Mac troubleshooting - Revision history

Shawn: /* General tips */ CPU usage check on Activity monitor

2018-05-07T13:11:03Z

General tips: CPU usage check on Activity monitor

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:11, 7 May 2018
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	==General tips==		==General tips==
	Run Console, look for error messages there.		Run Console, look for error messages there.

			Run Activity Monitor, and sort by CPU usage by clicking the column header "%CPU". See whether any program is using much CPU unexpectedly.

	Pay attention to sounds from the drives.		Pay attention to sounds from the drives.

Shawn: /* Specific issues */ added cupsManualCopies story

2018-03-09T23:45:55Z

Specific issues: added cupsManualCopies story

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 9 March 2018
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	===Going to sleep takes too much time===		===Going to sleep takes too much time===
	There might be something in the printer queue. You can check by pointing your browser to the CUPS queue: http://127.0.0.1:631/jobs/ or by looking in System Preferences>Print and Fax. Delete hung jobs.		There might be something in the printer queue. You can check by pointing your browser to the CUPS queue: http://127.0.0.1:631/jobs/ or by looking in System Preferences>Print and Fax. Delete hung jobs.
			===Printing multiple copies takes too much time===
			CUPS, the printing system Mac OS uses to handle print jobs, has a feature that reads a variable called cupsManualCopies for each printer driver description, called a "pdd". When set to "true" and when the user asks for multiple copies of a document to be printed, the software renders the document that many times. So, if you are printing 20 copies of a two-page document, the Mac will generate and send 40 pages to the printer. When set to "false", the software is supposed to send just the two pages but with a command that tells the printer to make 20 copies. This would save much time, especially if you have a networked printer, and also prevent memory overload on the printer.

			I tried copying the ppd for an HP LaserJet and changing its default "true" to "false", then creating a new printer instance with that altered ppd, but my Mac was still sending multiple copies itself. For my own situation, the fix was to use my printer's "copies" feature. I tell the Mac to send just one copy, but first I use the control panel on my LaserJet and set the number of copies desired.

			See https://opensource.apple.com/source/cups/cups-327/cups/doc/help/spec-ppd.html#cupsManualCopies for a terse explanation of the feature.

Shawn: Created page with 'Here are some tips for keeping your Mac in shape or fixing troubles. ==General tips== Run Console, look for error messages there. Pay attention to sounds from the drives. Don'…'

2010-11-23T17:28:13Z

Created page with 'Here are some tips for keeping your Mac in shape or fixing troubles. ==General tips== Run Console, look for error messages there. Pay attention to sounds from the drives. Don'…'

New page

Here are some tips for keeping your Mac in shape or fixing troubles.

==General tips==
Run Console, look for error messages there.

Pay attention to sounds from the drives.

Don't use the battery if you can plug in where you are.

==Specific issues==

===Going to sleep takes too much time===
There might be something in the printer queue. You can check by pointing your browser to the CUPS queue: http://127.0.0.1:631/jobs/ or by looking in System Preferences>Print and Fax. Delete hung jobs.