Common Mac operating problems?

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Level 2

410 points

Common Mac operating problems?

I was hoping that the installation of Sonoma would fix the problem, but it didn't; therefore, here are two problems I am now experiencing frequently.

(1) The screen image frequently suddenly expands so much that I have to click on VIEW >Actual Size.

(2) I frequently lose entire lines that I have just typed in Mail. This happens without any extraordinary or unusual action on my part.

Whether or not I am justified in posting these comments here, I don't know. I just thought that other Mac users might be experiencing them

iMac 24″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 10, 2023 8:55 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

216,710 points

Oct 11, 2023 3:54 PM in response to Niku

Go to the System/Accessibility/Zoom settings pane and make sure you don't have some zoom feature turned on that might account for the increases window size.

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

216,710 points

Oct 11, 2023 10:55 AM in response to Niku

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

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Answer 3

Old Toad

Level 10

216,710 points

Oct 12, 2023 11:58 AM in response to Niku

If you have any of those types of apps uninstall them according to the developer's instructions.

Why: there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac. This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs. There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear. They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware. Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it. The free version is more than adequate for most users.

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Answer 4

ku4hx

Level 7

23,700 points

Oct 11, 2023 3:51 AM in response to Niku

We upgraded/updated, at every opportunity, six Macs total beginning with our 2015 models; we currently have five remaining.

We have never experienced your problem on any, at any time, after any update/upgrade.

There is no doubt you're having problems, but this is the first post with your issues I'm aware of.

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Answer 5

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 11, 2023 8:30 AM in response to ku4hx

Thanks. While that doesn't solve my problem, it points me in the right direction; however, I think I'll call Apple before going to a repair shop. They might keep records on such things. It's even possible that someone here might be of help. Oh, I just found that my limited warranty expires in November, so I guess an Apple store will be the next stop for me. Thanks again for the speedy response.

(10/11/23)

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Answer 6

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 11, 2023 11:05 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks very much for those tips. I'll be trying them when I return. My Limited warranty expires on November 6, so you can see that I haven't had my computer for very long. I am very surprised and disappointed to be having such problems already.

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Answer 7

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 11, 2023 6:17 PM in response to Old Toad

Okay, I did that. It was easier than I had expected. Now I guess I'll just have to wait to see if the problems have been corrected. If not, I'll try some of the other things that have been suggested. That will be tomorrow, because I have other things to do tonight.

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Answer 8

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 12, 2023 8:36 AM in response to Niku

I came here just to tell you that I haven't forgotten your help, but that it's soon soon to declare victory, that I would have to wait awhile before doing that. Unfortunately, I didn't have to wait any longer, because the screen "blew -up" while I was starting to tell you that. This is not the end. I'll try again. The first time I tried, it took seconds, not the minutes you spoke of. Maybe that means that I made a misstep. In any event, I'm going to try again. (10/12/23; 8:36 AM)

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Answer 9

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 12, 2023 8:51 AM in response to Old Toad

I'm going to try Onyx. It has worked before when nothing else would. My only complaint with it is that there are virtually no operating instructions, and I sometimes have to gamble as to what to do. It needs a operating manual Nevertheless, it has saved my life on more than one occasion. Oh, I tried the "Safe Mode," agin, but I quickly learned that that didn't help. Again, the process was over in seconds, or less, not minutes.

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Answer 10

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 12, 2023 10:01 AM in response to Niku

So far, so good. I've been prac.... ****! the screen exploded again, and I had to use "View>Actual size" to restore my screen. to the desired size. Well, I'm not going to spend the rest of the day with this. I'll just have to continue using my computer as usual and see what develops. (10/12/23; 9:58 AM) However, I will say that I have had no problem with E-mail since I used Onyx. It's too early to be sure, though.

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Answer 11

Niku Author

Level 2

410 points

Oct 12, 2023 1:02 PM in response to Old Toad

I have had Malware installed for probably years. How effective it is, I have no idea, but I have it. I also have Onyx, which has PROVEN to me that it works. Maybe Malwarebytes does, too, but there can be no question about the effectiveness of Onyx. Most people recognize that. Now, I'm just going to keep an eye on my Mac to see if Onyx has cured the problem I was having with my E-mail. Malwarebytes certainly didn't prevent it or my other problem from occurring, but maybe Onyx can fix it.

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Answer 12

ku4hx

Level 7

23,700 points

Oct 11, 2023 1:03 PM in response to Niku

If you're referring to those type apps as the "tips", OT doesn't want you to try them, he wants you to get rid of them all. The vast majority of responders here agree.

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