[Mac 101] Ask your questions here!

[seachange]

OWC sells aftermarket SSDs if you wish to upgrade them - OWC SSD (Flash) Drives for Apple MacBook Pro Retina Models 2012 & early 2013

If you prefer the expensive, original ones: go to an Apple Authorised Service Provider instead.

Where to get the 5 point and T5 torx screwdriver?

 

[primera_p12]

Where to get the 5 point and T5 torx screwdriver?

Got my T8 Torx at Pacific Electronics, Sim Lim Square.

They have a wide selection of Torx screwdrivers.

 

[Pandule]

Hi guys,

a quick help. I currently have a macbook white 2009 polycarbonate. and a mac mini 2014.

I'm not sure should i upgrade my macbook to 8gb ram + SSD or should I sell it away. And there seems to have problems with the trackpad(I can't seem to drag and drop)

regards

 

[chehjin]

Hi guys,

a quick help. I currently have a macbook white 2009 polycarbonate. and a mac mini 2014.

I'm not sure should i upgrade my macbook to 8gb ram + SSD or should I sell it away. And there seems to have problems with the trackpad(I can't seem to drag and drop)

regards

if you have the budget to get a new machine, sell it.

 

[Pandule]

if you have the budget to get a new machine, sell it.

oh i dont think i need a new machine, since I'm mainly using my mac mini for now. HAHA. just thinking whether to sell it off or what since it's like super un-utilised

 

[kop999end]

OWC sells aftermarket SSDs if you wish to upgrade them - OWC SSD (Flash) Drives for Apple MacBook Pro Retina Models 2012 & early 2013

If you prefer the expensive, original ones: go to an Apple Authorised Service Provider instead.

Hi Asriznet, is there 1TB SSD size available? Any recommended Apple Authorizes Service Provider? Thanks!

 

[seachange]

Ordered ssd from owc on Thurs and arrived on Sunday. Fixed up everything it was pretty straightforward and easy. Torc screwdriver included in pkg.

 

[WoShiPro]

guys what USB wifi dongle is compatible with the latest MAC OS? my wifi card spoil.. and where to buy?

Replacing it cost $150.. my macbook pro is 2010 version.

 

[asriznet]

guys what USB wifi dongle is compatible with the latest MAC OS? my wifi card spoil.. and where to buy?

Replacing it cost $150.. my macbook pro is 2010 version.

PM Me, I have a spare one which I think may fit onto yours.

 

[Goldy740]

How to find serial number for macbook air

hi all,

I lost my macbook air yesterday. I cannot find paperwork and it is not registered with cloud so struggling to find out what the serial number is. Would ipad (which i connect to macbook air) have that information somewhere?

otherwise i don't seem to be able to find it

thanks

 

[kop999end]

Ordered ssd from owc on Thurs and arrived on Sunday. Fixed up everything it was pretty straightforward and easy. Torc screwdriver included in pkg.

as easy as unscrew and screw back the SSD? so easy? may wanna to try out to upgrade my miserable hdd size

 

[renfred89]

Safari Version 8.0.3 (10600.3.18)

Safari Version 8.0.3 (10600.3.18)

I'm currently using this version on OS X 10.10.2

However when i use safari for speed tests, the ping is always 30+ms whereas on google chrome browser is only 3ms. What could have caused this?

Additionally, i am using singtel's unlimited fibre service, the speed tests only yield about 700+ DL speed and 400+ UL speed, whereas on google chrome browser, I could get 800+ DL and 900+ UL on speedtest.net.

Anyone could shed some light?

 

[asriznet]

as easy as unscrew and screw back the SSD? so easy? may wanna to try out to upgrade my miserable hdd size

Yeah kinda easy, unscrew, remove bottom cover and you should be able to see the SSD right away. The tough work is more on migrating your data. If you don't have a time machine backup, I would recommend you to do that first. Otherwise you may need to buy the kit from OWC with the USB enclosure.

Safari Version 8.0.3 (10600.3.18)

I'm currently using this version on OS X 10.10.2

However when i use safari for speed tests, the ping is always 30+ms whereas on google chrome browser is only 3ms. What could have caused this?

