Gene Steinberg understands that the new Macintoshes--like all computers--are systems of hardware and software, and that neither may be separated from the other. Upgrading and Troubleshooting Your Mac: Mac OS X Edition is an intimate picture of modern Mac hardware (the Power Mac, PowerBook, iBook, and iMac platforms) and the points at which it interacts with Mac OS 9.1 and Mac OS X. As you'd expect, readers learn how to select and install add-in hardware like SuperDrives and supplementary RAM, but the Mac makes those procedures pretty easy by design. The real value in this book comes in two areas.

First, Steinberg answers all kinds of common, but officially unaddressed, questions. Is it absolutely safe to put your laptop through an airport x-ray machine? How does a G4 behave when a SCSI card is malfunctioning at the hardware level? What happens if you try to make an officially unsupported graphics card work? Do third-party processor upgrades work? He explains most of these matters with stories taken from his experience as a longtime Mac user.

Second, the author knows a ton of tricks for working with the Mac OS itself, and is liberal with his recommendations of utilities for diagnosing, repairing, and adjusting its behavior. His thoughts on how to solve problems by reinstalling your operating system without wiping out your installed programs will save you time in all but the gravest situations. You'll find this book particularly valuable if you do upgrade and repair work on unfamiliar Macs. --David Wall

Topics covered: Changing and adjusting hardware on modern Macintosh computers (PowerBooks, iBooks, iMacs, Power Mac G4s, and, to a lesser extent, Power Mac G3s). All the key subsystems get attention: monitors, networks, SCSI chains, FireWire peripherals, and hard drives. Special (and especially valuable) coverage of Windows emulators and video capture hardware appears as well.


From Library Journal
Steinberg exhaustively covers both hardware and software issues, pointing out how the Classic Mac OS differs from OS X. Included is information on setting up a new Mac, upgrading system software, adding and troubleshooting hardware and peripherals, Internet connectivity issues, networking, and more. A useful "QuickStart" troubleshooting appendix provides basic information on topics from computer viruses to video editing, but this content would have been more useful as summaries after the appropriate chapters. For public libraries serving Mac users. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
The magic of the Mac is back! Mac OS X is a truly revolutionary operating system that has great flexibility and functionality. Author Gene Steinberg shows readers how to tap techniques of IT professionals to make your Mac run at top efficiency.


From the Back Cover

Minimize downtime and optimize your Mac for reliability and speed. Upgrading & Troubleshooting Your Mac: Mac OS X Edition is the definitive OS X resource, focused on upgrading, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting. Loaded with case histories to illustrate common problems and repair solutions, this book covers a wide range of important issues--from survival advice for laptops to organizing SCSI chains to overcoming Ethernet difficulties. Whether you're new to the OS X platform or computing in general, or if you're migrating from an older Mac, this comprehensive volume will help you operate your new system at peak efficiency.

Get Peak Performance from Your Mac! Hook up and deploy your Mac for home or business use--including hardware and peripherals Efficiently run this sophisticated operating system on almost any supported Mac computer Learn the secrets to successfully installing expansion cards and upgrading CPU and RAM Add system enhancements and diagnose system-related conflicts Understand and manage graphic file formats, fonts, and printers Incorporate proven backup techniques and preventative maintenance Upgrade with FireWire and Network cards, Graphics and USB adapter cards, SCSI accelerators, and video capture boards Integrate and optimize system software Configure your modem connection, Web browser, and email account


About the Author
Gene Steinberg is the best-selling author of over two dozen technology-oriented books. He is a contributing editor for CNET, a columnist for the Arizona Republic's Arizona Central Computing page, a regularly featured guest on Craig Crossman's Computer America radio show and runs a popular Mac support site, The Mac Night Owl (http://www.macnightowl.com). In addition, he and his teenaged son, Grayson, have developed a new science fiction adventure series, Attack of the Rockoids (http://www.rockoids.com).

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The magic of the Mac is back! Mac OS X is a truly revolutionary operating system that has great flexibility and functionality. Author Gene Steinberg shows readers how to tap techniques of IT professionals to make your Mac run at top efficiency.

Minimize downtime and optimize your Mac for reliability and speed. Upgrading & Troubleshooting Your Mac: Mac OS X Edition is the definitive OS X resource,focused on upgrading,preventive maintenance,and troubleshooting. Loaded with case histories to illustrate common problems and repair solutions,this book covers a wide range of important issues—from survival advice for laptops to organizing SCSI chains to overcoming Ethernet difficulties. Whether you're new to the OS X platform or computing in general,or if you're migrating from an older Mac,this comprehensive volume will help you operate your new system at peak efficiency.

Get Peak Performance from Your Mac!

Hook up and deploy your Mac for home or business use—including hardware and peripheralsEfficiently run this sophisticated operating system on almost any supported Mac computerLearn the secrets to successfully installing expansion cards and upgrading CPU and RAMAdd system enhancements and diagnose system-related conflictsUnderstand and manage graphic file formats,fonts,and printersIncorporate proven backup techniques and preventative maintenanceUpgrade with FireWire and Network cards,Graphics and USB adapter cards,SCSI accelerators,and video capture boardsIntegrate and optimize system softwareConfigure your modem connection,Web browser,and email account

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal