Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On 2/9/13, Bruce Walker, discombobulated, unleashed: Absolutely: it can and does. As an electronics hardware designer I've witnessed it all, and in my experience hardware fails however it damn well chooses. Update. Hoiked out the HDD from the dodgy PowerBook G4 and just before, while I was messing with it, I could get the display to cut in and out at will by gently putting pressure on the top left and lower right corners of the base of the computer. Instantly says hardware fault - could be display connector. Didn't have time to troubleshoot at that point so will chase it down next week. Thanks to all who chipped in. I have another question about Mac software allowing keyboard remapping - see separate thread. Cheers -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On 9/2/2013 6:22 PM, steve harley wrote: on 2013-09-02 13:12 John wrote Hardware problems should appear when the unit gets warm and go away when it cools down. An intermittent hardware problem that GOES AWAY when the unit warms up just doesn't sound right to me. when we're talking about electrical connections under expansion and contraction, i don't see why it couldn't sometimes be the other way around Not saying it can't, but it still sounds WRONG. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On 1/9/13, steve harley, discombobulated, unleashed: i don't know of a common such glitch with that model, but my first Intel Mac, a 2.17GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, died a slow death from GPU troubles; apparently there are bad solder joints that are stressed by thermal expansion; i farmed the machine out to server duty, and avoided use of OpenGL, and that extended its life for a couple of years but eventually the condition was fatal in your case the problem doesn't sound heat-related, unless it doesn't work well when cool ... Yes that happened to my 2006 MBP at 3 years in. Fortunately the condition was a known one and the logic board was replaced by Apple FOC which was great! I'm leaning to a switching issue between resolutions, the DVI inserted 'prompts' the PB screen to spring to life -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
Hardware problems should appear when the unit gets warm and go away when it cools down. An intermittent hardware problem that GOES AWAY when the unit warms up just doesn't sound right to me. On 9/2/2013 4:03 AM, Steve Cottrell wrote: On 1/9/13, steve harley, discombobulated, unleashed: i don't know of a common such glitch with that model, but my first Intel Mac, a 2.17GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, died a slow death from GPU troubles; apparently there are bad solder joints that are stressed by thermal expansion; i farmed the machine out to server duty, and avoided use of OpenGL, and that extended its life for a couple of years but eventually the condition was fatal in your case the problem doesn't sound heat-related, unless it doesn't work well when cool ... Yes that happened to my 2006 MBP at 3 years in. Fortunately the condition was a known one and the logic board was replaced by Apple FOC which was great! I'm leaning to a switching issue between resolutions, the DVI inserted 'prompts' the PB screen to spring to life -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
on 2013-09-02 13:12 John wrote Hardware problems should appear when the unit gets warm and go away when it cools down. An intermittent hardware problem that GOES AWAY when the unit warms up just doesn't sound right to me. when we're talking about electrical connections under expansion and contraction, i don't see why it couldn't sometimes be the other way around -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On Mon, Sep 2, 2013 at 6:22 PM, steve harley p...@paper-ape.com wrote: on 2013-09-02 13:12 John wrote Hardware problems should appear when the unit gets warm and go away when it cools down. An intermittent hardware problem that GOES AWAY when the unit warms up just doesn't sound right to me. when we're talking about electrical connections under expansion and contraction, i don't see why it couldn't sometimes be the other way around Absolutely: it can and does. As an electronics hardware designer I've witnessed it all, and in my experience hardware fails however it damn well chooses. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
Well, I've resolved the situation partially. It was time for me to upgrade my MacBook Pro to a newer model anyway (and pass on my 2006 MBP to Alma) so I've managed to get a 2010 MBP 2.53 (8GB RAM) with the hi-res anti-glare screen in mint condition boxed for 785 GBP. I've ordered a 250GB SSD for it also. I wanted a a model that would take 10.6.8 as I have some professionally-used apps that I don't want to meddle with just now. If I get into the realms of a brand new MBP then I'd have to have one that ran alongside for a while to get everything upgraded and working. Looking forward to my new toy er I mean business purchase on Monday! Meanwhile, the venerable PowerBook G4 is still having screen issues but this is interesting: Alma was using it plugged up via DVI to an external monitor and halfway thru a 30 min session, the PB screen springs into life! Unplugs the DVI connection and both screens go through their resolution adjustments 0 eg going dark and then popping back again. The PB screen is now active and useful. It stays on as long as the Mac is used but when put to sleep and later awoken, won't display anything again. I'm leaning to a GPU hardward glitch, maybe? More research needed which I will do this afternoon. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On 1 Sep 2013, at 12:47, Steve Cottrell co...@seeingeye.tv wrote: [...] I'm leaning to a GPU hardward glitch, maybe? More research needed which I will do this afternoon. Translation: it's time to sacrifice a chicken. B -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
