Troubleshooting

EFI firmware protection locks down newer Macs

With Apple's firmware password feature on Mac systems you can lock down the options to select an alternative startup disk, boot to Safe or Single User modes, reset the PRAM, and otherwise start the system in ways that can bypass the security features of OS X.

However, as a security measure the firmware password has been met with some criticism because it could easily be bypassed by someone who has physical access to the system. In earlier Intel-based Macs the firmware password was stored in the PRAM of the system, and was simply read by the system's EFI … Read more

Address document-handling frustrations in OS X

When using current programs on your Mac to manage files generated from an older system, you may run into some errors in which the libraries and services used in the current program cannot properly interpret details of the files. This usually results in a formatting issue similar to a missing font, but it can also result in crashes or hangs.

Recently MacFixIt reader John wrote in regarding such an issue:

I have been trying to work with some PowerPoint presentations in Keynote in order to covert them to a Keynote presentation. I keep receiving an error that PICTD has quit. … Read more

Manage errant mice in OS X

After performing an upgrade or other major system modification, sometimes people experience odd mouse input behavior on their OS X systems. In some cases the system may show a sudden change in speed and acceleration properties of the mouse, and at other times the mouse may appear more or less sensitive to clicks, where single clicks may result in double clicks, or where double clicks may not register.

Unfortunately these behaviors are rare and different enough that there is no single cause and direct solution available for affected users. However, in most situations a configuration error with specific software or … Read more

Move the OS X Dock to the corners of your screen

One of the details of the classic Mac OS (version 9 and earlier) that I enjoyed was its control-strip feature, which, similar to OS X's current menu extras, would allow quick access to system and application settings. While the OS X menu bar now serves this purpose, part of the appeal of the control strip was that its contents were off to the side of the screen and could be tucked away in a bottom or top corner rather than always being in the middle of the screen.

This option was removed in OS X; however, Apple's Dock … Read more

How to prioritize network configurations in OS X

These days computing is practically synonymous with Internet access, and often in any given location you may have access to more than one network, be it Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or otherwise.

With multiple connections available it may be beneficial to prioritize the way OS X accesses these networks to ensure you use the desired one. For example, if you have a relatively slow Wi-Fi network in a workplace but also have a faster Ethernet network that can be used, when connected to the Ethernet port it would be nice to ensure OS X uses this connection instead of using Wi-Fi.

While … Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which I answer questions e-mailed in by our readers.

This week, readers wrote in with questions about Mac systems not booting to the installation DVD or any other alternate volume, iTunes not printing some information columns displayed onscreen, and how to print individual pictures from a collection in Preview. I welcome views from readers, so if you have any suggestions or alternative approaches to these problems, please post them in the comments!

Question: System will not boot to installation DVD MacFixIt reader Grady asks:

I've got an old G4 that I had a … Read more

How to make ColorSync profiles stick in OS X

When you set up your displays in OS X, you have the option of selecting a ColorSync profile that will adjust the colors to match a specific color scheme and accurately display colors on your computer. If you have multiple monitors connected, it's recommended that you calibrate your displays to have colors appear consistent across them.

While the system should keep assigned ColorSync profiles associated with your display, there may be times when an incorrect profile is used. For instance, upon opening some applications, switching display settings, or changing your active GPU (i.e., from the internal graphics to … Read more

How to manage the Java 6 and Java 7 runtimes in OS X

The transition from Apple's Java implementation to Oracle's with the release of Java 7 is a bit of a problem for many Mac users. While the Java runtime should have the necessary components to run most applications, the implementations differ enough, even in minor details, to make some programs simply throw up their hands and not run, claiming a valid Java installation needs to be run.

As part of its latest updates to Java, Apple has pushed for users to leave the Java SE 6 platform and adopt Oracle's Java 7 runtime. Usually with multiple Java runtimes … Read more

Safari users hit by Facebook certificate error

In the past day a number of Safari users noticed a frequent and seemingly widespread error that claimed a certificate is invalid for a connection to the URL "static.ak.facebook.com," cautioning users against trusting the connection and providing options to continue or cancel the connection. The error seemed random in nature since it happened on different Web sites that use Facebook's embedded services such as the "Like" button, but also seemed to revolve around a recent event or change that is affecting only Safari users.

Upon viewing the invalid certificate when this error … Read more