Messages

1

Tech / Re: Not apfs..?

« on: October 18, 2024, 02:03:26 AM »

 


If he didn't replace any physical parts, he probably did one or more of the following resets:


https://www.macworld.com/article/224955/how-to-reset-a-macs-nvram-pram-and-smc.html


I recently did a SMC reset on my sister's MBP and solved a recurring flash problem. Worth trying if you encounter any future issues.

2

Community / Re: We need some Humor!!!

« on: October 17, 2024, 01:58:54 AM »

 



I'm not. 

3

Tech / Re: Not apfs..?

« on: October 17, 2024, 01:56:47 AM »

The newer OS requires an APFS file system on the main drive of the computer if SSD but does not make it mandatory for an external. What I would suggest is getting an external SSD and installing Mohave through the MBP onto the new external. You can avoid having to make the external APFS. Once installed, boot to the external and use the Mac to move info/data from the MBP to the external as if you were moving to a new computer. After that is done, test everything and if OK, erase the MBP and clone the external to the MBP.


I know it sounds like a lot of work but it is a relatively "easy" way to avoid having to make your MBP have an APFS system. It's not that having APFS is bad but you could have problems with compatibility with other drives, etc. I don't know the extent of your computer hardware and what programs or files you need to access. Keeping the MBP non APFS should keep things compatible though according the some, may not be as efficient as the new file system.


In any case, I would invest in two externals and clone your present system to one before you do anything so you do have a backup should anything go wrong. If all works out, then clone the new setup to the extra drive. My advice is "you never have too many backups." 


Suggest you look up articles on APFS vs MacOS extended to get an idea of the possible problems.

4

Tech / Re: selection..??

« on: September 28, 2024, 11:42:19 PM »

Not sure, but I think his taking a screenshot won't make any difference cause if the highlighting truly isn't working, then no color will show and it will just look like the regular text. That's the reason he is so frustrated.


Unfortunately I don't have an answer to his problem other than perhaps doing a reinstall of the OS. Pretty drastic solution, but might work.

5

Tech / Re: Just tell me what to buy please!

« on: June 16, 2024, 05:15:25 AM »

Hi Sooz! Good to hear from you.


This is the same TS you know and love, no new site elsewhere. Since computers (Macs anyway) have become so easy to use there aren't a lot of people coming here anymore. Also there are many other places to find answers so we aren't as necessary as we once were. Many of the regulars have also gone on to other places "in the cloud" so to speak.


As for MS Word, I believe it is by subscription now. Don't know what version of the program you are using now. Have you tried Pages? I find it suitable for most purposes and of course comes free for Macs.


You probably just need a very basic unit since you won't be doing a lot of graphics. When you get to the point of deciding which model, I'd suggest checking out the refurbs directly from Apple if you want to save a little $. Otherwise there are several online places that sell relatively recent new iMacs at good prices. Here's a sampling of what's on offer:


https://www.macrumors.com/guide/imac-
deals/#:~:text=In%20this%20guide%2C%20you'll,is%20now%20integrated%20with%20TigerDirect).


https://www.macworld.com/article/672803/best-imac-deals.html#


https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac

6

Tech / Re: AI comes to Safari

« on: May 27, 2024, 12:45:59 AM »

Totally agree with you, Jim.  So tired of shopping at sites and finding out that once I go to check out, Safari doesn't show a "Complete purchase" button or the Paypal option doesn't work, etc. Then I have to go through the whole process all over again in Firefox. Not to mention some government sites that don't work with Safari either.
 

7

Community / Re: Earthquake

« on: April 25, 2024, 01:24:28 AM »

Hi Frances,


Not really, some people are now considering earthquake insurance but unless we get another big shake we probably will just hold our breath and muddle on. The state has supposedly checked all major bridges and declared them safe, ignoring our local loss.    Will be interesting to see how long it takes for them to repair or replace the stone bridge. One benefit, our daily walks down that road are pretty traffic free. 


As of this date, we now have over 120 aftershocks. Again, most minor and barely felt unless really close to the source. Seems as though they have now discovered a "Tewksbury fault" hitherto unknown.    Not how I hoped our town would get recognized on the map.

8

Tech / Re: revert to a previous version of Photoshop CC

« on: April 25, 2024, 01:14:59 AM »

Obviously another slip up of the Adobe Quality Control division.

 

9

Tech / Re: How to convert to APFS to be able to upgrade OS?

« on: April 25, 2024, 01:13:24 AM »

I'm not sure why SuperDuper says you have to convert the external to APFS other than this I found at the Shirt-Pocket website from Dave Nanian:


"Since the source is APFS, and there are features of APFS that cannot be replicated on HFS+, such as sparse files, it's wise to use the same format. It's not required, but, for example, a 2TB "sparse file" on the source that might only have 200K of data in it will take up 200K on the source and 2TB on the backup...and will be 2TB once restored, if you use HFS+."

