Strip-Down the OS for Speed?

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Strip-Down the OS for Speed?

I'm learning as much about my Mac as possible, and now want to optimize the system, by deleting what doesn't need to be there.

Some elements regenerate; some don't. I'm wondering what I can trash in the Tiger OS? I've got a handle on a fair portion of the big stuff, like not installing all the language files (and printer drivers) in the original OS install, dropping unused programs, old movies, mail, outdated sound and QT files, etc.

I've listed a couple of things I'm not sure about. I would like as much feedback as possible, because the slimmer the system the faster it goes.

a] Deleting Languages packs.

b] Installer 'thinning.'

c] Someone suggested dropping some content from the Application Support folder – like the eSellerate folder. I don't know how much content in the App. Support folder regenerates.

d] Eliminating the content from both Tiger 'Logs' folders.

Thanks.

Mac OS X (10.4.11), G4 Quicksilver

Posted on May 24, 2009 2:45 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 24, 2009 2:53 PM in response to appler505

a. Monolingual...

http://monolingual.sourceforge.net/

b. eSellerate folder... do you do online purcgases using eSellerate? I doubt there is much to be saved there.

c. More info needed.

d. I think you should get Applejack...

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19596

After installing, reboot holding down CMD+s, (+s), then when the DOS like prompt shows, type in...

applejack AUTO

Then let it do all 5 of it's things.

At least it'll eliminate some questions if it doesn't fix it.

The 5 things it does are...

Correct any Disk problems.
Repair Permissions.
Clear out Cache & Log Files.
Repair/check several plist files.
Dump the VM files for a fresh start.

If you don't use them, Dashboard, Spotlight, and mDNSResponder use a quite of bit of resources.

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Answer 2

May 24, 2009 3:03 PM in response to appler505

The last thing you want to do is start ripping your system apart.

There are free download utilities that will handle the general house keeping and get rid of the clutter of unnecessary files that build up over time. I use Cocktail ( not free) for routine maintenance. Macaroni also handles regular housekeeping and has a delocalizer to get rid of all those system languages you will never need. All these programs know what can be removed and what should be left alone.

Your system also has a wealth of invisible files. You could damage a function without realizing it.

Tiger really does not hog a lot of disk space and is modest with it Virtual memory demands compared to Leopard.

If you are trying to save space clean out your third party downloads and your files. Tiger works based when you have a good chunk of free space on your hard drive for it to use temporarily for heavy lifting.

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Answer 3

appler505 Author

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May 24, 2009 3:23 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks.

a] Is is safe to use programs like Monolingual?

b] By 'Installer Thinning,' I mean the process where code can be trimmed to remove support for unused processor types.

c] Yes, I shop online. But, I've read that eSellerate files build up. So, if I drop the eSellerate folder, will it regenerate with the next purchase?

Anything else that can be safely removed from the Application Support folder?

d] Yes, I use Applejack. Great shareware. But, I've spotted Logs that AJ has missed; especially third-party Logs. I've heard that any visible Log in Tiger or Leopard can be be deleted at any time. Is this so?

e] I disable Spotlight with a feature built into TechTool System. Is that enough?

f] I don't know what mDNSResponder is? What is your recommendation on how, and under what circumstances, to delete it?

Thanks.

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Answer 4

appler505 Author

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May 24, 2009 3:16 PM in response to Peter Bannon

Thanks.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 24, 2009 3:25 PM in response to appler505

a. Many have used it safely, always good to have backup though. I can't use it in case I need some other languages to help out here.

b. I wouldn't, never quite sure when it might be used or needed, but Monolingual and xSlimmer...

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/31301

d. Great.

e. Most likely yes.

f. Also called Bonjour. How to disable Bonjour ...
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050707222434355
I don't know how you'd do this by mistake, but it is possible to enable and disable it as needed, by entering the following commands into the terminal:

To turn Dashboard off:

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES

To turn Dashboard on:

defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean NO

*You have to restart the Dock after making either change for it to take effect:

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Answer 6

appler505 Author

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May 24, 2009 3:37 PM in response to BDAqua

Great! Thanks.

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 24, 2009 3:47 PM in response to appler505

Great news, thanks & good luck! 🙂

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Answer 8

jofima

Level 1

25 points

May 24, 2009 4:08 PM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua wrote:

f. Also called Bonjour. How to disable Bonjour ...
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050707222434355

The suggestions on that page don't work for me. I wanted to disable Bonjour & mDNSResponder myself, and found this after some googling (unfortunately I've forgot where I found them):

TO DISABLE.
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

TO ENABLE:
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist

The commands should be on single lines, obviously. The disable command disabled mDNSResponder immediately, and I haven't noticed any difference in functionality. Granted, I have no idea what it was supposed to do in the first place, so perhaps I never used it's functions.

Message was edited by: jofima

Message was edited by: jofima

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Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 24, 2009 4:30 PM in response to jofima

Thanks jofima! 🙂

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Answer 10

appler505 Author

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May 24, 2009 9:35 PM in response to BDAqua

Could you please confirm if you're agreeing with the point that any visible Log can be deleted without consequence? Didn't quite understand your original answer to that question. Thanks.

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Answer 11

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 24, 2009 9:56 PM in response to appler505

Yes, you can delete all of the Logs if you wish.

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Answer 12

appler505 Author

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May 24, 2009 10:10 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks.

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Answer 13

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

May 25, 2009 7:35 PM in response to appler505

Going around and trying to delete every last file is an old thing left over from the Days of DOS.

Be happy your system works. The next thing many user complain about is that after deleting files is that their system doesn't work.

Disable Spotlight, Bonjour and Dashboard:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8749558#8749558

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Answer 14

Glynn

Level 4

1,375 points

May 26, 2009 8:47 AM in response to rccharles

Just in case anyone cares, there is a small free app called "Bye-Bye Dashboard" It will disable and enable the dashboard even past shutdowns, logoffs and restarts.

It's free and can be found here:
http://www.kainjow.com/kermitsoft/downloads.html

Works great for me,
Cheers,
Glynn

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Answer 15

appler505 Author

Level 1

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May 26, 2009 9:20 AM in response to rccharles

Thanks. I agree that all the little pieces don't need to be removed to achieve good performance. But, getting rid of OS-bloat has given my Tiger configuration about a 20% overall increase in speed, with no loss of stability. I've also learned more about it's proper care and management – and all thanks to some great posters on this site.

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