Help with computer issues (mac guru's appriciated)

T

Truth_Only5000

The Force is Strong With This One
It may seem silly to get so upset over a machine that can be replaced, but if you're like me having every single computer you've ever owned blow up for one reason or another, then you may understand my stress! I have a very nice 2008 Macintosh (not sure of the exact model) that gives me terrible feelings in my gut when so much as a pixel doesn't look right... and its acting up like a child that hasn't gotten his way. About an hour ago it crashed for reasons unknown I'm afraid this may be the result of a virus or god knows what else, but i have no idea of how to begin to check! If there is anyone who may know whats going on please tell me in great detail.

Many thanks!!
 
Truth_Only5000 said:
It may seem silly to get so upset over a machine that can be replaced, but if you're like me having every single computer you've ever owned blow up for one reason or another, then you may understand my stress! I have a very nice 2008 Macintosh (not sure of the exact model) that gives me terrible feelings in my gut when so much as a pixel doesn't look right... and its acting up like a child that hasn't gotten his way. About an hour ago it crashed for reasons unknown I'm afraid this may be the result of a virus or god knows what else, but i have no idea of how to begin to check! If there is anyone who may know whats going on please tell me in great detail.

Many thanks!!
Click to expand...

Hi Truth_Only5000. From your post it's difficult to diagnose what the problem is, since there are no specifics. Regarding your fears of having to replace it, why not try getting it serviced first? The folks at Apple might be eager to get you to replace your current model though. A better bet is an independent computer servicer that could help you with your problem. Maybe others will have a take on your situation.
 
This isn't really a computer forum, and I'm far from a guru.. If you're computer crashed and you can't get it to work, my advice would be to take it in to a store that has a tech center like Staples or Best Buy and have them look at it. If your computer is at least running, try cleaning the hard drive using a program like Mac Scan - http://macscan.securemac.com/.
 
HI Truth_Only5000, it's quite rare that Mac computers are infected with viruses - but it could happen. In my understanding the many 'clean up your Mac' programs that pop up regularly on some pages are not safe to use, they could actually be malware of some sort. If you do a search on "mac virus protection" or similar, you'll come across many articles that discuss this. Here's one:

_http://gigaom.com/apple/antivirus-software-on-your-mac-yes-or-no/

One thing that I've noticed happening from time to time is that e.g. Safari won't start, the icon just keeps bouncing. The remedy for this is to use the 'Disk Utility' program (just search 'Disk Utility' with Spotlight, or locate in Programs/Utilities) and do the 'Repair Disk Permissions' routine. Don't know, this might help with your problems too. And while you're at it, check the hard disk(s) using the same utility.

See: _http://macs.about.com/od/faq1/f/appnotstarting.htm

Another great program that I use from time to time to optimize and clean up is Onyx. Choose the right version of Onyx depending of what OS you have (Lion, Snow Leopard etc). You can find those here:

_http://www.titanium.free.fr/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=399

I haven't had any problems using Onyx, but it's recommended that you backup your data before starting up. How to use Onyx, look here:

_http://www.switchingtomac.com/tutorials/keep-your-mac-running-smoothly-with-onyx/

Good luck!
 
Truth_Only5000 said:
It may seem silly to get so upset over a machine that can be replaced, but if you're like me having every single computer you've ever owned blow up for one reason or another, then you may understand my stress! I have a very nice 2008 Macintosh (not sure of the exact model) that gives me terrible feelings in my gut when so much as a pixel doesn't look right... and its acting up like a child that hasn't gotten his way. About an hour ago it crashed for reasons unknown I'm afraid this may be the result of a virus or god knows what else, but i have no idea of how to begin to check! If there is anyone who may know whats going on please tell me in great detail.

Many thanks!!
Click to expand...

This(bolded) is a program and I'm certain of it! Oh sure Your equipment may have issues but the biggest issue is between Your ears :D
How I know this? I suffer from it myself and really bad at times. It mostly occurs when driving my car longer stretches...
The answers others have given You concerning Your computer are adequate enough IMO.
 
Have a question for any experienced with these matters of how best to manage windows on a mac, or more precisely, “office” programs.

