Well, I held out as long as I could… but I finally broke down and bought a BlackBerry Tour.

I had the Verizon Wireless XV6800 (Built by HTC). Initially I wanted the XV6800 because of the built in WiFi, and the ability to remotely log into Windows Systems with the Terminal Services, Remote Desktop Connection. I was able to utilize the XV6800 to it’s full ability, when it worked.

I constantly had issues with the Signal Strength of my Cellular service. I could be sitting right beside my wife and have no service while she had good service on her phone (Both on Verizon, both with Digital Only Phones). The WiFi had issues connecting to Access Points with any type of security and the web browser constantly tried to convert the display of the page based on Microsoft’s Idea of CSS.

The “slide-out” keyboard was a great feature, I thought. It turned out to be garbage. Keys stuck all the time, and I keep my phone in pristine condition. Sometimes I would press a key and it worked, other times, not so much. Sometimes when I pressed a key, I got 2-4 of the same letter or number, and sometimes i would have to press the key 2-4 times to get one letter or number.

AT&T’s Cellular service has always been shaky at best. I’m told it is better now, but I had such a problem with their service when the company was known as Cingular. Their customer service was one of the worst out there. Their towers were obviously only a foot tall, because their signal was terrible, and my calls were dropped all the time. AT&T has something Verizon doesn’t though – Apple’s iPhone!

With all the rumors out there, I was determined to hold out on replacing my XV6800 until Verizon offered the iPhone. However, the iPhone with Verizon just didn’t happen fast enough. So, I decided on the BlackBerry Tour, (9630 Smartphone from Verizon Wireless) (Yes, the one with the camera!).

I spent quit a bit of time researching my next phone. I chose the BlackBerry Tour for all it’s features and abilities, and because it would work with the Macintosh computer systems. Or, so I was told!

When I got the phone, it was perfect. Everything was exactly as I read from Verizon and BlackBerry’s sites. Well, almost everything was as I read. Syncing the BlackBerry Tour with my Mac was quite a pain.

Of course the Macintosh software doesn’t come in the box with the Tour, so I had to download it from here. I also read, there was a driver update program, which I found on the same page. After downloading both pieces of software, I performed the installation exactly as the directions said. I had to reboot the computer after each software was finished installing.

When everything was supposed to be ready, I plugged in my Tour with the supplied USB cable. Nothing Happened. BlackBerry’s PocketMac software didn’t even recognize my phone. When I tried to run the “SYNC” command, I would get the “(error 1) Skipping” message, and the sync attempt would fail.

Being an internet Connoisseur, I Googled the problem. I found nothing for the BlackBerry Tour. The Tour is way too new to have issues, I guess. I did find an article here, for the BlackBerry 8330. Though this forum wasn’t about my phone, firmware, or software version. I did find it a usefull place to start. After reading it, I was able to come up with my own work-a-round, shown below:

1. Install Pocket Mac Software – Don’t reboot when it tells you to! Instead just leave the software open and move to next step.
2. Install Driver Update Software – When it asks you to reboot, click the “CLOSE” option.
3. Select the “REBOOT” option from the PocketMac Software installation screen.
4. When the machine reboots, see if your BlackBerry Tour will connect and sync. If it does, you’re done! If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.
5. Always connect your BlackBerry Tour with the supplied USB Cable or a replacement provided to you by BlackBerry. Not all USB cables are made the same! Some utilize different contacts for different things, like charging the batter.
6. Make sure you are not using a USB Hub, unless it has it’s own power cord. – Plug in directly to the USB connections on the computer, when available. This also includes any USB ports on the Macintosh Monitors which may be available. There may not be enough power available in the USB port, at the monitor.
7. When possible, use a USB port from a 3rd Party Card. The built in USB Ports on the Macintosh (G – Series) often don’t have enough power either.
8. Reboot you computer and see if your BlackBerry Tour will connect and sync. If it does, you’re done! If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.
9. Disable the Password Lock on your BlackBerry Tour. The Password causes a pairing issue sometimes with the PocketMac software.
10. See if your BlackBerry Tour will connect and sync. If it does, you’re done! If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.
11. Browse to the folder ComputerName/System/Library/Extensions/.
12. In the “Extensions” folder, you will see a significant list of .kext files. Scroll through the list until you find two files identified as “BlackBerry” files. There should only be two of them (“BlackBerry.kext” and “BlackBerryUSBDev.kext”)
13. Delete both files from your Macintosh. You will need the Apple Administrator account password to do this.
14. After you have deleted both files from your Macintosh, empty your trash!
15. Install the driver software again. Once the driver installation has completed, select the option to “Restart” your Macintosh.
16. When your Macintosh reboots, connect your BlackBerry Tour with the supplied USB Cable. Then open the “PocketMac for BlackBerry” software. The PocketMac Sync Manager should now find the BlackBerry Tour.