Additionally, i am using singtel's unlimited fibre service, the speed tests only yield about 700+ DL speed and 400+ UL speed, whereas on google chrome browser, I could get 800+ DL and 900+ UL on speedtest.net.

Anyone could shed some light?

Honestly I've not used Safari unless a website requires Sme to like Silverlight contents e.g toggle.sg.

First thing comes into mind is this issue user-specific or system wide? Secondly if there are any browser add-ons/plugins/extensions installed that might have caused this, booting into safe mode is the safest way to test Safari without any additional stuffs.

It could just be a bug with that version of safari - if you use the Developer tools of Safari, you may be able to get some idea.

hi all,

I lost my macbook air yesterday. I cannot find paperwork and it is not registered with cloud so struggling to find out what the serial number is. Would ipad (which i connect to macbook air) have that information somewhere?

otherwise i don't seem to be able to find it

thanks

If your Mac was registered to your account, you should be able to get the details by logging in to https://supportprofile.apple.com/.

That's totally different from iCloud Find My Mac feature.

 

[converse2010]

My Macbook Air (Late '10, A1369) went dead during my dinner time, was using it for school work and no issues at all.

Came back, MBA can't boot up at all, no screen, no sound, MagSafe light stays green.

Done:
- Resetting NVRAM and SMC
- Open up the cover and unplug the battery connector for minutes and plug back in
- Shorting the power pad

Still no signs on life at all, CPU fan not even moving. Does that means that my MBA is gone for good ?

 

[renfred89]

My Macbook Air (Late '10, A1369) went dead during my dinner time, was using it for school work and no issues at all.

Came back, MBA can't boot up at all, no screen, no sound, MagSafe light stays green.

Done:
- Resetting NVRAM and SMC
- Open up the cover and unplug the battery connector for minutes and plug back in
- Shorting the power pad

Still no signs on life at all, CPU fan not even moving. Does that means that my MBA is gone for good ?

could be a complete motherboard failure..

 

[szethoz]

iMac Mid 2011

Hi All, I have bought a mac in Mid 2011.

Recently almost after 3 years using it in October 2014, I encountered an issue, the mac wasn't able to sense the wireless keyboard and I was stuck in the log in page. After using my phone to google the problem it seems like it could be resolved by plugging in a USB keyboard. Tried but couldn't work so I went to search for repair options and stumbled upon a shop situated in Geylang (ATRIX) - The Repair Hospital. The website looks reputable and so I went on to send it ther for repair.

I sent it there in early October and was adviced after almost 4 weeks (YES, that long) that it diagnosed as a USB port problem which was replaced and cost is S$285 and I managed to collect my mac back after almost 6 weeks in total since I dropped it there.

Shortly after, roughly 2 weeks maximum, I encountered another issue. When I switch it on there are vertical lines from top to bottom of my screen in yellow. the apple sign is there but not able to proceed further. I called the repair hospital and they said it could be a graphic card problem and it will set me back S$385.. but given that they feel bad on my situation they have granted a special discount and it would only cost S$240. I sent it back and collected it, the process was not too long as the first time but at least 2 weeks before I got it back. After I collected I was happy and I thought ok finally problem free.. to my dismay less than 1 week later the lines came back again, purple lines this time. I called and now I am back again to the place, this is already the third time I am going back to the same shop. They said they will fix it as it was the graphics problem again still under "warranty" of 3 months they issue on parts that they have "replaced".

Once again it took almost 3 weeks to repair and finally I managed to collect it around early January 2015. After this incident, the mac had no issues until 2 weeks ago before CNY. When I bootup the com, there is sound but nothing on the screen. I brought it back to the shop and was really annoyed this time, after making a fuss, they said they would repair it but will not be issuing their usual 3 months warranty. They called yesterday and said to backup the hard disk as it seems like it is failing. Never mention what is the issue.

The mac is still at the shop and will be collecting this weekend, very very frustrated already, counting all the times it is almost 10 times I have been to drop and collect back the mac.

