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Stuck CD or DVD? Reboot with the mouse button down.
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Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

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Tips for new Mac OS X users, Part 2: Controlling the hardware the easy way


Jan. 18, 2006


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2006, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2006, The Post-Standard

   Last week I offered operating system tips for new OS X users and for longtime Mac fans who'd like a refresher course. This week I'm going to fill in the blanks dealing with your computer itself. It's time for some hardware hints.
   SLEEPY TIME. Let your computer go to sleep when it's not doing anything. Windows PCs don't do this well because they need to be rebooted now and then, but Mac OS X systems don't need rebooting in normal use. Open the Energy Saver preference in System Preferences and set the sleep options. Putting your display to sleep after 10 or 15 minutes will help prolong the life of both standard (CRT) and LCD monitors, too.
   SHAMELESS PLUG. Mac OS X computers work well with USB and FireWire. Unlike Windows, which searches for drivers when it encounters a new device, Apple Macintoshes usually work with USB and FireWire devices without asking you do to anything. So plug them in and have fun.
   SHAMEFUL PLUG. Apple left its keyboard USB connections unpowered, so you can't use the keyboard jacks for any USB device that needs power, such as a portable CD burner. Use the USB jacks on the computer or buy a good powered USB hub.
   WHEEL GOOD. Any "wheel mouse" will work with an OS X computer. So will multi-button models from many manufacturers. A favorite of many OS X users is the Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer.
   TRUE COLORS. That new LCD screen looks great, but it will look better once you calibrate it for color and black-and-white levels. Read how in this Technofile article: www.technofileonline.com/texts/tec011203.html. (And, yes, older CRT monitors will benefit, too.)
   KEY BORED. Don't assume that what you see is what you get from the OS X keyboard. There are hidden key combinations that will save you time and effort. My favorites: Ctrl-Opt-Cmd-Eject to automatically shut down the computer and F9 to make all the windows suddenly appear on screen, in smaller versions. Other hardware functions controlled by keys: Sound volume (using keys at the top of the keypad area) and, of course, eject (using the key at the upper right).
   SLIPPED DISK. If your CD or DVD slips into the drive OK but won't come back out, reboot your Mac and hold down the mouse button when it restarts. The disk will pop out.
   GIVE IT THE BOOT. If your OS X Macintosh has a serious problem and you need to reboot it, hold the power button down for seven seconds. After it shuts off, let it sit for a minute or two and then turn it back on.