I went through all of this and my Tour will now sync just fine. I even duplicated the process to make sure it works.

Now I just have to find a way to sync the BlackBerry Tour with Firefox and Thunderbird!

If you need help with your BlackBerry, Sapphire Solutions can help! Just use the CONTACT US link in the menu to let us know how we can be of assistance.

Filed under: Cellular Telephones, Operating Systems, Smart Phones and PDA, Windows | 1 Comment »

Recently, Mac OS X has been discovered as a Malware host by Symantec. This information was published by ZDNet in a news blog found here.

“Malware hunters at Symantec have discovered a direct link between a malicious file embedded in pirated copies of Apple’s iWork 09 software and what appears to be the first Mac OS X botnet launching denial-of-service attacks…

… They describe this as the “first real attempt to create a Mac botnet” and notes that the zombie Macs are already being used for nefarious purposes…

… The article goes into detail on the botnet’s peer-to-peer engine, startup and encryption capabilities and configuration file structure and concludes that the person who wrote the malware is not the same as the person who actually ‘used’ it.

“The code indicates that, wherever possible, the author tried to use the most flexible and extendible approach when creating it – and therefore we would not be surprised to see a new, modified variant in the near future,” the researchers added.”

I had one major thought about this article once I read it. Why did this happen now, after so many years of being the “Better OS” in the fight against virus, malware, and spyware?

The answer is both simple and complex.

The simple answer is people are trying pirated software instead of purchasing a legal version. Many times this happens because a parent has a kid who knows how to easily obtain illegal software and thinks it is okay if it is easy for a kid to do it. Other times this happens because an unethical computer technician makes the recommendation or obtains the software for the person or business. These illegally pirated software titles have all kinds of malicious code added to the software and/or the installation utility.

The complex answer goes much deeper.

In today’s economy, people have to tighten the purse strings. However this doesn’t mean these same people do not need specific software titles any less. The software manufacturer’s aren’t going to lower the prices of their software, so people who would generally purchase legal software, may not be able to afford it now. The software they need is too expensive, so they look for other options. The cheapest option generally comes from illegal warez sites, where the same software is made available by hackers for free.

Not only is the same software made available online for FREE, on warez sites, but there are now options which allow you to install OS X on a PC. These HacINTOSH installation methods eliminate the need to spend extra money buying genuine Apple Macintosh Computer systems!

I posted about the two most viable ways the HacINTOSH can be built here, on the OnForce technical forum, where there is more discussion on this exact topic.

THE EFI-X ADAPTER

EFI-X is a hardware EFI solution, allowing you to install multiple operating systems on one system, while utilizing the EFI boot environment. I have not built a hack-INTOSH system using the EFI-X, although I have read about it. Pages 28 – 33 of Maximum PC – Special Issue – Summer 2009 – “PC How to Guide” talks about the EFI-X adapter.

I posted an article on our blog about the EFI-X adapter here, and this same EFI-X adapter is mentioned on Page 17 of the July 2009 – Issue 183 of the Linux Journal.

The EFI-X adapter is brought up in other Linux Magazines too!

