Important settings panes

Internet

Enter settings for your iTools account, email and Web browser. You can also sign up for your iTools account here.

Network

Enter settings to connect to your network. Set up multiple network connections and create “locations” — collections of network settings.

Sharing

Turn on file sharing so that other people on the network can access your Public folder. Turn on Web sharing to publish your personal Web site.

Software Update

Get updates to your Mac OS X applications and software.

Startup Disk

Select a startup disk for your computer. You can start up using Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X.

Screen Saver

Select the screen saver you want to use and if you want to require a password to wake the screen saver.

For the experienced

Mac OS user

Where are the control panels?

Use System Preferences to change computer settings instead of the control panels in Mac OS 9.

Changing the alert sound

Use the Sound preferences pane to select a different alert sound and set the volume.

Setting QuickTime preferences

Use QuickTime preferences to register for QuickTime Pro and select your QuickTime connection speed.

Mac OS X tips

Adding items to the toolbar

To add an item to the System Preferences toolbar, click Show All and drag the icon to the toolbar. To remove an item, drag it from the toolbar.

Using a different language

To work in a different language, open International preferences and drag the language you want to use to the top of the list. If you use a special keyboard for your language, click the Keyboard Menu tab and select it from the list. Log in again to see menus and dialogs in the language you chose. Choose your keyboard from the Keyboard menu (the one with the flag).

Gaining access to settings

If the settings in a pane are dimmed and the lock icon is locked, click the lock and enter a name and password for an administrator to change the settings.

Searching Mac Help

How do I change computer settings?