With AppleJack you can troubleshoot a computer even if you can't load the GUI, or don't have a startup CD handy. AppleJack runs in Single User Mode and is menu-based for ease of use.

Using AppleJack, you can repair your disk, repair permissions, validate the system's preference files, and get rid of possibly corrupted cache files.

In most cases, these operations can help get your machine back on track. The important thing is you don't need another startup disk with you.

All you need to do is restart in Single User Mode (SUM), by holding down the command and s keys at startup, and then typing applejack, or applejack auto (which will run through all the tasks automatically), or applejack auto restart (which will also restart the computer automatically at the end of the process).

Requirements:

· The ability to boot into single user mode (some users may be locked out from single user mode because of corporate IT policies and open firmware security locks).
· A wired keyboard, unless you are using Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later. (Previous versions of Mac OS X do not support wireless keyboards in single user mode.)
· An ability to read documentation, and follow instructions.

What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]

· Leopard compatibility! (Thanks Steve Anthony!)
· Improved console output suppression from launchd processes.
· Improved the process of finding valid user directories, drawing on netinfo, /etc/passwd, and /Users directory as needed. Users can now be chosen by user id or user name, as well as the old method of entereing the home directory.
· Logging is more complete