Hi,
Sorry if my posts are becoming a bit too many too soon, but I really do have a problem here. I am quite new to the Apple, and so do not want to make any further of a mess than I already have.
How, I don't quite know, but I managed to put a ton of files into the trash, files that run the packaged programs that appear on the Dock, such as Grapher, Numbers, Pages, Gimp and Stuffit expander [which I added], iPhoto, and so on. In the PC, there is an option to Restore files inadvertently "deleted". Here I saw no such option. However, I took a chance, and, one-by one, there being no other option, dragged each file into a new folder, I called "Moved programs" on the Desktop. [I told you I was a hacker of sorts.] Voila! the programs somehow recognised that those files existed, and found them and now run as they should.
I consider that to be a temporary and unsatisfactory fix, particularly as the files are no longer ordered according to each program using them, but are now all jumbled into one place. What I need to know, please, is how to revert to the original state ... step by step. Do I first remove this folder as it might then interfere with a new installation? Must I delete ALL associated files before reinstallation [In Windows that might involve cleaning the registry as well.] If I reinstall from the Apple disk, will that overwrite the original files to the extent that I will have to redo my Address Book, and perhaps lose present emails ...?
Any help/advice appreciated, as I do not want to do something even more stupid and have to take the thing back to the Ottawa store for reinstallation. If it's a simple matter of putting in the installation disk and following the bouncing ball, I've been there before many times over with the PC helping others, even installing everything from FDISK on. Perhaps I'm being a bit overcautious, being entirely unfamiliar with this platform, but better safe than sorry. Part of the problem is that if I do have to go to Ottawa, I have to wait about a week since my wife drives, and I do not since an accident. That's a week without email; two weeks if it has to be left there.
Also, Bell installed the new modem and set up the computer to connect. I can't possibly ask them to do that again, and I failed in my own atempt, so that is a major factor that needs to be avoided.
Thank you.
David.
Hi David,
Not to sound dismissive but if I were you I would continue to keep trying on your own. Computerswhether they be mac or pc are mastered by attitude 99% of the time. There is no magic just trial and error. You will learn more doing things the wrong way than the right way. Leaning on others too often doesn't really help you in the long run, as it's like someone else doing your homework for you.
That is just my opinion though. Sort of a teach a man to fish sort of thing ;)
Anyways,
So for the file associations, right click on any file in question (hold control on keyboard + mouse button if you only have one mouse button) select "get info" and then a properties page for that file will open. In the middle there is a "open with" drop down. Change it if you need to, and below it there is a "apply to all" option. Now only do this if the file type is opening in a program you don't want it to.
For the packaged programs, are you running them from the Macintosh HD -> Applications ? Or are you expanding them and then running them from the white disk on the desktop?
Don't use the mac os disk to do anything yet. I doubt very much you are at that stage. I think you are suggesting that option from your years on the pc side..;) You rarely if ever need your system dvd.
For the Bell modem you most certainly can call them anytime as much as you want. You pay a lot for that service.
If your bell modem is plugged into your ethernet on your mac, open safari and go to 192.168.2.1 and follow the instructions to enter your DSL username and password. If it is plugged in using USB then call them.
Best regards,
Ed
Quote from: Smashedbanana on August 01, 2009, 11:27:47 AM
Hi David,
Not to sound dismissive but if I were you I would continue to keep trying on your own.
Thanks, but I've been there, and it's how I got here. I grew up teaching myself about the PC and programming in several languages; no text, no guideline, mostly hacking around. A math/physics background didn't hurt. I've helped people for decades, and "If I had a dollar for every time..." is not just a saying, but a fact. I just didn't want to have it go down the tubes right after I'd spent a ton of money for a new computer. I have answered thousand upon thousands of other people's questions, but have asked less than you can count on both hands. This is one of those few times.
In any event, I did get some direction from the people I bought it from, and after a bit of hacking on my own. Their solution is still not logically satisfying for other reasons, but the stuff is now working as it should, and files are out of harm's way from other users. I had stuffed the files from the trash into a new folder and that worked. They suggested moving them from there back into the Applications folder, but I still see that as disorganised, even though it still works. Quite different from Windows, where if you move something, you might as well count it as lost.
Aside: Re Ma Bell ... You have no idea what it took to get them to come here to help ... but they finally did. You have no idea what it took [long and involved] to get them a long time back to install a telephone pole and a line to my house after the old line broke for a second time ...but they finally did.
Sounds like you could use an orientation to the Mac differences from Windows. There are many articles on How to switch to a Mac.
Try out http://www.iterasi.net/openviewer.aspx?sqrlitid=fyihzn9hyukzq6xm0rvlrw (http://www.iterasi.net/openviewer.aspx?sqrlitid=fyihzn9hyukzq6xm0rvlrw)
The Mac is quite forgiving about file placement but the normal convention is to keep your applications in the Applications folder.