1) Cleaning up files on the desktop, downloads folder, and browsing history can help speed up a Mac that has become slow from constant use over time. 2) Closing running programs fully by quitting from the dock or using keyboard shortcuts like Command + Option + Escape helps free up processing power. 3) Restarting a Mac or letting it rest over weekends can help if it has become bogged down from having many programs open continuously. Formatting and reloading the hard drive should only be done as a last resort.

1. Getting your Mac back
dr-apple.tk

2. Macs are very resilient and long
lived machines; but after months of
constant use and abuse, they become
less and less reliable. What was once
nimble and effective is now chugging
along. Marshall IT
is sharing some
tips to get your
MacBook firing on
all cylinders again.
Contact IT for
assistance with any
of these concepts.

3. Preventive maintenance:
Clean your desktop!
Did you know that all the programs
and files that you save on your
desktop leach away processing power?
Folder your
documents and
move them, or
delete them to
get your ooomph
back!

4. Preventive maintenance:
Empty the Downloads Folder
Every-time you get a
file, a picture, or
program off line it saves
to your downloads folder!
For most people, we use
files once - open your
Downloads folder and get
clean!
Select items with your
mouse and use Option +
Delete to quickly cut it
down to size!

5. Preventive Maintenance:
Clean up your internets, pt 1.
Don't install internet browser toolbars! They
don't provide a useful service, just bloat and
advertising software. All modern browsers
allow you to search in the address bar and
create bookmarks! Uninstall and get your
speed back.

6. Preventive Maintenance:
Clean up your internets, pt. 2!
Did you know that every visit to a website
generates a tiny bit of data that is saved on
your hard drive? Or that images are saved for
later use and recall?
Or that you can accumulate cookies,
packets and marginalia from each
place you visit? This gums
up the works and leads
to slow down, but
you can clean this
up by clearing
browsing history.

7. Preventive Maintenance:
Close Programs, pt. 1
Take a look at your Dock - notice the white dots
underneath icons?
That little light means your program is still
running, even if you hit the Red dot to close the
Window. To shut down your Mac's programs,
you can Click and
hold on the Icon on
the dock > Wait for
the gray menu to open,
then click QUIT. Or try
the shortcut
Command + Shift + Q.

8. Preventive Maintenance:
Close Programs, pt. 2
Clicking and holding not fast enough for you?
Try hit Command + Option + ESC.
Here you can see a list of all programs that are
open, and therefore Force them to close.

9. Preventive Maintenance:
Give it a rest
Everyone deserves a break, even your MacBook.
Shut it completely off over the weekend or
evening. This closes all the programs and
stops you from opening program after program
after program after program which will bog
down the system and reduce performance.
This applies to the MacBook Carts as well! Let
them take a break and not run.

10. When all else fails:
Patience...
Don't panic if this
spinning globe of
angst appears on
your screen.
Sometimes it simply
means that your
program is gathering
resources or thinking things
through. Give it 20 seconds and see
if it resolves itself.

11. When all else fails...
Locked Up?
Hold down
ESC + COMMAND
+ OPTION to bring
up the Force
Quit menu
Holding down
ESC + COMMAND + OPTION + Shift
for 3 secs will auto close

12. When all else fails...
Still Locked Up
Sometimes you will experience a
complete lock up of the System.
If this happens,
hold down the power
button for 10 seconds.
This will cut power
to the computer.
Restart from scratch.

13. When all else fails...
Don't be afraid to restart
IT's favorite troubleshooting step
= Turning it off and on again.
Don't be afraid to try this step
before; a majority of the time this
fixes the issue.
3.bp.blogspot.com

14. Last Resort: Format + Reload
If all else fails and problems
continue Marshall IT will format
the hard-drive and reload programs.
● We work with faculty to
back up presentations,
files, assignments and
materials.
● We cannot back up
personal files such as
music and movies.
● Reloading takes about 4
hours.