That said, you may be able to keep the existing data as HFS+ and create a separate partition on the external that is APFS. This link explains with pictures how to do that (2nd choice).


https://recoverit.wondershare.com/harddrive-tips/convert-external-drive-to-apple-file-system-apfs-format.html


Some caveats: if your previous attempt to convert with SD failed, it may have corrupted the data presently on the EHD. You may have to erase the disk anyway and start from scratch. Not terrible if you only had a previous User Folder and nothing much else.
But once again, I recommend having more than one external bkup, one SSD with a complete clone, one for Time Machine or timed SD backups and one strictly for data that can be HFS+(OS extended) so it can be used with an older Mac OS if you have legacy machines.
Here is a thread at Shirt-Pocket that confirms my suggestion as well as another at Apple with similar thoughts:


https://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/showthread.php?p=34675#post34675


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253532971?sortBy=best


Hope this helps you get to your goal. 

10

Tech / Re: How to convert to APFS to be able to upgrade OS?

« on: April 22, 2024, 11:34:31 PM »

First of all, are you backing up to the same hard drive as the one with original data? Not very helpful unless all you are interested in is going back with Time Machine to a previous state. Otherwise if you have a problem with the hard drive you really have nothing, no backup at all. I backup to several external drives. They're cheap enough these days.


That said, it appears as though your drive is already APSF. When you are in DU, click on the View at the top so you see ALL Devices. Post a picture here of that with the listing down the left side. It will help us see just how your drive is divided. Your listing it helps but visual confirmation of which volume is subbed under which will further help.

If you have to convert a drive or volume to APSF do it within DU and not SuperDuper. SD is notorious for taking forever to do it and often fails. I tried once using SD, then gave up after a long period and then did it within DU very quickly. But really can't suggest action til actually see more about your drive setup. Can't suggest sizes etc til see actual drive size and what's available. However, I strongly advise getting external SSD drives and this problem would be mute. You'd just format externals (if SSD) as APFS and SD will comply in backing up.
 

11

Community / Re: Earthquake

« on: April 18, 2024, 12:20:37 AM »

Update:
As of today there have been 73 aftershocks, most minor though I did hear and feel several and a couple actually woke me up.


My well water has cleared. The Revolutionary Mill down the road which was being restored had its facade collapse and the quake undermined a local stone bridge a half mile away which had to be closed. We now have to detour a few extra miles to get to "civilization". From the looks of it, the bridge will need to be totally replaced so we expect many months before our normal access is returned. Only detriment is any emergency services will now take longer to get here.


Otherwise things are OK. But did twitch a little when the house next door had tree men fell a few large pines with a resounding thud. 

12

Community / Re: Earthquake

« on: April 10, 2024, 06:06:19 PM »

Since the original quake we have had 47 aftershocks as of today. Most were minor but at least a few were loud and shook the house. Damage has been limited to things thrown around and my well water going brown for a few days from dirt being dislodged. However, I now tend to cringe when I hear a loud noise waiting for another shake. 


The biggest one was the strongest in the area since 1783 so this was a real surprise. I do get annoyed though when the news keeps referring to the location as Lebanon or Whitehouse Station. Both those places are south/southwest of the actual epicenter which is Oldwick in Tewksbury about 2 miles from my house. Some of the aftershocks have been even closer to me. However, most have been within perhaps 4/5 miles from Oldwick center.
In jpg below, orange are shocks today, yellow past few days, grey previous years, white quake three weeks ago and magenta my house.

13

Community / Re: Earthquake

« on: April 05, 2024, 05:12:13 PM »

Just had a major aftershock. Guess we are not done with this yet. 

14

Community / Earthquake

« on: April 05, 2024, 01:33:53 PM »

Well, it's been an interesting day.


On March 14th, I was in my kitchen when I hear a loud boom and my house shook. I thought a tree had fallen on the roof but when I went outside there was no evidence of anything out of the ordinary. No trees down, nothing on the roof but I was going crazy wondering what it was. Finally thought it had to be an earthquake but it wasn't until several hours later that I got a text from a local authority that indeed there had been a 2.2 magnitude quake centered a couple miles from me. OK, so I wasn't going nuts and others did mention it on the NextDoor forum though my sister who lives 6 miles away didn't feel it.


Today I happened to be again in the kitchen in the exact same spot and KABOOM! Once again the whole house shook and this time it sounded like a dozen trees landing on the house and I had to brace myself. Some soup cans fell off a shelf and a few other things tumbled as well. Pictures were all out of level on the walls. It took me a few minutes to stop shaking myself. This was the same series of noises and shaking as before but to a much more extreme degree and much longer. This was 4.8 magnitude. My sister texted me immediately that she had felt it, too. Turns out the epicenter was only a couple miles from my house, like before. Now i'm wondering if that earlier one was a prequel or if this one could be a warning of what it to come.


TV reports say this is the strongest quake in the area in over 50 years or more. Since the epicenter is very shallow it makes it felt many miles away, more than the ones on the West Coast. We just were coming out of a nasty storm that took down lots of trees and power outages for almost two days. I do have a generator but only now got back internet (DSL box  up the street requires power).


Anyway, all is well. Just a bit concerned that this may not be over. 

15

Community / Re: We need some Humor!!!

« on: February 07, 2024, 12:17:35 PM »

Thanks, Jon!  We needed that. At least I did.