Macbook Pro help needed.

[ampomax]

Hi,
This is my first post here.

I still have a lot to learn, even tho I have had my Macbook about a year now.

Lately it has been locking up on me. Its happening more often. The only way I have found to temerarally fix it is to re-start.
Is there a "refresh" on a Mac? Or maintanence, I should be doing?

Thanks.

[RavingMac]

Hi,
This is my first post here.

I still have a lot to learn, even tho I have had my Macbook about a year now.

Lately it has been locking up on me. Its happening more often. The only way I have found to temerarally fix it is to re-start.
Is there a "refresh" on a Mac? Or maintanence, I should be doing?

Thanks.

First, assuming you have Internet access (assume so since you are posting here) Software Updater ought to routinely check for updates. If it isn't you can access it from the Apple menu.

Second, go to Application>Utilities and run Disk Utility. Select your Hard Drive and click on Repair Permissions.

Third, download Onyx and run it.

Fourth (and maybe first) check your dusk free space. You should have at least 15% free space for optimum performance.

EDIT: BTW welcome to the Forum

[ampomax]

Thanks Razormac,

Do I click on verify disc to check disk space?
Just finished running the repair. Hopfully it will run smoother now.
Also do I download onyx from the apple site?

[RavingMac]

Thanks Razormac,

Do I click on verify disc to check disk space?
Just finished running the repair. Hopfully it will run smoother now.
Also do I download onyx from the apple site?

Right click on your HD icon and select Get Info from the menu. It will tell you a lot, including your HD size and available space

Onyx
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11582/onyx

[ampomax]

OK, thanks again.

[ampomax]

OK,
still having problems even running onyx.
3rd time re-typing this because the screen keeps freezing.
Heres what happens, If I start or reply to a thread, hit reply, the screen just freezes. If I wait long enough, I get a Safari can't connect to server error.
If I go to any other site, it wont open.
If I re start, things will work again for a while.

[BrianLachoreVPI]

Did you move from Snow Leopard to Lion?

[ampomax]

Did you move from Snow Leopard to Lion?

Probably not.? Not sure what we're talking about here.

Since last post things have been working better, but still have to restart from time to time. Seems to act up more on certain sites for some reason.

[ampomax]

Any other Ideas as to whats causing this?

[chas_m]

It sounds like you have never, ever done any kind of maintenance or backup, so the first thing I'm going to suggest is that you develop a backup strategy. QUICKLY.

Time Machine is probably the easiest. Just plug an external drive into your machine and let TM take care of the backup.

If you feel you are clueless on how to do basic maintenance on your Mac, call up a local Apple Authorized dealer or Apple Store and tell them this. They can step you through the basics.

Until backups and a basic maintenance run using Disk Utility is done, it's going to be very hard to say from here whether you are having small issues due to lack of maintenance or if you're having larger issues like, for example, a failing hard drive.

[dtravis7]

Also what model Mac is this? What version of OSX is installed? You can find out the OS version by clicking the Apple in the top left of the screen and about this mac.

[ampomax]

Also what model Mac is this? What version of OSX is installed? You can find out the OS version by clicking the Apple in the top left of the screen and about this mac.

Its version 10.6.8

[ampomax]

It sounds like you have never, ever done any kind of maintenance or backup, so the first thing I'm going to suggest is that you develop a backup strategy. QUICKLY.

Time Machine is probably the easiest. Just plug an external drive into your machine and let TM take care of the backup.

If you feel you are clueless on how to do basic maintenance on your Mac, call up a local Apple Authorized dealer or Apple Store and tell them this. They can step you through the basics.

Until backups and a basic maintenance run using Disk Utility is done, it's going to be very hard to say from here whether you are having small issues due to lack of maintenance or if you're having larger issues like, for example, a failing hard drive.

I ran the disk utility, but haven't backed anything up yet.
Where is the best place to buy an external hard drive? Best buy or a computer store?

[chas_m]

I'm not sure there'd be any substantive difference in price. My first thought was Costco I suppose.

[ampomax]

I'm not sure there'd be any substantive difference in price. My first thought was Costco I suppose.

Chas,
A thought,
The only thing I would need to backup on this machine is photos.
What If I burn them to a disc, and reformat my hard drive.
I have used the disc utility a few times. There are areas where it says things dont match up. But the repair disc icon never lights up, or stays grey, whatever.

Mike