macosxhints.com laptop Mac tips

One fix for an always-running laptop fan

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:30:00 -0700

I found a solution to why my laptop fan was running constantly and running my battery out in an hour. This problem is common for MacBook users and many websites and forums suggest restarting, installing fan regulation software, resetting PRAM, etc. None of these really work, but the solution is very simple. Since laptop users are mobile, they're frequently using different printers. When sending a document to print sometimes my MacBook selects the wrong printer, when it doesn't print I select a new printer and print again. But I forgot to delete the print job sent to the first printer, so my Mac keeps looking to print at the other printer causing the processor to heat up and the fan runs constantly. Therefore, open System preferences go to Print & Fax, then select the printer that has a document in the queue, delete the print job and the fans shuts off within a minute -- and stays off. The laptop will stay quiet and cool, the battery will last the usual amount of time, and Ma...

A possible fix for an apparently-broken left speaker

Tue, 26 May 2009 07:30:00 -0700

If you notice that the left speaker on your MacBook Pro or MacBook has gone silent, make sure to check the following settings before making an appointment with the Apple Store for a hardware inspection:

System Preferences » Sound » Input: If 'Use Ambient Noise Reduction' is checked, simply uncheck it to unmute the left speaker.
Applications » Utilities » Audio MIDI Setup: Go to Audio Devices, and select 'Built-in Output' from the Properties For drop-down dialog. Now look under Audio Output and make sure Channel 1 isn't lowered or muted. Note that this program doesn't report the 'Ambient Noise Reduction' setting as Channel 1 being muted. (Some users have reported that iChat AV may lower the left speaker's volume drastically for voice conferences, so you may need to repeat this step after each use of iChat AV.)

The couple of minutes it takes to perform this basic checkup is certainly worth saving a trip to the Apple Store.

Fix a G4 iBook 'instant sleep at start up' problem

Wed, 13 May 2009 07:30:02 -0700

Okay. I spent waaayyy too much time looking for the answer to this problem, so I'm posting this for others in the same situation. I am the Resident Geek at a middle school, and one of our G4 iBooks (1.33GHz) would start up, then immediately go to sleep. If left for a day without power (battery removed and machine unplugged), you could log in before it went to sleep. In all of my searches, including a hint here from 2007, the reed switch seemed to be mentioned a lot...but there was also confusion on its location, and whether the logic board was to blame.

After taking apart the laptop and unplugging the reed switch -- which is located on top of the optical drive -- I confirmed that to be the problem. A new one for $15 (Googl...

Install newer media keyboard on an older Macbook Pro

Thu, 07 May 2009 07:30:02 -0700

If you are into hardware modifications, here's one: it's possible to have the media keys (e.g. iTunes controls, Dashboard, and Exposé) which came with the last pre-unibody MacBook Pro on your older MacBook Pro, either by changing keys only, or the keyboard assembly. Who needs a Num Lock key anyway?

This mod is quite simple on MacBooks, as the system will recognize the new (relatively cheap) top case and maps keys accordingly. On a MacBook Pro, however, unless you change the whole top case (preferable, but much more expensive, and possibly impossible with the oldest MacBook Pros, as they have Bluetooth inside the bottom case), the system gets the needed product ID from the top case. So a software mod is needed.

After some digging in the system, I found the file in question: /System » Library » Extensions » AppleUSBTopCase.kext » Contents » PlugIns » AppleUSBTCKeyEventDriver.kext » Contents » Info.plist. Don't forget to back it up first, and then modify it a...

Swipe Exposé and Dashboard in 'temporary view' mode

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:30:02 -0700

The following tip is something that I find very useful for myself, and that only works for Macs that can use four-finger Exposé mode on the trackpad.

While using a four-finger down swipe on the trackpad to trigger Exposé, don't release your fingers just yet -- hold your fingers for one second after swiping, then release them. When used in this manner, Exposé will activate, then turn off by itself when you release your fingers. This also works when activating Dashboard with a four-finger up swipe.

This is good for briefly glancing at information in other windows or the Finder.

[robg adds: Exposé and Dashboard can actually be used like this with keyboard-based activation, too -- just hold down the activation key (F9, F10, F11, F12) until you're done using Exposé or Dashboard, and it will close automatically when you release the activation key. We covered this keyboard-centric behavior for both ...

'Emergency use only' hard drive for a MacBook Pro

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:30:02 -0700

I needed to get my MacBook Pro running again after the hard drive failed, but the only drive I had available was a desktop 3.5 inch SATA unit.

So I opened up the MacBook Pro to see what could be done. Unfortunately, the onboard SATA connector won't accept a standard SATA cable. However, all you need to do is chop off some of the excess plastic on the SATA cable, and it works.

Note that you do need an external power supply for the hard drive, as the internal source doesn't supply the full 12v required.

Pro: Backup system is viable
Con: No longer a laptop

[robg adds: I haven't tested this one, and hope I never need to do so!]

Keyboard shortcuts to various System Preferences

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Using my MacBook Air (first gen), I mistakenly hit option-F11 (instead of fn-F11 to disperse all windows), and found I got taken to the Sound System Preferences panel. I tried this for the other Fn-keys and sure enough, I can access Displays, Exposé & Spaces, and Keyboard System Preferences by just adding the Option key to the Fn key.