The EFI-X adapter plugs into a USB header on supported motherboards, allowing for the EFI environment needed to run OSX native on a PC. Both articles, as well as others, mention or elude to the likelihood of this EFI-X apparatus violating Apple’s EULA. This EULA violation is most likely due to OS X only supposed to be installed on Genuine Apple hardware. (This leaves some question in my mind about installing your own upgrades to the hardware, such as hard drives, CD/DVD devices and RAM, being potential violations of the Apple EULA.)

I see two major issues at first glance at the EFI-X adapter.

1. It only supports a specific motherboard chipset and/or configuration.
2. The EFI-X takes up and entire USB header on the motherboard. It can only be plugged into the header either directly or through a dongle, thus eliminating a usable header on the motherboard and possibly taking up much needed space in/around the motherboard for other devices and/or cooling.

THE iATKOS HACKED OS X ISO

Daily Apps.net has an article outlining how to install OS X via a patched DVD.ISO called iATKOS. (View the article here!)

The iATKOS ISO image, includes an EFI hack/work-a-round so that you can install OS X on any PC. (Definitely a violation of the Apple EULA!) You have to download it via torrents.

I have tried this installation option (merely for educational purposes. I don’t/didn’t try selling it!). Before I tried this installation option, I purchased a legal version of the Mac OS X installation disks (Don’t think this makes the iATKOS ISO any more legal, just had the disks for comparison and to perform a legal installation on a real MACINTOSH).

The installation worked okay, after I went through some hoops, verifying supported hardware set and so on. Once installed, the OS X updates worked okay, however some attempts at the updates would freeze/crash my system.

I have since quit using the iATKOS system and discarded the ISO/disks for two reasons.

1. I started noticing weird/unauthorized network traffic on the system running the iATKOS hacked OS X.
2. I have used Macs in the past. Grew up on them, and used them through Grade school, middle school, high school and part of college. I never had issues upgrading the OS, nor did I have the freeze-ups/crashes I had with the iATKOS installation.

After going through all the articles and my own test, my conclusion is simple:

• Apple’s OS X is best run on a Macintosh. So I bought an older G4 system to play with. (I’m using it now to type this out on!) I’m getting ready to buy a Mac Pro Desktop, as soon as I can settle on which one I want.
• OS X compatible software works best when a legal version is purchased from an authorized retailer

After making such a conclusion, I recommend GENUINE Apple Macintosh computers for use in any computing environment.

• If you are a *NIX user, and do most of your work/management in the terminal/command line, OS X is perfect for you.
• If you are a Windows user, but have issue with Microsoft’s “BUILT IN” issues, OS X will run Windows XP Pro better than a standard PC, using VMWARE Fusion 2 (http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/) or Parallels (http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/)
• If you need a stable server, OS X has a server edition, and many server utility companies make software for the Mac to be used as a server.
• If you are a gamer, the Macintosh has better graphics than any PC on the market. If you are conserned about your PC games, don’t be! If you can’t get it in a Mac version, you can continue to play it in Windows via VMWARE Fusion 2 or Parallels.

The only argument I can accept is the up front expense of a GENUINE Apple Macintosh. However, this argument doesn’t hold much water with me after considering the initial costs of Windows-based systems and the time spent in repair of the same Windows systems.

A Macintosh is better suited for multiple OS platforms than a PC, so why not use a GENUINE Apple Macintosh?

If you would like information on ways to get GENUINE Macintosh Computers as well as software for GENUINE Macintosh Computers at much cheaper rates, or if you have questions related to this article, contact me by using the CONTACT US link in the menu.

Filed under: Computers, Desktop, Hardware, Laptops, Linux-Unix, Macintosh, Operating Systems, Servers, Software, Windows | No Comments »

vs.

I find the television marketing war Microsoft has launched against Apple to be ridiculous and misleading. The “I’m a PC” slogan has got to be the most ridiculous part of the whole thing. Everyone, who has their own computer has a PC. Yours may run Microsoft Windows while mine runs Mac OSX, however both are PERSONAL COMPUTERS!

The next issue I have is the criteria given by the so called “PC SHOPPERS” when they are supposedly shopping for a new computer. If you are serious about 2D/3D graphic design or videography, you already know better than to settle for a third rate computer system, running Microsoft Windows. Yet the Microsoft commercials make it seem like these people make an informed decision to buy a computer running Microsoft Windows, based on performance and price.

