Mac questions

[olley]

Hi girls and guys, just a few questions for you mac gurus.

The G4 has been delivered to work where I am now, just done quick hardware test and all seems OK. Then had a look at hardware, memory 512mb is listed as standard, 1024mb is reversed? is this normal?

I assume just basic op. is loaded, so do I just insert tiger update and follow instructions and that's it?

Olley

 

[scotjimland]

Hi girls and guys, just a few questions for you mac gurus.

The G4 has been delivered to work where I am now, just done quick hardware test and all seems OK. Then had a look at hardware, memory 512mb is listed as standard, 1024mb is reversed? is this normal?

I assume just basic op. is loaded, so do I just insert tiger update and follow instructions and that's it?

Olley

Hi Olley

Yes to both questions , good luck

Jim

 

[camcondor]

Hi Olley

Great news its arrived safely. After booting up, click on the Apple logo in the top LH corner - it will show you basic info, and you can click on software update from that screen - if you are connected to the internet it will check all apple software and offer to update it for you. Just click yes and leave it to do its stuff. It will also show what OS it is running, ie 10.4 (Tiger) or 10.5 (Leopard) The "System Information" tab will give full info on everything that's installed in the laptop.

You do not need to install all Tigers updates in order to install Leopard - my only reservations about installing Leopard at this early stage, is that there are some printer / scanner issues, also some software issues with utility software like Disk Warrior. It'll be sorted eventually, but I've held off installing Leopard on Jen's G5 with all her uni stuff until Leopard's teething probs are all sorted by Apple.

I'm online at present so feel free to post / PM if I can help.

Regards

Laurie

 

[olley]

Hi Laurie just waiting for it to finish doing a long hardware test, then I will install "Tiger"

All seems in very good nick, nice and clean with very few minor scratches, guy obviously looked after it.

Olley

 

[camcondor]

Hi Olley, That's been my experience with "pre-loved" Mac sales - much larger initial investment from the first owner, specialised use usually, in much better nick when sold on than a normal PC laptop. I suppose there are rip-offs out there, but luckily so far not had a problem with used Mac hardware.

Very easy to connect to Internet as well - either wired or wireless via Airport. No funny business!!:Cool:Set up is a cinch.

Laurie

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[olley]

hi Laurie software version already loaded is 10.5, which I think looking at the disks is Leopard.

Connected straight up to my wi-fi once I remembered the password.oh:

Olley

 

[camcondor]

It is Leopard Olley, there is an update out already.

Laurie

 

[olley]

Hi Laurie it asking for a password before it will allow software updates, tried the password reset using the install disc it don't work.

Using the mac to type this.

Olley

 

[olley]

Grrrrrrrrrrr after an hour of buggering about I try leaving the password field blank and guess what!! there aint no bl**dy password. Its updating.

Typing this on the PC. good old bill.

Olley

 

[camcondor]

Learning curve Olley, sorry I was elsewhere when you were having hassles.Macs always ask for passwords when anything happens but you can reset whether you want that option or not in the OS - no need to reinstall, go to System Preferences.

Laurie

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[olley]

Hi Laurie, all ok now, its updated itunes, quicktime and leopard.

Anything I should check? does it have a built in virus checker or firewall? if not what's a good free one.

H/D is 93mb, 81mb left sound about right? created on 15/11/07 so I take it he reformatted the disk then.

I agree learning curve, thankfully on the surface its very similar to m/soft, underneath its a different story.oh:

I need to play with it as chloe will be asking me how to do this/that and the other, she thinks her old duffer is clever. Well she is a blond.

If no one has any objections I think I will get her to join this site, then she can ask you or the others. Cuts the deadwood out of the loop.

Olley

 

[Munchie]

Hi, thought that some time in the future when I renew my PC I might go for a Mac. How would I do with all my files stored on external hard drive e.g. photos, Visio, Word and Excell for example?

 

[scotjimland]

Hi Olley

There is no need for a virus checker, there are no known Mac viruses.

There is a built in firewall, go to: system preferences, security, firewall, allow only essential services, stealth mode.

