Getting My First Mac this Weekend — Page 3

Author: sean wookie
Time: 27-Dec-2007 11:51 PM
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$200 out of $1300 of the way there!!!

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 28-Dec-2007 12:06 AM
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KEEP SAVING THOSE PENNIES, SEAN.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: sean wookie
Time: 28-Dec-2007 1:49 AM
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Originally posted by: PSYCHO_DAYV
KEEP SAVING THOSE PENNIES, SEAN.

What do you mean pennies? I work for this money!!!

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 28-Dec-2007 2:09 AM
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KEEP SAVING THE PENNIES THAT YOU EARN AT WORK.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Sojourn
Time: 28-Dec-2007 1:24 PM
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Originally posted by: sean wookie
Do I care about Leopard?

Any new Mac you buy now will come with Leopard pre-installed. And while I suppose it somewhat depends on your computing needs, I'd have to say yes -- I upgraded to Leopard on release day, and love it. I wouldn't want to go back to Tiger -- and that's saying something, because I loved Tiger.

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 28-Dec-2007 1:28 PM
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I HAVE YET TO UPGRADE TO LEOPARD. MY MAC MINI WASN'T UP TO SPEC FOR IT. TIGER HAS BEEN GREAT FOR ME.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Sojourn
Time: 28-Dec-2007 1:32 PM
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Yeah, it was for me, too. I'd be interested in what you think of Leopard once you get the chance to upgrade -- as you'd expect, so much of it is in the details, though I use the big new features like Spaces, Quick Look, and the new Finder all the time. And then, of course, there's the updating iCal dock icon.

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 28-Dec-2007 2:11 PM
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I'VE PLAYED AROUND WITH LEOPARD OVER AT MY FRIEND'S HOUSE. IT'S PRETTY DAMN SWEET. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IT EARLY NEXT YEAR ALONG WITH MY NEW G5 iMAC. I'M GOING TO UPGRADE THE RAM IN MY MAC MINI IN ORDER TO UPGRADE THE OS TO LEOPARD FOR MY PARENTS AS I'LL SEND THE MINI TO THEM.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Zion
Time: 6-Jan-2008 4:35 AM
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Anyone have any experience installing Windows XP on a Mac Pro?

Here's what I have: Mac Pro w/ Leopard 10.5.1, 2 x 2.66GHz Xeon, 5GB RAM, ATI x1900 graphics card, 4 x 320 GB HDD + 1 x 250GB startup disk.

I've encountered several problems trying to get Windows installed. The first one was coming to the realization that you can't create the Boot Camp partition on a RAID disk. That's when I discovered there were two extra SATA ports on the mobo. I plugged in my extra 250GB drive and successfully created an 80GB partition with Boot Camp Assistant (and also made it my primary startup disk for OSX). The next thing I discovered was that those two extra SATA ports are not recognized by Windows, so I had to rearrange my hard drives and put the boot disk with the Windows partition into the #1 slot. After I got that figured out, I was able to boot with the Windows XP CD, format the partition as NTFS, and successfully install Windows.

But this is where I get stuck.

Now that Windows is installed and I've successfully installed the updated Boot Camp drivers, both my monitors go black after Windows loads. I see the XP startup screen, but after that I get nothing. I can hear the startup sound through the internal speaker but I'm forced to hit the power button because I have no display. There's another problem too - and it might be related to the black screen. Every time Windows starts to load (and also in Windows before I installed the updated drivers) the displays would get all messed up and there would be these weird vertical scewed lines and random DOS characters all over the screen. It would sometimes go away if I restarted the computer, but that would only work every 5 restarts or so.

Initial blank screen when Windows starts to load...

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/933/blackscreenez5.th.jpg

full size

Windows install screen...

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5185/installscreenwj2.th.jpg

full size

Windows boot screen...

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/7113/windowsscreenre5.th.jpg

full size

Anybody ever heard of these problems before? I'm guessing that it has to do with either the video card or the monitors, but I'm sort of at a loss for what to do next.