I don’t see any performance data which give Windows Machines any advantage over a Macintosh. In fact, I read quite the opposite. You don’t have to believe me, but how about Popular Mechanics? Click here to read the benchmark results from May 2008.

“We even tested Vista on the Macs using Apple’s platform-switching Boot Camp software—and found that both Apple computers ran Vista faster than our PCs did.” – Popular Mechanics Quote

Even Windows runs better on the Macintosh.

These Microsoft commercials make the Macintosh computers out to be way overpriced. They may be, if you are not educated about what to look for. Windows software is bloated. It needs exorbitant processor speeds, tons of ram and acres of hardrive real estate to run optimally. Mac OSX doesn’t need all of this. If you think you are getting a superior machine for your money, when you compare processor speeds, ram and hardrive size, you are just getting screwed by Microsoft.

The fact is you can do a lot more with less, when using a Macintosh. Cheaper, entry level desktops and laptops are available from Apple, which would be more equivalent to the current systems running Microsoft Windows. You can even boost the hardrive space, purchase Windows (as you can see from the article I posted above.) and install it on your Mac for less money, while still getting better performance than a PC running Windows Natively with twice the processing ability and ram.

If PCs from Asus, Dell, Gateway, Sony and others are out performed by the Macs, shouldn’t Microsoft focus on getting Windows and Office software titles to those running the superior Macintosh systems?

Marketing has conditioned the general population of the world to thing that higher numbers produce better results. This is not always the case. If you think Faster Processors, More RAM and Larger Hardrives mean a better, more reliable system, you are dead wrong!

If you are considering a new computer, you need to consider the total cost of ownership.

In the short term, you will spend less when buying a Macintosh by shopping based on what the computer will be used for, instead of which machine has the most or biggest.

In the long run, think of the consistent maintenance every Windows system needs, so it can continue to operate at peak performance. Think of all the lost time and files with the consistent crashes Microsoft never manages to fix. Think of all the glitches you get when you buy Microsoft Windows, which force you stay on top of software updates, or risk failures.

Try calculating a dollar figure for all the effort you put into your Windows Computer. Do the same for all the time you waste, all the files you loose and all the money you spent for technical support and/or repair of your Windows Computer. Now add that number to the cost of purchasing that NEW, Windows Computer. I guarantee you could have got a fancy Macintosh for that!

Only fools listen and act based on marketing hype. Educated people make informed decisions.

I dare you to compare a new Macintosh to a new Windows System of any brand.

Filed under: Computers, Desktop, Laptops, Macintosh, Operating Systems, Servers, Windows | No Comments »

Below are Finder keyboard shortcuts with the specific key combination and what it does:

• “Command” & “A” – Select all items in the front Finder window (or desktop if no window is open)
• “Option” / “Command” / “A” – Deselect all items
• “Shift” / “Command” / “A” – Open the Applications folder
• “Command-C” – Copy selected item/text
• “Shift” / “Command” / “C” – Open the Computer window
• “Command” & “D” – Duplicate selected item
• “Shift” / “Command” / “D” – Open desktop folder
• “Command” & “E” – Eject
• “Command” & “F” – Find any matching Spotlight attribute
• “Shift” / “Command” / “F” – Find Spotlight file name matches
• “Option” / “Command” / “F” – Navigate to the search field in an already-open Spotlight window
• “Shift” / “Command” / “G” – Go to Folder
• “Shift” / “Command” / “H” – Open the Home folder of the currently logged-in user account
• “Command” & “I” – Get Info
• “Option” / “Command” / “I” – Show Inspector
• “Control” / “Command” / “I” – Get Summary Info
• “Shift” / “Command” / “I” – Open iDisk
• “Command” & “J” – Show View Options
• “Command” & “K” – Connect to Server
• “Shift” / “Command” / “K” – Open Network window
• “Command” & “L” – Make alias of the selected item
• “Command” & “M” – Minimize window
• “Option” / “Command” / “M” – Minimize all windows
• “Command” & “N” – New Finder window
• “Shift” / “Command” / “N” – New folder
• “Option” / “Command” / “N” – New Smart Folder
• “Command” & “O” – Open selected item
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Q” – Log Out
• “Option” / “Shift” / “Command” / “Q” – Log Out immediately
• “Command” & “R” – Show original (of alias)
• “Command” & “T” – Add to Sidebar
• “Shift” / “Command” / “T” – Add to Favorites
• “Option” / “Command” / “T” – Hide Toolbar / Show Toolbar in Finder windows
• “Shift” / “Command” / “U” – Open Utilities folder
• “Command” & “V” – Paste
• “Command” & “W” – Close window
• “Option” / “Command” / “W” – Close all windows
• “Command” & “X” – Cut
• “Option” / “Command” / “Y” – Slideshow (Mac OS X 10.5 or later)
• “Command” & “Z” – Undo / Redo
• “Command” & “1″ – View as Icon
• “Command” & “2″ – View as List
• “Command” & “3″ – View as Columns
• “Command” & “4″ – View as Cover Flow (Mac OS X 10.5 or later)
• “Command” & “, (comma key)” – Open Finder preferences
• “Command” & “` (Grave accent key, above Tab key on a US English keyboard layout)” – Cycle through open Finder windows
• “Command” / “Shift” / “?” – Access Mac Help
• “Option” / “Shift” / “Command” / “esc” – Force Quit Finder
• “Command” & “[" - Back
• "Command" & "]” – Forward
• “Command” & “Up Arrow” – Open enclosed folder
• “Control” / “Command” / “Up Arrow” – Open enclosed folder in a new window
• “Command” & “Down Arrow” – Open highlighted item
• “Command” & “Tab” – Switch application–cycle forward
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Tab” – Switch application–cycle backward
• “Command” & “Delete” – Move to Trash
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Delete” – Empty Trash
• “Option” / “Shift” / “Command” / “Delete” – Empty Trash without confirmation dialog
• “Spacebar (or “Command” & “Y)” – Quick Look (Mac OS X 10.5 or later)
• “Command key while dragging” – Move dragged item to other volume/location (pointer icon changes while key is held–see this article)
• “Option key while dragging” – Copy dragged item (pointer icon changes while key is held–see this article)
• “Option” & “Command key combination while dragging” – Make alias of dragged item (pointer icon changes while key is held–see this article)

The Information in this article was found here!

Filed under: Computers, Desktop, Hardware, Keyboards, Laptops, Macintosh, Mouse, Operating Systems | No Comments »

When “Mouse Keys” is turned on in Universal Access preferences, you can use the keyboard or numeric keypad keys to move the mouse pointer. If your computer doesn’t have a numeric keypad, use the Fn (function) key.

Below are Key/key combinations and what they do:
“8″ – Move Up
“2″ – Move Down
“4″ – Move Left
“6″ – Move Right
“1″ – Move Diagonally Bottom Left
“3″ – Move Diagonally Bottom Right
“7″ – Move Diagonally Top Left
“9″ – Move Diagonally Top Right
“5″ – Press Mouse Button
“0″ – Hold Mouse Button
“. (period on number pad)” – Release Hold Mouse Button

The Information in this article was found here!

Filed under: Computers, Hardware, Keyboards, Laptops, Macintosh, Mouse, Operating Systems | No Comments »

When using most, if not all applications on a Mac, there are shortcuts you can perform by using specific key combinations.

FYI: Some applications may not support all of the below application key combinations. Make sure you recognize the Key/Key Combinations are in “double-quotes”

