same problems as Xp, i'll be honest, i already hate my imac 27"...

[124c41]

i have had this !@#$%^&* for 5+ weeks now , great screen , great aggro...
all the same headaches i had in windows are still here on the imac...
freezes when i open a pdf, check...
numerous re-installs to get os and icons on dock to stabilize, check.
freezes when moving between pages, check...
data/files just vanish whenever they feel like it...check, check, check...
the screen is nice tho...
the mouse went tu about 2 hours ago...
thats why my sig line is 'believe the lie'...

 

[crut]

i have had this !@#$%^&* for 5+ weeks now , great screen , great aggro...
all the same headaches i had in windows are still here on the imac...
freezes when i open a pdf, check...
numerous re-installs to get os and icons on dock to stabilize, check.
freezes when moving between pages, check...
data/files just vanish whenever they feel like it...check, check, check...
the screen is nice tho...
the mouse went tu about 2 hours ago...
thats why my sig line is 'believe the lie'...

What did Apple say when you called them when the issues started?

 

[melchior]

if presume the 'freezing' is only temporary, then both this with your pdfs and freezing when moving between pages is caused, as a first guess, by a lack of ram. in activity monitor are you using a lot of swap space?

every thing else is not normal at all and either implies faulty hardware or user error.

 

[MH01]

As you have done a re-install, and all the updates (I assume), and are still experiencing issues, call applecare and arrange a repair. They will talk you through how to reset the machine etc etc.... that is always step 1 ( they tried to get me to do that to resolve a busted bearing in a fan.... morons), and after that you off to a repair. Good luck

 

[124c41]

What did Apple say when you called them when the issues started?

calling would be pointless as i am mostly deaf and do not have access to a tdc (?)...

 

[crut]

calling would be pointless as i am mostly deaf and do not have access to a tdc (?)...

Ok, to be honest, I'm impressed that you managed to stick it this long with the machine you've got. I'd have taken it back and got a replacement.

The sticking sounds like a hard disk problem and it sounds like BB (best buy?) aren't doing the right thing. I do however think you've done the right thing on seeking further help rather than just ranting about it.

I would find the support email for Apple to explain the problem and fire off an email to get it resolved.

 

[124c41]

ok , very serious question here ... how do i get all my business personal info off this unit permanently ?
secure delete is a joke , and i know better than to trust any techy to not snoop on a returned computer... (don't ask how i know)
there does not seem to be a 'format c' function for apple , and no way to do a guttman on the HD...
i know 50K volts might do the trick but i think apple/bb might frown at this solution...

 

[crut]

ok , very serious question here ... how do i get all my business personal info off this unit permanently ?
secure delete is a joke , and i know better than to trust any techy to not snoop on a returned computer... (don't ask how i know)
there does not seem to be a 'format c' function for apple , and no way to do a guttman on the HD...
i know 50K volts might do the trick but i think apple/bb might frown at this solution...

The right way to do it is to use Google to search for the solution.

That best way to do it is read the Apple support document covering said procedure.

 

[Guiyon]

ok , very serious question here ... how do i get all my business personal info off this unit permanently ?

1. Boot off your install CD (insert the CD and hold down the 'C' key when restarting)
2. Go to the "Tools" menu (might be "Utilities", can't remember)
3. Select "Disk Utility
4. Click on the drive you want to nuke
5. Click on the "Erase" tab
6. Click on "Security Options..."
7. Pick Zero, 7-pass or 35-pass. If you want to be really sure the data is gone, run a 7-pass erase; a 35-pass erase is overkill. The erase step will probably take several hours to run.
8. Click "Ok" then click "Erase..."

 

[eRondeau]

While it's certainly possible you got a lemon, it's far more likely that you're so disappointed because you're forcing your old PC behaviour on your Mac. Open your .pdf's with Preview, not with Adobe crapware. (Don't even install Adobe Reader. Seriously. Don't.) Don't try to over-ride the default storage location for things; a lot of PC people refuse to let iPhoto or iTunes or Mail just do their thing and try to force their data to save in their own directory structure and then are constantly frustrated as a result. You should never need to re-install OS X. NEVER. If you feel you have to, chances are YOU'RE the one with the problem.

Sorry to be so blunt but I'm sick and tired of PC switchers who refuse to accept that Apple has found a better way to do just about everything. OS X is completely different from what you're used to. Use Apple's software, follow Apple's rules, and you'll be very pleased with the result.

Oh and BTW, Apple's "Secure Delete" does what it says whether you believe it or not.

 

[Henryz]

i have had this !@#$%^&* for 5+ weeks now , great screen , great aggro...
all the same headaches i had in windows are still here on the imac...
freezes when i open a pdf, check...
numerous re-installs to get os and icons on dock to stabilize, check.
freezes when moving between pages, check...
data/files just vanish whenever they feel like it...check, check, check...
the screen is nice tho...
the mouse went tu about 2 hours ago...
thats why my sig line is 'believe the lie'...

I think you've lost your mind. Try my 27" for a day I would need to be beaten before I compare it to a Windows box, esspecially XP.