It's easier than right-clicking on the desktop to then access Change Desktop Background, which is not much faster than mousing to the Apple menu.

[robg adds: We've covered some of these shortcuts before, at least in passing, for older OS releases and older keyboards, but I don't think we've covered this particular implementation ... my apologies if this is a duplicate, however.]

Transfer files using a direct Ethernet connection

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:30:02 -0700

With so many complaints about FireWire disappearing from the MacBooks, I wondered if large files could be copied using just an Ethernet cable. It was successful, and the transfer was rapid -- less than one minute to transfer 1.8 GB.

I used an aluminum MacBook connected via Ethernet cable directly to an aluminum iMac. AirPort cards were turned off on both computers, the Ethernet connections were active, and file sharing in the Sharing System Preferences panel was on. Under Shared in Finder, the computers recognized each other, allowing me to copy from one computer to the other.

[robg adds: This is a fairly basic tip, but I don't think we've covered it here before. Basically, the Mac OS is smart enough to set up a functional network if you connect two machines together using Ethernet (or FireWire) cable. Once connected, transfers will happen very quickly. Unfortunately, this doesn't help with the larger MacBook/FireWire issue, which is that you can't connect ...

Use iPhone headphone button in QuickTime on some Macs

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Following up on the recently-covered use of the iPhone headphone in Keynote and iTunes, one can also use the iPhone's headphones button in QuickTime on the new Unibody laptops:

Click: Play / Pause.
Two clicks: Next frame (if movie with no chapters); next chapter (if movie with chapters); next track if it's a playlist.
Three clicks: Restart playback from beginning (if one file), or restart playlist (if it's a playlist).

Cool, eh? :)

The TripleHead2Go, dual monitors, and the MacBook

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:30:00 -0800

When upgrading to my current Unibody macbook, I was replacing a dual-monitor setup using two computers and Synergy. While there was lots of speculation, I couldn't find any concrete info on how to achieve the same setup with my new Macbook. As such, I decided to share that info here.

I have two 20" LCDs that run at 1600x1200 each. After reading up on the Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital edition, I decided to buy one. After having some initial problems, I was dismayed to find out that the MacBook uses an unsupported chipset, and so their support department was of no help. If you want to take the jump, don't worry, it works, but with a few caveats... In order to get the high resolution, you'll need the Dual Link DVI adapter, which currently runs about $100. In addition, you need the digital version of the TripleHead2Go at ~$300 (even if you only have two screens), because it's the only version that supports...

Avoid Kernel Panics upon waking MacBook

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:30:01 -0800

I have a 13" MacBook that I love more than my dog. So far I've had absolutely no problems with it, save for one.

When I'm at home, I operate it with its lid closed and connected to an external Dell monitor. This situation works great until I have to take my laptop into the office. I've found that if I put the laptop to sleep with the external monitor connected, and then wake the laptop later without the external monitor, I receive a friendly Kernel Panic a few seconds after opening the lid.

The solution to avoiding this situation, for me at least, is to open the lid before putting the laptop to sleep, disconnect the monitor, wait for the laptop to recognize that it needs to switch to the internal display, then shut the lid and head off to wherever it is that I'm going.

This kludge helps out a lot in avoiding the problem of spending 10 minutes telling someone how awesome Mac OS X is compared to (insert your operating system here), only to open the lid and w...

Enable two-finger trackpad taps for 'remote' right-click

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:30:01 -0800

I regularly use Chicken of the VNC (CotV) and Apple Remote Desktop (v2.2) to access a number of various Macs and Windows machines on both LAN and WAN connections. I also have seven other OSs installed with Parallels on my MacBook. Each of these scenarios respond differently to Command-clicking as a substitute for a genuine right-click. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it only respects the Command key. Sometimes I don't have a mouse with me, so I get different results. (The Command-click in CotV is not recognized, for instance.).

Since they all work beautifully with a real right-click, I enabled a feature in the Keyboard & Mouse system preference to use two fingers on the track pad to simulate a right click to see how it might work. Much to my pleasure, it works like a charm! System Preferences » Keyboard & Mouse » Trackpad > [x] Tap trackpad using two fingers for secondary click.

Only rarely do I accidently 'right-click' when I don't mean to, so it's pret...

Fix chirping/static in headphones on the MacBook Pro

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:30:00 -0800

Ever since I got my early 2008 MacBook Pro, I have noticed electronic noises in the headphones whenever the Mac went silenct (for example, when a song would finish in iTunes). When I recently got Bose's over-the-ear headphones, I also started hearing static that I didn't notice before. I did some research and found this thread in the Apple Discussions.

The thread is currently 171 replies long, but the solution, found in the middle of the page, is to purchase a Volume Control Headphone Extension Cord from Radio Shack (their part number is 42-2559), or some other inline volume control. Plug in the inline volume control cable, then turn down the volume on the inline volume control and use the computer's volume to compensate. The key is that the control raises the impedance.

Note that this problem is entirely hardware related...

