Macintosh OS - Focus on Mac Support - Computing/Technology

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About George Derringer
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I know a great deal about Macintosh computers running the older Mac OS 9, considerably less about machines running OS X

Experience
I am the town crier in my home town, a newspaper editor by trade and a shortwave radio fan since, oh, about 1959.

You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on Mac Support > Macintosh OS

Questions Answered By Expert George Derringer
In Category Macintosh OS

Subject	Date Asked

IT'S A BIT LIKE MAGIC	9/4/2009
Q: I have a eMac witch is running OS X 10.4 I was wondering would you please tell me the steps for ... A: I'm not sure what you mean by "automator" but the general answer is that you set your preferences ...
disc drive wont open	8/6/2009
Q: my macintosh computer fell two days and it wont turn on i left a disc in the cd drive and it wont ... A: The first thing to try is holding down the mouse button when you start up the computer until the CD ...
Mac G4 OSX and 9.1	6/7/2009
Q: Bought a used G4 (800mhz,M8493, 768MB, 40GB,CD-RW) to replace a Starmax 3000 running OS8.6. In ... A: Classic (OS9) runs only on non-Intel computers, which your G4 is. However, you need to install it ...
imac os9	5/26/2009
Q: Can you tell me how to unlock the mouse? If I press the help button on my keyboard there's an ... A: This is from the Apple web site, in the document with the URL: ...
MEANING 2	5/24/2009
Q: I was wondering would you please tell me: what does the term "beta" mean? P.S I've got a eMac ... A: Firewire is a rapid transfer port from one computer to another, used by connecting a wire with ...
UPGRADES POWERMAC G4	5/23/2009
Q: I have a power mac g4. what available browsers can I use with this. I'm a "dummy" when it comes to ... A: What counts about browsers is the operating system. I am assuming you have OS X of some flabor ...
MEANINGS	5/20/2009
Q: I was wondering would you please tell me: what does the term "beta" mean? P.S I've got a eMac ... A: Pre-release versions of software are named "alpha" and "beta" for the first two letters in the Greek ...
online chat with IE 5.17	5/3/2009
Q: I need your advice. I want to chat with a friend who uses Mac OS9 and Internet Explorer 5.17. She ... A: Right -- you will have to install one of those or, of course, Microsoft Messenger. All three are ...
online chat with IE 5.17	5/3/2009
Q: I need your advice. I want to chat with a friend who uses Mac OS9 and Internet Explorer 5.17. She ... A: I am assuming you mean a voice chatting program because Yahoo, AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ (which ...
WORK SAFTY	4/10/2009
Q: I was wondering would you please explain to me: what does safe boot do? P.S I've got a eMac which ... A: Cameron! This is the sort of question for which the www.apple.com site was invented. If you go ...
entourage	4/8/2009
Q: how I can add an account of email in entourage?it is thus each time that attentive to insert the ... A: If you have Mac OS X, you add e-mail accounts in Entourage this way: 1. Start Entourage. 2. Click ...
reset admin id and password	3/31/2009
Q: My sister gave me a Mac OS computer without reset(recovery) cd. yet, it is not the worst part of it, ... A: I don't believe there's a way to do this: ...
Password protection	1/31/2009
Q: I have a Macintosh and as a concerned parent would like to know if I can password protect the ... A: The answer is yes, you can do that. You didn't tell me for sure, but I am going to assume you are ...
Mac G4	1/25/2009
Q: I currently have a MacG4 OS9 which I use to do studio work (Digital performer software). I want to ... A: Yes, with a few caveats. First, your old Mac must have at least 256MB of RAM and a fair amount of ...
Booting IMAC's	1/24/2009
Q: I have been given a number of apple IMAC's which I believe are 500MHZ with 128MB Ram and 20GB Hard ... A: The question marks indicate a lack of a valid system folder (OS9) or valid System (OSX). I suspect ...
email browser	12/11/2008
Q: I used to be able to get my email by either using Netscape or Explorer but lately when I click on ... A: Orlan, try visiting this page: ...
MORE TIME	11/20/2008
Q: I was wondering would you please explain to me: how do our computers know when it's day light ... A: It's built into your Mac OS (operating system). In fact, a few years ago when the U.S. changed the ...
Mac System	9/28/2008
Q: I have an I mac the Hard disk crashed I purchased another and cannot install OS X probably because ... A: I assume you have a Mac OSX disk. Insert it and double click the Mac OSX icon. You should get a ...
Mac performa _can't print	9/27/2008
Q: I have had this computer for many years with no problems. I wanted to print a document and got this ... A: This was one of the most persistent problems of OS 7, 8 and 9, believe it or not. What has happened ...
shockwave 10 for mac os 9	9/20/2008
Q: ive heard there was info found about 10 working for os 9. I'ts a plugin called ... A: There is indeed and you can find it at www.versiontracker.com -- Click "Mac Classic" in the blue ...
G3 OS9	9/13/2008
Q: I have a G3, which runs on OS9. How do I set up DSL? I've been told that it isn't compatible. ... A: It depends on your DSL provider. Some work with OS9 and others at least SAY it won't work. Some ...
Still paper in trash pt. 2	9/12/2008
Q: I tried all solutions found here http://en.allexperts.com/q/Macintosh-OS-1063/still-paper-trash.htm ... A: Aha -- one of those files, at least, is an alias. Try reading this article: ...
