Sever System Errors, Speed Disk Errors...
Christine
Version: 3.5.1
Operating system: System 8.1
Formatting: --Other--
Need Help Desperately.
Subject - System Errors, Speed Disk incapbility to optimise, and
Various serious problems on Macintosh PPC.
Thank you for reading this note. I have several problems on my Mac.
And I have tried some of the basic troubleshooting tests suggested by
other Mac specialists. But unfortunately none of the tests can
rectify those problems.
I keep getting "unexpected quitting" and "type error 1, 2 and 3"
problems when running Netscape Communicator 4.04. In fact, yesterday,
I couldn't start my browser at all.
I also discovered another strange problem. I noticed that the hard
disk space on my HD 1 and 2 sometimes fructuates unexpectedly. Both
HDs are newly formatted, and, all applications and operating systems
are of lastest versions. (See below for software and hardware
specifications)
I really hopeless with anything technical, so I performed a check up
on my mac using Norton Disk Doctor. The Disk Doctor detected a few
errors. Below are descriptions of the tests and results:
STEP 1 -- Start up with HD 1. Use Norton Disk Doctor to diagnose HD
2. Two commonly occurred errors were detected and fixed.
RESULT (A)
-- An error is found in the boot block ... the boot block is
unrecognisable... you will not be able to start up from this
disk...(8,0,4).... you should fix this error.
-- So I choose "FIX ERROR" and the boot block was fixed.
-- An error is also found in the master directory block. The MDB
lists an incorrect number of free block (3,2,20)...you should fix
this error.
-- So I choose "FIX ERROR" and the master directory block was fixed.
-------------- End of test 1------------
STEP 2 -- Continue to use Norton Speed Disk to optimise HD 2. An
error was detected.
RESULT (B)
-- The disk "HD 2" cannot be optimised because it is damaged (Volume
bitmap inconsistent with directories) ... Run Disk Doctor to repair
error.
-- So I clicked on "FIX ERROR"
------------- End of test 2 ------------
STEP 3 -- Continue to run Norton Disk Doctor to repair the "Volume
bitmap" error. Another error was detected.
RESULT (C)
-- An error in the disk information block is found... The master
dirctory block (sometimes called the volume information block) stores
important about your disk, such as disk names and numbers of files on
the disk.... you should fix this error
-- When I choose "FIX ERROR", Disk Doctor flashed a warning.
RESULT (D)
-- WARNING! The disk "HD 2" has files which are being used. We can
only repair this disk more effectively if you close the other
applications.
-- I click on "continue" to fix error.
-- The error in the disk information block was fixed.
* (Please take note that at this point, there isn't any application
opened from HD 2. The Norton Utilities is located and opened from HD
1. I have no idea why Disk Doctor detected an open application on HD
2.)
-------------- End of test 3 -----------
STEP 4 -- After fixing the error from test 3, I attempt to rebuild
desktop from Disk Doctor.
STEP 5 -- Restart my Mac after rebuilding.
------------- End of test 4 ------------
STEP 6 -- Repeat STEP 1 to 6 to re-diagnose my mac. The tests results
are identical with the previous ones.
* Seems like all "fixed" errors are not fixed at all.
------------- End of test 5 ------------
* Before I gave up all hopes, I attempt the last round of tests on my
mac.
STEP 7 -- Start up HD 1 with Extensions off. Use Norton Disk Doctor
to diagnose HD 2. Two errors were detected and fixed.
RESULT (E)
-- An error is found in the boot block ... the boot block is
unrecognisable... you will not be able to start up from this
disk...(8,0,4).... you should fix this error.
-- So I choose "FIX ERROR" and the error was fixed.
-- An error is also found in the master directory block... The MDB
lists an incorrect number of free block (3,2,20)... you should fix
this error.
-- So I choose "FIX ERROR" and the error was fixed.
-- An error was found in the volume bit map ... The volume bit map
does not match the actual state of the catalog and extents b-trees on
your disk. (4,0,2)... you should fix this error.
-- So I choose "FIX ERROR" and the volume bit map was fixed.
