This article is...
IntendedES.pngIntended for
Employees and Students
Categories.pngCategorized under
Things Google can tell you
RS.jpgMaintained by
Rob Shin
2016-2017.pngin need of review.



General Maintenance Tips

  • Perform Time Machine backups to prevent data loss
  • Upgrade the operating system to the latest version
  • Keep your software up-to-date in the App Store and elsewhere
  • Reboot the machine regularly (once per week is good)
  • Delete stale wireless preferred networks in Network Preferences. NOTE: If you use iCloud Keychain, any wireless networks you have connected to, on any Apple device also connected to iCloud Keychain, will appear in the list of preferred networks.
  • Zap the PRAM (also called NVRAM)
    • Reboot, then hold command-option-P-R until you hear the chime twice
  • Boot into Safe Mode by holding Shift during the startup chime
    • This will clear the Mac's cache files; just log in (twice if you have FileVault turned on), and then restart once more
  • Install anti-virus software (we use Sophos at RCS)
  • Review the Trash and empty it
  • Review contents of Downloads folder and delete files that you don't need

Browser Fixes

  • Chrome Task Manager - like the Activity Monitor, but for Chrome (if you use Chrome)
  • Check browser extensions / add-ons - running a lot of them can slow down your browsing
  • Clear your browser (especially Chrome) - history, cache, passwords - these things can dramatically speed up Chrome
  • Restart your browser: Especially after clearing things above
  • Reset your browser: This is a last-case fix, so come discuss with the Tech Dept before doing this