Here are some things to 'play' with to impress
Explore System Preferences, you can customise the Dock, Appearance, screen saver, desktop etc etc much like you can with Windoze

Try adding some music, pop in a CD and load it into iTunes.

Connect your digital camera and download some pics into iPhoto

Macs are very intuitive and before long you will feel right at home, I'm betting before long you will be looking for one for yourself

I'll be around most of the time if you can't find Laurie

 

[scotjimland]

Hi, thought that some time in the future when I renew my PC I might go for a Mac. How would I do with all my files stored on external hard drive e.g. photos, Visio, Word and Excell for example?

Hi Ken,

Have a look at the Apple site on how to migrate from PC to Mac

 

[Munchie]

Thanks Jim, looks like I'll have to factor in cost of mac programs to deal with my files like MS Office and Visio.

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[olley]

Hi jim don't want to disagree but this:

Though fewer viruses have been written specifically targeted the Macintosh OS, Mac viruses do exist. Cross-platfrom threats, such as many of the Office macro viruses, can also be a problem for Mac users. The following antivirus software is well-suited to defending Mac users against the threat of viruses.

From here: http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/tp/aamacvir.htm

Or are they just trying to sell software?

Olley

 

[scotjimland]

Hi jim don't want to disagree but this:

Though fewer viruses have been written specifically targeted the Macintosh OS, Mac viruses do exist. Cross-platfrom threats, such as many of the Office macro viruses, can also be a problem for Mac users. The following antivirus software is well-suited to defending Mac users against the threat of viruses.

From here: http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/tp/aamacvir.htm

Or are they just trying to sell software?

Olley

Hi Olley,

All I can say is that in seven years of using Macs, I've never had a virus, nor has any Mac owner I know.. personally I wouldn't waste money on this, Laurie may have a different opinion.

There is only one piece of software I use for system maintenance called Macaroni from Link Removed

Highly recommended and well worth the ten bucks..

 

[olley]

Hi Jim thanks for that, she will be using it in a student environment, whether that makes any difference I don't know??

Cloning, going to buy her a 160gig off ebay and clone the drive to that, whats the best software for this? I believe you weren't keen on super-duper? The mac is running Leopard.

Whats the best for chatting and video between pc and mac? been using windows live, but I don't think there's a mac version. Tried skype but it caused ie7 to freeze intermittently.

Olley

 

[scotjimland]

Hi Olley

Laurie likes Supa Dupa but I got on better with Carbon Copy Cloner

Make sure you buy a firewire drive, you can't boot up off of a usb drive .

I bought a 500 gb My Book Western Digital with usb and firewire.

Chatting you can use yahoo or msn

 

[olley]

Hi jim thanks didn't realize that about usb. will get firewire or both.

Olley

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[camcondor]

Hi Olley, Scotjim and others interested.....sorry I've been missing for the day, its been a wiiiiiiiillllllld one from a work point of view, but I'm back online now!

Olley....re virusses, yes I agree with Scotjim, never had / known of anyone with a ac virus. However, due to Jen's irreplaceeable stuff, I use a commercial Mac antivirus / firewall package from Intego. Costs reasonable and all available online.
Call me paranoid - Macs are very infrequent targets but Jen's work is irreplaceable.

Also recommend Disk Warrior - what do you think Jim? I repair permissions very frequently for her due to the huge image files, and also the sheer number of firewire and eSATA drives she has - make Disk Warrior a very worthwhile investment. Amazon is a good place for Mac software as is Computer Warehouse (bit pricey) but keeps all things Mac as well. Prefer Amazon.

Most USB stuff is fine with Macs, but not all. Printers, esp older ones, can be a hassle due to lack of drivers. You'll be fine with Epson and Canon (thats what photography students should be using IMHO anyway.) All in ones esp older ones do not always work with Macs.

Firewire clone drive hotly recommended as per Scotjim - its just brilliant, as is Time Machine. Macs can't boot off USB drives and Disk Warrior doesn't "see" them either. Its a GREAT utilty for keeping firwire drives totally "defragged" (strictly speaking Macs aren't defragmented, "Permissions Repaired" is what technically happens. Will expand later if anyone interested!!!

