Filed under: Software, iTunes, iWork, Ask TUAW
Ask TUAW: Target disk mode, energy saver prefs, iTunes sharing and more
Welcome back to Ask TUAW, our weekly Mac troubleshooting Q&A column. This week we've got questions about target disk mode, energy saver prefs, Safari file issues, iTunes album artwork, iTunes sharing and more.As always, your suggestions and questions are welcome. Questions for next week should be left in the comments. When asking a question please include which machine you're running and which version of Mac OS X (we'll assume you're running Leopard on an Intel Mac if you don't specify). And now, on to the questions.
computergeeksjw asks:
I have an old iMac Blue G3. The fliesystem failed, but I can't reformat because there is a disc in the slot-loading drive. I tried the tricks I know like Open Firmware (gives me a weird error) and holding in the mouse button (I hear the drive spin up but nothing else happens). I have a newer G4 Quicksilver. Will it be able to boot up into Target Disk Mode even though the filesystem is damaged? (Then I can try to repair with Disk Utility or reinstall from there) or will it fail like a normal boot does?
Depending upon the nature of the damage, you should be able to boot into Target Disk Mode with no issues because the disk that is damaged is not a startup disk and only needs to be mountable on the desktop of the G4 system. If the damage to the file system prevents it, or for some other reason you can't boot into Target Disk Mode, try holding down the "Option" key on the keyboard of the iMac when you turn it on.
That should give you a screen which will allow you to eject the disk in the CD drive and put in an OSX install disk to try and repair the file system of the iMac. Also, you could try booting the iMac from an external firewire drive that has OSX or OS 9 installed on it. That way you could attempt a repair of the iMac's drive as well.
Jeff Clark asks:
Is there a way to change display preferences when you plug in an external monitor? For example, I want my display to never dim or shut off, nor my screensaver start, when I'm connected to a projector.
I'm not aware of a specific setting for projectors, but you can set your screen to never dim or turn off via System Prefs> Energy Saver. Simply set the "Computer Sleep" and "Display Sleep" slider on "Never" and your computer will never dim or go to sleep.
Or, you could use a program like Caffeine to quickly switch your computer's settings for sleep and screen dim on and off.
zyzzyx26 asks:
Every now and then when I download a file Safari renames it - sometimes adding an extra file extension, others renaming it completely. It appears to be the site's server not handling MIME-types properly. However, that doesn't happen when I'm on Firefox. So, to my question, is there a solution for this odd file handling problem for Safari?
According to my Apple support sources, this is a problem that Apple is aware of. While they wouldn't get into specifics, it seems a solution may be forthcoming. Although, when that is is anyone's guess. In addition, they had no real alternatives or solutions to present at the moment. So, if it doesn't happen in Firefox and it really bothers you, just use Firefox until Apple provides a solution.
Andy asks:
The music and video files of my iTunes collection are stored on an external NAS hard drive in my flat. The iTunes library files reside in the music folder on each separate computer and direct iTunes to look at the external disk for the files. This allows both my machines access to the files without filling hard drives but does mean I have to import new files in both versions of iTunes to be able to see them. With the new home sharing and file management features of iTunes 9 are there some easier options for me?
My feeling about questions of this nature is usually I will ask people why they feel they need to make a change. If a system is working for you, I usually advise users to just stick with it and don't make sweeping changes you don't have to make -- especially with something as important as your iTunes Library.
That said, the Sharing features in the latest version of ITunes do allow you access to music and video files across your own internal network so, in essence, you could have one Library serve ail of your Macs. This works pretty well with the new version of ITunes but as the software is still relatively new, it requires further testing to be sure there's no problems that crop up.
Or, you could also do what I've done in the past and have your entire iTunes Folder exist on the external NAS and just provide an alias of it in your User's Folder that points to the NAS. That way, when iTunes opens on machine it will access all of your music, video, etc. from the NAS and eliminate the need to import things twice.
Thomas Beck asks:
In iTunes 9, is there anywhere to uncheck sync Album Artwork? I always had that unchecked because I have a fifth generation iPod, so I don't really care if the artwork is there or not, except that without it, I get an extra 300 MB. I'd really like to be able to get that space back.