Still paper in trash pt. 2	9/12/2008
Q: I tried all solutions found here http://en.allexperts.com/q/Macintosh-OS-1063/still-paper-trash.htm ... A: That date on it makes me think you might be working with OS9 and a computer in which the battery ...
browsers	9/12/2008
Q: I have an old blueberry imac, About this computer says Mac OS 9.0, Mac OS Ram3.1.1, Built in ... A: Well. the good news is that you can use that OS9 machine for some Internet things, but fewer every ...
dead ibook	9/9/2008
Q: my ibook G4 recently died. It just clicked off and when I try to turn it back on, it clicks and ... A: Get thee to an Apple retail store. They have tricks to get all your data, even from a dead iBook, ...
hard drive failure?	9/9/2008
Q: I recently started up my old G3 b&w tower after storing it for 2 years. It started up fine,then I ... A: That sound is a pretty good indication you need a new hard drive and you can install one yourself -- ...
UNTITLED	9/5/2008
Q: I was wondering would you please tell me: would a scratched CD/DVD ruin your computers CD/DVD ... A: No, it shouldn't hurt the drive at all. (I assume you are using a STANDARD size CD -- never ever put ...
os9.1 browser	9/5/2008
Q: my yahoo sayy it no longer supports ex 5 for mac and i should upgrade to a new browser can i do this ... A: Long story short: If this is happening to you a lot, you need to get a new computer with OS X. (It ...
freeze	8/18/2008
Q: my computter freezes after the welcome part it loads for a while than jus freeze's can u help me ... A: I need a bit more information, I'm afraid, especially which operating system is on your computer. ...
cmd in mac?	8/12/2008
Q: I was wondering if there is a cmd program (or something like it) where i can enter codes and ... A: Well, a couple of things. First, OS 9 was replaced by OS X (pronounced "ten") six years ago now and ...
DO IT - Mac OS X 10.4	8/9/2008
Q: On Wednesday 12th June I did a quicktime update around 3:30 pm and it needed the computer to be ... A: First answer: Don't do that! :-) In fact, it's best to sit right at your computer and move the ...
startup problems	8/7/2008
Q: I had a Kernel Panic message about an hour ago, and now get nothing but gray screen when I start up. ... A: The first thing to try in this situation is to follow the correct procedure to start up in "safe ...
Opening New Documents	7/28/2008
Q: I have Office 2004 and when I try to open a new Word document it always opens with my father's ... A: Word 2004 should open with a Project Gallery when you start the application, asking you to choose ...
HOW MUCH IS LEFT - Mac OS X 10.4	7/27/2008
Q: I was wondering would you please tell me: why can't I check my printer ink levels? P.S I have a ... A: The answer is: Because you can't with most print drivers or most printers. I can't either with an ...
Mac laptop	7/19/2008
Q: George. I'm fed up with windows and up to getting a Mac laptop but not familiar with their ... A: OK, the easy part first: No matter which Mac laptop you get, you'll get a Core 2 duo Intel processor ...
emac g4	7/16/2008
Q: IT HAS NO OPERATING PROGRAMME. WHAT CAN I LOAD ON IT FOR IT TO WORK. REGARDS MARTYN ANSWER: Just ... A: I guess I'm at the end of what I can do without sitting next to the machine with emergency disks and ...
emac g4	7/11/2008
Q: IT HAS NO OPERATING PROGRAMME. WHAT CAN I LOAD ON IT FOR IT TO WORK. REGARDS MARTYN A: Just about any version of OS9 and, if you have at least 256 megabytes of RAM in it, any version of ...
Epson 740 driver for Mac OS 9.2 ?	7/6/2008
Q: OS 9.2 iMac. We cannot find the driver to make the computer connect to the Epson 740 printer. Only ... A: Yup, right here: ...
CHECK UP - OS X 10.4	6/30/2008
Q: I was wondering would you please suggest to me: how often should I do a software update within ... A: I do mine weekly -- but anytime you hear of a new update via www.macupdate.com or through e-mail, ...
Older Imac running OS 9.2	6/30/2008
Q: I have this Imac G3, the blue and white one that is one unit. I bought it in about 1999 or 2000 ... A: I'm afraid it's going to need some professional help now. My first guess if the screen doesn't ...
Older Imac running OS 9.2	6/22/2008
Q: I have this Imac G3, the blue and white one that is one unit. I bought it in about 1999 or 2000 ... A: I am going to assume that you hear the Mac start-up chime when you turn the power on. If that's the ...
Blue & White Tower G3 Mac OS9	6/16/2008
Q: George, I received a message "Finder needed attention". I went to preferences and pulled "Finder" ... A: Unfortunately, no -- you need a start-up so you can put the Finder (now on your desktop) back into ...
iMac OS 9 & printers	5/26/2008
Q: I have an iMac blue (Dec 1999) G3 + added RAM. I recently retired an HP printer that was getting ... A: MisterQ Well, the helpline advice was good -- balky USB devices work better when plugged directly ...
SO DIFFERENT	5/10/2008
Q: I have at Mac at home witch has a DVD/CD player in it. I was wondering would you please me: is the ... A: In 90 percent of the cases, yes. You should be able to double-click the disk's icon on your desktop ...
Running OS9.2 on a G5	5/9/2008
Q: Well I am trying to install OS9.2 on a G5 (that running OS10.4.11). No luck at all no matter how ... A: You need the original installation disc You should be able to get some help at the Apple support ...
enable software update	4/29/2008
Q: It all starts with my daughter getting a free iMac G3 with OS 9.2 She cant get onto her "Webkins" ... A: OK, forget software update -- it isn't going to work on 9.2. However, there is a fairly recent ...
os x 10.5.2	4/26/2008
Q: On eBay I bought os x 10.5.2 for my iMac G5 1.8 with 768 megs. When I try to install the os, ... A: The problem is that 10.5.2 works only on Intel-based Macs, not on G5 Macs. Here are two documents ...