------------- End of test 6 ------------
STEP 8 -- Continue to use Norton Speed Disk to optimise HD2.
RESULT (F)
-- The disk "HD 2" is optimised successfully.
------------- End of test 7 ------------
* So I restart the Mac. And SURPRISE, SURPRISE. All icons on the
desktop "disappeared". All icons become identical. Applications has a
pencil and paper icon, while document icon looks like a piece of
plain paper. Poor me! My 8 hours of hardwork and efforts are wasted.
* Speechless and disappointed, I shut down my mac to take my dinner.
* After an hour or so, I restarted the machine again while holding
down the command and option keys to rebuild the desktop. Then
MIRACLES happened. All icon resume to their original look.
* A friend drop by to have a look at my mac. He installed Virex 5.8.1
on the machine. And Netscape works well for the next few hours. But
when I quit the program, the "type error 1" surfaced again.
* Today, I cannot start Netscape Communicator completely. So, I
removed most components from my previous installations and
reinstalled a new version.
* "Type error 1" continues to appear on my Mac whenever I switch on
my new browser.
* From time to time, my Mac would freeze abruptly about 1 minute to
90 seconds. Sometimes this would effect the program I am running,
causing it to quit unexpectedly.
Now my questions are:
1) What exactly went wrong on my Mac?
2) How can I avoid the same tragedies from happening again?
3) How can I optimise my hard disks without getting any problems?
4) How do I reinstall my Norton Utilities? Do I need to update my
Utilities constently? How?
5) Why do my mac freeze from time to time for no particular reason?
How can I fix the problem?
6) How can I ensure that the plug-ins or files I downloaded will not
corrupt my System and Netscape?
7) Will any of the following plug-ins cause any conflicts with
Netscape Communicator 4.04 and 4.06 - Realplayer 5.0 for PPC,
Micromedia Shockwave Flash and Director Player, Ichat Plug-in? Any
special preferences or settings should I take note of?
8) Is it advisable that I delete my Communicator 4.04 and install
4.06?
9) What are the components which I need to removed before installing
Communicator 4.06?
10) What can I do if the same problems continue to occur on my
Netscape again?
11) Where and whom can I seek help from in Singapore? Or from the
internet?
* My Macintosh info - PowerPC 8100/100, 80mb RAM, 2 hard disks (1 GB
each), virtual reality on.
* Software info - MacOS 8.1, Norton Utilities 3.5.1, Netscape
Communicator 4.04, Chinese Language Kit, Freehand 8, Pagemaker 6.5
(in English and Chinese version), Photoshop 5.0, Pagemill and
Sitemill 2.0, Virex 5.8.1
* Internet Access info - Using MacTCP/IP, Ethernet, DHCP Server, LAN
Thank you for reading and answering this "problematic" letter. I
appreciate all your efforts and time. I look forward to hear from you
soon. You can email me at mati...@hotmail.com.
Sincerely yours,
Christine Lim
John Meyer/Symantec Volunteer
Hi Christine:
The boot block errors and frrezing are signs of the Autostart Virus.
You need to take care of this first. You need to scan your machine
for the Virus using the latest vrius detection software and the
latest virus definitions available for the virus detecion software.
After you clean it up, I recommend you back-up your files, do a
complete reformat of the drive and then reload from your back-up.
Here is a link to further information on tyhe Autostart virus:
Hope this helps.
Christine Lim
A few brief updates for you.
1) I have difficulties updating my Norton Utilities 3.5 to 3.5.1 & 2
due to error -192. I have read the technical notes and I still don't
understand. My NUM 3.5 comes with my Mac OS 8.1 and my technician did
a custom install the last time. What should I do now?
• My Norton files are Disk Doctor, Speed Disk, Open Volume Recover,
Open Unerase, Wipe Info, Norton Disk Editor, Norton Utilities
Preferences, Disklight.
2) My Virex 5.8.1 detected Autostart earlier and has "repaired" it.
Is that thorough enough?