on 2013-09-01 5:47 Steve Cottrell wrote I'm leaning to a GPU hardward glitch, maybe? i don't know of a common such glitch with that model, but my first Intel Mac, a 2.17GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, died a slow death from GPU troubles; apparently there are bad solder joints that are stressed by thermal expansion; i farmed the machine out to server duty, and avoided use of OpenGL, and that extended its life for a couple of years but eventually the condition was fatal in your case the problem doesn't sound heat-related, unless it doesn't work well when cool … -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On 2 September 2013 11:53, steve harley p...@paper-ape.com wrote: i don't know of a common such glitch with that model, but my first Intel Mac, a 2.17GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, died a slow death from GPU troubles; apparently there are bad solder joints that are stressed by thermal expansion; i farmed the machine out to server duty, and avoided use of OpenGL, and that extended its life for a couple of years but eventually the condition was fatal Lots of laptops of various brands had similar heat related GPU problems in this tech era, I think that they had unrealistic expectations of the performance of the ball grid arrays used to connect the chips to the beards. -- Rob Studdert (Digital Image Studio) Tel: +61-418-166-870 UTC +10 Hours Gmail, eBay, Skype, Twitter, Facebook, Picasa: distudio -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users - update
On Sep 2, 2013, at 2:37 PM, Rob Studdert distudio.p...@gmail.com wrote: Lots of laptops of various brands had similar heat related GPU problems in this tech era, I think that they had unrealistic expectations of the performance of the ball grid arrays used to connect the chips to the beards. No wonder it's getting a bit hairy. Cheers, Dave -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On 28/8/13, steve harley, discombobulated, unleashed: try a restart with command-option-P-R (all four keys) held down; this resets the PRAM, which may hold an errant display setting First thing I tried! Also reset the PMU - all to no avail. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On 28/8/13, Stan Halpin, discombobulated, unleashed: Screen-brightness key on the keyboard: does that affect the situation? Yup. Screen brightness increases, except the screen is dark. It just gets a little less darker. The brightness of the apple logo on the other side increases correctly, so the backlight is working. Imagine having a rectangular window covering your desktop filled with black. Turn the brightness up or down. Just like that -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 08:20:52PM +0100, Steve Cottrell wrote: Mrs has an old Powerbook G4 and looks like the inverter has died, backlight okay. I'm cloning her stuff (via target disk mode) onto an external HD so she can boot up in her little world on another machine while I get a new board in and swap it out. I'm lazy - I know I can hook up an external monitor to find this - but for the sake of argument and just to see if it is doable, while her sick mac is in target disk mode, is there any way to view the specs of her actual machine? EG if I use System Profiler it will obviously display my Mac's hardware and even detail her int HD via the Firewire pane, but can't see an easy way to spy on her CPU speed (for identifying the right inverter to order...) Sensible suggestions only please! can you ssh into the machine? Though I don't know what the file would be. I expect that the easiest would be to type the serial number of the machine into one of the sites that specialize in older macs. Which powerbook? I've got a 12 that I love, but it's gotten to the point that it no longer has the computation horsepower to play iTunes without glitching (!?). -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On 28/8/13, Larry Colen, discombobulated, unleashed: Which powerbook? I've got a 12 that I love, but it's gotten to the point that it no longer has the computation horsepower to play iTunes without glitching (!?). It's a 15 incher A1186 that we bought off Godders a couple of years ago (IIRC) it's fine for web and email but not the best for running video. The plan is I'm going to get something newer and Alma gets my MBP 2006 as a hand-me-down but she's more than happy with that. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
Steve, as I understand it, when a Mac is in Target Disk mode it's running off code in the boot ROM and isn't running an OS at all. So it's single-tasking and there's no way to get it to do anything else; probably just as well. Larry's suggestion of looking up the model number or serial is recommended. Try apple.com Here's something: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3065 On Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Steve Cottrell co...@seeingeye.tv wrote: Mrs has an old Powerbook G4 and looks like the inverter has died, backlight okay. I'm cloning her stuff (via target disk mode) onto an external HD so she can boot up in her little world on another machine while I get a new board in and swap it out. I'm lazy - I know I can hook up an external monitor to find this - but for the sake of argument and just to see if it is doable, while her sick mac is in target disk mode, is there any way to view the specs of her actual machine? EG if I use System Profiler it will obviously display my Mac's hardware and even detail her int HD via the Firewire pane, but can't see an easy way to spy on her CPU speed (for identifying the right inverter to order...) Sensible suggestions only please! -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
