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7 ÒTo Do NowÓ Mac OSX Maintenance Summary
1. Auto updates: @
Go Apple, System Preferences, Software Update, and make sure both buttons are checked in the Update Software section. You should check for updates weekly.
2. Firewall: @
Make sure your Mac OS X firewall is running. In the latest Mac OS (version 10.5) you go System Preferences, Security, and choose the Firewall tab. Select ÒSet access for specific services and applicationsÓ. Then, whenever a site or application tries to access your computer, think about whether you trust it before clicking ÒAllowÓ on the message that comes up.
(In the Mac OS 10.4 and before, you go to Sharing, and the Firewall section. The only thing that should be allowed is Personal File Sharing.)
3. Check RAM Amount: @@
Check to see how much RAM your computer has. Go to the apple in the corner of the screen, and select ÒAbout this MacÓ. If you are running Mac OS version 10.6, you should consider upgrading to 2 or 4 GB if you presently have less (as of 2012). The safest way is to have a tech-savvy person install more RAM, though on many Macs, it can be quite easy – see your instruction manual, if you dare. One way to keep track of how much RAM is in use is to add the Activity Monitor to your start-up items, and then with it running, Ctrl-click on it in the dock and choose Dock Icon, and Show memory usage.
4. Check Hard Drive Free Space: @
Check the amount of free space you have on your hard drive. Depending on your Finder preferences, the total space, and free space might show right below the hard drive icon on your desktop. Otherwise, go Command (Open-Apple)-I with the hard drive selected. If you have more than 80% of the hard drive full, you need get more free space. One way is to delete, or move to DVD, big files, especially movies. The other alternative is to buy an external USB or Firewire (depending on the ports you have on your computer) hard drive. Download and use Grand Perspective to give you an idea of what's taking up lots of space in your hard drive and to perhaps delete some of the bigger, un-necessary files.
5. Permissions Check: @@
On a Mac you should check and repair the ÒpermissionsÓ regularly. Go to Applications, Utilities, and run ÒDisk UtilityÓ. Select your hard drive, and under the ÒFirst AidÓ tab, which should be selected, click the ÒRepair Disk PermissionsÓ button.
6. Anti-virus: @
You should have Anti-virus software installed, even though Macs are less prone to viruses than PCs. With anti-virus software, make sure it is scheduled to update the virus definitions frequently; at least once a day. And make sure that it is scheduled to regularly check your computer for viruses; once a month should be sufficient for a Mac.
If you don't have Anti-virus software, there are free alternatives, but IÕd suggest a proven one like Sophos, or McAfee, which can be downloaded from the Internet.
7. Directory Repair: @@
You should regularly check the directory (registry) of your Mac. There is not much to choose from that is free, and thereÕs only one for purchase IÕd recommend, but I do recommend it strongly: "Disk Warrior". You'll need to insert the CD and re-start the computer from the CD (hold down the alt key when starting up) in order to fully take advantage of it.