Routine, preventive maintenance

[vrm]

Hi Folks,

I have a Mac mini with OS 10.4.4 with few problems so far and I would like to keep it that way.

I am looking for suggestions for routine maintenance I should do to keep my Mac happy.

When I look at the number of files that I access, download, and delete, I think that the hard drive may need periodic cleaning.

So, suggestions about routines and utilities would be appreciated.

Thanks.

VRM

 

[Gig']

Running disk utility to repair permissions from time to time is always a good start. Other than thatvI suggest you check other threads like these:

http://www.macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49232
http://www.macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=256214

and use the search feature with : maintenance, utilities and so on as key word.

I'm positive you'll find a answer that suits your request

 

[barhar]

I suggest you consider setting up your 'root' account, and once created switch to it.
Then via 'Terminal' enter ...

open /private/etc/crontab

... and press <return>. 'TextEdit' should launch and display the contents of the file. Now, (optionally) edit the days and times for 'monthy' and 'weekly'.
To perform maintenance create small 'bash' files and call them.

Below is a sample of a modified 'crontab' file.

cat /private/etc/crontab
# /etc/crontab
SHELL=/bin/sh
PATH=/etc:/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/sbin
HOME=/var/log
#
#minute hour mday month wday who command
#
#*/5 * * * * root /usr/libexec/atrun
#
# Run daily/weekly/monthly jobs.
01 3 * * * root periodic daily
02 3 * * * root periodic monthly
03 3 * * * root periodic weekly
#
# Run /usr/sbin/ bash files
39 2 * * * root /usr/sbin/_bh_diskutil_repair_permissions
0,30 * * * * root /usr/sbin/_bh_vm_deleter
0 * * * * root /usr/sbin/_bh_logs_deleter

... Notice the '# Run /usr/sbin/ bash files' entries.
The first entry performs a 'Repair Permission' operation twice.
The second entry deletes all '/var/vm/' folder's files and folders.
The third entry deletes system and user (for each user of the Macintosh) log files.

-----

With respect to 'Safari', consider locking (via the 'Get info' window) the '~/Library/Caches/Safari/', `~/Library/Caches/Metadata/Safari/', and `~/Library/Safari/Icons/' folders. If you use other web browsers - check their 'Preferences' and disable any caching of visited web sites.

-----

You may even consider manually executing 'Applejack' via a 'single user mode' boot, selecting 'a' for 'auto pilot'.

 

[ra3ndy]

On the simpler side, there are many programs that will run scheduled maintenance on your mac. My fave is System Optimizer X.

 

[Gig']

if your keen on freeware look into Onyx