You never forget the first time your hard drive dies and you realize that you haven’t backed up. The horrible, stomach-turning moment when you know you’ve just lost a whole bunch of stuff that’s irreplaceable. Photos. Music. Videos that you took at family events. All gone without a Mac backup.

You’ll probably spend the next few hours sweating, downloading disk utilities and searching for boot disks to try and fix things. Perhaps you got lucky and MacPro Services was able to kick your drive back into life. Or perhaps everything will be gone, completely, for good. And it could all have been avoided with a Mac Backup.

You could have been sitting back relaxing, sure in the knowledge that everything was safely backed up – on another disk, or online  and had us install or format your hard drive to be back up within 24 hours at minimal cost.

Then you would have grabbed a cup of tea, put your feet up on the desk, and felt mildly inconvenienced – rather than manically swearing at your Mac.

Let’s face it – backup sounds particularly dull. But without it, that scenario of losing everything is a distinct possibility. In this feature we’re going to look at different ways to ensure you’re well backed up, without having to devote hours of time and effort to getting it sorted.

We’re going to take you beyond the basics, and ensure that no matter what happens to your Mac, you’re covered – and won’t be left losing files that you can never get back.  If for any reason you need assistance, MacPro Services is here to help!

If you know you need Tallahassee Data Recovery, Click Here

Why you need a Mac Backup

Most of us use hard drives every day, without realising what an amazing piece of engineering they are. Inside every hard drive are a number of extremely thin circular platters, made from glass or ceramic material, spinning at 7200rpm or more.

Leave your hard drive on all day, every day, and each platter will spin 3,784 million times in a year. Floating just nanometers away from these platters is the read/write head, the part of the drive that (as the name suggests) reads and writes data to the drive.

As the head passes over the drive, it magnetises the surface of the platters in a series of zeros and ones. And the drive has to carry on working like this even when knocked, without crashing the head into the platter, which could easily kill the drive.

Given this, it’s perhaps no surprise that hard drives fail. Generally, though, catastrophic failure is relatively rare.

According to a study released by Google, based on the millions of drives it uses, there’s approximately a one-in-three chance that a drive will fail in five years of use. Figures like that sound reassuring to us – after all, one in three over five years doesn’t sound too bad. But figures like this can also give some false reassurance.

In Google’s study, nearly 3% of drives failed in less than three months. And if your drive is one of that 3%, without a backup you will have lost your precious data.

You might imagine that the answer to this is simple: solid-state disks (SSDs), as found in the current crop of MacBook Airs. These ‘disks’ aren’t disks at all, instead using memory chips to store your files. They have no moving parts: no platters to spin out of control or heads to scratch the disks, which suggests that they should be more reliable.

Yet according to a survey of hard drive failure rates by French tech site hardware.fr, SSDs were no less prone to failure – particularly in the first few months – than spinning disks.

Some people are occasionally worried about the lifetime of SSDs, because of a quirk in the way they’re rated. SSDs are rated in terms of write cycles, and a typical SSD might be rated at 100,000 cycles. Given that hard drives write thousands of times a day, this doesn’t sound much – but in fact it’s not quite that simple.

Through a process called ‘wear levelling’, the drive tries to ensure that no single storage element gets written to too often, making the entire drive more reliable. So there is no such thing as a drive that will last forever; this means that backup should be top of your agenda.

There are several kinds of backup, and which one (or more) will be right for you depends on your needs. The most complete kind of backup is also probably the most simple: a complete, working clone of your entire hard drive. This would include all of your documents, applications, and even the OS X system. The huge advantage of cloning your disk like this is you’ll lose absolutely nothing.

Of course, the disadvantage is that it’s time consuming, both to do a mac backup  and to restore it. The mac backup can be done incrementally, which means whatever backup application you’re using only backs up files that have changed, but even this can be frustratingly slow under some circumstances.

The question to ask yourself is simply this: if your Mac was lost, stolen or fell into a pit tomorrow, what would you be unable to replace?

Whatever the answer is, that’s precisely the stuff it’s most important to back up. Everything else falls under the ‘nice to have’ category. So for data that’s really, truly irreplaceable, you need to ensure that it’s backed up away from your home or office too – and that this backup copy isn’t too far out of date.

This is where online backup and other alternatives that move a copy of your data out of your home or office come in – and we’ll cover how to include online backup later in this feature. Importantly, you need to know where the ‘irreplaceable’ stuff lives, because not everything lives in your Documents folder, or even in your Home folder…

The next thing to consider is what the potential disasters are. For example, it’s no good having a complete, up-to-datemac backup if it only exists on a drive sat next to your iMac and your house burns down. All you’ll have is two melted, unusable copies of your data instead of one.