Mac OS 9.1 troubles!!!!	1/3/2008
Q: I have Outlook Express 5.0 and Internet Explorer 5.0 - neither program will allow me online access. ... A: Because you have to configure OS 9's Internet Control Panel with the same information about your ...
OS9 reinstallation	12/31/2007
Q: Someone has given me a older desktop MAC running OS9 and I want to get it up and going. I have ... A: Aha -- the disk isn't going to let you do that, I'm afraid, because what they gave you was not an ...
OS9 reinstallation	12/30/2007
Q: Someone has given me a older desktop MAC running OS9 and I want to get it up and going. I have ... A: Hmm ... there could be a bit of confusion here. PC people reinstall Windows all the time. Macs ...
hard drive will not mount	12/29/2007
Q: george, concering a blue and white mac G3, when the system is turned on I get the flashing ?. I ... A: I suspect, as you did, a dead hard drive. Might I suggest the really silly idea that it could be ...
Safari and mail crash after software update	12/27/2007
Q: I'm realy hoping you can help. I recently did a software update on 10.4.11 and now when I click on ... A: I'm at work right now so I can't check fully but I can point you in the right direction. Go to ...
problem urgent	12/26/2007
Q: hey George im trying to open the stuffit program for mac and it says there is a problem to expand ... A: You should go to http://my.smithmicro.com/downloads/index.html and locate the program "Stuffit ...
still paper in trash	12/18/2007
Q: my trash is empty but there is still paper in the trash icon. I can keep choosing empty trash and it ... A: First guess: You don't have permissions to do so because a different user put the item in the trash. ...
OS 9.1 system error on startup	12/7/2007
Q: George Tried trashing personal files and some applications like Palm OS and 2Wire (DSL service), in ... A: You bet, Amy! Type 1 Scaler is notoriously buggy, not unlike its Adobe font smoothing friends (Adobe ...
OS 9.1 system error on startup	12/6/2007
Q: George Tried trashing personal files and some applications like Palm OS and 2Wire (DSL service), in ... A: Nope, you've done about all you can do, short of erasing the hard drive. Don't forget that you can ...
OS 9.1 system error on startup	12/6/2007
Q: George Tried trashing personal files and some applications like Palm OS and 2Wire (DSL service), in ... A: One of several things should solve your problem: By matching the extensions, you chose to match one ...
Google search box	12/5/2007
Q: How do I remove all the sites I have been to in the Google search box. Right now if you press the ... A: Well, you didn't tell me what browser you are using (Safari or Firefox, I suspect) but the best way ...
Entourage doesn't display	12/3/2007
Q: email so I won't be able to tell if you answer it or not. I have an email that does work: ... A: Lots of possibilities. First, run Disk Utility. It's in your Applications folder, then inside the ...
OS8.6 memory problems / crashes	12/1/2007
Q: My computer is a PPCG3 minitower. Most pdf files will no longer open. Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 is my ... A: Couple of things here: First, your hard drive needs maintenance. Get yourself a proper version of ...
installing OS9	11/2/2007
Q: I recently bought a beige G3 on ebay, which had OSX 10.1 installed on it. I have a soundcard which ... A: I have ideas but I wonder why you didn't jsut install Classic, adding it to the OS X. Anyway, I very ...
pram battery failure!	10/20/2007
Q: I have a Sonnet G3 7300 powermac, 300mg ram 20 gig drive on Os 9.2. Recently the clock/date etc ... A: Gee, Peter -- I had hoped for better. Yes, it's possible you zapped the board, although that happens ...
excel spreadsheet to Mac	10/18/2007
Q: Claris Organizer onto my iBook G4. Can you solve this for me please? I am taking over as treasurer ... A: The answer is yes. The easiest and most direct way is for both of you to have Microsoft Office on ...
pram battery failure!	10/17/2007
Q: I have a Sonnet G3 7300 powermac, 300mg ram 20 gig drive on Os 9.2. Recently the clock/date etc ... A: Well, let's see. It appears you know that reverting to a date in 1956 is always a sign that the ...
powerbook 180	10/11/2007
Q: I purchased an old powerbook 180 at a thrift shop.It powers up fine ,but a user logon come on.I'm ... A: Well, that may be your only option but first try a few common passwords: password, administrator, ...
Updating mac 8.6	10/2/2007
Q: and thank you for your help! I have a funky orange iMac that I updated to 8.6 a few years ago. I ... A: Yes, you should be able to use the eBat disk. No matter where you start, there's always a trick and ...
Updating mac 8.6	9/30/2007
Q: and thank you for your help! I have a funky orange iMac that I updated to 8.6 a few years ago. I ... A: Ah, bad news, I'm afraid. OS 9 was a PAID upgrade and finding it now will require you to either pay ...
Cant Find Any Printer Drivers for Mac OS 9.2	9/30/2007
Q: Checked out the HP website for support but there isn't any for the subject printer in connection ... A: ¥ou didn't tell me what country you are in, but I'm not having any trouble finding drivers for my ...
need to play windows media player file on Mac	9/9/2007
Q: First of all, thanks for volunteering to help the clueless such as myself. My problem is that I ... A: Ooh, so close! Actually, I don't think that laptop is going to let you project it, even with an ...
printer	9/8/2007
Q: I have i Mac with Mac OS 9.1.2 and printer HP Laser Jet 6P. The printer icon shows in chooser but I ... A: Actually, Camilla, the driver is downloadable from here: ...