If you don't want the artwork at all simply uncheck the "Automatically Download Missing Album Artwork" box located in iTunes > Preferences > Store. That way, no artwork will be downloaded when you import songs so you won't have to worry about syncing it or not.
Santiago Pena asks:
I was wondering if there is a way to convert all iWork '08 into iWork '09 with automator. The new file types of iWork are much easier to share with other people, so I would love to have a way to be able to convert all my old files to the new format.
Unfortunately, after speaking to several colleagues, it doesn't seem such a thing exists. However, perhaps one of our intrepid TUAW readers can shed some light on this question, which is the reason I've chosen to include it it this week's column.
That should give you a screen which will allow you to eject the disk in the CD drive and put in an OSX install disk to try and repair the file system of the iMac. Also, you could try booting the iMac from an external firewire drive that has OSX or OS 9 installed on it. That way you could attempt a repair of the iMac's drive as well.
Jeff Clark asks:
Is there a way to change display preferences when you plug in an external monitor? For example, I want my display to never dim or shut off, nor my screensaver start, when I'm connected to a projector.
I'm not aware of a specific setting for projectors, but you can set your screen to never dim or turn off via System Prefs> Energy Saver. Simply set the "Computer Sleep" and "Display Sleep" slider on "Never" and your computer will never dim or go to sleep.
Or, you could use a program like Caffeine to quickly switch your computer's settings for sleep and screen dim on and off.
zyzzyx26 asks:
Every now and then when I download a file Safari renames it - sometimes adding an extra file extension, others renaming it completely. It appears to be the site's server not handling MIME-types properly. However, that doesn't happen when I'm on Firefox. So, to my question, is there a solution for this odd file handling problem for Safari?
According to my Apple support sources, this is a problem that Apple is aware of. While they wouldn't get into specifics, it seems a solution may be forthcoming. Although, when that is is anyone's guess. In addition, they had no real alternatives or solutions to present at the moment. So, if it doesn't happen in Firefox and it really bothers you, just use Firefox until Apple provides a solution.
Andy asks:
The music and video files of my iTunes collection are stored on an external NAS hard drive in my flat. The iTunes library files reside in the music folder on each separate computer and direct iTunes to look at the external disk for the files. This allows both my machines access to the files without filling hard drives but does mean I have to import new files in both versions of iTunes to be able to see them. With the new home sharing and file management features of iTunes 9 are there some easier options for me?
My feeling about questions of this nature is usually I will ask people why they feel they need to make a change. If a system is working for you, I usually advise users to just stick with it and don't make sweeping changes you don't have to make -- especially with something as important as your iTunes Library.
That said, the Sharing features in the latest version of ITunes do allow you access to music and video files across your own internal network so, in essence, you could have one Library serve ail of your Macs. This works pretty well with the new version of ITunes but as the software is still relatively new, it requires further testing to be sure there's no problems that crop up.
Or, you could also do what I've done in the past and have your entire iTunes Folder exist on the external NAS and just provide an alias of it in your User's Folder that points to the NAS. That way, when iTunes opens on machine it will access all of your music, video, etc. from the NAS and eliminate the need to import things twice.
Thomas Beck asks:
In iTunes 9, is there anywhere to uncheck sync Album Artwork? I always had that unchecked because I have a fifth generation iPod, so I don't really care if the artwork is there or not, except that without it, I get an extra 300 MB. I'd really like to be able to get that space back.
If you don't want the artwork at all simply uncheck the "Automatically Download Missing Album Artwork" box located in iTunes > Preferences > Store. That way, no artwork will be downloaded when you import songs so you won't have to worry about syncing it or not.
Santiago Pena asks:
I was wondering if there is a way to convert all iWork '08 into iWork '09 with automator. The new file types of iWork are much easier to share with other people, so I would love to have a way to be able to convert all my old files to the new format.
