type fsck -f or /sbin/fsck -f in single user mode? What's the difference? I have only run it as fsck -f!

yellow · 05-17-2004, 04:54 PM

Just typing fsck leaves you open to run anything that is called fsck in any directory in your path. Specifying the fsck in /sbin/ narrows that potential security hole dramatically. Using the full path for powerful apps like fsck is good *NIX admin practice.

cookieme · 05-17-2004, 07:00 PM

Thanks yellow! Didn't know that! How about other UNIX commands like update_prebinding? Just like that should I specify the path to the command?

yellow · 05-17-2004, 10:01 PM

It certainly cannot hurt, but when you do that you're not root (which is what you are in Single User mode), so what it can do should be limited, provided you aren't using sudo.
update_prebinding is a bit of a red herring, IMO. When you run an app the first time it prebinds if it's not been prebindound already. All prebinding does is make the app open faster upon subsequent openings. And these are lost when you reboot.

imageworx · 06-10-2004, 03:34 PM

- run sbin/fsck -yf (forces fix in journaled; works in non-journaled)
- Open Firmware boot (Cmd-Opt-O-F on boot): type these
reset-nvram
set-defaults
reset-all

That Open Firmware instruction clears out NVRAM which tends to fix some issues with hardware (firewire, networking..) after OS install or hardware install.

Whenever using a 3rd party disk or OS utility (DiskWarrior, Disk Doctor, Cocktail, Panther Cache Cleaner,...) "always" check to be sure you are using latest version for your system/drives. Older utilities with newer systems can be disastrous.

partypanter · 08-12-2004, 11:51 AM

does anyone have a list for a problem at bootup?

hayne · 08-12-2004, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partypanter


	does anyone have a list for a problem at bootup?

The suggestions in this thread are things you should try for any problem, including startup problems. See also the article on the main macosxhints site that summarizes this thread:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...04011205473937

And see this Apple document on steps for specific startup problems:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106464

junkypaperclip · 12-28-2004, 10:30 PM

This one is a doozy and I'm sure that I'm placing my question in the wrong place but I'm going to toss this thing out the window so . . .

I have a mac powerbook G3 and I would like to burn a CD or two, wouldn't you? Well this thing has no built in burner so I go out and buy one, right? Well this burner is a "Iomega CD-RW" USB. Sounds good right? That's what I thought. Well, turns out that my laptop has no USB port but it does have something called a "PCMCIA" port. Sounds silly right? That's what I thought well I run out and grab myself a "Belkin" PCMCIA to highspeed 2.0 USB port thing. I installed the software that comes with the Iomega called "describe" which didn't work because it kept saying that the burner was a "liteon blah blah balh" which it isn't so the burner would just run and run and run burning nothing. I was forced to quit out but when I opened up Describe again it said "no burner found" Crazy! So I tried Itunes, same thing. Then Toast Titanium 6, same thing. So I looked on this here forum and there were all kinds of posts regarding changing the plugin thingy and using something called a "hexedit" and changing numbers and disabling the root user. I tried all that but this computer hates me, actually hates me so whatever I tried didn't work. All kinds of drivers were installed, tricks were tried, swears were uttered, girlfriends were ignored and cats not fed in order to get this thing to burn but with no success.

I will be your best friend if you can help me.

I am running os 10.2.8 ( no classic volumes )
Powerbook G3
Belkin PCMCIA USB card
Iomega CD-RW USB
Itunes 4.7
Toast Titanium 6
Describe 5.0.55

anthlover · 12-29-2004, 07:40 AM

You should give us a little more info on which G3 Powerbook, which model/year annd the rest of its configuration/ram etc.

***And yes you should put this question in a differerent thread, so that it gets proper attention.

Hardware and Perpipherals is probably your best bet, I would re-post it there and delete the original entry.

yellow · 12-29-2004, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkypaperclip


	This one is a doozy and I'm sure that I'm placing my question in the wrong place but I'm going to toss this thing out the window so . . .

If you haven't already, please start a new thread with this problem. Thanks!

tlarkin · 09-09-2005, 03:30 PM

A few things to consider when troubleshooting with tiger and newer mac hardware:

NEW HSP SOFTWARE MODEMS IN MACS

1) These modems will always fail the apple hardware test. This is normal because they are software based modems. If it fails the hardware test, its not neccessarily a bad modem.

2) Since its software based, it can take up some cpu cycles. So if you have resource issues while online, disconnect and try again.

3) Use activity monitor to see if its the modem that is hogging up all the resoruces.

[NOTE] - You can also use the command top -o cpu in the terminal.

A FEW OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER...

Reset NVRAM / PRAM - Mac OS X stores only six things in PRAM: Display and video settings such as refresh rate, screen resolution, and number of colors; Time Zone; Startup Disk; Speaker Volume; DVD Region Setting; and Kernel Panic information (only on first reboot after a panic). If you're resetting PRAM in an attempt to resolve other issues in Mac OS X, you're using the wrong technique. For more information see Knowledge Base article 86194,

Reset PMU or SMU - A computer's PMU (Power Management Unit) or SMU (System Management Unit) is relevant to sleep/wake issues, battery issues (such as not charging at all), power-on issues, power issues with a built-in display (no video at all), or port issues (USB/FireWire ports appear dead).