• “Command” & “Space” – Show/Hide the Spotlight search field (if multiple languages are installed, may rotate through enabled script systems)
• “Option” / “Command” / “Space” – Show the Spotlight search results window (if multiple languages are installed, may rotate through keyboard layouts and input methods within a script)
• “Command” & “Tab” – Move forward to the next most recently used application in a list of open applications
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Tab” – Move backward through a list of open applications (sorted by recent use)
• “Shift” & “Tab” – Navigate through controls in a reverse direction
• “Control” & “Tab” – Move focus to the next grouping of controls in a dialog or the next table (when Tab moves to the next cell)
• “Shift” / “Control” “Tab” – Move focus to the previous grouping of controls
• “Command” & “Esc” – Open Front Row (if installed)
• “Option” & “Eject” – Eject Secondary Optical Media Drive (if one is installed)
• “Control” & “Eject” – Show Shutdown dialog
• “Option” / “Command” / “Eject” – Put the computer to sleep
• “Control” / “Command” / “Eject” – Quit all applications (after giving you a chance to save changes to open documents), then restart the computer
• “Control” / “Option” / “Command” / “Eject” – Quit all applications (after giving you a chance to save changes to open documents), then shut down the computer
• “fn” & “Delete” – Forward Delete (on portable Macs’ built-in keyboard)
• “Control” & “F1″ – Toggle full keyboard access on or off
• “Control” & “F2″ – Move focus to the menu bar
• “Control” & “F3″ – Move focus to the Dock
• “Control” & “F4″ – Move focus to the active (or next) window
• “Shift” / “Control” / “F4″ – Move focus to the previously active window
• “Control” & “F5″ – Move focus to the toolbar.
• “Control” & “F6″ – Move focus to the first (or next) panel
• “Shift” / “Control” / “F6″ – Move focus to the previous panel
• “Control” & “F7″ – Temporarily override the current keyboard access mode in windows and dialogs
• “F9″ – Tile or untile all open windows
• “F10″ – Tile or untile all open windows in the currently active application
• “F11″ – Hide or show all open windows
• “F12″ – Hide or display Dashboard
• “Command” & “`” – Activate the next open window in the frontmost application
• “Shift” / “Command” / “`” – Activate the previous open window in the frontmost application
• “Option” / “Command” / “`” – Move focus to the window drawer
• “Command” & “-”(minus) – Decrease the size of the selected item
• “Command” & “{” – Left-align a selection
• “Command” & “}” – Right-align a selection
• “Command” & “|” – Center-align a selection
• “Command” & “:” – Display the Spelling window
• “Command” & “;” – Find misspelled words in the document
• “Command” & “,” – Open the front application’s preferences window (if it supports this keyboard shortcut)
• “Option” / “Control” / “Command / “,” – Decrease screen contrast
• “Option” / “Control” / “Command / “.” – Increase screen contrast
• “Command” & “?” – Open the application’s help in Help Viewer
• “Option” / “Command” / “/” – Turn font smoothing on or off
• “Shift” / “Command” / “=” – Increase the size of the selected item
• “Shift” / “Command” / “3″ – Capture the screen to a file
• “Shift” / “Control” / “Command” / “3″ – Capture the screen to the Clipboard
• “Shift” / “Command” / “4″ – Capture a selection to a file
• “Shift” / “Control” / “Command” / “4″ – Capture a selection to the Clipboard
• “Command” & “A” – Highlight every item in a document or window, or all characters in a text field
• “Command” & “B” – Boldface the selected text or toggle boldfaced text on and off
• “Command” & “C” – Duplicate the selected data and store on the Clipboard
• “Shift” / “Command” / “C” – Display the Colors window
• “Option” / “Command” / “C” – Copy the style of the selected text
• “Control” / “Command” / “C” – Copy the formatting settings of the selected item and store on the Clipboard
• “Option” / “Command” / “D” – Show or hide the Dock
• “Command” / “Control” / “D” – Display the definition of the selected word in the Dictionary application
• “Command” & “E” – Use the selection for a find
• “Command” & “F” – Open a Find window
• “Option” / “Command” / “F” – Move to the search field control
• “Command” & “G” – Find the next occurrence of the selection
• “Shift” / “Command” / “G” – Find the previous occurrence of the selection