My Projects:
[Holiday Special Hybrid DVD v2]
[X0 Project]
[Backstroke of the West DVD]
[ROTS Theatrical DVD]

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 6-Jan-2008 4:41 AM
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I'VE NEVER SEEN NOR HEARD OF THE HAPPENING. THE BEST PLACE TO FIND THE ANSWER TO YOUR PROBLEM WOULD BE TO GO TO THE APPLE FORUMS ON THE APPLE SITE. ALSO, YOU COULD CALL THE GENIUS BAR AT YOUR LOCAL APPLE STORE. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK YOU THROUGH IT.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: sean wookie
Time: 6-Jan-2008 6:50 AM
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I'm about $300 of the way there

Author: Sojourn
Time: 6-Jan-2008 3:54 PM
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Sorry, Zion -- I'm afraid I haven't heard of that problem, either. I successfully installed XP on my Macbook Pro back in July or so, but I don't have all of the hardware complications you have with all of your extra drives, etc.

I haven't spent a lot of time on the Apple forums, but I would also recommend the MacRumors forums -- it's a great community, and I've seen many problems solved there.

Good luck, and keep us posted on what happens! I'm interested to see how the problem gets resolved.

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 6-Jan-2008 4:13 PM
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ZION, HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR MAC ??? YOU SHOULD STILL HAVE APPLE CARE ON IT, SO ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS CALL THEM. THEY WILL WALK YOU THROUGH STEP BY STEP.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Sojourn
Time: 6-Jan-2008 5:36 PM
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They might, but remember that Apple doesn't officially support Windows, just Boot Camp. I don't know how they would classify this problem -- as one with Boot Camp (which sets up the partition and the drivers -- and which, from your description, sounds like it worked as it was supposed to), or one with Windows itself. Of course, if you have AppleCare, it wouldn't hurt to ask them -- I'm just not sure if they would consider this fix to be under their mandate.

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: Zion
Time: 6-Jan-2008 7:18 PM
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Don't you only get Apple Care for the first 90 days? I've had my Mac for closer to 120 days I'm afraid. I posted this problem on the Apple forums and emailed a friend of mine who works at an Apple store. So we'll see what happens. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a problem with the ATI graphics card, but this is different from the problem I've read other people are having with the ATI card.

My Projects:
[Holiday Special Hybrid DVD v2]
[X0 Project]
[Backstroke of the West DVD]
[ROTS Theatrical DVD]

Author: Sojourn
Time: 6-Jan-2008 9:09 PM
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Yeah, it strikes me as weird that it would be a problem with the graphics card, especially since it appears to be intermittent (since it works every five times you try it). And it couldn't hurt to search around/start a thread at MacRumors while you're waiting for the other responses, eh?

The 90 days is for technical support, but you get a full year of repairs coverage -- so if you need repairs, you should be all set. And even though the 90 days is up, if you haven't called technical support yet, I think you get at least one complimentary support call. It's worth a shot, anyways -- if not to AppleCare, then to an Apple Store or general Apple Inc. support line. Good luck!

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 7-Jan-2008 12:53 AM
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Originally posted by: Sojourn
They might, but remember that Apple doesn't officially support Windows, just Boot Camp. I don't know how they would classify this problem -- as one with Boot Camp (which sets up the partition and the drivers -- and which, from your description, sounds like it worked as it was supposed to), or one with Windows itself. Of course, if you have AppleCare, it wouldn't hurt to ask them -- I'm just not sure if they would consider this fix to be under their mandate.

Take care,
Sojourn

APPLE WILL HELP PEOPLE USING BOOT CAMP LOAD WINDOWS ONTO THEIR MAC. I'VE HAD A FEW FRIENDS ALREADY LOOK INTO IT.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 7-Jan-2008 12:55 AM
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Originally posted by: Zion
Don't you only get Apple Care for the first 90 days? I've had my Mac for closer to 120 days I'm afraid. I posted this problem on the Apple forums and emailed a friend of mine who works at an Apple store. So we'll see what happens. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a problem with the ATI graphics card, but this is different from the problem I've read other people are having with the ATI card.

