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Monthly Maintenance Procedures

Rebuild Your Desktop Database

The desktop database consists of two invisible files that remember everything stored on your hard drive, and how the Finder should display them. This is no easy job, especially when you have thousands of files. Sometimes (especially after forced restarts or system crashes) the desktop database gets corrupted (confused). The most obvious signs of corruption are file icons that don't look right, "missing" files, aliases that can't find their originals, or data files that can't find the original application which created them

To rebuild your desktop, restart your computer. Then, as soon as you hear the startup chime, hold down both the OPTION and COMMAND (Apple) keys on your keyboard. Eventually you will see a message asking if you're sure you want to rebuild the desktop. Say YES. The computer will then do its best to rebuild the desktop database for every mounted disk. (Each disk and drive contains its own database.)

By the way, there is one possible snag. Apple's built-in desktop rebuild command attempts to rebuild the database using the existing database information. If portions of the database are severely corrupted, the "bad" parts can still be present in your new database. To prevent this, and make rebuilding much easier, you can use a software utility called TechTool (version 1.1.7+). This free utility from MicroMat completely erases the desktop database and rebuilds it from scratch, eliminating the possibility of including corruptions in your new database.

Clean Your Computer and Peripherals

Because it produces static electricity, your computer is a magnet for airborne dust, smoke and other gunk. It can build up on your monitor screen, stick to the casing, or be sucked inside the computer by the fan. In addition, the natural oils and perspiration on your hands can mix with all that gunk and get stuck inside your mouse or on your keyboard keys. So, once a month you should take a few minutes to clean things up.

CLEAN YOUR MONITOR SCREEN: Turn the computer and monitor off. Use diluted glass cleaner (dilute 1:1 with water). Spray it on a clean, lint-free cloth and wipe away the crud. Never spray liquid cleaner directly on the screen (it can get inside the case), and never use full-strength cleaner (it might remove the monitor screen's antiglare coating).

HELPFUL HINT: Tired of cleaning smudges off your screen? Learn to point with your fingernails! Touching the screen with your fingernails won't leave ugly and distracting fingerprints.

CLEAN YOUR COMPUTER CASINGS: Use a grease-cutting spray cleaner (Formula 409) or rubbing alcohol to dampen a clean cloth and wipe the plastic casings gently. Never spray or pour a cleaner directly on the casing. It can get inside through the vents and cause problems! If needed, an old toothbrush dampened with cleaner can loosen dirt that is stuck down in the casing's textured surface, so you can wipe it away.

CLEAN YOUR MOUSE: Wipe the outside like any other computer casing. Then, turn the mouse over and remove the bottom plate. (Twist to unlock.) Wipe the ball clean using a lint free cloth. Remove any gunk on the rollers by gently scrubbing them using a cotton swap moistened with alcohol. Never use a sharp object to scrape the rollers. It can scratch them permanently! Leave the mouse "open" for a few minutes to dry completely, then reassemble. (WARNING: Never disconnect the mouse or keyboard while the computer is running. This can damage the motherboard!)

CLEAN YOUR KEYBOARD: Turn your keyboard upside down and shake it vigorously to dislodge all the grit, paper clips, staples and cookie crumbs that have accumulated inside. Wipe the outside like any other computer casing. The keys can be cleaned using a cotton swab saturated with alcohol or spray cleaner. Never spray or pour anything directly on the keyboard. Use gentle pressure when cleaning the keys to avoid damaging the individual key springs. Let the keyboard dry completely before using. (WARNING: Never disconnect the mouse or keyboard while the computer is running. This can damage the motherboard!)

GET RID OF THE DUST: Any visible dust that has accumulated behind or under the computer, or in the vent holes and other openings in the casing (disk drive slot, etc.) should be wiped away using a clean cloth or cotton swap moistened with alcohol. NEVER stick a cotton swab deep inside the diskette drive or CD-ROM drive slot. This can misalign the read/write heads! Instead, use a small electronics vacuum to remove dust from the casing openings, drive slots and keyboard. (WARNING: Be careful using vacuum cleaners. Some create static electricity which can permanently damage your computer.)

USE COMPRESSED AIR WITH CAUTION: Many computer and electronics stores sell small cans of compressed air to help "clean" your computer. Please remember that cleaning requires you to REMOVE dust and dirt, not just blow it around. Further, don't ever use compressed air near the CD-ROM or diskette drive openings. Dust forced inside can damage the drive mechanisms and read/write heads!

DON'T EVER OIL OR LUBRICATE ANYTHING: There is no part of a computer that you should oil or lubricate - ever! Grease, oil, WD-40 and other lubricants WILL cause permanent damage to the electronic components and mechanical devices inside your computer!

BE WARY OF DISKETTE AND CD DRIVE CLEANERS: We don't mind CD-ROM disk cleaners, but most drive cleaning kits SCRAPE dust and dirt off the drive's read/write heads. Use it enough times and you will cause permanent damage to the heads!