Anyone face this issue before? Has anyone repaired their mac or appple products at The Repair Hospital before? They gave me an analogy of a car and told me that if you buy a car and there are problems after problems, the car garage is not to be blamed.

 

[asriznet]

Hi All, I have bought a mac in Mid 2011.

Recently almost after 3 years using it in October 2014, I encountered an issue, the mac wasn't able to sense the wireless keyboard and I was stuck in the log in page. After using my phone to google the problem it seems like it could be resolved by plugging in a USB keyboard. Tried but couldn't work so I went to search for repair options and stumbled upon a shop situated in Geylang (ATRIX) - The Repair Hospital. The website looks reputable and so I went on to send it ther for repair.

I sent it there in early October and was adviced after almost 4 weeks (YES, that long) that it diagnosed as a USB port problem which was replaced and cost is S$285 and I managed to collect my mac back after almost 6 weeks in total since I dropped it there.

Shortly after, roughly 2 weeks maximum, I encountered another issue. When I switch it on there are vertical lines from top to bottom of my screen in yellow. the apple sign is there but not able to proceed further. I called the repair hospital and they said it could be a graphic card problem and it will set me back S$385.. but given that they feel bad on my situation they have granted a special discount and it would only cost S$240. I sent it back and collected it, the process was not too long as the first time but at least 2 weeks before I got it back. After I collected I was happy and I thought ok finally problem free.. to my dismay less than 1 week later the lines came back again, purple lines this time. I called and now I am back again to the place, this is already the third time I am going back to the same shop. They said they will fix it as it was the graphics problem again still under "warranty" of 3 months they issue on parts that they have "replaced".

Once again it took almost 3 weeks to repair and finally I managed to collect it around early January 2015. After this incident, the mac had no issues until 2 weeks ago before CNY. When I bootup the com, there is sound but nothing on the screen. I brought it back to the shop and was really annoyed this time, after making a fuss, they said they would repair it but will not be issuing their usual 3 months warranty. They called yesterday and said to backup the hard disk as it seems like it is failing. Never mention what is the issue.

The mac is still at the shop and will be collecting this weekend, very very frustrated already, counting all the times it is almost 10 times I have been to drop and collect back the mac.

Anyone face this issue before? Has anyone repaired their mac or appple products at The Repair Hospital before? They gave me an analogy of a car and told me that if you buy a car and there are problems after problems, the car garage is not to be blamed.

That theory is true to a certain extent if the mechanic is experienced enough with all the tools and equipments necessary to diagnose the problem. Though I do not have experience with them personally, my advice is to avoid non-AASPs unless you really trust the company.

Reason: only AASPs have access to Apple internal system + diagnostic tools to properly test each failing part. Furthermore any replacement parts are properly refurb and sent directly from Apple.

What are the parts they have replaced for you from the previous repairs as per the invoice? $600+ and no parts was replace is absurd.

 

[szethoz]

That theory is true to a certain extent if the mechanic is experienced enough with all the tools and equipments necessary to diagnose the problem. Though I do not have experience with them personally, my advice is to avoid non-AASPs unless you really trust the company.

Reason: only AASPs have access to Apple internal system + diagnostic tools to properly test each failing part. Furthermore any replacement parts are properly refurb and sent directly from Apple.

What are the parts they have replaced for you from the previous repairs as per the invoice? $600+ and no parts was replace is absurd.

the 2 things that was replaced

1. USB Port replacement
2. Graphic Card (Not sure what specifications)

Was pretty unhappy with the service, just thought to share with guys here and also trying to see if anyone face this kinda issues with 2011 iMac as welll.....

 

[WoShiPro]

guys what USB wifi dongle is compatible with the latest MAC OS? my wifi card spoil.. and where to buy?

Replacing it cost $150.. my macbook pro is 2010 version.

just to update i manage to find a shop called PC dreams(laptop hospital) to replace my airport and now wifi is working again.. took 30miin to replaced which is quite fast. cost $120.

they are quite active over at the notebook sub section of hwz.

 

[greenbeam1980]

Mac Excel Add-On

Hi all,

I am a new MacBook user. Was searching high and low to install Microsoft excel add-on (data analysis).

Can someone advise how to do it?