My current system (windows) after 5 years (it is a dell laptop with a leaking screen and kept running on a wish and a prayer) is being retired. Deciding on what to look for took some considering. It boiled down to being tired of continuous updating and then having to reset “system restore” every time all the updated bits/bites decided not to talk with each other and froze. Other things like photos and such, i've been told and shown just how well they can be managed and viewed on a mac. Anyway, perhaps wrongly, not sure, have elected to run a small mac desktop (mini) and want to either “dual boot” the drive (as has been pointed out to me) or another way to run both mac/windows. As for windows, really think all that would be important, unless i’m missing something, is running "office" because of both my partner’s and my current files and email etc., along with work machine files (which is ms office).

Here are the options i’ve found.

1. Dual booting with Boot Camp.
2. Running Windows in a virtual machine (e.g. three options, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox)
3. Running Windows apps directly in Mac OS X (without Windows)
4. ?

I’ve read the pro’s and con’s concerning the above and they, imho, have not set in my mind due to inexperience. Some come with added costs, and some not, and all have effects on speed/memory use or things like having to shut down in one mode and open up (boot) in another (which seems onerous).

Any first hand knowledge and opinions would be very helpful.

Thanks.

Edit PS. indications were that the on-board memory standard of 4 mb should be upgraded (if running both), so added 8mb chip.
 
When you say crashed , what exactly is happening?

Does it turn on now?
If so what is it showing on the screen?
or does it not come on at all?
If a question mark is showing it would suggest hard disc problems. There are some good yootube videos showing how to replace it easy enough.
It is possible still to save data with program such as Data rescue.
 
voyageur said:
Here are the options i’ve found.

1. Dual booting with Boot Camp.
2. Running Windows in a virtual machine (e.g. three options, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox)
3. Running Windows apps directly in Mac OS X (without Windows)
4. ?
Click to expand...

I have used Office in the native version for Mac, and though there used to be problems sometimes opening some documents that had been created on PCs, in the last few years those glitches seem to have been ironed out. If you go that route, I guess you’d have to check about importing email across from the Windows version, either into Entourage or directly in OS X ‘Mail’.

Of the others above I have only used VirtualBox, which does work but is very slow to start up and seems to be jumpy sometimes when running.

Maybe go check over to at the Apple support forums and see what they say there, there must be others that have had the same kind of question.
 
Alada said:
Maybe go check over to at the Apple support forums and see what they say there, there must be others that have had the same kind of question.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good advice.

Eventually openoffice/libreoffice could close the gap a bit, cause you can open microsoft files and save them as such. But this wouldn't solve the mail thing. But have a look as well at support forums to export/import mails from here to there. And if macs mail program is sufficient for you. And if you should go for an office version mac, buy a new one since i.e. office 2004 for mac doesn't run anymore on mountain lion (OSX 10.8), so check things twice.

Another program are the mac office programs ala iwork (pages, numbers, keynote, they can also import and export to word, excel etc.) and eventually have a look for a mac which comes with this package instead of ilife (iphoto, imovie, idvd, garage band) unless you like to run more creative/fun programs on your mac.
 
voyageur said:
Have a question for any experienced with these matters of how best to manage windows on a mac, or more precisely, “office” programs.

My current system (windows) after 5 years (it is a dell laptop with a leaking screen and kept running on a wish and a prayer) is being retired. Deciding on what to look for took some considering. It boiled down to being tired of continuous updating and then having to reset “system restore” every time all the updated bits/bites decided not to talk with each other and froze. Other things like photos and such, i've been told and shown just how well they can be managed and viewed on a mac. Anyway, perhaps wrongly, not sure, have elected to run a small mac desktop (mini) and want to either “dual boot” the drive (as has been pointed out to me) or another way to run both mac/windows. As for windows, really think all that would be important, unless i’m missing something, is running "office" because of both my partner’s and my current files and email etc., along with work machine files (which is ms office).

Here are the options i’ve found.

1. Dual booting with Boot Camp.
2. Running Windows in a virtual machine (e.g. three options, Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or VirtualBox)
3. Running Windows apps directly in Mac OS X (without Windows)
4. ?

I’ve read the pro’s and con’s concerning the above and they, imho, have not set in my mind due to inexperience. Some come with added costs, and some not, and all have effects on speed/memory use or things like having to shut down in one mode and open up (boot) in another (which seems onerous).

Any first hand knowledge and opinions would be very helpful.

Thanks.

Edit PS. indications were that the on-board memory standard of 4 mb should be upgraded (if running both), so added 8mb chip.
Click to expand...

Hi Voyager

If the only thing that you want to do in Windows is run MS Office, then I wouldn't bother. The latest Mac version of MS Office is completely compatible with its Windows counterpart in my experience. Also, files from Apple's native 'Office' suite (Pages, Numbers etc) all open fine in Office on a PC.