If you’re serious about not losing important files, then you’ll need to not only back up to something close at hand (for your convenience), but also to save to something away from your home or office, to ensure that your files would survive even something like a house fire or flood.

How to do a Mac backup with Time Machine

Time Machine is the default option for backup on every Mac running OS X since the introduction of Leopard (OS X 10.5) in 2007. Therefore, this means most Macs are probably running it.

Although Time Machine wasn’t the first Mac backup software from Apple, it’s probably safe to say it’s the first serious application of its kind the company has produced. As you would expect, Time Machine is integrated into the OS itself, and is designed to be very easy to use.

Plug in a Mac-formatted external drive, and OS X will ask you if you want to set it up to be used with Time Machine. Using a drive with it doesn’t mean you can’t use that drive with anything else – you can still use the drive to store files using the Finder. Within a few clicks, you can be backing up your files, and every time you connect that drive Time Machine will, after a few seconds, start backing up anything that’s changed or new.

Once set up, Time Machine is designed to need as little intervention from you as possible, and to be almost invisible until the point when you need to restore a file.

Time Machine doesn’t simply ‘clone’ everything that’s on your hard drive. Instead, it creates incremental backups, and using a clever piece of interface design allows you to step ‘back in time’ to find a deleted file.

It’s not an archive programme, though: it’s designed to capture the most recent state of data on your disk, as well as files you’ve deleted, rather than archiving multiple versions of the same file in a reliable way. In this sense, Time Machine differs from the auto-save and versioning feature in OS X 10.7 Lion.

Great timing

By default, Time Machine will save backups hourly. However, as you would imagine, if it saved an hourly snapshot of every file then your backup drive would get filled up very quickly.

So instead, it saves the hourly backups for the past 24 hours; then consolidated daily backups for the last month; and a weekly backup for everything older, until your drive runs out of space. At that point, it will delete the oldest weekly backup.

How big a drive you need to use with Time Machine will, of course, depend on how big your hard drive is and how many old backups you want to store. Something double the size of your internal drive will allow you to have plenty of room for backups, but you can use Time Machine with something the same size too, if you don’t want to store many old files.

If you have a smaller drive you want to use, you can set Time Machine to exclude files or folders on your drive. For example, you might decide that you can live without having a backup of your applications folder, and – using the option in Time Machine’s preferences – exclude it. Once excluded, anything in that folder will no longer be backed up.

Total failure scenarios

Remember though, that what Time Machine won’t do is create a bootable version of your hard drive, which means that in the event of having a complete hard-drive failure you’ll need to wipe and reinstall OS X from an installation disc and then restore from your Time Machine backup.

Time Machine backups don’t have to be made to a drive connected directly to your Mac. Instead, you can use any network-attached storage drive formatted as ‘journaled HFS+’ that you’re connected to over a network, including (of course) Apple’s own dedicated Time Capsule device. This includes USB drives attached to Airport Express Base Stations, although this isn’t supported by Apple.

And Time Machine doesn’t enable you to back up over the internet – only your local network is supported.

Recovering a backup from Time Machine is simple. Select ‘Enter Time Machine’ (either from the Dock or the icon in your menu bar) and Time Machine appears to float the active Finder window above an astronomical background. Behind the current window is a ‘stack’ of older versions, and you simply scroll back through this stack to find whatever deleted file you wish to retrieve.

In addition, some OS X applications can work directly with Time Machine to recover information. For example, if you select ‘Enter Time Machine’ while using Apple Mail, you can step back through deleted emails, in the same way as you can with items in the Finder. Other apps that support this include Address Book, iPhoto (’08 and later) and GarageBand (’08 and later).

If you’re restoring a whole drive, you need to use an installation disc. When reinstalling OS X on a hard drive, the installation process gives you the option to restore the whole drive using Time Machine. Select this option, connect the drive with your Time Machine backup on it (or select a Time Capsule volume) and let the software do the rest.

How to set up Time Machine

01. Straight to Preferences

The first thing you’ll need to do when setting up your Mac’s Time Machine is open up its preferences from your menu bar. It will also offer to do this for you when you connect a new Mac-formatted drive.

02. Select your drive

The next step is to select the drive you want to use with Time Machine. This can be a local drive, or any correctly formatted shared drive on your network – it’s entirely up to you.