PHONE SUPPORT IS ONLY 90 DAYS. YOU'RE APPLECARE RUNS FOR A FULL YEAR FROM PURCHASE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR MAC INTO AN APPLE STORE (YOU'LL WANT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE GENIUS BAR) THEY WILL HELP YOU OUT. HELL, EVEN IF YOU'RE APPLECARE HAS RUN OUT AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS THE WILL HELP YOU.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Sojourn
Time: 7-Jan-2008 1:03 AM
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Originally posted by: PSYCHO_DAYV
IF YOU TAKE YOUR MAC INTO AN APPLE STORE (YOU'LL WANT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE GENIUS BAR) THEY WILL HELP YOU OUT. HELL, EVEN IF YOU'RE APPLECARE HAS RUN OUT AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS THE WILL HELP YOU.

Indeed -- I've had, overall, pleasant experiences with the Geniuses, and I don't remember having to prove that I was still covered. I've even seen users with Powerbooks and older iMacs going in and getting help at the Genius Bar.

And thanks for the info on setting up Windows, DAYV -- I didn't know they officially offered that level of support for Windows-related issues. Good to know!

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: Zion
Time: 7-Jan-2008 1:10 AM
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I'd hate to have to lug my machine into the store (and there's no way my 85 pound monitor is going anywhere), but I'll wait to see what my friend says. I think he's one of those genius guys.

My Projects:
[Holiday Special Hybrid DVD v2]
[X0 Project]
[Backstroke of the West DVD]
[ROTS Theatrical DVD]

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 7-Jan-2008 2:31 AM
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ALL YOU NEED TO TAKE WITH YOU IS YOUR BASE UNIT. YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO TAKE POWER CORDS. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THERE. THEY WILL EVEN HOOK IT UP TO ONE OF THEIR MONITORS.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: JediSage
Time: 7-Jan-2008 8:45 AM
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I bought the extended AppleCare plan. Doesn't expire until 2010. I usually don't go in for extended warranties, but given my unfamiliarity with the system I thought it best.

Nemo me impune lacessit

http://ttrim.blogspot.com

Author: PSYCHO_DAYV
Time: 7-Jan-2008 2:05 PM
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WHEN I BOUGHT MY FORST MAC I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH APPLE CARE ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS AS I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE SET UP. MY WIFE WOULD DO SOMETHING STUPID ON THE COMPUTER WHICH WOULD CAUSE WHAT I THOUGHT TO BE A PROBLEM. THANKFULLY, APPLE WAS ABLE TO SHOW ME THAT THEY WEREN'T PROBLEMS AT ALL. IT WAS SO EASY TO "FIX" WHAY SHE HAD DONE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED IF WE HAD BE USING SOMETHING RUNNING WINDOWS.

"I'VE GROWN TIRED OF ASKING, SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME..."
The Mangler Bros. Psycho Dayv Armchaireviews Notes on Suicide

Author: Sojourn
Time: 7-Jan-2008 7:06 PM
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85 pounds?

. . . What kind of monitor do you have?

Take care,
Sojourn

Author: Zion
Time: 7-Jan-2008 7:21 PM
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Actually, I think 85 pounds is it's packing weight. It's probably closer to 75 pounds.

My main monitor is a Sony FW900 - one of the best monitors ever made. It is a 24" widescreen CRT with an unbelievable picture. Today's LCD monitors can't hold a candle to it. They don't make 'em anymore but this thread has some good pics and a ton of info.

My Projects:
[Holiday Special Hybrid DVD v2]
[X0 Project]
[Backstroke of the West DVD]
[ROTS Theatrical DVD]