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jennifer from Nelson

Q: How can I clean up my Mac automatically?

How can I clean up my Mac automatically as opposed to trolling through the numerous duplicated files/albums/applications/photos

I know I have duplicate files and folders all over the place and some duplicate Applications. Photos are missing from iPhoto because I tried to tidy up. I get a thumbnail on the top run but blank when I click on it to open it. .Some Upgrades ie Google Earth don't get rid of old one when downloaded resultinfg in two GEarth App. Similarly with printer same make different model. I've got a photo album within the 'pictures'  which seems to be a duplication. I also have OX 9 Classic + Applications  My Mac is a mess bit like my mind! I don't want to use the free third party clean ups, although I keep getting pop ups from them (I've blocked pop-ups????)  When I log on a message tells me my computer clock is set for a date before March 2004. It asks me to go to system preferences to change it.

My computer clock is correct has never  been out of date or time!   Help.

eMac Power Mac6,4 PC G4 , Mac OS X (10.4.11), Had it a long time/good workhorse

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 7:31 PM

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Q: How can I clean up my Mac automatically?

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Apr 19, 2012 7:39 PM in response to jennifer from Nelson
    Level 10 (123,670 points)
    Apr 19, 2012 7:39 PM in response to jennifer from Nelson

    On the clock part, if it's set to automatically update from the Internet, & you have a dead/weak PRAM Battery, the Time will be wrong at startup, but likely corrected before you can check it.

     

    Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...

    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/ 

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Apr 20, 2012 12:36 PM in response to jennifer from Nelson
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Apr 20, 2012 12:36 PM in response to jennifer from Nelson

    If you haven't already, you should get an external harddrive & backup all  your data.

     

     

    How can I clean up my Mac automatically as opposed to trolling through the numerous duplicated files/albums/applications/photos

    >

    >I don't want to use the free third party clean ups, although I keep getting pop ups from them (I've blocked pop-ups????) 

     

    Don't use these programs recommended in popups.  I would not trust them.

     

     

    (0)

    Be careful when deleting files. A lot of people have trashed their system when deleting things. Place things in trash. Reboot & run your applications. Empty trash.

     

    Go after large files that you have created & know what they are.  Do not delete small files that are in a folder you do not know what the folder is for. Anything that is less than a megabyte is a small file these days.

     

     

    (1)

    Run

    OmniDiskSweeper

    "The simple, fast way to save disk space"

    OmniDiskSweeper is now free!

    http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnidisksweeper/download/

     

    This will give you a list of files and folders sorted by size. Go after things you know that are big.

     

    (2)

    These pages have some hints on freeing up space:

    http://thexlab.com/faqs/freeingspace.html

    http://www.macmaps.com/diskfull.html

     

     

    (3)

    Buy an external firewire harddrive.

     

    For a PPC computer, I recommend a firewire drive.

     

    Has everything interface:

    FireWire 800/400 + USB2, + eSATA 'Quad Interface'

    &

    save a little money interface:

    FireWire 400 + USB 2.0

    This web page lists both external harddrive types. You may need to scroll to the right to see both.

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB

     

     

    (4)

    Buy a flash card.

     

     

     

     

    >I know I have duplicate files and folders all over the place

    The applications filemerge will compare folders.  I think filemerge comes with xtools.

     

     

    >and some duplicate Applications.

    What I have done is to create a folder called more apps in my applications folder.  I put all the apps that I do not use in this folder.  You are going to have to organize your applications manually.

     

     

    >I also have OX 9 Classic + Applications 

    Leave it.  It is for older applications.  Will be hard to find these applications if you need too.

     

    My Mac is a mess bit like my mind!

     

    Don't be a neatness freak.  So many people appear after they delete something they need.  My mac is organized.   My computer room is a mess ( fast random access storage ).

     

     

    >When I log on a message tells me my computer clock is set for a date before March 2004. It asks me to go to system preferences to change it.

    >My computer clock is correct has never  been out of date or time!   Help.

     

    Mine does too. A few files will be created with the wrong data until your clock get updated from the internet.

     

    I have an applescript program to get rid of the message.  Post if interested.

     

    Robert