Outlook Express 5.0.6 (for Mac)	9/7/2007
Q: I was on my email, Outlook Express 5.0.6, switched identities and received the message "OE Schedules ... A: Reasonable guess here: See if you can find a file called "Schedules" inside what is certain to be a ...
carbonlib	8/16/2007
Q: There is a lot of things I can't do on my MAC os9 because I dont have an upgraded version of ... A: OK, you need the last version of CarbonLib, which is 1.6 -- get it here: ...
iMac OS 9 is terribly slow	7/24/2007
Q: I HAVE A MAC OS 9 That i just bought from a friend.......i have the Internet connected through ... A: We're guessing here but as a Comcast customer who finally switched to OS X in January ... first, you ...
iMac OS9 won't startup	7/11/2007
Q: I have a 7 year old iMac running OS 9.04. It is completely frozen on the small apple smiley logo at ... A: Unfortunately, Tom, not really -- it's an outside chance, but have you disconnected all the ...
iMac OS9 won't startup	7/10/2007
Q: I have a 7 year old iMac running OS 9.04. It is completely frozen on the small apple smiley logo at ... A: Well, you've done the right things but I'd be willing to bet that your System File (NOT the System ...
data transfer	7/10/2007
Q: I have a 500 MHz Powerbook G3 with 128 MB built-in memory running Mac OS 9.0.4. How do I transfer ... A: Connect the two together (firewire if the G3 has a firewire port, otherwise Ethernet cable). Turn on ...
OS 9.2 re-install problems	5/27/2007
Q: my daughter uses my old G3 imac for her games tat only work on OS 9 and after turning it off at the ... A: Hmm ... are you getting that message when you start up from the CD by holding down the "C" key? (I ...
Trouble opening attachments in Outlook for Mac	4/26/2007
Q: Everytime I go to open an email with an attachment, OS 9 (and its browser Internet Explorer,) rather ... A: I don't guarantee this since I now have an Intel Mac, but I'm pretty sure that you can open Firefox ...
Mac OS 9.2 Startup Trouble	4/19/2007
Q: I am trying to start up my G4 in OS 9.2 and it freezes during startup and the mouse icon is showing ... A: Yes, but you need a CD with an operating system on it, OS9 to be exact. If you have the original CD ...
change type size	4/4/2007
Q: i typed a 100 pg sdcreenplay on Courier 16 instead of courier 12. how do i change it i have mac ... A: Your question is missing an important bit of information ... what program are you using to write the ...
Quicktime	1/12/2007
Q: George. Much appreciated. I did all you said and it is as it should be. Quicktime works fine on the ... A: Luke -- I'm but I really don't know the answer. What I do know is that Firefox (make sure you get ...
Quicktime	1/10/2007
Q: Jeff, I have a Macbook and when I go to some sites on Safari I get a Quicktime logo with a question ... A: OK, two things: With Safari running, do to Safari at top left, pull down to Preferences, click on ...
iMac DV won't boot up	1/6/2007
Q: I realize you are probably not going to want to answer my question since you would prefer I bring in ... A: Ah, Tom -- I have done this myself. A friend bought an iBook and I tried to use her OS X disc to ...
Connecting my OS9 machine to the internet thorugh ethernet	1/6/2007
Q: I have an old powerbook(OS 9) without any wireless capabilities but id like to connect to the ... A: Doug -- let's assume you have an internet service provider who supports Mac OS9. Now find the file ...
OBTAINING Old favorites lost in erased IE5	12/30/2006
Q: Please forgive the brevity... -- Using iBook /w IE5 -- Transferred Old favorites onto a ... A: It doesn't sound good, though I am mystified why you even have an alias -- is it remotely possible ...
i need help	12/4/2006
Q: but i cant get to the desktop or anything it just shows the mac face then the question mark and ... A: OK, Michael -- Now you are at the point where you need a CD with a valid system folder on it. There ...
i need help	12/4/2006
Q: ok i have a iMac 9.0,when i turn it on it shows the mac symbol then a question mark on a file. its ... A: MIchael! That question mark is the same symbol going back to 1984 -- it means "I can't find a valid ...
Downloading files (JPEG) from Outlook Express	11/30/2006
Q: I'm running OS 9.1 on an iMac. I use the latest version of IE for my OS. Comcast has upgraded their ... A: Tom. My sympathy is real -- I'm using a strawberry iMac with OS 9.2.2 right now but getting a new ...
Desktop not showing any hard drive icons and thus no system folders	11/25/2006
Q: Mac 9,2 went into freeze says illegal instructions. I have been able to get a new start up ok but ... A: Stuart -- assuming you have inserted a CD that contains a start-up capability (a full sytem folder, ...
Unwanted message	11/18/2006
Q: Used someones CD to upgrade software on my Mac Performa 6400 with OS 9.1. Uprgrade did not work.. ... A: 1. Never, ever remove any disk from a pre-OS X Mac by any method other than dragging it to the ...
Installation of OS 9	11/8/2006
Q: My office runs on software that will only run on OS 9. I purchased an IMAC on ebay with OS 10.2 on ... A: OK, let's assume you have the CD or DVD to install the original OS 10.2 (I hope). If you do, it also ...
OS 8.1 startup	9/30/2006
Q: My OS 8.1 wont boot when i start up it shows what looks like a 3.5in floppy with a "?" flashing on ... A: Jon. Well, that little icon is the computer telling you "I can't find a valid system folder on this ...
