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Fix a Troubled Mac
This is the only book that I'm aware of that gives you troubleshooting assistance like it should be. I've never encountered a chapter in any book that is dedicated to helping one create an emergency firewire drive, or a bootable Mac CD-ROM that will boot essentially any modern Macintosh, let alone, explain which software troubleshooting tools to use, or how to set up system software for quick reinstalls. In addition to this, the writer takes you on a guided course on how to approach the command line (for brave Mac OS X users) to fix start-up problems and corrupted user logins.
Fix a Troubled Mac is densely packed with information presented in a light, easy-to-read way. It accelerates you through basic information towards in-depth and advanced topics -- even if you get left behind, what remains in your head are relevant and well-formed concepts and frameworks. As the author mentions at intervals, this book approaches running a Mac studio in a holistic manner. Having said that, the therapy of the individual computer user is not overlooked. Even a computer-literate person with two or three Macs in a SOHO setting will benefit.
The first chapter of the book, "Be Your Own IT Support" covers concepts on how to approach problems. Starting with the basics like the Cardinal Rules (Ask yourself, "what has changed lately?"). From there it's a nice, easy, sometimes humorous introduction to how networks work. After a few pages, much of the bafflement that is computer-related pain begins to ease, furrows recede, clock speed returns to normal. Such simple ideas, such profound effects. Perhaps this book could be subtitled 'The Tao of Mac.'
This book does indeed read like a distillation of 6 years of a Mac technician's life, filled with numerous methods to efficiently and effectively diagnose and repair troubled Macs. From paper-bag solutions for a beige box with the hiccups, to rolling out a customized OS X laboratory in less than a day, this book will walk you through the higher realms of careful planning and execution.
Very little information in this book is dedicated to the beginner. If that is my only criticism of the book then let that stand. Like any good thriller, at times you will find yourself with heart beating and sweat on your brow (when did I last back up?). Even hardened professionals will find themselves taking unhealthy interest in particular chapters.
A whole chapter of the book is dedicated to the creation of an emergency firewire drive, which is referred to again and again throughout the book and although creating one may seem arduous, you quickly learn how to use these tools to repair, recover and restore after disasters, as well as install new systems and software updates quickly. The author makes extensive references to some software essentials like Carbon Copy Cloner and NetRestore by bombich software.
There are a lot of recommendations of various software tools and their uses. Many of these tools are inexpensive, but of course there are the usual heavyweights like Retrospect and Disk Warrior. Helpfully, each tool's precious place in your toolbox is analyzed and explained, along with the situation and manner in which to use it.
Reading this book cover to cover, one of the things I found confusing was the order in which topics were presented. Of course, such a book isn't generally used in this way, and given its electronic and search/click nature, it doesn't cause any real difficulty. It may be off-putting to some, to each his own.
In keeping with its holistic backbone, the book doesn't make assumptions about the flavor of your studio's environment. Just as much coverage is given to Mac OS 9 based Macintoshes as to the Mac OS X side. There is a large section devoted to running a Mac Studio with Mac OS X Server, including hardware, software and configuration tips and guidelines.
Much of the technical knowledge contained in these pages is freely (as in free, sans-cost) available on the internet. Some of the information is quoted (and attributed) directly from such sources. However, finding this information online yourself can be very time consuming and this book addresses that problem, with well researched links that extend on the information presented, should you need it. Having all these weblinks in one document also has its benefits. This is a integrated guide and a distillation of core issues and key tips earned through (someone else's) blood, sweat and tears (not yours). And of course, in the event of system failure, even Google stops working.
There are many Macintosh books out there, so this book finds itself in a very competitive arena. However, it has several advantages over many of these books. Firstly, its in electronic format, and is therefore quickly searchable. The author recommends at the beginning of every chapter how to mine the book's information. Secondly, all references to other sections of the book are hyper-linked for quick access and all external references are hyper-linked as well. Thirdly, the book is available on a subscription basis. This may seem an expensive option, but a subscription means the information will be kept up to date and expanded as new techniques and technologies become available. Perhaps one of the few disadvantages is that in the event of emergency, the book may be stuck on your machine. (It's certainly one of those precious items to be stored on your USB stick, iPod or emergency CD-ROM .)
With a guide like this, you can quit moonlighting as fixit guy and go back to your day job.
