Classic exceptionally stuttery!

[Morgan19]

I'm running OS 10.3.4 and am having a major issue with Classic mode which I need to run my version of FileMaker, among other things.

First off, when Classic and a Classic app are running it noticeably slows down the rest of the system, even OSX-native apps. For example, with Classic, FileMaker in Classic mode, and IE5.2 running, IE jerks as it scrolls, menus take a split second longer to open, etc. If I shut Classic down everything returns to normal.

Second, textual apps like FileMaker and Word (also running in Classic) look like they're stuttering every few seconds... I can because for example, in Word the cursor will be blinking and then pause, blink a few more times and pause, each time pausing for half a second or so before returning to normal. This happens consistently. What's really aggravating about this is that if I'm typing in one of those programs, every few letters or so will exploded, so if I was typing "computer" at the time it might end up looking like "compuuuuuuuuter" even though I only pressed the key once. It's making working with X and my Classic programs damned near impossible.

I'm looking into upgrading these apps to Panther-native versions but for the time being, I'd really like to get this solved. I've tested another Mac in the office that is also running 10.3.4 and it has no problems whatsoever in either FileMaker of Word, so I know it has to be something with mine. I don't think hardware is an issue: I'm running a 1.3 Ghz processor (GigaDesigns), 9000 Radeon Mac ed., and 1.5 gigs of RAM... They should all be able to handle this with no problem, yet I'm getting this stupid jitters. I've tried doing all the regular maintenance like disk repair, permissions repair, etc. to no avail.

Any suggestions?

m19

 

[kylebellamy]

One of the things I found was that I had too many extensions running in the classic folder that had nothing to do with what I needed. For instance, visual stuff and modems, MS Office things. When I went through and weeded out the stuff that wasn't necessary, that cleared up a lot of my slowness.

Second, have you done the desktop rebuild lately? I'll list it for any who might need to know. It's in Preferences -> OS 9 -> Advanced Tab. This sometimes helps.

Third, check and make sure that no files accidentally got into the extensions or preferences folders that don't belong there. For some reason, I get a Quark file that just ends up there. I don't know it this is where the temp work files get made or what but that happens to me.

http://www.kylebellamy.com

 

[Morgan19]

1) I've tried starting Classic with no extensions, base 9.2.2 extensions, and my regular ones; the stuttering and slowness persists in all situations.

2) I tried a desktop rebuild as your suggestion; no effect.

3) Nope, nothing out of the ordinary in either Extensions or Preferences.

m19

 

[kylebellamy]

Hmmmm.... I'm trying to think of other things that you could try.

Get Mac Janitor and try that. Also, what font program do you use? You could have too many assigned in FontBook to OS 9 which is eating up the memory for it.

Other than that, the extensions thing cleared mine up. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

http://www.kylebellamy.com

 

[Morgan19]

That's ok, I do appreciate the suggestions.

I've run MacJanitor and OnyX. Right now I've got Extensis Suitcase installed but nothing's activated in it; I'll take a look at FontBook and see what's going on there.

This is just really frustrating since I can look at my Mac and it's having the problem, but another one of the same make, files, etc. is just fine.

m19

 

[Morgan19]

I've checked into FontBook but can't figure something out. From what you say, it sounds like I should be able to assign or unassign fonts to OS9 in FontBook, but I can't seem to figure out how. Should I be opening a Classic-specific of FontBook, or is there something I need to be doing with the OSX FontBook?

m19

 

[kylebellamy]

I know. It took me about 3 weeks of messing with everything I could think of and then it went away. Post if you have any sucess.

http://www.kylebellamy.com

 

[kylebellamy]

I know that when you place fonts in fontbook, you can tell it to make them OS 9 specific, User specific or for general use. I just checked and there is no way to tell unfortunately. I don't think this is your problem but I'm trying to check every available possible source.

http://www.kylebellamy.com