3) I know that the "Norton AntiVirus 5.0 for Mac" link you gave me is
a trial version. Is it safe for my mac because it's not "healthy"
now? Is it a beta? Is it compatible with Mac OS 8.1? And what will
happen to the NAVM after the traial period? What do I need to remove?
Thanks for your reply again. I will be looking forward to hear from
you. I can be contacted at mati...@hotmail.com
Christine
------------------------------------------------------------
John Wrote:
Hi Christine:
The boot block errors and frrezing are signs of the Autostart Virus.
You need to take care of this first. You need to scan your machine
for the Virus using the latest vrius detection software and the
latest virus definitions available for the virus detecion software.
>
After you clean it up, I recommend you back-up your files, do a
complete reformat of the drive and then reload from your back-up.
Here is a link to further information on tyhe Autostart virus:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/num.nsf
ce068dc3bc8ebc86852564f2004fa342/dd4fe49136384e268825662f005fc327?Ope
nDocument
Hope this helps.
Stephen Zeffren/Symantec
Christine Lim wrote:
> Thank you John for the quick reply. I will fix my hard disks first.
>
> A few brief updates for you.
>
> 1) I have difficulties updating my Norton Utilities 3.5 to 3.5.1 & 2
> due to error -192. I have read the technical notes and I still don't
> understand. My NUM 3.5 comes with my Mac OS 8.1 and my technician did
> a custom install the last time. What should I do now?
> • My Norton files are Disk Doctor, Speed Disk, Open Volume Recover,
> Open Unerase, Wipe Info, Norton Disk Editor, Norton Utilities
> Preferences, Disklight.
>
> 2) My Virex 5.8.1 detected Autostart earlier and has "repaired" it.
> Is that thorough enough?
>
> 3) I know that the "Norton AntiVirus 5.0 for Mac" link you gave me is
> a trial version. Is it safe for my mac because it's not "healthy"
> now? Is it a beta? Is it compatible with Mac OS 8.1? And what will
> happen to the NAVM after the traial period? What do I need to remove?
>
> Christine
>
Hello Christine,
1) -192 usually implies that a file is missing. It often implies that
a custom install was done or the incorrect updater is being used.
The simplest solution is to remove all traces of NUM 3.5 and then
reinstall using the Easy install option. Then restart with all
extensions off and run the updaters for NDD, SD, Filesaver and
CrashGuard. That should go OK and bring you up to date. If you
continue to have problems, please let me know and we'll go from there.
2) It may be enough but I couldn't say for sure, not having used the
Virex program. I would suggest looking for any additional, left over
Autostart files and manually deleting them. You can use NUM's
Fastfind utility for this search.
Here is the list of AutoStart 9805 and variant files you might find.
Original & E variant: DB, Desktop Print Spooler
Variants: BD, Desktop Printr Spooler (variant B), DELDB, DELDesktop
Print
Spooler (variant C&D)
If you look for these files with Fast Find and locate any, you can move
them to the trash via the Move : To Trash option under the File menu
(when in Fast Find).
NOTE: Some Autostart files are applications and can be open when you
start the computer and will resist being moved. To keep this from
happening, boot with all extensions off before trying to locate and
remove these files.
3) The NAVM 5.0 trial version is the full release version (not a beta)
and is only marred by the fact that it will expire after 30 days of use.
There is a known issue in 5.0 regarding the use of Safezones on HFS
volumes under OS8.1 though so we also recommend updating to 5.0.2 via
our online patcher. It can be found at:
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/products/symantec_antivirus_macintosh/ver4.5
After the trial period, you only need to delete the NAVM folder and
items in the Extension folder to remove it from the Mac.
Please let us know if you have additional questions or concerns.
--
Regards,
========================================================================
Stephen Zeffren [Symantec Corporation] Macintosh
Technical Support
Please continue to post your messages to the public discussion groups as
Symantec does not provide support via private email.
If you have difficulty getting a response, please read the following
article:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sharedtech.nsf/docid/1998527114414
For links to our other technical support options, including newsletters,
Knowledge Base support articles, our Online Support Genie, and FAQs,
visit our main support page:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/index.html
========================================================================