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Apple PowerBook (3400 series) User Manual

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2

Restart the computer while holding down the keys Command (

x

), Option, P, and R until

you hear the startup sound repeat itself three times. Then release the keys.

This procedure resets the parameter RAM. For more information, see “The
Computer Makes an Unusual Sound at Startup, or You See a ‘Sad Macintosh’
Icon,” in the section “Problems Starting Up the Computer” in Chapter 7.

If the problem does not recur, it may involve file sharing, virtual memory, or
the disk cache. Turn these features back on one at a time (restarting the
computer each time) until the problem recurs. You may be able to fix the
problem by making the disk cache smaller or using a smaller amount of
virtual memory. If the problem involves file sharing, contact your network
administrator to make sure there are no network problems.

3

Turn off troublesome extensions using the Extensions Manager control panel.

Tips for locating problem extensions:

m If you recently installed a new item in the System Folder, it may be causing

the problem. If you recently installed a new application program, a new
extension may have been installed along with it. Check for new items in
the Extensions folder and Control Panels folder. Also check for items of the
kind “extension” or “control panel” in the System Folder itself.

m If two of your extensions provide similar features (such as two screen

savers or two clocks), they may be incompatible with each other. Remove
one of the extensions.

m If the computer is freezing or displaying an error message before it finishes

starting up, restart the computer and take note of the icons that appear at
the bottom of the screen. Many extensions display an icon as they start up,
and extensions start up alphabetically. The last extension that displays an
icon, or the one after it alphabetically, may be the problem extension.

4

Turn extensions back on, one extension at a time, in the Extensions Manager control

panel. Restart the computer after turning on each extension and test to see if the

problem recurs.

When you have located the problem extension, remove it from the System
Folder and contact the developer or vendor for compatibility information.

5

Go to the next section if you are still having problems.

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Chapter 8