 

[ABG]

While it's certainly possible you got a lemon, it's far more likely that you're so disappointed because you're forcing your old PC behaviour on your Mac. Open your .pdf's with Preview, not with Adobe crapware. (Don't even install Adobe Reader. Seriously. Don't.) Don't try to over-ride the default storage location for things; a lot of PC people refuse to let iPhoto or iTunes or Mail just do their thing and try to force their data to save in their own directory structure and then are constantly frustrated as a result. You should never need to re-install OS X. NEVER. If you feel you have to, chances are YOU'RE the one with the problem.

Sorry to be so blunt but I'm sick and tired of PC switchers who refuse to accept that Apple has found a better way to do just about everything. OS X is completely different from what you're used to. Use Apple's software, follow Apple's rules, and you'll be very pleased with the result.

Oh and BTW, Apple's "Secure Delete" does what it says whether you believe it or not.

So think different is now don't think at all?

 

[MH01]

While it's certainly possible you got a lemon, it's far more likely that you're so disappointed because you're forcing your old PC behaviour on your Mac. Open your .pdf's with Preview, not with Adobe crapware. (Don't even install Adobe Reader. Seriously. Don't.) Don't try to over-ride the default storage location for things; a lot of PC people refuse to let iPhoto or iTunes or Mail just do their thing and try to force their data to save in their own directory structure and then are constantly frustrated as a result. You should never need to re-install OS X. NEVER. If you feel you have to, chances are YOU'RE the one with the problem.

Sorry to be so blunt but I'm sick and tired of PC switchers who refuse to accept that Apple has found a better way to do just about everything. OS X is completely different from what you're used to. Use Apple's software, follow Apple's rules, and you'll be very pleased with the result.

Oh and BTW, Apple's "Secure Delete" does what it says whether you believe it or not.

You advice might be sound for crowd that consider iLife to be the ultimate software solution to meet all their needs.

Adobe crapware eh? lol, what Apple product should i pick up to replace my crapware photoshop? And thankgod for iwork!!!! Sorry to be blunt but it sounds like you have never actually used a mac for business/work. Macs are awesome and are extremely productive when paired with some of the most of productive software out there... and that is not iLife.

Default storage locations?? I guess you have never attached external drives to you computer, especially when dealing with photo editing.

 

[melchior]

adobe crapware as in adobe reader. it does depend on the pdfs you are reading whether it is required. i personally never use adobe acrobat reader, but i do use adobe acrobat when needed, but use preview by default.

as for default file locations, i think a better perspective is managed storage. you can still put your data on external storage, but allow it to be managed by software.

if you don't want to be managed at all (your decade old, highly developed directory hierarchy is your last thread of sanity in your otherwise chaotic and unassailable world plus it provides a wall of security against those evil techys out to get your data) then don't use apple software. many other software will allow you to manage your files are you prefer and simply open, save and close them. be warned however, the larger your media collection grows, the more useful management software becomes.

as for secure delete, while it will overwrite the area of hard disk where the file was, this does not preclude it from being stored elsewhere in cache, etc. if you are concerned, secure erase from the disk utility application, either in your installed os or from the install media will take care of you and assuage any your fits of paranoia.

 

[iMerlin]

Did you do anything to attempt to solve the problems. I run Onyx and Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner periodically and you would be surprised how well they work.
One feature of SLCC is Optimize RAM, maybe give it a try?

 

[124c41]

1. Boot off your install CD (insert the CD >>>>
2. Click "Ok" then click "Erase..."

<<<

thank you sooo much ...
finally someone who doesn't go beserk when i question an apple process or rationale...

believe me, i'm not alone , i talk to a lot of 1st time Maccies who are tearing their hair out with their new machines...
i know one girl who bought a macbook(?) back in august and shes using her 'I-phone' (?) instead because she was able to figure it out...
there was no one to help her with the laptop so it just sits......
my BP is thru the roof because of fighting with this thing ...
the only reason i'm up right now is it decided to switch itself on at 6:30ish am...

 

[MacHamster68]

While it's certainly possible you got a lemon, it's far more likely that you're so disappointed because you're forcing your old PC behaviour on your Mac. Open your .pdf's with Preview, not with Adobe crapware. (Don't even install Adobe Reader. Seriously. Don't.) Don't try to over-ride the default storage location for things; a lot of PC people refuse to let iPhoto or iTunes or Mail just do their thing and try to force their data to save in their own directory structure and then are constantly frustrated as a result. You should never need to re-install OS X. NEVER. If you feel you have to, chances are YOU'RE the one with the problem.

Sorry to be so blunt but I'm sick and tired of PC switchers who refuse to accept that Apple has found a better way to do just about everything. OS X is completely different from what you're used to. Use Apple's software, follow Apple's rules, and you'll be very pleased with the result.

