Mac OS X 10.5 - Run AppleJack

Follow these instructions when you have printing problems, when you can’t open or delete files, or when you are experiencing other problems with a Mac. If the problem continues, please email the HSC HelpDesk.

Note: AppleJack is run before Mac OS X loads, so have a printed copy of these directions.

Boot/Restart your Mac. As soon as you hear the startup chimes, hold down the command key and the s key. As soon as you see white text on a black screen, release the keys. You are now in Single User mode. At the prompt localhost:/ root#, type applejack and then press the return key. The AppleJack menu appears. If the root prompt returns instead, you need to install AppleJack. 1. At the prompt Your choice (Just hit return to quit):, press the 1 key and then the return key. Wait. The AppleJack menu appears. If there were any problems found, the program should automatically run again, until there are no errors. You should see a message that says ** The volume HD appears to be OK, and the AppleJack menu appears. 2. At the prompt Your choice (Just hit return to quit):, press the 2 key and then the return key. Wait. When finished, the AppleJack menu appears. 3. At the prompt Your choice (Just hit return to quit):, press the 3 key and then the return key. Wait. At the prompt Would you like to find and remove known cache files for a specific user?, press the y key and then the return key. Enter your user account as prompted (For example, I would type in dseher.) and press the return key. Wait. Repeat this step for each user account. At the prompt Would you like to find and remove known cache files for a specific user?, press the n key and then the return key. The AppleJack menu appears. 4. At the prompt Your choice (Just hit return to quit):, press the 4 key and then the return key. Wait. At the prompt Would you like to find and remove corrupted preferences for any specific user?, press the y key and then the return key. Enter your user account (For example, I would type in dseher.) and press the return key. Wait. Repeat this step for each user account. At the prompt Would you like to find and remove corrupted preferences for another user?, press the n key and then the return key. The AppleJack menu appears. 5. At the prompt Your choice (Just hit return to quit):, press the 5 key and then the return key. Wait. The AppleJack menu appears. At the prompt Your choice (Just hit return to quit):, press the return key. Press the r key and then press the return key. Your computer will reboot. 6. As soon as you hear the startup chimes, hold down the p, r, option, and command keys until you hear the startup chimes four more times; release the keys. 7. As soon as you hear the startup chimes, hold down the . When you see the and then the spinning icon, release the shift key. If a login window appears, enter your password, hold down the shift key, and click Log in; continue to hold the shift key until all icons appear in the ; release the shift key. Restart your Mac. When you’re logged in, restart your Mac one more time.

Last updated February 19, 2010