After we find out what "Sync Server" is and how to fix it, we need to find out how to stop the "periodic crashing of various apps." That is not something that is normal and you should not "get used to it." Perhaps some details of your System would help:
1. Mac model
2. OS version ( we know it's Leopard, but there has been an update)
3. Installed RAM
4. Third-party apps/plugins/Pref panes/input managers/basically anything you have added to the basic install
5. Hard drive stats: original size(s), amount used, externals in use
6. Are you using .Mac/iDisk? I'm assuming that that is what is trying to use the "sync" functions.
7. Any apps started on startup
Thanks!
Think I found the answer to Sync Server. Read a post on another forum - went into home/library/application support, and deleted the "local " folder in SyncServices, which seems to have fixed the problem.
Mac Intel 24m Leopard 10.5.1, 3 GB RAM, 300 GNB drive, with apparently only about 75 GB used, which makes no sense, since it originally said I had used about 150 GB!, three firewire drives - one 300 GB, one partitioned 500 GB drive, and one 160 GB drive. The 160 is used for Mac Backup, the 300 is used by Time Machine, and 300 GB partition of the 500 is used for SuperDuper cloning, and the extra volume created for more storage. As you can see, I'm paranoid about backups.
As for pref panes - all that shows up on a search is Opera. Also using Serene Saver screensaver, chimey, Google Desktop, Browseback.
Yes, I am using ,Mac/idisk.