Learn to use the activity monitor is your friend. Its similiar to task manager in windows. You can view and kill any process hogging up resources or that is locked up through an easy to use gui.

The PoE airport extreme base stations DO NOT have modems in them. Just FYI right there.

If you experience a coolant leak in the new G5s immediately take it in for service. Do not power it on, do not touch or make contact with the coolant, and get it to a service center ASAP.

If anyone else wants to add to this please do.

Norm Nager · 09-09-2005, 04:31 PM

Tiger Updates--more

Download and install Combo Updater for new installations--When installing Tiger from the DVD/CD, download from Apple.com the latest Combo updater rather than attempt to run Software Update for each new version and security update since the version of 10.4.x on the DVD/CD.

If problem after using Software Update for a Security Update or new version--Download the updater from Apple.com

Use Safe Mode Boot if problems in installing--Do a shift key-down startup for a Safe Mode Boot and then do the installation.

NovaScotian · 09-09-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm Nager


	Tiger Updates--more Download and install Combo Updater for new installations--When installing Tiger from the DVD/CD, download from Apple.com the latest Combo updater rather than attempt to run Software Update for each new version and security update since the version of 10.4.x on the DVD/CD.

As of September 8th, Software Update does the whole update to 10.4.2 in one step.

Raven · 03-09-2006, 01:27 PM

There is a nice article that was posted on MacFixIt today and I think its good idea to include it here:
MacFixIt - An introduction to reading Mac OS X crash reports
A pretty nice thing for people who are new to troubleshooting OSX.

hayne · 03-09-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven


	There is a nice article that was posted on MacFixIt today and I think its good idea to include it here: MacFixIt - An introduction to reading Mac OS X crash reports

Unfortunately, the MacFixit articles usually (always ?) are available only for a short time before they are available only for paying subscribers.

Raven · 03-09-2006, 01:48 PM

I wanted to post it for every one and didn't remember this... I always save the very neat and intearesing ones to text files anyways so at least I have a backup of it. Thanks for the info hayne ! (see I'm finally writing your nick properly the first time

)

yellow · 12-29-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcjv


	This my first time here so i hope I'm doing it right!!

kcjv, this problem should be started in a thread of it's own in the appropriate subforum, no attached to this particular thread.
IMO, you should put it in the Applications forum.

kcjv · 12-29-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow


	kcjv, this problem should be started in a thread of it's own in the appropriate subforum, no attached to this particular thread. IMO, you should put it in the Applications forum.

How do I do that?? I can't find anything that says start new thread on this site!!!

NovaScotian · 12-29-2006, 11:26 PM

At the very bottom of this page there is a "Forum Jump" menu. Select "Applications". Near the top of that page you'll see a button on the left: "New Thread". Click it, and away you go.

05-17-2004, 04:54 PM	#143
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	It definitely matters. Just typing fsck leaves you open to run anything that is called fsck in any directory in your path. Specifying the fsck in /sbin/ narrows that potential security hole dramatically. Using the full path for powerful apps like fsck is good *NIX admin practice.

06-10-2004, 03:34 PM	#146
imageworx Prospect Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 22	add this? - run sbin/fsck -yf (forces fix in journaled; works in non-journaled) - Open Firmware boot (Cmd-Opt-O-F on boot): type these reset-nvram set-defaults reset-all That Open Firmware instruction clears out NVRAM which tends to fix some issues with hardware (firewire, networking..) after OS install or hardware install. Whenever using a 3rd party disk or OS utility (DiskWarrior, Disk Doctor, Cocktail, Panther Cache Cleaner,...) "always" check to be sure you are using latest version for your system/drives. Older utilities with newer systems can be disastrous.

12-28-2004, 10:30 PM	#149
junkypaperclip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1	I have no idea what I'm doing This one is a doozy and I'm sure that I'm placing my question in the wrong place but I'm going to toss this thing out the window so . . . I have a mac powerbook G3 and I would like to burn a CD or two, wouldn't you? Well this thing has no built in burner so I go out and buy one, right? Well this burner is a "Iomega CD-RW" USB. Sounds good right? That's what I thought. Well, turns out that my laptop has no USB port but it does have something called a "PCMCIA" port. Sounds silly right? That's what I thought well I run out and grab myself a "Belkin" PCMCIA to highspeed 2.0 USB port thing. I installed the software that comes with the Iomega called "describe" which didn't work because it kept saying that the burner was a "liteon blah blah balh" which it isn't so the burner would just run and run and run burning nothing. I was forced to quit out but when I opened up Describe again it said "no burner found" Crazy! So I tried Itunes, same thing. Then Toast Titanium 6, same thing. So I looked on this here forum and there were all kinds of posts regarding changing the plugin thingy and using something called a "hexedit" and changing numbers and disabling the root user. I tried all that but this computer hates me, actually hates me so whatever I tried didn't work. All kinds of drivers were installed, tricks were tried, swears were uttered, girlfriends were ignored and cats not fed in order to get this thing to burn but with no success. I will be your best friend if you can help me. I am running os 10.2.8 ( no classic volumes ) Powerbook G3 Belkin PCMCIA USB card Iomega CD-RW USB Itunes 4.7 Toast Titanium 6 Describe 5.0.55

12-29-2004, 07:40 AM	#150
anthlover Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,620	You should give us a little more info on which G3 Powerbook You should give us a little more info on which G3 Powerbook, which model/year annd the rest of its configuration/ram etc. ***And yes you should put this question in a differerent thread, so that it gets proper attention. Hardware and Perpipherals is probably your best bet, I would re-post it there and delete the original entry.