Unfortunately, after speaking to several colleagues, it doesn't seem such a thing exists. However, perhaps one of our intrepid TUAW readers can shed some light on this question, which is the reason I've chosen to include it it this week's column.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
uberphildo said 11:18AM on 9-23-2009
This is a related Automator question: We have two Macbooks that back up using Time Machine to an external hard drive which is plugged into a Mac mini on the same network. All the mini does is host the backup drive and a printer. I want the mini to be able to share iTunes and iPhoto with Simplify Media. I can do this by manually opening up the "Backup.sparsebundle" images on the mini, going into "Latest" backup and copying the iTunes folder and the iPhoto Library files out of the backups onto the mini. Then when iTunes and iPhoto start, they'll scan the most recent backups, and they will be available for sharing.
I've been trying to find a way, with no luck, of using Automator to open these ".sparsebundle" files and doing the copying for me. This way I could run an Automator script once a day, and if I've imported a CD the night before on one of the laptops, it'll have been backed up to the external drive, and by the next day, this Automator script will have run and the new music will be in the mini's iTunes library, available for Simplify to share while I'm at work.
This entire process works great, except for the Automator part. That's nonexistent at the moment, so the copies have to be made manually. Does anybody know of a way I can use Automator to open the ".sparsebundle" files and pull out the most recent backups?
Thanks a ton!
Reply
Jetmcquack said 11:45AM on 9-23-2009
I also have another question for TUAW...
Is there a way in iTunes 9 homesharing to extend the auto-check function to manually added files (NOT purchased)? I want to make this in order to have a Master library always in Sync with a second one... Thanks!
Jet
Reply
Marnix said 11:34AM on 9-23-2009
I just upgraded my MacBook (early 2007) to Snow Leopard this weekend and decided to set up syncing from iCal to Google Calendars. Basically what I want to do is sync some of my iCal calendars into GoogleCal so that I can share them. However, all I succeed in doing by using iCal's built in CalDAV-support is adding my Google Calendar (which I don't really use yet, it's empty) as an extra calendar in iCal. If I add events to that new calendar, it works like a charm, but then I lose the advantage of already having several calendars in iCal. Do you know a solution to this?
Reply
iGO said 11:34AM on 9-23-2009
Question For Next Week:
You mention,
"you could try booting the iMac from an external firewire drive"
I could not find anything in Apples Support pages
(though that is a whole different can of worms. Apples support site, for finding information, is really awful)
I have a bootable copy 10.6.1 on a Firewire 800 drive.
I tried to boot up from that drive, while Firewired to an iMac (Late 2009) running 10.5.8
It would not work. Might I assume that the firmware under the iMac 10.5.8 won't run Snow Leopard?
Or is there anything else I might try to get it to boot off the Firewire 10.6.1?
Thx.
Reply
Sam said 4:53PM on 9-25-2009
you need to upgrade your firmware in order to boot off of firewire or use firewire target disk mode.
--Sam
Acid5891 said 9:45PM on 10-07-2009
what i would do, is boot the WORKING machine in target disk, then plug that into the machine with the malfunctioning drive, option-boot the not-working machine and pick the "firewire (other machine) disk. this will only work though if the working machine is partitioned as apple partition map, as PPC machines won't boot from GUID.
Acid5891 said 9:59PM on 10-07-2009
oops, thought you were the same person as the original question.
here are the basic rules for making good universally-bootable drives.
Partition the drive APM (apple partition map)
Install any PPC booting OS to the partition from a PPC machine (ie tiger or leopard)
The tiger install will only be able to boot ppc machines, but leopard on this partition when installed from a ppc machine can boot any unit.
Then if you want to install 10.6, run the osinstall.mpkg from your install dvd system/installation/packages
with this drive you should be able to boot a ppc machine from tiger or leopard, and an intel machine from leopard or snow leopard.
this setup always works for me (need a multiboot drive @ work).
Andrew Timson said 11:46AM on 9-23-2009
If you don't want the artwork at all simply uncheck the "Automatically Download Missing Album Artwork" box located in iTunes > Preferences > Store. That way, no artwork will be downloaded when you import songs so you won't have to worry about syncing it or not.
That removes it from the desktop too, though, and he only mentioned not caring about the artwork on his iPod.
