Onyx - Everything about use and abuse

[Luvntravln]

Since Onyx is constantly recommended as the Gold Standard for Mac maintenance, is there an Onyx thread running about how to use and not abuse Onyx? A variety of searches failed to reveal such a thread.

I have Onyx; I am almost afraid to use it as I don't want to mess up a great running machine.

 

[pigoo3]

I always recommend NOT changing any of the default settings…and just clicking on the "Automation" button.

As far as threads. I don't recall anything beyond what I stated above.

Onyx is a pretty powerful app. And if someone "strayed" into other features without knowing what they're doing…things could get pretty messed up.

- Nick

 

[Luvntravln]

Thanks Nick; how often? Cheers,

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks Nick; how often? Cheers,

I'm assuming you're asking "how often" to run Onyx. I don't know if there's a set time frame. It kind of depends on what someone does on their computer (computing tasks)…and how many hours they put on their computer.

Someone who only puts 1 hour/day on their computer probably needs to run Onyx less than someone who puts 10-12 hours/day on their computer. I use my computers quite a bit each day (8-12 hours)…and I would say I run Onyx once every 3-4 weeks. I usually run Onyx when things seem to be "acting funny" (slowness, lagging, not as snappy as usual).

HTH,

- Nick

 

[MacInWin]

I'm on my MBP 4-5 hours each day, run Onyx about every 6 months unless I see something "curious" going on. Frankly, OS X "just works" as the ad said.

 

[Luvntravln]

Thanks! I am on the computer 5-6 hours a day; I will run it on automatic once a month.

 

[pigoo3]

Sounds like a plan.

- Nick

 

[IWT]

I have Onyx; I am almost afraid to use it as I don't want to mess up a great running machine.

You've kind of answered your own question. Absolutely no need to run OnyX if your machine "is running great".

I don't think your usage is that high and using OnyX once a month, as a routine, seems excessive. Why not wait till there's a drop in performance. I'm happy to be corrected, but I see OnyX not as a "preventative' application that needs running on a routine basis, but as a truly great app when performance starts to slip.

Of course, one may use it for a very specific and limited problem without going the whole hog. For instance, I need to Rebuild Launch Services, (a single function) fairly regularly, but leave the heavy duty stuff till needed.

Ian

 

[Luvntravln]

I have never seen any computer I have owned have performance problems. In the Windows days I would defrag weekly etc.

Would there be any harm if you ran Onyx 1x/mo on automatic?

 

[chas_m]

There's no harm in running OnyX every day if that's what you want; it's just an enormous waste of time and resources.

I'm on my computer as close to 24 hours a day as is doable, not always by choice. I run a wide variety of tasks ranging from so light an intelligent flashlight could probably manage it (simple writing) to pro-level graphic design and a lot of things in-between.

I probably run it three to four times a year.

 

[Luvntravln]

Chas, I knew I would here from you; you were a tremendous help when I bit the Apple a couple of years ago

OK; every three months!

Time I have; what enormous resources are wasted when Onyx is run?

Cheers,