Booting from a floppy disk[
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For installations from floppies or downloaded installers, simply restart your machine and hold the Shift key down until you see the screen display "Welcome to Macintosh Extensions Off." You can then release the Shift key and perform your installations.
Booting from a CD[
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For a CD install, open the Extensions Manager in your Control Panels (Apple Menu). You need to turn off all the extensions EXCEPT the Apple CD-ROM extension. Simple click the box to the right of each item until there is no mark in the box. Restart the computer and be sure to turn the extensions back on afterward.
Rebuilding the desktop[
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Restart your machine; hold down the Command and Option keys. Continue to hold these keys down as the machine boots. When you see on your screen, "Do you really want to Rebuild the Desktop?" release the Command and Option keys, click the YES button, and let it run. Any time your machine freezes or crashes, rebuild the desktop.
Determining network connections[
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First, go to your AppleTalk Control Panel. Using the "Connect Via:" drop down menu, verify that you are using the proper connection method. If you are unsure what the connection method is, consult your network administrator. Most newer Macintosh models use Ethernet.
Next, go to your TCP-IP Control Panel. Again you will see "Connect Via:" and a drop down menu. Make sure your selection matches the selection in your AppleTalk Control Panel. You must also fill in the appropriate information in the Setup section. You may need to contact your network administrator for the correct settings.
When you have correctly configured your settings, go to the Chooser under the Apple Menu and make sure you see AppleTalk zones in the lower left corner of the window. If you do, then you have access to the network. Open a web browser to make sure your TCP-IP connection is working. If not, and all the information is correct in your Control Panels, call 7-1800 and enter a Network Support Call.
Activating and using filesharing[
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File Sharing allows others to connect to your computer to send and receive files from other locations. It allows you to do the same with other computers, provided they have File Sharing turned on.
Open the File Sharing Control Panel. Beside Owner Name type your name, choose a password and enter the Computer Name. This name will be what others see when they connect to the network.
In the second section of the window, click the Start button to turn on File Sharing. If the button says Stop, you already have FileSharing turned on.
In the third section of the window, decide whether you want people who connect to your machine to be able to run applications from your hard drive. If you want to share only files, leave this space alone. Open the Users & Groups Control Panel. Select the Guest icon and click the Open button. There is a check box that when checked permits guests (people on the network) to connect to your machine. Close the Control Panel.
Create a new folder on your desktop and select it. Click on File in the Menu bar and go down to Get info/sharing. Click the box beside, "Share this item and its contents." Select the users you want to give rights to, and set the drive to "Read only," "Write only," or "Read and write."
PRAM and zapping[
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PRAM or Parameter RAM is a small bit of memory that stores numerous Control Panel settings. If your settings become corrupted you need to "zap" the PRAM. Zapping is done by restarting your Mac while simultaneously holding down the Command, Option, P, and R keys until the start-up chime sounds at least three times and then releasing those keys. This will return the machine to default settings.
Fixing date and time[
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Your Mac has a built-in battery that powers the PRAM, which in turn controls certain Control Panels, including your internal clock. These batteries have a normal life of about five to seven years. If you have an older Mac and have time/date problems the battery probably needs to be replaced. Battery problems can also effect Chooser operations.
Logging on to other Macs[
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Select the Chooser from the Apple Menu. Select a zone. Select the desired server and then click OK. A dialog box asking you to log in, either as a Guest or a Registered User will appear. Logging in as a Registered User will require a password. Click OK to bring up a dialog box. Choose which items to access. Click OK. Its icon will appear on your desktop. To disconnect drag the icon to the Trash.
Unfreezing your computer[
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Try to Force Quit. Hold down the Option, Command, and Escape keys on the keyboard. The computer will try to shut down the software that is currently stuck. Once the software is shut down, you can restart your machine and Rebuild the Desktop. If Force Quit will not free up the machine, hold down the Command and Control keys on the keyboard and then hit the Power button on the keyboard.
Adding items to the Apple Menu[
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Make an alias of the file. Move the alias into the System Folder and place it in the folder entitled Apple menu Items. The item will now show up under the Apple Menu. You might wish to group items into folders. When items are placed in separate folders in the Apple Menu Items folder, the Apple menu will show an expanding menu to the right which shows all the items in the folder.
Finding out system information[
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First, make sure you are in the Finder and at the desktop level of your system. Go to the Apple menu and select the first item in the list called About This Computer. The window that pops up should give you the version of the Operating System, how much total RAM you have, how much RAM your system is using, and how much RAM each software package that is running is using.
Finding additional help[
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If you are using OS 7.5 or later, then Apple has prepared an extensive on-line help system for you. To access this help, make sure you are at the desktop. One of the menu items at the top of the screen should be Help. Select the last Help option under the Help menu (this last option will have a command + ? quick key combination). From there, just read the instructions in the Help window that comes up.
