The process is one you can do even if you don't suspect anything
may be wrong. However, repairing disk permissions without a start
up in SafeBoot may do OK. After starting up in SafeBoot, though,
the Mac OS X system is not fully running; so when done with any
processes performed in SafeBoot, the computer should be restarted
in order to get the entire system up and running. It may also do some
more fixit tasks automatically after the more manual ones you can do.
When I run anything involving the need to restart the computer, I try
and time the events together; since my computer is on all the time
but when not doing a task, is put to sleep. So, it may be two months
between restarts on my Macs. And I have a UPS uninterruptible power
supply (APC with automatic voltage regulation) in-line as a buffer for
any power variants. This is not a primitive surge protector.
Another thing to get and try, for preventative maintenance, is a
free running (donation ware) utility by the name OnyX available
by download from Titanium Software; there are versions for the
last few Mac OS X system levels, so note the one for 10.5. I have
and occasionally (maybe once each two months or so, depending
on frequency of computer use and type of tasks it is made to do)
run OnyX in my Macs; usually in Automation mode and have most
items check-boxed to run. Also, in that utility's preference settings,
you can select to have it restart the computer automatically after
it runs the chosen tasks. Yet, some tasks may not require a restart.
General and preventative system maintenance (in my experiences)
has helped keep most versions of OS X and earlier Mac OS, well.
And also booting from the OS X installer disc to run that included
version of Disk Utility to repair disk and repair disk permissions,
as well as verify disk, can also catch an unseen minor issue and
help keep the system working. However, be careful to not launch
the Installer itself (there are options in its drop-down menu) since
that can start the process of an unnecessary installation, when &
if only the use of Disk Utility was desired.
Being familiar with what can help the computer run well before a
crisis moment, and also learning how to make backup clones of
the complete (and healthy) content of the computer's hard disk
drive, to a suitable externally enclosed drive that supports clones
and also supports booting Mac OS X, can save you some grief.
I use Carbon Copy Cloner, download from Bombich Software, to
do complete bootable backups of my Mac's total HDD content.
Newer Macs with Intel processors can use USB2.0 drives, and
older Macs with PowerPC (PPC) processors use FireWire drive
enclosures (some enclosures offer USB2.0/FW400/FW800 in one)
in those the bootable FireWire for Mac should have an Oxford chip.
If you have any other questions, feel free to start a new topic in
the area mostly likely to be applicable. The odds are fair someone
will understand or if not, they'll ask for more info, to help figure it out.
Good luck & happy computing! 🙂
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