Work in progress …stay tuned.
Last Update: 06/08/2008
- RAM Disk
- Private Folder
Password Authentication
iTool requires your administrator password to access the maintenance commands. The given password will remain active throughout the iTool session. The password will be unloaded once iTool is closed. It can be unloaded too via the iTool menu bar: iTool/Unload Password.
General Information
iTool is based on standard UNIX command that are launched via Terminal. It lets you to use all the power of these commands without writing a line of code.
On every given command, you will be asked if you desire to continue, iTool will inform you of any possible automatic reboot of the system. Before using iTool, save and you close all the open applications.
It’s always advisable to perform a backup of your computer. Remember, you have available Time Machine!
WARNING
Do not use the computer while it’s performing a task. The computer can only be used while re-indexing Spotlight, during which it will not be available.
Never try to force iTool to quit while it’s performing a task; this type of exit could cause unknown effects on your system.
iTool will alway inform you on it’s progression with a text output and a moving progress bar on the bottom of the interface.
Save and close all your open applications before performing a maintenance task, in case you don’t close them, iTool will close the open applications for you in case the selected task requires it.
******
Repair Permissions
It’s a good step after installing third-party software that employs its own installer or after an Apple’s software update to run this task. It also can be used to troubleshoot problems in your system.This task can take a while.
Mac OS X maintenance scripts
These maintenance scripts (daily, weekly and monthly) runs up a variety of cleaning tasks on system logs and temporary files. These scripts are launched by Mac OS X between 03:30 and 05:00 depending on the script. iTool lets you run these scripts manually.
Cache cleaning (system and user)
System and User cache cleaning are not part of regular maintenance but they can be used to troubleshoot problems in your system. The system cache will be rebuild on the next restart; your system will be slower during this process.
The user cache will be rebuild at the first launch of the application, as for the system cache, the user cache will slow down at the first launch of the application because of rebuilding the cache.
This command requires the system to reboot.
Delete the swap files
The swap is a portion of disk that applications used to extend the real memory on your system. It is also called, VM - virtual memory and it’s located in /private/var/vm. The swap files can grow using up to 512Mb of your disk.
WARNING!
The VM contains all the data of you open applications you are working on. Before running this task, save and close all your applications. Use it if you know what you are doing.
This command requires the system to reboot.
Update prebinding
This process let you speed up the launch of the applications. From Tiger, this process is done automatically by the installer, but it can be useful to force the Prebindings for troubleshooting purpose.
Resetting Launch Services
This process can be launched if you have:
- Wrong icons appear on the applications, files or folders
- The wrong applications launched when double clicking a file
- When you find in the “Open with menu” multiple names
This task requires the system reboot.
Rebuild Spotlight index
If you have problems finding documents, files, folders or applications with Spotlight, run this task. The re-index process can take a while, during which Spotlight will not be available.
Restore the Help Viewer.
This task will restore the help viewer preferences files and folder. Launch this task if you have problems with this viewer.
Restore the Finder and its Sidebar
This will restore the Finder and the Finder Sidebar preferences. It can be used as a troubleshooting step when you find problems with the Finder.
This task will delete all the personalization’s done.
Rebuild Mails Envelope index
This task will rebuild Mail’s index deleting the spaces left between the data left by a deleting command. It will compact the index reducing the used space, speeding up the application.
Force Empty Trash
This task will force delete all the objects in the Trash. The option selection “Secure” will run thru a triple pass over the deleted data for more secure data removal.
Delete .DS_Store files
The .DS_Store files contains the values of the position of icons, of folders the choice of a background image an so on … If you have strange actions with folders or icons, deleting it’s .DS_Store file can resolve the problem. It’s also possible to delete all the .DS_Store files of you system, restoring all the folders like it is a first OS installation.
RAM Disk
A RAM Disk or RAM Volume is a fast access storage that uses part of your system RAM. The data stored on the volume will be deleted as soon as the computer will shutdown or the volume unmounted (ejected). It’s much faster than a standard hard drive and it consumes less power.
Private Folder
This command lets you hide any folder on your hard drive (not the system folders that name starts with a dot). An easy way to keep eyes away from your personal files. There is no limit of size.
Commenti Recenti