Post by: DennisR on July 31, 2007, 08:05:57 AM
Post by: Jack W on July 31, 2007, 08:24:14 AM
Do you have OnyX? I find this to be an excellent maintenance tool.
Here's the link to the OS X 10.3.9 version:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582/onyx
It does many functions.
Try running the monthly, weekly and daily scripts.
-Jack
Post by: Paddy on July 31, 2007, 08:36:02 AM
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/multipleappsquit.html
Info specific to Entourage:
http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot...hes.html#crash6
Post by: Johanbgoot on July 31, 2007, 11:48:00 AM
I also have 10.3-9 and use Office. I run Onyx (1.5.3) every week (automation). I also rebuild Entourage every week, Hold down the option key when you open Entourage and choose the option that suits you. I use option 3 as I have no programs that it says I will have to reload. After it's rebuilt and I have closed it, I press command - F and look for "main identity" on my hard drive, I keep last week's and this week's rebuild and throw out any others. Every 6-8 weeks I run Diskwarrior. The OS has worked flawlessly, and I have no problems with my applications.
Hope this helps.
Johan
Post by: Xairbusdriver on July 31, 2007, 03:06:54 PM
Post by: krissel on August 01, 2007, 12:11:50 AM
I'd run them if you have em. Could need a new directory. At the very least boot from your OS CD and run Disk Utility. Better if you have another bootable partition from which you can run DW, TTP or DU.
If you can't track down the problem you may need to do an Archive and Install of the OS.
Post by: DennisR on August 01, 2007, 06:36:37 AM
Jack W and Johanbgoot....
I have been using Yasu but OnyX does appear more versatile so thanks for the tip.
I have tried rebuilding the Entourage database but no luck there.
Paddy....
Thanks for the links, I'll work my way through the suggestions there.
Krissel....
No, I don't have the tools you mentioned but perhaps I should invest in one of them?
I've run Disk Utility.
Archive and install of the OS may well eventually be the way I'll have to go.
I'm hanging out for one of the new iMacs that are rumoured to be coming soon. I plan to reformat the drive on this iMac as soon as I have the new machine. Pity this computer couldn't have remained trouble free for just a little longer...
Post by: csonni on August 01, 2007, 11:44:45 PM
http://tinyurl.com/2hctbv
Post by: Xairbusdriver on August 02, 2007, 12:21:09 PM
Even though it may not be directly applicable to this problem, you show a great example of logically looking at a problem and deciding on a method of attacking it! Great job! 
Post by: DennisR on August 03, 2007, 08:15:48 AM
Thanks for the link. I tried the contextual menu angle but no luck. I'll have to employ some patience and go through a process of elimination as you did.
At the time this problem first developed, I had just purchased a 320Gb LaCie d2 Quad external drive, as my iMac drive was running short on space. Anyway, I decided to install a fresh copy of Panther on this new drive and have now got it all set up so that I have access to most stuff again, apart from a few things such as Address Book. I'll now get back to hopefully sorting out the original problem.
Thanks again everyone, for your input
DennisR
Post by: krissel on August 04, 2007, 02:04:43 AM
OSX requires a lot of space for swap files (like a few GBs) and you could have overrun that amount.
Post by: DennisR on August 05, 2007, 08:21:35 AM
QUOTE(krissel @ Aug 4 2007, 07:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Whoa, how short on space is your drive? If it is very tight that could account for some of the problems you are having.
OSX requires a lot of space for swap files (like a few GBs) and you could have overrun that amount.
OSX requires a lot of space for swap files (like a few GBs) and you could have overrun that amount.
My 60GB drive is down to 6GB of free space. Actually it had recently occurred to me that this may not be helping the situation.
Post by: krissel on August 06, 2007, 12:02:03 AM
Did you partition the new drive? If so you could first eliminate as much 'garbage' as you can from the crowded drive then use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner to copy the remaining to a partition on the new drive (assuming the partition is at least 60 GB). Then clone it back. That will give you a defragmented drive and may allow you to use the main drive for a while longer.
Ultimately you should keep files on another drive and leave more space free on your boot drive.
Post by: DennisR on August 07, 2007, 06:07:43 AM
Yes, I did partition the new drive into two parts. One part is 60 GB and has a fresh installation of Panther, the other part is where everything else is going (238 GB). The LaCie is now my boot drive. In a few hours from now, Steve will announce the release of my new iMac
Soon after this purchase and when I have it set up, I'll reformat the drive on this iMac, reinstall Panther and it will become the family hack. As you suggested I'll reduce the load on the boot drive and install files on another 80 GB firewire drive that I have here. The LaCie will move to the new iMac.Thanks again for your very helpful advice.
Dennis
Post by: krissel on August 08, 2007, 12:47:27 AM
Congratulations on your pending purchase.
Be sure to let us know all about it.
Post by: DennisR on August 08, 2007, 05:17:45 AM
Post by: krissel on August 09, 2007, 01:31:55 AM