09-09-2005, 03:30 PM	#152
tlarkin League Commissioner Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 11,352	Tiger Updates!!!! A few things to consider when troubleshooting with tiger and newer mac hardware: NEW HSP SOFTWARE MODEMS IN MACS 1) These modems will always fail the apple hardware test. This is normal because they are software based modems. If it fails the hardware test, its not neccessarily a bad modem. 2) Since its software based, it can take up some cpu cycles. So if you have resource issues while online, disconnect and try again. 3) Use activity monitor to see if its the modem that is hogging up all the resoruces. [NOTE] - You can also use the command top -o cpu in the terminal. A FEW OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER... Reset NVRAM / PRAM - Mac OS X stores only six things in PRAM: Display and video settings such as refresh rate, screen resolution, and number of colors; Time Zone; Startup Disk; Speaker Volume; DVD Region Setting; and Kernel Panic information (only on first reboot after a panic). If you're resetting PRAM in an attempt to resolve other issues in Mac OS X, you're using the wrong technique. For more information see Knowledge Base article 86194, Reset PMU or SMU - A computer's PMU (Power Management Unit) or SMU (System Management Unit) is relevant to sleep/wake issues, battery issues (such as not charging at all), power-on issues, power issues with a built-in display (no video at all), or port issues (USB/FireWire ports appear dead). Learn to use the activity monitor is your friend. Its similiar to task manager in windows. You can view and kill any process hogging up resources or that is locked up through an easy to use gui. The PoE airport extreme base stations DO NOT have modems in them. Just FYI right there. If you experience a coolant leak in the new G5s immediately take it in for service. Do not power it on, do not touch or make contact with the coolant, and get it to a service center ASAP. If anyone else wants to add to this please do. __________________ sudo make me a sammich

02-20-2004, 12:40 AM	#141
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	1) Please do not post the same message twice in different threads. 2) Do not add an unrelated message onto the end of a thread. This thread is not about solving your specific problem, it's not even about solving any particular specific problem - it's about a set of steps for general use in troubleshooting. 3) It would be a good idea for you to delete your post to this thread (Press Edit, then click the checkbox, then Delete.)

05-17-2004, 04:47 PM	#142
cookieme Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 100	Does it matter if you type fsck -f or /sbin/fsck -f in single user mode? What's the difference? I have only run it as fsck -f!

05-17-2004, 07:00 PM	#144
cookieme Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 100	Thanks yellow! Didn't know that! How about other UNIX commands like update_prebinding? Just like that should I specify the path to the command?

05-17-2004, 10:01 PM	#145
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	It certainly cannot hurt, but when you do that you're not root (which is what you are in Single User mode), so what it can do should be limited, provided you aren't using sudo. update_prebinding is a bit of a red herring, IMO. When you run an app the first time it prebinds if it's not been prebindound already. All prebinding does is make the app open faster upon subsequent openings. And these are lost when you reboot.

08-12-2004, 11:51 AM	#147
partypanter Prospect Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Portland Or Posts: 16	does anyone have a list for a problem at bootup?

09-09-2005, 04:31 PM	#153
Norm Nager All Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 962	Tiger Updates--more Download and install Combo Updater for new installations--When installing Tiger from the DVD/CD, download from Apple.com the latest Combo updater rather than attempt to run Software Update for each new version and security update since the version of 10.4.x on the DVD/CD. If problem after using Software Update for a Security Update or new version--Download the updater from Apple.com Use Safe Mode Boot if problems in installing--Do a shift key-down startup for a Safe Mode Boot and then do the installation.

03-09-2006, 01:27 PM	#155
Raven Hall of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,782	There is a nice article that was posted on MacFixIt today and I think its good idea to include it here: MacFixIt - An introduction to reading Mac OS X crash reports A pretty nice thing for people who are new to troubleshooting OSX. __________________ Waffled foreheads are a symptom of broken keyboards and inexperienced users

03-09-2006, 01:48 PM	#157
Raven Hall of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 4,782	I wanted to post it for every one and didn't remember this... I always save the very neat and intearesing ones to text files anyways so at least I have a backup of it. Thanks for the info hayne ! (see I'm finally writing your nick properly the first time ) __________________ Waffled foreheads are a symptom of broken keyboards and inexperienced users

12-29-2006, 11:26 PM	#160
NovaScotian League Commissioner Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 5,155	At the very bottom of this page there is a "Forum Jump" menu. Select "Applications". Near the top of that page you'll see a button on the left: "New Thread". Click it, and away you go. __________________ 17" MBP, OS X; 27" iMac, both OS X 10.10.x (latest)