How to track down spinning ball

[idris]

I've had a couple of spinning ball crashes recently. No error messages, the mac just hangs.
Any tips on finding out the cause?

[crizdee]

Originally Posted by idris

I've had a couple of spinning ball crashes recently. No error messages, the mac just hangs.
Any tips on finding out the cause?

Hi,

Check system drive / users / your name / library / logs / crash reporter and see if there are crash logs for the time it crashed! it might indicate which thread in the crash log caused it and might mention the cause or plugin etc.

Can be many things from external drives to incompatible plugin in the folder. doesn't have to be in the session, just having an incompatible plug in the folder will cause such problems.

Chris

[idris]

Not trashed preferences yet as it's not too unstable (yet). Was hoping to head things off at the pass.

The Crash Reporter Log doesn't list anything for the last crash (ie nothing for today's date). How significant is that?

[drBill]

Originally Posted by idris

Not trashed preferences yet as it's not too unstable (yet).

I'm not sure if I completely understand, but you're saying you HAVEN'T trashed pref's yet? That's the first thing to do, and some people do it regularly (once a week, or even more often). Look up at the top of this forum and get the PT pref and database trash tool. Worth it's weight in gold. Trash those pref's!

[Vedat]

I would also check the console messages for clues.

[formfunction]

Originally Posted by idris

Not trashed preferences yet as it's not too unstable (yet).

This is a cure sometimes... BUT if you use it regularly it is basic maintenance, and the "prevention" that makes a cure unnecessary.

[idris]

Ok. Have trashed prefs. Time will tell wHether things have settled down.
But other than that, where do you find meaningful logs (other than the one mentioned above) and what do you look for in amongst the incomprehensible babble?