Aaaargh!! More Mac questions...

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:05 pm

Ok, after having the Apple for a couple of months I decided enough was enough - unplugged it and went back to my old (but trusty) home-built 'Trigger's broom' of a PC (ie the only original bit is the case). However, bearing in mind how much the Apple cost and the fact that I don't give up easily...

To give the Mac one last chance I've just re-started it and we're off again...but this time I want to install XP onto it so I can do certain things which I've yet to grasp using the Apple OS.

I see there's this Parallels thing but also a 'VM?' program? Anyone of you out in the poota-knowlegable world (ie the world I have never visited) know anything about these? VM seems to get more praise, although it is more expensive.

Thanks for any info.

simon · Post by **simon** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:52 pm

Don't know about macs 'cept they're pretty (expensive)..!
I seem to remember reading that Stoney said he was a designer, so probably knows more about them..

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:34 pm

Hi Richard (ta for dropping me in in Simon!). Both Paul and I use Parallels, and the latest version works great - you can drag and drop from the mac to pc. I don't use it a huge lot, just for Mapsource but it boots quickly and the internet etc, all work fine on it without any setting up. Its cheap too - so providing you can get your hands on a copy of Windows you're fine.

What problems are you having with the mac that would want to make you put it back in the box - that sounds dramatic! I use mine day in day out and its fine. I had a few problems initially with Leopard but they seem to have been sorted with updates (1 each day this week no less).

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:41 pm

Hi Andy - thanks for that.

Main problems are just with general useage - I'm no computer expert (far from it) but I can whizz around my pc with no real difficulties. I think I've got so used to how the PC works/operates that the Mac has been a bit of a hear-tearing-out battle at times...and as you know I don't have much of that left to start with!!

Main downside though was that OpenOffice wouldn't always talk to my printer (I originally thought the HP/Mac drivers were duff) which was extremely frustrating. That bug is now sorted though.

As to the general feel of the Mac I love it - and it does look exceedingly pretty. The monitor is awesome in particular.

I've a full XP install disc with SP2 on another so no problems that end.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:21 pm

Andy,

Sorry - so many questions! I received a 'Leopard' disc with my Mac. Will mine already have this installed on it?

Thanks.

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:45 pm

Ah - very good question. It should have done and that'll just be your system disk just in case you ever need to do a clean install etc. Some Macs were shipped with Tiger with Leopard to follow when it first came out but I'm sure yours will be ok.

To double check click on the Apple icon (top left) and go to 'About this Mac'. If it says Mas OS X Version 10.5.2 - then you're on Leopard and everything is up to date.

As a matter of interest I run Microsoft Office for Mac 2008 on my Mac it works like a treat.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:53 pm

Just had a look and it's OS X '10.4.11' so I take it mine's not fully up to date?

YouTube · Post by **Paul** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:23 pm

stoney wrote:Hi Richard (ta for dropping me in in Simon!). Both Paul and I use Parallels, .... I don't use it a huge lot, just for Mapsource ....

Hi Stoney,

You need to try downloading the latest version of Bobcat fro the Garmin site. It's a Mapsource equivalent application that runs natively on the Mac and it is IMHO much nicer to use than Mapsource.

Grom,

If you are on 10.4.11 then you are running Tiger still, not Leopard. If you upgrade to Leopard then you get a feature called bootcamp, which allows you to install XP and boot your machine either in leopard OR in Windows XP. That would convert you fancy Mac into a native XP machine. If you use Parallels, you can run Mac OS and XP at the same time and swap files between each OS and its applications.

If you want any help setting this stuff up, I work for coffee and Chocolate biscuits

Cheers,

Paul

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:28 pm

Gromit wrote:Just had a look and it's OS X '10.4.11' so I take it mine's not fully up to date?

I think 10.4 is still Tiger. 10.5 is Leopard.

I would suggest that upgrading it to Leopard would be a good idea. The disk you have may be the disk you need or it may just be a promo thing. The thing to do is open the Leopard disk and follow the instructions.