Is Safri a good browser?	9/17/2006
Q: I have an older Power Mac G3 with a 9.2.2 OS. It's beige, not the blue&white tower. I have been ... A: Bob! (I'm not sure this went through the first time, about 20 minutes ago!) You and I are in the ...
re: Internet Explorer	9/10/2006
Q: 2 and Internet Explorer 5. Sites are telling me I need to update the IE5 but it looks like IE7 is ... A: Paul! Guess what -- you are just like me with the iMac I am using at this very moment to answer your ...
Compatibility of spreadsheets between Macs and PCs	9/3/2006
Q: You were so helpful to me before over installing old Claris Organiser software on to my iBook G4, ... A: again, Jean! The answer is, well, it depends (as usual). In AppleWorks 6 and above, you can save ...
My Mac won't start up	8/25/2006
Q: I have a Power Mac G3 with 9.2 OS. My computer just froze up and when I try to restart it the ... A: Well, believe it or not, this is sometimes caused by what is called "stiction." I have an iMac (the ...
MAC G 4	8/1/2006
Q: I LIVE IN QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY,USA I HAVE A G4 MAC WHEN I START UP MY G4 MAC IM GETTING A FLSAHING ... A: Short version: That's the signal that the Mac can't find a valid System Folder, the operating ...
Performa 475	5/29/2006
Q: I need to retrieve data from my old Performa 475. The problem is it will not read a floppy. How can ... A: You have basically one option: The easiest way is to network that Mac to another Mac, using either ...
increasing memory partition	4/25/2006
Q: Followup To Question -Hi George, I have a blueberry iMac os9.1, use IE5. MediaPlayer7 doesn't play ... A: Sure, Mike! SimpleText only requires a very small amount of memory, say 1 MB, to run. And, yes, ...
increasing memory partition	4/24/2006
Q: Followup To Question - Hi George, I have a blueberry iMac os9.1, use IE5. MediaPlayer7 doesn't ... A: Easy one first -- the battery is unfortunately pretty rare, but you can often find one at a Radio ...
increasing memory partition	4/23/2006
Q: I have a blueberry iMac os9.1, use IE5. MediaPlayer7 doesn't play -- prompt says to increase memory ... A: OK, Mike, you're in the wrong place. First, make sure Internet Explorer is NOT running. That means ...
increasing memory partition	4/22/2006
Q: I have a blueberry iMac os9.1, use IE5. MediaPlayer7 doesn't play -- prompt says to increase memory ... A: Easy enough. Make sure you are not running any programs except the Finder (Upper right on your ...
Essential Files Deleted	4/10/2006
Q: The office I work in has an iMac (350 MHz, 2 3.5g hard drives and 128 RAM) with OS 9.2 in which ... A: Two options and you already mentioned the "take it to the shop" one. The other is: if you have the ...
Updating an "old" G4 sawtooth	2/21/2006
Q: Mr. Derringer, I bought a brand new top of the line G4 several years ago. My question is this: Can ... A: Well, Brad, my G3 and I are envious. The answer is pretty easy, really: If you have 256MB of memory ...
imac HD	2/9/2006
Q: I have an ancient G3 imac, 6 GB, 333mhz with OS 9. On startup I get the blinking ? on the folder. ... A: You've done the right things with Norton and TechTool (that's what I would have done had I been out ...
Mac OS 9.1 vs OSX	2/8/2006
Q: George - Actually two questions: 1 - Seems I have no choice but to convert from 9.1 to X. Hate to ... A: Sorry, Chuck, I didn't mean to confuse. As long as you have at least 256MB of memory in your G4, you ...
Mac OS 9.1 vs OSX	2/8/2006
Q: George - Actually two questions: 1 - Seems I have no choice but to convert from 9.1 to X. Hate to ... A: Chuck! You have come to the right place. I still use 9.2.2 because it works and I like it. My wife ...
Claris Organizer Diary	1/17/2006
Q: You asked for an update on the behaviour of the Claris Organizer. With the icon on the desktop, all ... A: Jean, you're welcome and thanks for the update. I'm glad to help and both my wife and I have gotten ...
Stuffitt upgrade	1/11/2006
Q: I have a G3 tower with OS 9.2 with 160 MB of RAM. I've been trying to install some software for a ... A: Sounds like one of two things, David. First, are you sure that CarbonLib is in fact inside your ...
Mac OS	1/8/2006
Q: George - What's the advantage in upgrading to OS 9.2.2? Once I get a system that works, I hate to ... A: Chuck! Well, it's a little more stable than 9.1, most Java applets (the ones you get at various Web ...
black screen on 6100 powerpc	1/7/2006
Q: I have an old 6100/66 power pc that recently lost it's display. The monitor seems OK, I can switch ... A: Kevin -- Proud owner of a 6100 here, one that has run 24 hours a day for more than 10 years, just ...
RealPlayer	1/7/2006
Q: George- For some time now, I can't tune in to a radio station online via RealPlayer on my Mac. It ... A: Actually, Chuck, the truth is in the middle. Although Real.com only promotes its latest Player, ...
Claris Organizer Diary	1/4/2006
Q: I had the diary working great with everything entered and could print up. I was locating it via ... A: Not a problem, Jean! I have about 80 percent confidence that your work-around of keeping the magic ...
