Step 1: Gather as much information as you can
When you see an error message, you don’t have to take action immediately. The message stays on the screen until you click the OK (or Restart) button or turn off the Macintosh.
mMake a note of exactly what you were doing when the problem occurred. Write down the message you see on the screen and its ID number (if any).
mList the programs you were using and the names of any items you know have been added to the System Folder since the system software was installed. This information will help a service person diagnose the problem, if you need to call later.
mCheck the screen for any clues. Is a menu selected? What programs and document icons are open? Note anything else that seems relevant.
mIf you were typing text and were not able to save it before the problem occurred, write down the parts of the text still visible on the screen so that some of your work will be easy to replace.
mAsk other Macintosh users about the problem you’re having; they may have a solution for it.
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