Daughter also welcome to PM or email me. :thumb:

Its a happy learning curve I'm pleased to say.....if a bit pricey!!!!!

Ksebruce: Go for it!!! Macs Rule!!! You can run your PC software on an Intel Mac running BootCamp (included in OS 10.5 Leopard)

Laurie

 

[camcondor]

Oh oh oh, nearly forgot - cloning software - Scotjim's favourite CCC and mine SupaDupa - do exactly the same job, each very competent - personal choice. You can try them / download trial versions and see what you like.

Laurie

 

[scotjimland]

Hi Laurie

I've never tried Disk Warrior, to be frank I've never had a need. In the early days I asked on a Mac forum how to defrag and was told it wasn't possible or needed but a reinstall was a good idea so I've always kept my important stuff backed up on DVD and or the external drive and about once a year I do a fresh instal of the OS* , like an annual spring clean, don't know if it helps a lot but it has a 'feel good' factor knowing all the junk is gone and the drive is defragmented, good as new ..

 

[scotjimland]

Hi Laurie ..

You are no doubt aware of the permissions on Leopard that can't be repaired, do you have any thoughts on this, are these critical, is there a 'fix' ?

See my list on the thumb nail.. are they the same as yours ?

Cheers
Jim

 

[olley]

Hi, you two have probably been waiting for this. Why do you recommend cloning? Never done it on a PC, could never see the need, yes it still needs a reboot once in a while, and errant software can be a problem but so far "restore" has always sorted it, so why on a Mac?

Olley

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[Munchie]

Ksebruce: Go for it!!! Macs Rule!!! You can run your PC software on an Intel Mac running BootCamp (included in OS 10.5 Leopard)

Thanks Laurie. When ready, some time yet as my pooter is still a very fast machine just looking to the future and I like what I hear re Mac's

 

[scotjimland]

Well, a very good question Olley.. glad you asked

In the very unlikely event of total hard drive failure you could boot up and run on the external drive, you could also use the clone to run on someone else's Mac if yours was in for repair, when I broke the screen on my Powerbook it took a week to get it repaired.. if I had had a clone I could have used Jan's iBook ..

 

[camcondor]

Jim,

Yes, that's the Permissions Glitch in Leopard - hasn't been fixed yet in the first update, according to Apple's own support forums, the issue is not a problem and is certainly not critical - users are urged to ignore it and it will be "sorted" in future updates. Its the same SUID issues as per your thumbnail - everyone seems to be getting it.

Users of Utilities - like Disk Warrior , Tech Tools etc - are being warned not to repair permissions / "defrag" with versions not specifically deemed to be Leopard-compatible - there are new versions in the offing of all the utils, but none are available yet AFAIK. Apple advises usual permission repairs and ignore the SUID "errors".

Olley, cloning is really handy - not to mention incredibly simple - if your primary / only HDD fails, or the boot system corrupts, you can boot up easily with the clone - so much so that you wouldn't be able to tell the diff with the primary. Time Machine can provide incremental backups to the clone and you can have a complete copy of your system - or just your boot drive - as you wish. I cloned the boot drive in case of a crash / disk failure which with Jen's deadlines, would have been complete chaos. With HDDs being pretty affordable these days, it seems like temting fate NOT to at least clone the system you boot up from!!

A Mac laptop can also be started up in Firewire Mode - where it effectively becomes a satellite drive - when you need to recover files after a disaster, or, more usually, migrate from one mac to another. Desktops work in exactly the same way.

Jim, Disk Warrior is priceless for me - Jen has 10 Firewire Drives set up in a converted SCSI box to form a sort of JBOD / RAID, ( I did this before JBOD enclosures were readily available) and also an eSATA box (new) with hot-swappable eSATA HDDs (2TB worth in the SATA Box and the Firewire box has 300GB drives in it. But it may not be necessary for everyone - now and then, HDDs "disappear" from a Macs desktop, if you don't have Disk Warrior then rebooting and possibly even reinstalling the OS is the way to go - DW "sees" the vanished drives and fixes up the damaged permission issues which the OS Disk Util can't, unless you have installed Leopard on each of the drives, which is time and space wasting.

Laurie