Claris Organizer Diary	1/2/2006
Q: I had the diary working great with everything entered and could print up. I was locating it via ... A: Jean! My guess is that the change of year removed your "recent items" list but the data is still ...
crash with Word98 on OS9.2.2	12/26/2005
Q: I have a G3 at 266mgz with 512 RAM and 4.0gb hard drive. It runs on OS 9.2.2 and I use office 98. ... A: OK, let's try two more things. First, the easy one: Open the System Folder: Preferences and throw ...
crash with Word98 on OS9.2.2	12/25/2005
Q: I have a G3 at 266mgz with 512 RAM and 4.0gb hard drive. It runs on OS 9.2.2 and I use office 98. ... A: Two things to try: First, trying just giving Word more memory. Find the application, Highlight it, ...
Organizer diary	12/22/2005
Q: Followup To Question - On my previous PowerBook (OS9) I had installed a ClarisWorks Organizer ... A: Jean! Yup, I can tell you how to do that too. What you need to do is find the original disk(s) that ...
Organizer diary	12/21/2005
Q: On my previous PowerBook (OS9) I had installed a ClarisWorks Organizer Diary - just right for my ... A: Jean! Yep, there's a way to do that. First, create a new folder on your desktop called "Installer" ...
Organizer diary	12/19/2005
Q: On my previous PowerBook (OS9) I had installed a ClarisWorks Organizer Diary - just right for my ... A: Jean! There should be no reason you can't run your old Organizer -- the trick is that you have to ...
PB 165 Startup Problem	10/17/2005
Q: PB165 ! Great for word processing & accounting ! In the late hours I discovered the problem. I ... A: Hey, great! I had forgotten that you had to have a battery in there. Mine died long ago so it never ...
PB 165 Startup Problem	10/16/2005
Q: I have a great workhorse of a Powerbook 165 (circa 1993) but suddenly it won't startup. (Using OS ... A: Leslie! I am actually also the owner of a PB165 -- old, slow but mostly reliable. It sounds like the ...
Desktop files	9/8/2005
Q: - Last Qestion! Hi george I have the original disk os8, the .1 was an upgrade. If I reinstall ... A: Art! Let's see: First, start up and stick that Tech Tool disk in the CD drive. Open the CD, look ...
Desktop files	9/7/2005
Q: After restart, I trashed the finder preferences folder and then rebuilt the desktop again. Nothing ... A: Yikes, Art! All I can imagine now is a corrupt finder. (Yes, I knew the Finder prefs would reappear, ...
Desktop files	9/6/2005
Q: I've turned my computer back on, and held down the 2 relevant keys and it did ask me if i wanted to ... A: OK, Art -- I realize I should have told you that after your Mac asks if you want to rebuild the ...
Desktop files	9/6/2005
Q: I have an old OS 8.1 Mac. My problem is all the icons on my desktop have changed to plain folders ... A: Art! You are SO close to the solution, which is indeed rebuilding the desktop. However, you do this ...
Mac 05 B1-8.5. I am constantly...	8/13/2005
Q: Mac 05 B1-8.5. I am constantly getting a notice saying "a script error occurred....." which I have ... A: Frank, I'm not sure what you are doing when you get this message, but the easiest and most likely ...
hell file	8/10/2005
Q: I am running OS10.2 I interrupted stuffit when it was zipping a file. I am unable to delete the ... A: Jonathan, I don't run OS X, so consider this an UNeducated guess -- Stuffit still wants to finish ...
authentication issue	7/30/2005
Q: I'm on os 9.2.2 on a G3 iMac. No matter what mail program i'm using, i can only send mail and not ... A: OK, Michael, the fact that the settings don't work on any program demonstrates that there is ...
Internet Explorer	7/21/2005
Q: Mac 05 B1-8.5 When I am on Internet Explorer the screen displays INBOX, and I can't get to SENT or ... A: OK, Frank, this is a little confusing because Internet Explore r is a Web browser, not an email ...
Reformat?	7/18/2005
Q: I have a problem with an old, old Mac Laptop. I think it was made in 96. After running after ... A: OK, Roni! You're going to think I'm crazy, but here goes! First, that question marks means "I can't ...
Generic icons appear	6/29/2005
Q: In OS 9.2, why do the desktop icons appear as generic icons? A: Easy one, Jack! Your "desktop file" has become corrupted. You need to restart while holding down the ...
Whenever I try to open Quark...	6/20/2005
Q: Whenever I try to open Quark or Photoshop on my Mac OS 9, I get a window that says "Classic ... A: Jim! You obviously are running OS X most of the time or you wouldn't get "Classic is starting" ...
mac os 8.6	6/7/2005
Q: i have mac os 8.6 in german version. i am unable to get its english version. what should i do. ... A: Sabiha! Yes, you can upgrade almost any Mac that runs OS 8.6, but it's not free. Still, I would urge ...
peer-to-peer music programs	5/22/2005
Q: I hope you can help me with an annoying problem I have. I own a ibook OSX, and I have itunes, as ... A: Kat! This is really outside the realm of "older Macs," my real area of expertise, but I think I can ...
g4 OS 9 Illegal instruction crash on startup	5/15/2005
Q: I just wanted to let you know I fixed the problem- I tried my first suggestion-Checked for Viruses. ... A: Alan: Thanks very much for sharing this with me -- I rarely get a virus (once in 13 years or so with ...
g4 OS 9 Illegal instruction crash on startup	5/13/2005
Q: I'm pretty baffled- I have a older G4 (400mhz) that started crashing with an "Illegal Instruction" ... A: Yikes, Alan! You have done EVERYTHING I can think of. Your clean install solved the software problem ...