• “Command” & “H” – Hide the windows of the currently running application
• “Option” / “Command” / “H” – Hide the windows of all other running applications
• “Command” & “I” – Italicize the selected text or toggle italic text on or off
• “Option” / “Command” / “I” – Display an inspector window
• “Command” & “J” – Scroll to a selection
• “Command” & “M” – Minimize the active window to the Dock
• “Option” / “Command” / “M” – Minimize all windows of the active application to the Dock
• “Command” & “N” – Create a new document in the frontmost application
• “Command” & “O” – Display a dialog for choosing a document to open in the frontmost application
• “Command” & “P” – Display the Print dialog
• “Shift” / “Command” / “P” – Display a dialog for specifying printing parameters (Page Setup)
• “Command” & “Q” – Quit the frontmost application
• “Command” & “S” – Save the active document
• “Shift” / “Command” / “S” – Display the Save As dialog
• “Command” & “T” – Display the Fonts window
• “Option” / “Command” / “T” – Show or hide a toolbar
• “Command” & “U” – Underline the selected text or turn underlining on or off
• “Command” & “V” – Paste the Clipboard contents at the insertion point
• “Option” / “Command” / “V” – Apply the style of one object to the selected object (Paste Style)
• “Option” / “Shift” / “Command” / “V” – Apply the style of the surrounding text to the inserted object (Paste and Match Style)
• “Control” / “Command” / “V” – Apply formatting settings to the selected object (Paste Ruler Command)
• “Command” & “W” – Close the frontmost window
• “Shift” / “Command” / “W” – Close a file and its associated windows
• “Option-Command-W” – Close all windows in the application without quitting it
• “Command” & “X” – Remove the selection and store in the Clipboard
• “Command” & “Z” – Undo previous command (some applications allow for multiple Undos)
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Z” – Redo previous command (some applications allow for multiple Redos)
• “Control” & “Right Arrow” – Move focus to another value or cell within a view, such as a table
• “Control” & “Left Arrow” – Move focus to another value or cell within a view, such as a table
• “Control” & “Down Arrow” – Move focus to another value or cell within a view, such as a table
• “Control” & “Up Arrow” – Move focus to another value or cell within a view, such as a table
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Right Arrow” – Select text between the insertion point and the end of the current line (*)
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Left Arrow” – Select text between the insertion point and the beginning of the current line (*)
• “Shift” & “Right Arrow” – Extend text selection one character to the right (*)
• “Shift” & “Left Arrow” – Extend text selection one character to the left (*)
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Up Arrow” – Select text between the insertion point and the beginning of the document (*)
• “Shift” / “Command” / “Down Arrow” – Select text between the insertion point and the end of the document (*)
• “Shift” & “Up Arrow” – Extend text selection to the line above, to the nearest character boundary at the same horizontal Location (*)
• “Shift” & “Down Arrow” – Extend text selection to the line below, to the nearest character boundary at the same horizontal location (*)
• “Shift” / “Option” / “Right Arrow” – Extend text selection to the end of the current word, then to the end of the following word if pressed again (*)
• “Shift” / “Option” / “Left Arrow” – Extend text selection to the beginning of the current word, then to the beginning of the following word if pressed again (*)
• “Shift” / “Option” / “Down Arrow” – Extend text selection to the end of the current paragraph, then to the end of the following paragraph if pressed again (*)
• “Shift” / “Option” / “Up Arrow” – Extend text selection to the beginning of the current paragraph, then to the beginning of the following paragraph if pressed again (*)
• “Control” & “Space” – Toggle between the current and previous input sources
• “Option” / “Control-Space” – Toggle through all enabled input sources
• “Command” & “Left Arrow” – Change the keyboard layout to current layout of system script
• “Command” & “Right Arrow” – Change the keyboard layout to current layout of Roman script
• “Option” / “Command” / “esc” – Force Quit