Reply
Chris said 11:57AM on 9-23-2009
The response above suggests sharing a single iTunes folder amongst several machines on a network. This is NOT recommended, as you risk data corruption if you ever are using iTunes simultaneously on more than one machine on your network... easy to do if you forget to quit on one machine before running it on the other. Both copies of iTunes will overwrite each other's information, leading to random and unpredictable behavior.
The person who asked the question originally had the right approach- storing only the music/movie files on the network, but letting each copy of iTunes work with it's own, locally stored iTunes database file. (To do this, make sure iTunes is set to not copy music files to the local disk).
Reply
LAGal said 12:05PM on 9-23-2009
on the converting iwork issue, does it not do that when you open the file for the first time, so long as you are using '09. the ilife programs played that way.
Reply
Logan said 12:08PM on 9-23-2009
Question for next week:
I'm running a 13" MacBook Pro, completely up-to-date with 10.6.1.
With 10.5 Leopard, I had my Applications folder as a stack that opened in grid view. This made for very easy application launching that was intuitive and looked good, showcasing the beautiful app icons. With Snow Leopard, the grid view now only shows the top half of my applications, making me scroll to access the bottom ones. This is inconvenient and the icons are now much larger than I'd like.
I can't seem to find any sort of solution. Is there a preference pane I'm overlooking? If not, is there any utility (3rd party included) that can give me this functionality back?
Thanks.
Reply
Jerry said 12:21PM on 9-23-2009
Is there a way to make a key shortcut for words? like .com
I always wonder why there is no .com key on the keyboards.
Jerry
Reply
Toby said 1:00PM on 9-23-2009
There are several approaches. To achieve a proper ".com" key, you could use ControllerMate to hijack some little-used key on your keyboard and output those four keystrokes when pressed, but that might be overkill.
Something like TextExpander could also work, though you'd have to decide what to expand (say, ".c" into ".com", which only saves you two keystrokes).
But depending on your browser, it may be a better choice to use command-enter (which Firefox and Opera will use to expand a word you've typed to a full url -> that is, type "google" and the hit control enter and it will become "http://www.google.com").
Patrick Doyle said 12:42PM on 9-23-2009
Is there a way to disable certain specific keyboard shortcuts only for certain specific applications? I have found numerous tutorials showing how to add keyboard shortcuts to certain applications. Specifically, I would like to disable the command-space shortcut that brings up Spotlight, but I only want to disable it for one certain application.
Reply
Matt said 5:31PM on 9-23-2009
Yes. I especially want to have Command-H hide Photoshop. Adobe applications are the only ones where Command-H doesn't hide the program!
Josh said 12:35PM on 9-23-2009
Is there any way to fix the graphical problems on Snow Leopard for users of the Intel X3100 chipset? Videos for me look like they aren't in full color and so do many media apps (especially Front Row which looks like it is in 8 bit color)
Reply
LPTO said 12:44PM on 9-23-2009
question for next week:
On the advice of my chiropractor, I'm looking for a wireless keyboard to use with my MacBook. Can anyone recommend one with a built-in trackpad? Because if I'm going to be using it on my lap while keeping the MacBook's display at eye level, there really won't be any room left for a mouse. Most of the ones I've seen so far are designed for Windows and I'd really prefer one that can do everything the Mac keyboard can do.
Thanks.
Reply
Jason said 7:40PM on 9-23-2009
LPTO: Here is a great breakdown on wireless keyboards for mac.
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/21/ultimate-mac-mini-htpc-guide-hardware/
SquishyBrain said 2:20PM on 9-24-2009
I found a good wireless keyboard from Adesso. I'm using the one designed for windows and it works pretty well for me (the "Windows" key = Command and the "Alt" key = Option). Since then, Adesso has released the same keyboard with the dedicated Mac keys but it is about twenty dollars more expensive.
http://www.adesso.com/products_detail.asp?productid=368
Acid5891 said 10:01PM on 10-07-2009
i'm using the same adesso keyboard (the windows version) i usually use it for my htpc, works great, soso range, but it only needs to work from my couch