The most useful thing you can do is to set up a fault log in which you record exactly what was going on when the condition occurred. The format below should help:
If it becomes necessary for you to take your computer to your apple service provider to assist you with the troubleshooting, this information will be helpful for explaining the computer's condition.
What Causes a Program to no Longer Open or unexpectedly Quit?
There are many causes for issues of this nature, leading among them:
System Software
A previous system error could make your application or system software unusable to some degree. The solution is to reinstall system software and the application. It is usually wise to keep a copy of system software nearby so that you can reinstall after any serious issue. An incompatible extension or Control Panel after being used, even if removed, may leave "bits and pieces" of itself behind. Performing a clean installation of the system software should correct this problem.
System and Application Version Incompatibility
Not all versions of system software and application software are compatible. Most applications clearly indicate what version of system software is required to permit the program to operate correctly. If you are using an older version of system software, you may have issues. If you are using the current system software, but using an old version of application software you may run into issues. Occasionally, when system software is updated, some earlier functioning applications may fail to perform reliably. This is a compatibility issue, you have only two alternatives: revert to an older version of system software under which the application operated properly, or contact the software vendor and inquire about the availability of a "patch" or upgrade.
Out of Memory condition
Some programs require a lot of memory. You may discover you do not have enough memory to open the application and have all the features work correctly. Some programs will fail to open at all, while others open and operate for a while until you try to perform some function requiring additional memory. You can close the other applications you have opened or obtain more memory.
In some cases, the "out of memory" condition may not accurately reflect the issue. This situation may exist when a program requires that you have a certain amount of "contiguous" memory available. While the computer may display it has 1MB of RAM available, and the program only needs 267 K, you may not have 267 K of memory all in one "chunk". Close the other applications you have opened, then open the application which would not previously open.
Sometimes completely restarting the computer is necessary. In some situations, your application may not have enough memory allocated to it to permit it to run correctly: this includes the Finder. Select the application, then choose Get Info from the File menu (or Command-I). If you do not have as much memory allocated as recommended, increase to the recommended amount. If you have the correct allocation, try increasing the amount of memory allocated to it (double the amount).
Extension or Control Panel Compatibility Issue
Some add on software, such as extensions, control panels, and apple menu items might not have been written to permit them to be compatible with some versions of system software. This is a situation that you can usually identify quickly. Usually, symptoms develop shortly after installing some new add on software, or after you install a new version of system software. Your only recourse is to remove the offending add on software and pursue a long-term solution with the software vendor or author.
Desktop Manager "Confusion"
The most telling sign to this issue is when you try to open an application by double-clicking on one of its documents, or in trying to print one of its documents from the desktop and you receive the message "application is busy or missing." If this is the case, either your application is busy (for instance, you are trying to run a single user program on a network when someone else is already running it); it is missing (it is unusable or it has been deleted inadvertently); or the desktop manager cannot locate the application.
Step 1
Check and confirm that the application is on the hard drive.
Step 2
Launch the application and verify that it is functioning correctly.
Step 3
Rebuild your desktop file by restarting your computer while holding down the Option and Command keys.
Note: A dialog box will inform you that rebuilding your desktop will take a few minutes. You are no longer required to hold down the two keys.
Step 4
Click OK.
Your desktop will be rebuilt, and you should be able to continue without any issues. For best performance, rebuild the desktop periodically.
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