You can download or subscribe to the electronic-only Fix a Troubled Mac through the book's official site. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, carefully read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
Over 10K a year, gasp! =p
This comment might be slightly off topic, as I don't usually work with Macs and I've never read this book. However, I spend the majority of my days in front of a windows or linux machine, of various flavors (come on, as much as we like to joke, different versions of windows have different functionality).
The problem with writing tech support books, to be honest, is that google is faster. We have tech support books in the lab (research lab), but they're just not as quick as google. Google-ing error messages almost always pops up with exactly what you need to do to fix it or a related "problem" page. Googling specific keywords for problems without error messages almost always comes up with solutions. I've almost never found a computer problem that google couldn't fix.
Does this make me less of a "techie"? Not really. I mean, I know how to fix an awful lot of silly computer problems. But we all know that "Error 1278754874928375: No useful error message." comes up every once in a while, and we've got to find out how to fix it. Google seems to be the thing to use.
For those who don't find google useful, some tips: Use quotes. Quote phrases that should be together. Use "-" signs to negate words you don't need, or common words that are associated with terms in your query but aren't related to your problem (drive -car). Just seems like tech support books have been outdated by the web.
But that one girl saved Christmas with her Mac! If they put it on T.V., it must have been true.
Good times!
I don't know what he's been doing with his macs, but I run two labs (~120 machines) and have only had a handful of problems in the last 18 months since they were delivered, which were easily fixed (total time invested in maintainence: ~5 hours). The only real problem was with lousy software running in the classic environment, which I've mostly updated to OSX native apps. Even upgrading the entire lab to 10.3 Panther was a breeze.
OSX is rock solid. Don't even get me started on the previous HP computers these Macs replaced.
simple solution: don't use a prybar to remove chips!
Use a big magnet or slip-joint pliers!
The parent comment is one problem I have here with this review. It hypes the book as good but the book itself is obsoleted by more effective and up to date searching of the web. Books are too slow to troubleshoot problems these days.
The other problem I have is the comment that "Macs aren't as trouble free as one is led to believe." While no computer is perfect, Mac software and hardware have a far better reliability track record than Wintel PCs do. This is at least in my experience, but there are a lot of research reports and experts out there who agree with me.
This smacks of marketing hype. "oooooohhhh buy this book because you are going to have problems.... *scary clanking noises*" That coupled by the fact that instead of buying a reference manual you can get all this information for free online makes me think its just another attempt to make money on something not needed.
I mean cmon... will this book have information on the help viewer/safari security problem? It hit the presses and already it is out of date.
This is nothing new though, the same thing is true for windows and linux troubleshooting guides too.
"All great wisdom is contained in .signature files"
1. Denial
2. Denial
3. Denial
4. Denial
5. Buy another Mac
You were 80% angel, 10% demon. The rest was hard to explain. - Over The Rhine
"Math in a song is good."-Linford
I've crashed my 12" PowerBook twice - the first time was an accident, the 2nd was a repeat of the behavior to make sure that it really was something I just shouldn't do [trying to open a finder window for a DVD while the system is pre-writing the file structure before burning said DVD]. This has actually made me incredibly impatient with the machines that I support for family, friends and work -- but it is an impatience I am happy to live with.
sig: I'm not at home, or busy. please leave new sig after the tone.
We have three labs with a total of about 43 Macs. A mix of eMacs, iMacs, G3 towers, G4 Towers, a dual XServe, and one dual G5.
So far, in the past two years, we've replaced only 1 eMac because it was having trouble booting, and it was under warranty. The only major failures are the dumbass B&W monitors that came with the G3s. Of the 12 we had, only 3 are left. They've been replaced by Hitachi monitors which are working perfectly. Lucikly we're getting brand new eMacs to replace all the B&W G3s (not because they're broken, but because they're too slow for OS X Panther + Adobe CS.)
We have 4 techs, each paid (gladly, I might add) $9.00 an hour for 20 hours a week. All the techs are Apple gurus and love working for us and especially with the equipment (XServe is just so cool.) It's amazing having people who are so enthusiastic about the software, hardware, and the company that makes them. The techs are excited to come to work and troubleshoot when needed.
Everything runs smoothly. Regular backups on the XServe, use NetBoot and Bombich's NetInstall for setting up the labs (takes about an hour to set up the master disk image, then only 30 minutes to deploy on 40+ Macs), and we're moving to an OpenDirectory structure by next year.