Troubleshoot extension problems
To troubleshoot extensions problems in the "Mac OS classic" operating system, it is often helpful to start with the fewest number of extensions and move up through the built-in extensions sets until the problem repeats. By going from the fewest extensions to the most, you should be able to significantly narrow down the potential sources of extensions conflicts.
- Launch the Extensions Manager control panel, found in the Apple menu under "Control Panels."
- Note the currently-selected extensions set. (You may wish to write it down.)
- Restart the computer, holding down the Shift key as the computer reboots. The computer starts with all extensions disabled.
- Determine whether or not the problem repeats.
- If the problem does not repeat, restart the computer again, and hold down the Space Bar on the keyboard. Holding the Space Bar at startup with open the Extensions Manager control panel and let you select a saved extensions set.
- Select the "Mac OS Base" extensions set.
- Click the "Continue" button in the Extensions Manager window. The computer will complete the startup process.
- Determine whether or not the problem repeats.
- If the problem does not repeat, restart the computer again.
- Use the Extensions Manager, as before, to select the "Mac OS All" extensions set.
- Determine whether or not the problem repeats.
- If the problem does not repeat, restart the computer one more time.
- Use the Extensions Manager to select the "My Settings" extensions set, or whatever extensions set you noted in step 2.
- Determine whether or not the problem repeats.
Whenever the problem repeats, stop the troubleshooting process. This means that you have loaded the correct combination of extensions and control panels and other startup software that will reproduce the problem.
The Extensions Manager's main function is to move software to and from specific folders within the classic Mac OS' "System Folder." Once you have seen the problem repeat during this troubleshooting process, you should reselect the last extensions set that worked.
After you have selected the set, the Extensions Manager moves the extensions and control panels which are not in that set to "Disabled" folders in the "System Folder." You may see the following folders:
- "Control Panels (Disabled)"
- "Extensions (Disabled)"
- "Startup Items (Disabled)"
- "System Extensions (Disabled)"
By turning on each of the files in these folders -- using the Extensions Manager -- individually, one at a time, you can determine where your extensions problem lies.