My company has about twenty...	5/6/2005
Q: My company has about twenty 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4, 1MB L3 cache, 768 MB DDR SDRAM, some running Mac ... A: Honest, Ron -- I don't know the answer. We solved the problem by migrating from Explorer, which ...
new desktop folder=crash	4/17/2005
Q: My hardrive says it's at 4.03GB. maybe that's something different. I tried running Disk Firstaid ... A: Even at my advanced age, I learn new things every day. I never, ever heard of a "sibling link," but ...
new desktop folder=crash	4/16/2005
Q: I have an iBook with mac OS 9.2.2. I think it's RAM is mostly gone. i created a new file on my ... A: Yes, bad move, but it's your hard drive that's full, not the RAM. First, are there some things on ...
PowerComputing	3/23/2005
Q: Here is some more data to add to my question sent earlier today about the ultra scsi connection on ... A: David! I hate to confess this, but I really don't know. I have never worked with a clone but I ...
can't recover data	2/16/2005
Q: With a G3 Mac I loaded much material on zip drives(I used a microsoft works software). Now with my ... A: I'm not certain I understand but if you can see the Zip Drive, you might have stuffed the files on ...
performa 631cd reincarnation	2/15/2005
Q: My 14 year old son is putting our 1st family computor back into service and needs to install a ... A: Patrick -- well, you can't go too far with that 1994-5 Mac any more. For specs, visit ...
internet	2/13/2005
Q: I have two macs 1 model 8100/100 mgh system 8.6 2 mac mini system 10.3 can I, use both on line ... A: Yes, Bob, assuming: You use an Internet provider who allows it (most do) with either a broadband ...
reviving ppc 7500	2/3/2005
Q: have no disks - only get ? floppy at startup. Trying to load knoppix/linux but system will not boot ... A: Ken -- Unfortunately, it almost certainly has some version of Mac OS 9 on the hard drive, which ...
System folder invisible	1/30/2005
Q: I am using a MacG3 all-in-one using OS 8.1. It crashed -- couldn't find hard drive so I ran Norton ... A: Irene! Never saw this before, but you will -- at some point -- need to be able to see the System ...
Sound Control Panel	1/27/2005
Q: George, I was having a problem with my iMac (operating system 9.1). Every once in a while (not ... A: Bill! Officially, no, but if you send me your email address -- I'm gderringer@comcast.net -- I'll ...
imac - third party means to go wireless, since not compatible with airport card	1/26/2005
Q: I have an imac from 2000.(Model M5521; Serial # ym032edjjwq) It happens to not have a slot for an ... A: Becky! The answer is a good firm "Maybe." There was indeed a group of iMacs made in the summer of ...
performa 6300cd	1/22/2005
Q: Good afternoon George. I was hoping you can help me. My friend just gave me his performa 6300cd ... A: Mike! That's it, all right, just below the Phillips screw that holds that corner in place and just ...
firewire	1/20/2005
Q: i just installed panther 10.3.5 on my Imac (snowy model). Under firewire it says no information ... A: Uh, I don't think the snowy iMac came with a firewire port. You can check at www.everymac.com at ...
printing	1/19/2005
Q: I have an old Power Macintosh G3 (All in One) the big gray model before iMac and a Deskjet 842C ... A: Ellen! Yes, you can connect those printers. In the first case, you need (predictably) an adapter. In ...
6100 power mac	1/16/2005
Q: this 6100 running Newer Tech G3 240MHZ accelerator? Also can I use a bigger hard drive with this ... A: OK, Leon, you really have two questions. First, the answers about hardware are available two good ...
updating my mac g4 os	12/27/2004
Q: im trying to go from Os 9.1 to 9.2, i downloaded the software from the internet, when i start ... A: Marcus! As I recall, the OS 9.2 update is about 14 floppy disk images, each 1.4 MB. The trick is to ...
"Y" adaptor for ram chips	12/21/2004
Q: :) I read or herd a while back that a "Y" adaptor was available to double the available ram slots on ... A: John, I really don't think that's possible and not just because of lack of places to put the RAM ...
performa 6300CD	12/20/2004
Q: My old performa6300 gave up the ghost a while back and now I would like to ressurect it. The ... A: Dan, I would agree with your guess BUT there is one other possibility: the PRAM battery. In some ...
Dead imac	12/20/2004
Q: I put OS 9.2 into my old 233 imac and it worked for a couple of days but now it won't turn on using ... A: Bill, it could be that the power supply box inside has failed, as evidenced by no lights on the ...
shut down freeze	11/30/2004
Q: Yes, I have rebuilt the desktop and I had already run diskdoctor (version 5) and trashed finder ... A: Sheila! Aha! Yes, I would very much encourage you to drop AOL and you can be 100 percent sure that ...
Software loading errors	10/28/2004
Q: I have two Macintosh II si's, and the one that I've been using packed it in the other day. I ... A: Boy, I wish I knew -- I still use Write Now 4.0 on my iMac, OS 9.2.2 and yes, it's still very good. ...
mac os problem	10/1/2004
Q: I am a novice Mac user. My brother just gave me his old mac. It is a G3with a G4 upgrade chip it ... A: No guarantees, Tony, but ... Assuming you have the original disk or the disk from which OS X was ...
Mac Classic II	9/23/2004
Q: You say you know a great deal about older Macs. I have a Classic II and am using an old Stylewriter ... A: Shari! The real problem here is going to be trying to find a printer that does NOT require a USB ...