(*) Note: If no text is selected, the extension begins at the insertion point. If text is selected by dragging, then the extension begins at the selection boundary. Reversing the direction of the selection deselects the appropriate unit.

The Information in this article was found here!

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Startup keyboard shortcuts invoke a functions during the startup process of the computer. To invoke such functions, you will need to press the key/key combination until the expected function occurs (for example, hold the Option Key during startup until the Startup Manager appears, or hold the Shift key until “Safe Boot” appears).

FYI: If you are using a third-party keyboard and the function will not load, connect a Genuine Apple OEM keyboard to your machine and try again.

Below are Key/key combinations and what they do:

“Option” key – Display all bootable volumes (Startup Manager)
“Shift” key – Perform Safe Boot (start up in Safe Mode)
“C” key – Start from a bootable disc
“T” key – Start in FireWire target disk mode
“N” key – Start from NetBoot server
“X” key – Force Mac OS X startup (if non-Mac OS X startup volumes are present)
“Command” & “V” keys – Start in Verbose Mode
“Command” & “S” keys – Start in Single User Mode

The Information in this article was found here!

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Keyboard shortcuts invoke functions when a user presses a combination of keys on their keyboard.

To use a keyboard shortcut, or key combination, you press a modifier key with a character key. For example, pressing the Command key (the key with symbol) and the “c” key at the same time copies whatever is currently selected (text, graphics, and so forth) into the Clipboard. This is also known as the Command-C key combination (or keyboard shortcut).

A modifier key is a part of many key combinations. Modifier keys alters the way other keystrokes or mouse clicks are interpreted by the computer. The Mac Modifier keys are: Command, Control, Option, Shift, Caps Lock, and (on portable Macs) the fn key.

Here are the modifier key symbols you can see in Mac OS X menus:

(Command key) – Sometimes called “Apple key”; on Apple keyboards this key also has an Apple logo ().
(Control key).
(Option key) – “Alt” may also appear on this key.
(Shift key).
(Caps Lock) – Toggles Caps Lock on or off.
fn (Function key) – Located in the lower left corner of built-in keyboards on portable Macs.

The Information in this article was found here!

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Intel-based Macs such as the iMac, Mac mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro rely on a combination of tones and blinking LEDs to display Power On Self Test (POST) error codes.

If the computer detects no SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, also referred to as RAM) or the RAM installed does not meet the appropriate specifications, the screen will remain black but the power LED on the front of the computer will blink once per second to signal the error. This error condition may be due to physically damaged RAM, installing the incorrect type of RAM, or not having RAM installed.

Some RAM may appear to pass the Power-On-Self-Test (POST) but still cannot be used by the operating system. In this case, the computer will display a gray screen, sound three tones and blink the power LED on the front of the computer three times, pause, and repeat the blinking until the computer is turned off.

The solution to both of these situations is to first re-seat the memory and test the computer again. If the memory fails the POST test again, try memory that has been verified to work correctly on another system (i.e., “known-good”) or order new memory from the Apple Store.

Products Affected: MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, MacBook Air

The information in the first part of this article was taken from here!

Some newer Macintosh models only use tones to indicate error conditions.

The iMac (Mid 2007) and later model iMac computers, unlike other Macintosh computers, do not use the power LED to indicate there is an issue. iMac (Mid 2007) and later model iMac computers use tones instead.

Products Affected: iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007), iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), iMac (24-inch, Early 2008), iMac (20-inch, Early 2008)

Tone(s) – Description
1 tone, a 5-second pause, repeat – No RAM installed
3 successive tones, a 5-second pause, 3 successive tones – RAM does not pass data integrity check
1 long tone when holding down the power button – Firmware upgrade in process.
3 long tones, 3 short tones, 3 long tones – Firmware restoration from CD in process.

The information in the second part of this article was taken from here!

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What do the beeps during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) mean?

This test runs whenever the computer is powered on after being fully shut down (the power-on self-test does not run if the computer is only restarted).

When a fault is detected during the Power-On Self-Test, you will not hear the normal startup chime. Instead, the system will beep as explained below. Macintosh Computers introduced after October, 1999 use a revised set of power on self-test beeps during startup.

1 beep = no RAM installed
2 beeps = incompatible RAM types
3 beeps = no good banks
4 beeps = no good boot images in the boot ROM (and/or bad sys config block)
5 beeps = processor is not usable

In addition to the beeps, on some computers the power LED will flash a corresponding number of times plus one. The LED will repeat the sequence after approximately a 5-second pause. The tones are only played once.

Note: In this case, a flash is considered to be 1/4 second or 250 ms or greater in length.

The information in this article was taken from here!

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