Question: "I have a TYPE 1 error, whatever that means. I cannot open
any applications... word processing or address book. I get message that
says the application "unknown" has unexpectedly quit due to
a type 1 error."
Answer:
Type 1 Errors are
bus errors which are most often caused by software bugs in the application
that returns the error, insufficient memory assigned to an application,
or an extension conflict.
If the error occurs
immediately at startup, then there is probably a problem with an external
scsi device such as incompatible disk driver.
If the error occurs
while extensions are loading, then you have an extension conflict.
If the error occurs while in the Finder (main desktop area - not while
in an application), you could have a corrupted system file.
If the error occurs when an application crashes, then it's a sofware
bug or doesn't have enough memory.
OK, so what do you do now?
First step: do "Get Info" on the executable
file of software that is giving you trouble and make sure you increase
the memory assigned to that application. * Make sure you have enough
memory installed on your machine too! *
Second Step: replace the System and the Finder by dragging
the old ones in the garbage and copying new ones into the system folder
- you can get these off the install CD without having to install. Then
restart.
Third Step: if none of this has worked: Check for conflicting
extensions. What happens here is that software developers write software
that bends the rules of coding for Macs and sometimes software will
aggrivate other programs that are also bending the rules. A good way
to start testing this is to restart holding the shift key to disable
all extensions. If you are using System 8, then you can go into the
Extension Manager control panel and select only system Extensions too.
Don't forget to restart afterwards. Usually system extensions aren't
going to conflict. If the problem goes away when you're only running
system extensions then you know it has something to do with an extension
conflict. To troubleshoot which extensions aren't compatible, you can
go through manually and by trial and error run different combinations
of extensions until you narrow it down, or there's this program called
Conflict Catcher that is awesome for doing this for you.
Last Step: disconnect any external scsi devices. This
is not likely the case, though.
Major Mac Tip: Just like any operating system, files get corrupted on
a Mac. If you experience a lot of hard crashes that make you have to
restart your computer, then it's always a good idea to rebuild the desktop
to restore at least some order to your machine. Frequent hard crashes
will corrupt your system, so it's a good idea to periodically perform
step two anyway. I do it about once every two or three months for good
measure.
Just like your car, you need to do a little light routine maintenance
to keep your Mac running smoothly.
BTW - as always I got all my info from the book Sad Macs, Bombs, and
other Disasters. No Mac user should do without this book. It's a lifesaver