Bruce has it right. In target disk mode, there is only the base chipset to make the drive available running. Everything else has been bypassed. Godfrey -- Godfrey DiGiorgi - godfreydigio...@me.com - 408.431.4601 cell On Aug 28, 2013, at 12:51 PM, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: Steve, as I understand it, when a Mac is in Target Disk mode it's running off code in the boot ROM and isn't running an OS at all. So it's single-tasking and there's no way to get it to do anything else; probably just as well. Larry's suggestion of looking up the model number or serial is recommended. Try apple.com Here's something: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3065 On Wed, Aug 28, 2013 at 3:20 PM, Steve Cottrell co...@seeingeye.tv wrote: Mrs has an old Powerbook G4 and looks like the inverter has died, backlight okay. I'm cloning her stuff (via target disk mode) onto an external HD so she can boot up in her little world on another machine while I get a new board in and swap it out. I'm lazy - I know I can hook up an external monitor to find this - but for the sake of argument and just to see if it is doable, while her sick mac is in target disk mode, is there any way to view the specs of her actual machine? EG if I use System Profiler it will obviously display my Mac's hardware and even detail her int HD via the Firewire pane, but can't see an easy way to spy on her CPU speed (for identifying the right inverter to order...) Sensible suggestions only please! -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
on 2013-08-28 13:20 Steve Cottrell wrote but for the sake of argument and just to see if it is doable, while her sick mac is in target disk mode, is there any way to view the specs of her actual machine? no; but there may be enough info in the model # etc. to look it up and get the part info; the model # is tiny on the bottom, hopefully not scraped off; mine is A1106, which narrows it down to two models (which may use the same inverter): http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=A1106 i assume you are using a reference like ifixit.com for info on replacing inverter; i usually find a cheaper source for the part, but their guides are excellent http://www.ifixit.com/Device/PowerBook_G4_Aluminum_15%22_1.5-1.67_GHz -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
on 2013-08-28 13:41 Steve Cottrell wrote It's a 15 incher A1186 typo? that's a Mac Pro -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On 28/8/13, Godfrey DiGiorgi, discombobulated, unleashed: Bruce has it right. In target disk mode, there is only the base chipset to make the drive available running. Everything else has been bypassed. Thanks guys. I plugged up an external display via DVI. Ext display shows desktop background - so need to turn on mirroring - not difficult to do despite Powerbook screen blank - keyboard shortcut of Command+F1... ...and up comes the desktop on the external monitor and suddenly the Powerbook display springs to life!! Flicked about, rebooted, all seemed well. Disconnected, closed lid to sleep. Woke it and blank screen again. Ack. Tried to repeat above steps but not springing back to life this time :-/ Looks like a wake from sleep bug. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On 28/8/13, steve harley, discombobulated, unleashed: typo? that's a Mac Pro oops typo. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On 28/8/13, Steve Cottrell, discombobulated, unleashed: I plugged up an external display via DVI. Ext display shows desktop background - so need to turn on mirroring - not difficult to do despite Powerbook screen blank - keyboard shortcut of Command+F1... ...and up comes the desktop on the external monitor and suddenly the Powerbook display springs to life!! Flicked about, rebooted, all seemed well. Disconnected, closed lid to sleep. Woke it and blank screen again. Ack. Tried to repeat above steps but not springing back to life this time :-/ Looks like a wake from sleep bug. Not a wake from sleep bug as the computer is alive. Not an inverter problem as there is no desktop to see using a flashlight on the dark screen. Not intermittent, so prolly not cable/reed switch. Backlight is on, dark screen but the mac is outputting 'dark' to the screen. Logic board? could be. Strange! Still troubleshooting but bedtime beckons... -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
On Aug 28, 2013, at 5:36 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: On 28/8/13, Steve Cottrell, discombobulated, unleashed: I plugged up an external display via DVI. Ext display shows desktop background - so need to turn on mirroring - not difficult to do despite Powerbook screen blank - keyboard shortcut of Command+F1... ...and up comes the desktop on the external monitor and suddenly the Powerbook display springs to life!! Flicked about, rebooted, all seemed well. Disconnected, closed lid to sleep. Woke it and blank screen again. Ack. Tried to repeat above steps but not springing back to life this time :-/ Looks like a wake from sleep bug. Not a wake from sleep bug as the computer is alive. Not an inverter problem as there is no desktop to see using a flashlight on the dark screen. Not intermittent, so prolly not cable/reed switch. Backlight is on, dark screen but the mac is outputting 'dark' to the screen. Logic board? could be. Screen-brightness key on the keyboard: does that affect the situation? stan Strange! Still troubleshooting but bedtime beckons... -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production --www.seeingeye.tv _ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: OT - silly question for advanced mac users
on 2013-08-28 15:47 Stan Halpin wrote On Aug 28, 2013, at 5:36 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: Backlight is on, dark screen but the mac is outputting 'dark' to the screen. Logic board? could be. Screen-brightness key on the keyboard: does that affect the situation? try a restart with command-option-P-R (all four keys) held down; this resets the PRAM, which may hold an errant display setting -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
