Cleanup Desktop? Options

[backshed]

I have OS9 & OSX on my G4, and I ran into trouble a few months ago when I was switching between the two. My computer guy said that it couldn't find the information it needed to work properly, and recommended that I "clean the desktop" regularily. Does this make sense? and how do I do this?
Thanks for the help.

[deaconblue]

backshed,

I think they meant "rebuild" your desktop. This restores the desktop DB file information for where and how files are stored under mac os 9. To rebuild your desktop you can hold down the command and option keys during start up. You will be prompted "Are you sure you want to rebuild your desktop" before it actually loads. To get more info on what that means and what symptoms would be applicable to needing to rebuild, check out the Rebuild Your Desktop File knowledge base article from Apple.

Best of luck. Hopefully, it is this simple and you'll be back up and working shortly.

peace.

[faradaze]

If you initialize a disk with OS 10 but you plan on also running OS 9 be sure and check the OS 9 box when you're in OS 10's disk utilities / drive set-up. Also, if recording to a firewire disk always make sure the firewire connection is un-plugged when booting in either OS. After the machine has booted you can connect the firewire drive and power it up. All internal disks must be initialized in OS 10 with the OS 9 box checked or you will be in a world of hurt. Can you say, "Disk Warrior?"