How To: Run Boot Camp in x64 Mode

Here's another problem I ran into recently.  I was trying to run Windows 7 x64 in Boot Camp on my new MacBook Pro and ran into a bunch of trouble trying to get the Boot Camp drivers to install.  Long story short, this is what it took to get the job done:

1 . Boot into Windows 7 and insert your 10.6 DVD

2.  Right-click on Start » Programs » Accessories » Command Prompt

3.  Select Run as Administrator

4.  Type cd /d D:, then press Enter

5.  Type cd Boot CampDriversApple, then press Enter

6.  Type BootCamp64.msi, then press Enter

How To: Enable Native NTFS Read/Write Support

NTFS?  On your Mac??  Outrageous!  Sadly, I can think of several reasons myself why this could be a necessary evil.  The problem is, while OS X 10.6 supports NTFS straight out of the box, it does not support read AND write.  Use this little trick to enable native read/write support.

1. In Terminal, type diskutil info /Volumes/volume_name, where volume_name is the name of the NTFS volume. From the output, copy the Volume UUID value to the clipboard.
2. Back up /etc/fstab if you have it; it shouldn't be there in a default install.
3. Type sudo nano /etc/fstab.
4. In the editor, type UUID=, then paste the UUID number you copied from the clipboard. Type a Space, then type none ntfs rw. The final line should look like this: UUID=123-456-789 none ntfs rw, where 123-456-789 is the UUID you copied in the first step.
5. Repeat the above steps for any other NTFS drives/partitions you have.
6. Save the file and quit nano (Control-X, Y, Enter), then restart your system.

This works with both 32- and 64-bit kernels and, after rebooting, NTFS partitions should natively have read and write support.

How To: Boot into 64-Bit Mode by Default

Straight out of the box, Snow Leopard is one cool OS.  BUT... by default, you're only running in 32-bit mode.  Sure, you could hold down "6" & "4" at boot until you see the little spinning gear but that can be a pain if you reboot regularly or if you have a MacBook and are constantly on the go.  It's also a real pisser when you forget and have to power down again and go through the whole process a second time.  That's where this little tip comes in handy.

In order to enable 64-bit mode by default,  navigate the the following folder:

/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/

Now edit the file "com.apple.Boot.plist" in TextEditor.

Search for the lines that read:

<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string></string>

Between the STRING flags, add the following:

arch=x86_64

Save, reboot and never worry about missing that 5 second window to activate 64-bit mode ever again.


BTW - you may need to modify permissions on the file and folder it resides in to be able to save the file.

How To: Calibrate a MacBook / MacBook Pro Battery

Want your battery to function at it's fullest capacity?  Apple's got instructions for that.

1. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter and fully charge the MacBook or MacBook Pro battery until the light on the MagSafe connector changes to green and the Battery icon in the menu bar indicates that the battery is fully charged.
2. Allow the battery to rest in the fully charged state for two hours or longer. You may use your computer during this time as long as the power adapter is plugged in.
3. Disconnect the power adapter with the computer on and start using it with battery power. When the battery’s charge gets low, you’ll see the low battery warning dialog on the screen.
4. Continue to keep your computer turned on until it goes to sleep. Save your work and close all applications when the battery’s charge gets low and before the computer goes to sleep.
5. Turn off the computer or allow it to sleep for five hours or longer.
6. Reconnect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged. You may use your computer during this time.

How To: Map a Network Share and Automount

For those of you who were PC-people before moving to the Mac, you may recall (with fondness) the ability to map a drive from a network share.  For me, it was one of those features that I really missed when I made the jump and I have been searching for a method to accomplish this task ever since.  Guess what?  I finally found it and it only requires Apple Script and a few simple steps.  Here goes:

1. Launch Script Editor.
2. Type mount volume "smb://server name/share name" for each share you want to automount. For example, mount volume "smb://mediaserver/Movies" 
3. Test.
4. Save the code as an AppleScript.
5. Save the code as an application.
6. Add the application to your System Accounts Login Items.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 5th Anniversary! As in 5 posts? OK... lame. Well, hopefully this post isn't perceived as equally lame. Here goes...

See the last three posts? Did you know that if you put them together they tend to solve nearly 90% of all problems involving your Mac and OS X? It's true. SMC Reset, Safe Boot Mode, PRAM Reset. Remember that, in that particular order.

How To: PRAM Reset

A quick PRAM Reset, or Parameter Reset, is an easy way to resolve issues involving various that include but may not be limited to:

• Speaker volume
• Screen resolution
• Startup disk selection

The PRAM is a non-volitile RAM chip that keeps various bits of information about the System Parameters(settings) stored between power downs. Information like date, time, port settings, screen resolution, network settings and a bunch of other things. It is all kept running by the little 3.6 volt lithium battery that sits on the logic board.

Here's the steps you need to take:

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

Additional Information for Third-party displays

Per Apple Support, if you have screen resolution issues with a third-party display (monitor) and resetting the NVRAM/PRAM does not help, try using the display's built-in menu system if it has one. For details, see the manual that came with your monitor. There may be buttons on the front of the display to configure the internal settings and screen geometry. The display may include an "automatic" adjustment mode too.

Tip: If you use a DVI connection and you must click "Detect Displays" (in Display preferences) several times for your third-party display to be recognized, try using the monitor's built in menus to set the DVI connector to a digital signal.