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Copyright 1998, 5-Minute Mac Consulting, Wampum, Pennsylvania, USA

Help: Mac Mechanic: 3 of 5
Monthly Maintenance Procedures Rebuild Your Desktop Database The desktop database consists of two invisible files that remember everything stored on your hard drive, and how the Finder should display them. This is no easy job, especially when you have thousands of files. Sometimes (especially after forced restarts or system crashes) the desktop database gets corrupted (confused). The most obvious signs of corruption are file icons that don't look right, "missing" files, aliases that can't find their originals, or data files that can't find the original application which created them To rebuild your desktop, restart your computer. Then, as soon as you hear the startup chime, hold down both the OPTION and COMMAND (Apple) keys on your keyboard. Eventually you will see a message asking if you're sure you want to rebuild the desktop. Say YES. The computer will then do its best to rebuild the desktop database for every mounted disk. (Each disk and drive contains its own database.) By the way, there is one possible snag. Apple's built-in desktop rebuild command attempts to rebuild the database using the existing database information. If portions of the database are severely corrupted, the "bad" parts can still be present in your new database. To prevent this, and make rebuilding much easier, you can use a software utility called TechTool (version 1.1.7+). This free utility from MicroMat completely erases the desktop database and rebuilds it from scratch, eliminating the possibility of including corruptions in your new database. Clean Your Computer and Peripherals Because it produces static electricity, your computer is a magnet for airborne dust, smoke and other gunk. It can build up on your monitor screen, stick to the casing, or be sucked inside the computer by the fan. In addition, the natural oils and perspiration on your hands can mix with all that gunk and get stuck inside your mouse or on your keyboard keys. So, once a month you should take a few minutes to clean things up. CLEAN YOUR MONITOR SCREEN: Turn the computer and monitor off. Use diluted glass cleaner (dilute 1:1 with water). Spray it on a clean, lint-free cloth and wipe away the crud. Never spray liquid cleaner directly on the screen (it can get inside the case), and never use full-strength cleaner (it might remove the monitor screen's antiglare coating). HELPFUL HINT: Tired of cleaning smudges off your screen? Learn to point with your fingernails! Touching the screen with your fingernails won't leave ugly and distracting fingerprints. CLEAN YOUR COMPUTER CASINGS: Use a grease-cutting spray cleaner (Formula 409) or rubbing alcohol to dampen a clean cloth and wipe the plastic casings gently. Never spray or pour a cleaner directly on the casing. It can get inside through the vents and cause problems! If needed, an old toothbrush dampened with cleaner can loosen dirt that is stuck down in the casing's textured surface, so you can wipe it away. CLEAN YOUR MOUSE: Wipe the outside like any other computer casing. Then, turn the mouse over and remove the bottom plate. (Twist to unlock.) Wipe the ball clean using a lint free cloth. Remove any gunk on the rollers by gently scrubbing them using a cotton swap moistened with alcohol. Never use a sharp object to scrape the rollers. It can scratch them permanently! Leave the mouse "open" for a few minutes to dry completely, then reassemble. (WARNING: Never disconnect the mouse or keyboard while the computer is running. This can damage the motherboard!) CLEAN YOUR KEYBOARD: Turn your keyboard upside down and shake it vigorously to dislodge all the grit, paper clips, staples and cookie crumbs that have accumulated inside. Wipe the outside like any other computer casing. The keys can be cleaned using a cotton swab saturated with alcohol or spray cleaner. Never spray or pour anything directly on the keyboard. Use gentle pressure when cleaning the keys to avoid damaging the individual key springs. Let the keyboard dry completely before using. (WARNING: Never disconnect the mouse or keyboard while the computer is running. This can damage the motherboard!) GET RID OF THE DUST: Any visible dust that has accumulated behind or under the computer, or in the vent holes and other openings in the casing (disk drive slot, etc.) should be wiped away using a clean cloth or cotton swap moistened with alcohol. NEVER stick a cotton swab deep inside the diskette drive or CD-ROM drive slot. This can misalign the read/write heads! Instead, use a small electronics vacuum to remove dust from the casing openings, drive slots and keyboard. (WARNING: Be careful using vacuum cleaners. Some create static electricity which can permanently damage your computer.) USE COMPRESSED AIR WITH CAUTION: Many computer and electronics stores sell small cans of compressed air to help "clean" your computer. Please remember that cleaning requires you to REMOVE dust and dirt, not just blow it around. Further, don't ever use compressed air near the CD-ROM or diskette drive openings. Dust forced inside can damage the drive mechanisms and read/write heads! DON'T EVER OIL OR LUBRICATE ANYTHING: There is no part of a computer that you should oil or lubricate - ever! Grease, oil, WD-40 and other lubricants WILL cause permanent damage to the electronic components and mechanical devices inside your computer! BE WARY OF DISKETTE AND CD DRIVE CLEANERS: We don't mind CD-ROM disk cleaners, but most drive cleaning kits SCRAPE dust and dirt off the drive's read/write heads. Use it enough times and you will cause permanent damage to the heads!
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HOME . SERVICES . HELP DESK . RESOURCES . WHY MAC . CREDENTIALS
Copyright 1998, 5-Minute Mac Consulting, Wampum, Pennsylvania, USA