Applejack adds a kick to Mac troubleshooting

When good Macs go bad, you’ll need a utility to perform repairs, especially if you can’t boot completely into Mac OS X. Fortunately, one such tool is available, and it can run all the standard Mac fixing tricks: disk repair, permission repair, cache cleaning, preference file validation, and removal of swap files. Applejack is a command-line tool designed to be installed prior to problems and run in Single User Mode. If all this sounds like gibberish to you, or you’ve never heard of Single User Mode, note that this operating level is below that of the point-and-click Mac OS X interface, where commands can be performed without requiring the (potentially problematic) graphical interface we all know and love. Starting up in this mode requires that you hold Command-S immediately after the startup chime up until you see text start scrolling onscreen. When the scrolling has settled and Applejack is installed, you’ll see the text, “For troubleshooting assistance, just type “applejack” at the prompt.” To run repairs and/or maintenance, type “applejack auto restart” and press return to get things rolling.

While Applejack doesn”t have all the features of graphical programs such as Cocktail or Tiger Cache Cleaner, it is donationware and fully capable of fixing your Mac and keeping things running smoothly. In times of trouble or just for monthly maintenance, Applejack lies just beneath the Aqua-coated surface, ready to help get your Mac back on its feet.