Possibly fix sleep problems associated with AirPort

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:30:00 -0800

Some Macs will wake up abruptly, shortly after being put to sleep -- apparently due to a bug in the system that's associated with the AirPort wireless card. Specifically if the computer was put to sleep while connected to a wireless network, it may suffer from this problem.

I wrote a free program called Wireless Sleeper that fixes the issue. It runs quietly in the background and will make sure that the AirPort is turned off before the computer goes to sleep. It will also turn AirPort back on when the computer wakes up.

[robg adds: I've never heard of this issue before, and none of our wireless Macs have had the problem, despite leaving AirPort on and connected all the time. Nonetheless, if you are having the problem, this freebie offers a potential solution.]

A fix for unrecognized trackpad clicks on new laptops

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

My mom recently upgraded to a new MacBook, which has one of them shiny new trackpads. I'm not exactly sure why, but the "Ignore accidental trackpad input" checkbox is not shown in the trackpad preferences on her computer, but the option was somehow enabled. The result was that she would often find that clicking on the trackpad didn't do anything if she'd just been typing, because apparently clicking (even the physical button click) is considered accidental trackpad input, and was ignored.

If you're having this problem, there's an easy solution. Open a Terminal window, and type defaults write -g com.apple.mouse.ignoreTypingFilter -bool NO (then press Return) to disable the ignore accidental trackpad input setting.

Reduce loud trackpad click on Unibody portables

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Lots of the new 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pros exhibit a much louder trackpad click that the older models. There have been numerous posts suggesting solutions like stuffing Kleenex between the battery and underside of the trackpad. Probably not the best idea to place a combustible item like tissue next to the battery.

However, if you turn the notebook over and pop out the battery, you will reveal the underside of the trackpad. There you will find a tri-blade screw (it's got a Y-shaped head) that adjusts the travel of the trackpad button and the force needed to register a click successfully. This screw is actually quite easy to turn using a small flat bladed screwdriver, so no special tools are required.

Turning the screw clockwise will reduce the required travel, and also dampen the sound of the click itself. Turning the screw counterclockwise increases the travel, and provides a much more audible c...

Control iTunes with iPhone headset

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:30:02 -0800

This might be obvious, but I just discovered that if I plug my iPhone headphones (the Apple-supplied set) into my late-2008 MacBook Pro, I can control iTunes just as I control music playback on my iPhone -- the button on the cord lets me play, pause and skip a song.

[robg adds: I imagine you can also jump back a song, too, using a triple-click as described in this hint. I'm not sure what other portable Macs this may work on.]

A tip for a faster change-app gestures on touchpads

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

It is now well-known the four finger gesture to change apps. You swipe four fingers, right or left, and a bezel with open apps appears, as with Command-Tab. Then if you swipe with two fingers, you will select a different app, which can be switched to by tapping with four fingers.

One thing I saw today is that you don't have to release all your fingers after the four-finger swipe and the two-finger swipe. Simply make the first swipe and only release two fingers; the system will recognize correctly the new gesture, and you save a bit of time.

A similar thing happens with the zoom gesture in some applications such as Preview: you can zoom-in and zoom-out without release your fingers. Safari behaves a bit differenlyt: you can zoom-in/out without releasing your fingers, but it will only increase/decrease the page size once (Preview performs a continuous zoom). For larger zooms in Safari, you need to release your fingers.

On the other hand, a change between zoom and s...

How to possibly fix an 'ALLOC-MEM too big!' error

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Over the weekend, my 12" PowerBook G4 was involved in an incident that, I thought, spelled certain doom for my all-time-favorite Apple laptop. I was using the machine with it perched on my knees, and happened to be applying the Safari software update when disaster struck. The update was at that point where the OS has shut down and the progress bar is marching across the screen. Just then, our youngest child came sneaking up on me and applied a running hug-tackle (I was on the sofa at the time, but hug-tackles can happen anywhere). At impact, the PowerBook flew off my knee and landed on the back right corner on the (thankfully) carpeted floor. When the machine hit the floor, it instantly kernel panicked, and I thought "well, that couldn't have happened at a worse time."

When I tried to boot it, I got a chime, but nothing else. Every trick I tried, including booting from a CD and setting it up in FireWire target disk mode, failed. Then I tried resetting PRAM, which also didn't ...

Travel tips for Mac laptop users on United Airlines

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:30:01 -0800

Not sure this is a hint, more a warning and how to get around it. I fly often and have to upgrade to Business so as to ensure a power socket at the seat. And I fly United because of their generous air miles packages which make upgrading affordable. However, United Business have new lie-flat seats, with a new 110V power supply instead of the old airplane-style one. The problem is that the socket is recessed in the console, and even the smaller power brick for the MacBook Air won't fit (you can insert the pins, but not far enough). There are a few ways around this:

Upgrade to First -- the power socket is not recessed.
Ask if you can charge the MacBook in First, and watch a movie at your regular Business seat while it charges.
Bring an international travel adaptor with you (e.g. use the 3 pin UK plug on the power brick, and attach it to an adaptor for the US 2-pin style -- if your adaptor is a standard size, it's likely to fit into the recessed socket).