Be warned though. When I first installed Leopard I had no end of problems but that was when it was first launched. It has had loads of updates since and it now works well with no crashes for months. Iphoto keeps stalling but its no big deal. Some software you have (Office, Adobe etc) may not be 10.5 compatible though so it may be worth checking on the software's websites to see if they have free updates or pay-for upgrades. it cost me a few quid to upgrade my Adobe from CS2 to CS3 stuff but its been worth it.

I'd say go for it though! Back-up first and then install it. Make sure you have the booklet that goes with it, it explains all the 'cool' features - especially Time Machine - I think it comes with iweb too, which when combined with an Imac account gives the ability to create instant websites and blogs wit podcasts, movies, pictures etc...

if you were in Leeds I'd do it all for you..but alas your a southern softy.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:02 pm

Aha! Just opened the bundle of discs I got with the Mac within which is the Leopard installation disc. It states on it...

"Although this new OS was not installed on your computer when it left the factory, with this copy of Leopard you can now enjoy the new features etc etc etc".

I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the input chaps.

snavetrauts · Post by **snavetrauts** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:22 pm

I use VM Fusion and bought an OEM copy of XP..... as recommended by people on here.... it's great and all works well. My motive for doing this was also mapsource.... and even though there is now a way of bringing in maps direct to Mac.... you could not manipulate them at the time... I had not heard of Bobcat.

The only difference that I am aware of (I am no expert either) between parallels and VM fusion is that I think with parallels you have to boot into it.... then reboot into mac, whereas VM Fusion can run concurrent with Mac and it allows you to drag and drop all your files between op systems as if it were just another program running on a mac. I believe this is so.... but could be wrong.... If you do a search on this topic... you will see the recommendations made to me and why.

It has certainly lived up to those recommendations and is very stable.

Finally do not give up on the mac.... I too found it hard at first.... having used windows PC's for years both in business and for pleasure. I can assure you my windows PC was used as a tool and I was no expert or whizz kid. I now find the Mac to be far more intuitive and certainly more stable than windows has ever been.

Hope this helps

Stuart

snavetrauts · Post by **snavetrauts** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:30 pm

I use VM Fusion and bought an OEM copy of XP..... as recommended by people on here.... it's great and all works well. My motive for doing this was also mapsource.... and even though there is now a way of bringing in maps direct to Mac.... you could not manipulate them at the time... I had not heard of Bobcat.

The only difference that I am aware of (I am no expert either) between parallels and VM fusion is that I think with parallels you have to boot into it.... then reboot into mac, whereas VM Fusion can run concurrent with Mac and it allows you to drag and drop all your files between op systems as if it were just another program running on a mac. I believe this is so.... but could be wrong.... If you do a search on this topic... you will see the recommendations made to me and why.

It has certainly lived up to those recommendations and is very stable.

Finally do not give up on the mac.... I too found it hard at first.... having used windows PC's for years both in business and for pleasure. I can assure you my windows PC was used as a tool and I was no expert or whizz kid. I now find the Mac to be far more intuitive and certainly more stable than windows has ever been.

Hope this helps

Stuart

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:13 pm

Just installed Bobcat and converted the maps etc....

It looks good. As usual its easy to use and intuitive...the level of detail seems poor in terms of points of interests showing up but I'm sure I'll figure it out. This will mean the end of Parallels for me - Cheers Paul!!!!!!!!

edited post.....

All sorted - nice touch that, just apple f and it brings up a list of POIs so s not to clutter the screen.

stoney · Post by **stoney** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:46 pm

Whats the betting it all goes a bit quiet from Richard while he installs Leopard and then scratches his head for a few days!

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:43 pm

stoney wrote:Whats the betting it all goes a bit quiet from Richard while he installs Leopard and then scratches his head for a few days!

I'd say (and I'm no betting man) that'd be a dead cert in the betting stakes.

See you friday...complete with many scratches on head.