Author Topic: Any Mac gurus here that can help me? (Read 462 times)

elzie · « **on:** June 18, 2003, 11:53:16 AM »

First I will state that I am a PC guy, Linux, Windows......

However, I do have a Powerbook 3400c that I really like, but am still learning to use. The problem is that I have changed the original 1.3 gig hard drive for a 40 gig. I work on a lot of computers and took every precaution I could think of. Heck, I am still wearing my wrist strap!LOL

Back to the problem/question. I was ready to start up and re-install OS 9.1 (I am used to reformats and re-installs, I use Windows!). But I can't get the Powerbook to power up. Nothing. I even put the old drive back in and still nothing. Is there a certain series of keys to press to get this to power up? I know the sequence to get it to boot from the CD, but it doesn't even get that far.

Paul, The Baffled One

mattheus · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2003, 01:17:59 PM »

Very strange problem, just recently I've upgraded my G4 and had no problems at all. I know overhere (the Netherlands) are some groups on the net with all kinds of Mac/PC weirdo's who all and everything. Perhaps you can join some sort of group like that over there in the States.
Good luck, Mattheus

wayne · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2003, 02:52:14 PM »

Paul-

I too am a novice mac user. I've gotten a ton of help from the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store here in Dallas. Check out this page on the Apple site to see if one of the MA stores is near you.

http://www.apple.com/retail/

C-Ya............wayne

bob · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2003, 04:43:51 PM »

I've been using Macs since they first came out, but haven't yet had a laptop, so I'm not familiar with their power keys and such. However, you might find useful tips at Apple's support site. I'd start at http://www.info.apple.com/ then select Powerbook from the product menu, and either browse or search from there. (I suppose you might have to register or something, not sure about that, but I think at least some of the stuff is available without hassle.)

In particular, I noticed one interesting reset function here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449

Good luck.

elzie · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2003, 05:15:25 PM »

Thanks for all the info guys!

I got it figured out. I disconnected the backup battery for a few hours as I had a hunch that it was resposible for holding instructions in cache on the mobo.

Once the cache memory was lost, it wasn't looking for certain parameters anymore and I was able to start it in the normal manner

I will be bookmarking the sites you all have listed here because you never know when you need help......

Thanks again!
Paul TGO

dannobasso · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2003, 09:32:52 PM »

I've been using Macs since 95 Performa 5300
Now I have a dual 450 G4 single 400 G4 and Imac Snow G3 500. I love them. I just switched over to Jaguar and it totally kicks! Stable, solid as a rock! I'm waiting for Protools for OS X. Currently using version 5.1 on my 400 running OS 9.1. I find that you can figure things out on a Mac easier and they are far less prone to catastrophic failures. My dad is a devout PC user and has a heart attack each year when his gear totally tanks. I have some students who are very PC savvy and liken their machines to Mr. Potato Head. They love tinkering and swapping and experimenting with them. NOT ME!
I'm always tempted to get a new machine, but what I have still kicks. I am thinking about a 20 Apple display though. Best of luck elzie and welcome to the world of Mac! (OSX kicks 9's tail in my opinion)
Danno

elzie · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2003, 05:21:49 AM »

Thanks Danno!

I like the PC's for the same reason as your students(interchangeability, is this a word?) and that there is a lot more software available for them. Did I mention that the software is usually half the price of Mac software?

I do like the Mac. It definitely has it's pluses. It is very different to use, though. For the longest time I was just closing program boxes with the close button on the gui box, then I wondered why my comp was slowing down. That is, until I learned that they have to be closed with the drop down menu. Doh!

As for OS X, should I say welcome to the pc world? As you know OS X is built on the Unix kernel, so that's why it has become very stable.

By the way, my wife has managed to crash my Mac more than once. I don't know how, but she crashed OS 8.6 and later OS 9.1. She has yet to crash any of my Windows machines though. (I probably just cursed myself)

My next thing is trying to get a Linksys wireless ethernet card to work with the Mac. I tried an Airport card, but it doesn't fit my old machine. This should be a challenge, especially since I use WEPs at 128 bit encryption.......

I'm open to sugestions!

Paul TGO

valvil · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2003, 12:33:12 PM »

Danno,

protools for OS X has been out for a couple of months and should be available for download on Digidesign's website. You want to have the latest version of Jaguar installed which I believe is 10.2.6. I bought myself an M-box which unfortunately arrived just after I left for Europe, because of a temporary backorder. One of the reasons I am looking forward to returning home.

I've been an OS X user since December 2001 and I think it is easily the best OS around, which only keeps getting better.

Paul, the dropdown menu is not the only way to close programs on a Mac; holding the apple key and then pressing Q will also do the job.

Valentino

palembic · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2003, 12:43:30 PM »

Well-well-well ...
look ho popped up now!
His feet in the Mediterranean see bungling, sitting in a rustique corner of the old Naples harbour, and using round the world technique to give the impression he is working
LOL

Moder Valentino!!!!
How are you doing on this side of the pond??

Paul the bad one

elzie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2003, 05:50:14 PM »

Thanks for the tip Valentino!

I have got some of my Mac questions figured out. I got the Powerbook running with the new hard drive and also got OS 9.1 to work with a Linksys wireless PC card. I just can't get it to work with WEP activated. This is a good learning experience though

Paul, The Non But One

valvil · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2003, 01:15:21 PM »

Hello Paul (bad one ) and Paul ( the good one)

I am doing ok, enjoying the food mostly ...and no I am not even remotely trying to pretend that I am working...;-)

The trip is winding down, I'll be going to England in a couple of days and then back to the States before the 4th of July holiday.

Mostly I miss my animals, my Alembics and Gibsons & my cable modem...plus I'm itching to plan for my first Alembic guitar...

Will be back to posting a lot more when I'm home; but don't worry, I've still been keeping an eye on you all...

Take care,

Valentino

dannobasso · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2003, 03:07:12 PM »

I'm running Jaguar on a 450 dual and my Imac G3 500. The singer in my band just bought the 002 and is running 9.2.2. He had to buy the Ikey for the authorization of some plugins. I'm still waiting to switch over my G4 400 / digi 001 to OS 10. I just had a bit of a problem with the Imac. I was running Drive 10 from the boot disc and had to stop it. As it was cleaning up the power went out! It wouldn't boot again in 10. I re-ran Drive 10 but that didn't work, so I ran Norton Utilities for OS9.2 and switched the startup disc to OS9. I'm reinstalling Jaguar but the second disc of the installation was taking a helluva long time to run the other software install. I'm hoping that when I go into work tomorrow morning it will be all ready to go.
On another Protools note: Doomntree is recording on 002 and then flying out to LA to have the sessions mixed on HD on a Neive board to 2tape. I'm told that if you switch over to Protools 6 you will lose the authorizations on any cracked plug ins. Food for thought.