Oh and BTW, Apple's "Secure Delete" does what it says whether you believe it or not.

you are absolut right there , been ther myself as i came after ~20 years microsoft (windows 3.1 was my first one ) to mac osx
and i also did try to force my mac to behave like a pc with windows , then you get the same problems as with windows ,
but if you let osx decide which program to use to do whatever you want to do its perfect , and so much easier , never had so much fun using a computer then with osx ,
in basic you need to forget whatever you know about windows and start from scratch , like on the first day you have seen a computer , and osx makes it easy, as its nearly self explaining

and the only reason for using windows on a mac is because of these half wits of game developers who ignore the fact that there are better operating systems on the market , but there is a solution to it , i do only buy/ play games for mac ,thats what i have my little iMac g3 for, there are tons of games available for os9

 

[124c41]

if you don't want to be managed at all (your decade old, highly developed directory hierarchy is your last thread of sanity in your otherwise chaotic and unassailable world plus it provides a wall of security against those evil techys out to get your data) then don't use apple software. many other software will allow you to manage your files are you prefer and simply open, save and close them. be warned however, the larger your media collection grows, the more useful management software becomes.

as for secure delete, while it will overwrite the area of hard disk where the file was, this does not preclude it from being stored elsewhere in cache, etc. if you are concerned, secure erase from the disk utility application, either in your installed os or from the install media will take care of you and assuage any your fits of paranoia.

what is the disk utility app ? IK - IK - das...
and its not paranoid to not trust the geeksquad...
do a search for what some of them have done in the past at different BB locations...

 

[iMerlin]

i know one girl who bought a macbook(?) back in august and shes using her 'I-phone' (?) instead because she was able to figure it out...
there was no one to help her with the laptop so it just sits......

Has your friend not heard of Apple.com? They have more videos on there of how to do things than any site Ive ever seen... http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/

Im just saying...

 

[124c41]

Has your friend not heard of Apple.com? They have more videos on there of how to do things than any site Ive ever seen... http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/
Im just saying...

she had no idea until i told her about it , sadly , she is so enamoured of her iphone that the laptop hasn't been switched on in weeks...
the iphone (her third)already looks like it went thru tet on the front of a tank ...

 

[iMerlin]

she had no idea until i told her about it , sadly , she is so enamoured of her iphone that the laptop hasn't been switched on in weeks...
the iphone (her third)already looks like it went thru tet on the front of a tank ...

My wife is almost the same way. She would rather use something she knows already than watch a 5 minute video that teaches her how to use something new.

 

[crut]

I agree, my wife has recently become a macbook pro owner, she sat and watched those videos and was even able to show me a trick or two I'd not known.

Anyone who just expects to pick up a new system and be a genius at it over night is a bit of a fool.

It took me 3 months with my first mac before I finally stopped battling the system and did things the way it suggested. Know what caused me to relent? I was cursing because I couldn't find a software feature. I was bloody certain it should just be there and just work. I was looking in the menus, in right click menus, it turns out the item was a toolbar button right in front of me.

 

[MichaeLens]

If your friend doesn't want her Mac I will. I just got my first Macbook on Christmas from my marvelous boyfriend. As a photographer (or I'm starting my biz after a 10 year hiatus) I seriously know the Mac is the end all be all. The only problem I have is after 3 days, it doesn't work. YES YES I KNOWW.. I\it is a refurb AND (the kicker) yes, he bought it through GAINSAVER. I found MAcRumors solely because I typed in "can I get my Money back from GAINSAVER" and MacRumors popped up with 5 miles of bad reviews about them. Ughhh sooo if your friend doesn't want hers I'll buy it from her. I played on mine for 3 days straight, watched all the videos at apple.com to learn the difference from PC to Mac..etc.. I fell in love with the MAC. Only to be so disappointed because it crashed after. I had already put my private pictures on it and sent it back to Gainsaver without being able to delete anything.

So, I'm very sorry for your situation, and I hope that if you do a little research and email to apple etc etc... then they will help you. I hope that your girl friend will do her research and learn to love her Mac. Its a shame I'm at home using a PC and waiting for GAINSAVER and I'm out $1000.00 and she has a new one sitting by itself waiting to be used. hehe

Good luck to ya and if anyone has an ideas of what I can do, to get my money back from GAINSAVER thanks.. I'm going Straight to APPLE when I get my $$$ and buying a NEW MAcbook from them. No more headaches for myself either. and no more "saving" a buck.

 

[old-wiz]

Why not take it to an Apple store and let them check it out? I'm deaf myself so that's how I would deal with it. They can check it out in-store.

I've owned 4 Macs and the only 1 that ever needed a re-install of the OS was my first iBook, which had a problem with a software update and would no longer connect to the dial-up phone (this was years ago). I just re-installed and re-ran the update and all was fine.

"Freezes" can be any number of things. For example, I store stuff on an external FW400 drive and if it hasn't been used for perhaps 20 mins, then when I next try to access it I get the beachball while OSx wakes up the drive. I have Adobe Reader installed, but I almost never use it; I use Preview which works for 99% of all .pdf files that I've opened.

I never had an issue finding files and never lost one either; I pay attention to what I am doing and where the applications save their data.

I used to use Windows (since it's what they had at work), but now that I'm retired I don't pay much attention to Windows. It took a little time to learn the differences from moving to OSx, but it wasn't a big deal.

 

[JimKirk]

Return your Mac

Sounds like user error to me.