Hardware quick-fire questions

How can I fix keys that are stuck?

Keyboards collect lots of crumbs and grime that can eventually gum them up. Every five years or so, it’s worth opening the back of the case and shaking all the loose bits out. On old keyboards, large keys, such as the Spacebar and Return, can get stuck if the little metal pressure distribution rods come loose. Carefully prise up the key cap and clip the rod back into place, but be careful not to snap the plastic retaining clips.

How do I shut down a classic Mac?

Choose Special > Shut Down. You’ll still need to use the power switch at the back of the Mac to switch it off, because older Macs don’t have standby power. The Shut Down command simply ensures any disk writes have completed and the drives have been unmounted.