I hope I've come to the right place as I've never done a news group before.

If you are the MAC rocket scientist, I've come to the right place and
perhaps you can answer my question. If not, please direct me...


Some time ago I received a "Snow white" forward and as soon as I opened it I
noticed a glitch beginning and closed it. But, it apparently did some
damage. I can't shut down the computer without Cnt/Alt/Delete, or the main
power button. When I go to the shut down menu, it tells me I have programs
open and must close them first. But, they are already closed.

Also, in the upper right of the screen where you can pull down a list of
open programs, there is a way to catch that menu and have it float on the
desktop. I haven't figured out how it happens, but I've accidently done it
a couple time. I used to be able to close it, but now it stays open. It
doesn't list the open programs, only has the blue Mac face icon showing. It
never goes away. This happened about the same time as the other problem.

I've done all the zapping of the PRAM and cleaning up the desktop, emtying
trash, but nothing seems to help. I know it can't be good for my MAC to be
forced to quit. I'm on a G3.

thanks so much,

kate

You could also try scanning your hard-drive for problems.
Try using the Disk Utility, DiskWarrior, Norton Utilities or any simular
apps...


On 01-07-03 03:36, in article BB264FDA.AAA8%mecklists[at]REMOVETHIS.mn.rr.com,
"William M. Smith" <mecklists[at]REMOVETHIS.mn.rr.com> wrote:

> Hi Kate!
>
> My responses are inline with yours.
>
> On 6/30/03 6:56 PM, "Kate" <katelongacre[at]montanasky.net> wrote:
>
>> Some time ago I received a "Snow white" forward and as soon as I opened it I
>> noticed a glitch beginning and closed it. But, it apparently did some
>> damage. I can't shut down the computer without Cnt/Alt/Delete, or the main
>> power button. When I go to the shut down menu, it tells me I have programs
>> open and must close them first. But, they are already closed.
>
> This virus is a PC virus only. It can not affect Macs. Any problems you
> perceive won't be the result of this. Macs are susecptible to very very few
> viruses.
>
> Also, Ctrl Alt Delete is a Windows only keyboard command. It won't be useful
> on a Mac. To shut down a Mac using the keyboard, simply press the power
> button on the keyboard or if you don't have a power button on the keyboard,
> you can use Ctrl (far lower left) plus Eject button (far upper right).
>
> All computers, whether Mac or Windows, must shut down properly. You can not
> simply flip the switch or files that you have open will not be able to write
> back to the hard drive for you to use later.
>
> One big difference between Mac and Windows is that closing a window on a Mac
> is not the same thing as quitting the application. When you're finished with
> an application, use File --> Quit.
>
>> Also, in the upper right of the screen where you can pull down a list of
>> open programs, there is a way to catch that menu and have it float on the
>> desktop. I haven't figured out how it happens, but I've accidently done it
>> a couple time. I used to be able to close it, but now it stays open. It
>> doesn't list the open programs, only has the blue Mac face icon showing. It
>> never goes away. This happened about the same time as the other problem.
>
> This is a feature, not a problem. You've discovered the tear-off application
> menu. You can use the application menu in the upper right corner of the
> screen to switch between open applications. If you click and drag it down
> below where it ends, you can tear it off the menu bar and create a floating
> palette that you can place anywhere on your screen. You'll see a little
> square in the upper corner that you can click to close it.
>
> As you use your Mac and open documents, you'll automatically launch the
> applications used to edit those documents. As the applications open, they
> will appear in this floating tear-off menu.
>
>> I've done all the zapping of the PRAM and cleaning up the desktop, emtying
>> trash, but nothing seems to help. I know it can't be good for my MAC to be
>> forced to quit. I'm on a G3.
>
> From what you've described, nothing is wrong and everything is working
> normally. You should rarely ever need to zap your PRAM. Leave that alone
> unless you understand what it's for. It's certainly not a fix-all command.
>
> You know many of the Mac terms such as zapping the PRAM, emptying the trash,
> rebuilding the Desktop (I think this is what you're describing), force
> quitting and that's great! But as my Dad would say, you know just enough to
> be dangerous (I'm smiling when I say that and givin' ya a wink).
>
> Go to your local bookstore and get a book about Mac OS 9. (You may be using
> Mac OS 8, but I doubt you'll find any books about it because it's an old
> operating system.) The "For Dummmies" series of books is great because the
> authors really seem to understand what the reader is looking for. It's
> actually fun to learn all the bells and whistles that your Mac has.
>
> Hope this helps! bill