n a s h v i l l e m a c u s e r s | ||||||
We Mac users have inadvertently been
corrupting our Systems
and Exensions.
HOW...?
By rebuilding our desktops.
As most of you seasoned users know, rebuilding your desktop is important. Your desktop file is akin to your address book in that it keeps a record of all files that sat on it-even trashed ones. It's as though you had an address book with hundreds of names in it, but never erased any.
For your desktop file, that means that it will keep a roster of all files that inhabited it until you rebuild it. Trashed files are still listed, although the System knows that they are trashed. Just as you need to use the ol' eraser to scotch out Aunt Hilda's name after her death (or your ex's name after your divorce), so must you rebuild your desktop to get a clean listing of only all files that are currently on your hard disk (minus the old, trashed ones).
To do that, we users have usually pressed Command-Option whilst rebooting. Or, some use TechTools, a freebie version of which has neatly done the trick for years.
Or so we always thought.
Finally, at long last, an Atlanta-based Mac consulting firm has prodded Apple into admitting that these forms of desktop rebuilding will after time, lead to extension corruption.
Yes. . . , corruption!
The hard truth: It is unwise to rebuild your desktop while extensions are running. Doing so will corrupt your extensions.
However, there is a means to rebuild your desktop's directory - safely
1) Disable your extensions. Restart with the Shift Key DOWN. At the same time, press Command-Option to rebuild.
2) Now reboot with an Extensions set with ONLY Extensions Manager and Mac Easy Open Active. Do Not let any other Extension/Control Panel be active-just Mac Easy Open. Why?
Because Mac Easy Open itself forces a desktop rebuild and you must cooperate - let Mac Easy Open do its thing.
But you MUST MAKE SURE no other extension is on (other than Extensions Manager, which you can't really avoid), otherwise you'll corrupt those extensions, too.
3) Now restart with your normal extensions active.
A pain, right?
Use TechTools instead?
Well-you can, it will cause a full rebuild [which is better], but you must STILL RESTART WITH ALL EXTENSIONS OFF, run TechTools, and then reboot with Mac Easy Open active, and then (finally, gasp, gag) restart with your normal working set
If this sounds like a bother, remember how much trouble (agony/misery/suicidal actions) are caused by System problems.
(JMM, MMN)
[ed's note: I'm new to the part about using Easy Open, and will look into it more myself, but we've preached about the 'extensions off' part for awhile now - this only confirms it. -C.]
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