If you need Windows for other software that you can't run natively on a Mac, my vote would be for Parallels, simply because in my experience it is the easiest to use and it works very well. With 8Gb of RAM you should have no problems. I have also tried both dual booting and VMWare Fusion, but Parallels works best for me.

Regards
 
Gawan said:
Alada said:
Maybe go check over to at the Apple support forums and see what they say there, there must be others that have had the same kind of question.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good advice.

Eventually openoffice/libreoffice could close the gap a bit, cause you can open microsoft files and save them as such. But this wouldn't solve the mail thing. But have a look as well at support forums to export/import mails from here to there. And if macs mail program is sufficient for you. And if you should go for an office version mac, buy a new one since i.e. office 2004 for mac doesn't run anymore on mountain lion (OSX 10.8), so check things twice.

Another program are the mac office programs ala iwork (pages, numbers, keynote, they can also import and export to word, excel etc.) and eventually have a look for a mac which comes with this package instead of ilife (iphoto, imovie, idvd, garage band) unless you like to run more creative/fun programs on your mac.
Click to expand...

Ok, so a neighbor has a copy of Office for Mac 2008 addition and said it works very well - will read up on this on a few forms.

[quote author=ec1968 ]

Hi Voyager

If the only thing that you want to do in Windows is run MS Office, then I wouldn't bother. The latest Mac version of MS Office is completely compatible with its Windows counterpart in my experience. Also, files from Apple's native 'Office' suite (Pages, Numbers etc) all open fine in Office on a PC.

If you need Windows for other software that you can't run natively on a Mac, my vote would be for Parallels, simply because in my experience it is the easiest to use and it works very well. With 8Gb of RAM you should have no problems. I have also tried both dual booting and VMWare Fusion, but Parallels works best for me.

Regards
[/quote]

First, thanks for correcting the 8Mb to 8Gb (must have been stuck in old 286 world with floppy disks era) ;)

I'm leaning to just running the Mac office version, cause i'm not sure i need other software. My partner has a few anatomy programs and there may be other things also. Thinking that rather than getting too fussed, i'll check a few forums, turn it on and see what happens, perhaps load Office mac and if other things are needed, can look to change into something like you suggested (Parallels).

Rather than get hung up on email issues, such as "outlook", might just run Firefox systems; don't know what Mac email/browser systems are like, perhaps they should be explored first?

Thank you all for your help.
 
voyageur said:
First, thanks for correcting the 8Mb to 8Gb (must have been stuck in old 286 world with floppy disks era) ;)

I'm leaning to just running the Mac office version, cause i'm not sure i need other software. My partner has a few anatomy programs and there may be other things also. Thinking that rather than getting too fussed, i'll check a few forums, turn it on and see what happens, perhaps load Office mac and if other things are needed, can look to change into something like you suggested (Parallels).

Rather than get hung up on email issues, such as "outlook", might just run Firefox systems; don't know what Mac email/browser systems are like, perhaps they should be explored first?

Thank you all for your help.
Click to expand...

I'm not experienced with Macs (I never really had a taste for the forbidden fruit), but I've been using Thunderbird as an email program for years and like it for the most part. It's cross platform (runs on multiple operating systems), so there's a Mac OS X version. My favorite feature about it is that you can create virtual "folders" in it that can be searches of other folders--so you can use it to create one folder that has all your unread emails from whatever folders you want to include in the search, among other things. It's pretty powerful and free, so might be worth checking out.

Almost all major web browsers are cross platform these days as well.

I haven't used Parallels, so I can't compare it to VirtualBox, but I've used VirtualBox for virtualizing various operating systems (including OS X, actually, though only for work purposes) for years and have found it to be pretty solid (though some linux developers say part of it is quite a mess--I haven't really had many problems with it). VMware is probably a little more solidly built and flexible and possibly includes more (advanced) features, but I haven't seen enough benefits over VirtualBox for me to pay for the workstation version. If you're going to be using Windows within a Mac though, I'd definitely recommend virtualizing it instead of dual booting--it's a lot more flexible, instead of having to stop whatever you're doing and reboot to get into Windows if you want to do something in it, then rebooting to go back. Most virtualizers (all of the major ones?) also support running in full screen, if you need, so it's almost like dual booting without the reboot hassle.

For email, office, and virtualization software, there are a lot of free options that I think are worth checking out before buying something that you may not be happy with. FWIW.
 
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