Until we have time to go through the entire Maintenane unit, here are ten or so things you should look at right at the beginning of the semester to make sure your Mac runs smoothy and as efficiently as it can.
Here is a link to a print-out to use for reference.
1. Permissions repaired
Spotlight Disk Utility, select your hard drive, and in the First Aid tab use Repair Disk Permissions once every few months, and don't interrupt it once it's started.
(You should Verify Disk also, and if you then need to Repair Disk, it is best to do so using the "Restore Disk", by starting up the computer, and holding the Command and R key - Backup important files before doing this; you could use Google Drive etc., or use TimeMachine.)
2. Time Machine
This is a really good idea to have. All you do is buy an external hard drive, plug it it, and go Ok when asked if you want this to be your Time Machine drive. Then, just make sure you plug it in once in a while to back up all your files.
3. Amount of RAM
Go Apple, About this Mac, and check out the amount of Memory you have. In 2010 2 GB would be best. You can bump up this amount by going back to where you bought your laptop, but it's a bit expensive.
(You could add the Activity Monitor to your start-up items, and Ctrl-click on it in the dock, to choose to keep track of how much memory is being taken up.)
4. Hard drive free space
Check how much hard drive space you have left by ctrl-clicking on the hard drive and Get Info. If you have less than 10% left, delete big files, or move them onto DVDs or an external hard drive.
(If you would like your hard drive to show on the desktop, in the Finder, Preferences.)
- Other than movies, a place to look for big files to trash is the Downloads folder.
5. Empty the trash
Don't forget to empty your trash when you are sure things there are no longer needed. Otherwise the deleting you did had no effect in freeing up hard drive space.
6. Updates of OS
Make sure you are automatically updating the operating system of your laptop. Go to System Preferences, Software Updates, And make sure both Check for updates, and Download important updates automatically are checked.
Updates of apps.
Update any applications that you think aren't working properly. Look for menu items that update
7. Restarting
It is important to restart (or shut down/restart) your computer at least once every couple of days.
Relaunching
And inbetween restarts, it's a good idea to re-launch applications; just File, Quit, and re-launch every once in a while.
8. Keeping cool
You've got to figure out a way to keep your laptop from getting too hot; things like a laptop holder/tray can be useful in this regard.
9. Don't use bitTorrenting services.
They leave a "back door" open to your computer for hackers.
10. Anti-virus
Macs don't often get viruses, but just to be safe, and especially if you use Limewire, make sure your anti-virus software is running and up-to-date. In ClamXav, go Preferences, Schedule, Update and check all days, and Save Schedule Settings, and Ok.
11. Firewall
Macs are very secure with regard to hacking, but you need to make sure your settings are tight. In System Preferences, go to Security, and the Firewall tab. Then select "Set access for specific services and applications". And then, as various sites try to access your computer, and you get a message saying so, allow access to trusted sites, and block those you are unsure about.