Performa 475 Utilities	9/22/2004
Q: My kid's old Performa 475 is giving me the ? disc on startup. The old manual says I need a ... A: Don! Yes, you should still be able to find a "start-up disk" at www.apple.com that you can put on a ...
hard disc damaged or undetected!	9/12/2004
Q: i suspect that my hard disc is damaged during a move of my computer, Power MAC G4. Reason: 1) When ... A: Indeed, the problem is that the motherboard isn't seeing the hard drive at all and, given that you ...
Mac OS 9	8/31/2004
Q: I have a Macintosh G4 with Mac OS 9 and I need help. I was playing around and turned on 'Multiple ... A: I do NOT guarantee this, so move the file called "user preferences" or some such (I'm at work and ...
Apple's Model Numbers	8/30/2004
Q: I have a PowerBook AC Adapter for an older PowerBook and it says on it what model number it belongs ... A: Two things: (1) It really should work with any 500 series and (2) check the output markings (a ...
i made a boo boo ?	8/25/2004
Q: i;m wondering if you might be able to tell me what i have to do to get my mac9.1 desktop back. i was ... A: First thing to try: power up the computer with a Command (Apple) key and the option key next to it ...
starting up	8/13/2004
Q: It takes 15 minutes to start up every time now. First comes a blinking rectangle 2 " by 1" with an ... A: Something is wrong with the System Folder, which is what the blinking question mark indicates. I ...
OS 8.6	8/12/2004
Q: My ancient & formerly faithful Blue/White G3 is currently being plagued by the msg 'program has ... A: Not exactly, but try going to www.versiontracker.com and searching for the program. If that fails, ...
a "downed" mack	8/9/2004
Q: it appears as though the video card gone on my mac G3 desktop as evidenced by the fact that the ... A: Two ways: If you gave it a network identity and password, just attach the USB and/or ethernet ...
frozen Mac LC 550	8/8/2004
Q: Computer: Macintosh LC 550, Internal HD, no CD-ROM drive It is normally started up with At Ease, to ... A: Wow, jeff, this is going to be tricky! First, although Apple never explicitly says this, you should ...
boot for mac os performa 6300 cd	7/22/2004
Q: when i working with mac os performa 6300cd without using any UPS, when the power failed then i ... A: A question mark means "I can't find a valid system folder" on this computer." In other words, ...
mouse not working	7/14/2004
Q: I have an Imac G3 333mhz, running OSX 10.2.8. Recently my mouse stopped functioning. The arrow icon ... A: Assuming all else is well, there has to be something wrong with the USB conncection. Try plugging ...
unimplemented trap erro	7/8/2004
Q: I installed turbo tax on a motorola clone running OS 9 and since that time I get and unimplemented ... A: Guy! There's probably no other solution since a "trap error" indicates that the software program -- ...
retrieve from deleted trash	7/2/2004
Q: i deleted a file and emptied trash. i haven't shut the computer off. powerbook g3 running 9.2.any ... A: Yes, Wendy -- Got Norton Utilities? There's a program in that package called Unerase and if you ...
Performa 6115CD	6/22/2004
Q: I have a Performa 6115 in storage ( nothing is wrong with it, still works ); what steps do I need to ... A: Robert! It appears your other computer is a PC and an older Mac OS like 7.5.2 would require you to ...
I asked you for your advice . . .	6/18/2004
Q: I think you responded but I lost all my email after I finally got going again so I was not able to ... A: Earl! I forgot the details of your particular case, but I am glad you got the thing going again -- ...
How do I reboot . . .	6/14/2004
Q: I was doing ok last night when my Mac G3 crashed. OS 9.2 When I reboot, it shows the question ... A: Earl! Yes, something bad happened to the hard drive. The question mark means "I can't find a valid ...
Older iMac startup problem	6/13/2004
Q: purple), probably running OS 9.2, no peripherals other than keyboard and mouse. At startup she gets ... A: One of three things: (1) The motherboard died, in which case you need an Apple repair shop; (2) ...
installs for iMac	6/1/2004
Q: I contacted you several months ago with questions about OS and software upgrades on my iMac. You ... A: Shane! An "expert" who explains clearly what he/she is doing is valuable. Having said that: First, ...
File Transfer	5/28/2004
Q: #1) I have a Macintosh Performa 550, running System 7.1P6. #2) I am trying to get StuffIt Expander ... A: Matt! Good news -- this is quite do-able. The problem is that you have downloaded a copy of Stuffit ...
modem	4/30/2004
Q: i can't get my MAC to detect the modem, and it says to turn on the modem. how do I do that? this is ... A: Todd -- I need a bit more info. Does your Mac have an internal modem? What model Mac? What model ...
I lost all my folders!!	4/23/2004
Q: running 9.2, 256 MB RAM. Netscape 7.0 froze his machine. He force quit it, dumped the program and ... A: Clearly, I don't really KNOW the answer (I am not a fan of Netscape 7 and have to use Netscape 6 to ...
Performa 600 floppy drive	3/29/2004
Q: A client has a Performa 600, OS 7.5 - all my experience is with newer machines. The floppy drive ... A: Robert! Your Mac requires OS 7.1 or higher (no problem) but the problem with the floppy drive is ...
Lowering my E-Mail Window	3/23/2004
Q: to high and I can't use the cursor. I have mail and can't read it. I have shut down twice now but ... A: Lee! Well, every window on a Mac should be movable. Just find the edge of the window -- ANY edge -- ...
Having a problem sending Word docs	2/11/2004
Q: I have a Mac G3 with 9.2 OS and when I send a Word document the recipient can't open the document ... A: Michael! It is indeed most likely what is called a "Word Macro" virus, which the recipient's ...

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