03. Choose what you back up

Finally, if there are any folders that you don’t want to back up, for any reason, then click on the options button to select them. In this case, we have opted not to back up our Dropbox folder.

Page 2 – Online Backup Options

Page 3 – Backup Hardware Solutions

Original Blog by www.techradar.com

The post The Ultimate Mac Backup Guide appeared first on MacPro Services.

A short but very useful article today. Have you created that perfect document that can be reused again and again? But it would all be ruined if you or a co-worker were to accidentally copy over or delete it. The best example of this is letterhead on a mac, but this technique will work with any document.

1Right click on your document and select “get info” (alternatively, select the document and press ‘command+i’).

2Check the box that says ‘Stationary pad’.

That’s it, you’re done! Now anytime that you or a co-worker opens the file, it will automatically create a copy of that document and save it in the same location with ” copy” appended to the end of the name.

Want a bit more protection on your document? Check the ‘Locked’ checkbox then as well. This will make sure that you can’t accidentally delete the document. It will warn you and force authentication both when you attempt to throw it away and attempt to empty the trash.

If you want more helpful little tips like this, keep reading and like us on Facebook to receive a notice when we post a new blog.

The post Protect a Template Letterhead on a Mac in 3 Seconds appeared first on MacPro Services.

You know who you are: a) your passwords are scribbled on a tattered and torn piece of paper right next to your computer; b) your spouse’s credit card number or social security number is on a post-it note next to the mouse; or c) you create a Christmas shopping list and save it on your desktop as “DO NOT READ.”

Save yourself the hassle of applying for a new social or ruining Christmas for everyone. You can create an encrypted, password protected folder on a mac without using any third-party software and it is done in just 5 easy steps – by creating an encrypted disk image.

1Open Disk Utility by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utilities.

2Choose File > New > Blank Disk Image or click the New Image icon.

 3In the New Blank Image window that appears, name the new secure folder or “image.” Next, choose your desired size from the pop-up menu that is sufficient to hold your super-secret data. Then, from the Encryption pop-up menu choose 128-bit AES Encryption (secure enough for all of us and faster than 256-bit).  Finally, choose either read/write or Sparse Disk Image from the Image Format pop-up menu and click Create.

A read/write disk image takes up a set amount of space on the drive, while a sparse image is a type of disk image file that grows in size as the user adds data, taking up only as much disk space as stored in it.

4At this point, you will be prompted for a password. Click one that is easy for you to remember, as a lost password means all the files on the image are lost too.

Click OK and both the sparse image file and mounted image are created. This will look familiar to anyone who has put an external drive into their computer before.

5Double click the image to mount the “folder.” Drag the content that you want to protect into the mounted image.

When you’re done with it, drag the mounted image to the trash to eject it or right-click it and choose “Eject.” When you next need it, double-click on the image file and enter its password when prompted.

With these 5 simple steps you can create a password protected folder on your mac. While this is an effective means of keeping data from the prying eyes of thieves or children, as explained above, it is far from secure as anyone can simply delete the image. If you really want to secure and protect data for your personal computer or business, call MacPro Services.

The post How To Create A Password Protected Folder On A Mac appeared first on MacPro Services.

Perhaps you lucked out this holiday season, and instead of unwrapping an itchy sweater or a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card, you tore the wrapping paper off a brand new Mac. And perhaps this is the very first Mac that you’ve owned. Don’t be afraid of your new computer; you’re leaving behind a world of headaches, and this new Mac is your Excedrin.

 1. Figure out a backup solution

Yep, this is step one. Setting up a backup is boring, un-fun, and doesn’t involve playing with any cool apps or doodads. But your future self will thank you, and with good reason: Having a good backup solution now means you won’t lose irreplaceable data later.

2. Install Dropbox

This can dovetail pretty nicely with No. 1 above. Dropbox is a free, painless utility that not just backs up your files, but also easily syncs them to other devices. When you install Dropbox, files and folders that you drag into the Dropbox folder automatically get backed up to the Dropbox website—and they also sync to other computers or devices (like iPhones and iPads) logged into the same Dropbox account. It’s a magical solution for backing up your files, syncing them between machines, and making them available everywhere. No Mac is complete without it.

3. Tweak preferences to your liking

This is your Mac. Make it look and act that way. Fire up System Preferences (it’s in the default Dock, or accessible via the Apple menu) and go through every single pane. If you’re not sure what something does, or if you can’t see a benefit to tweaking a setting, you’re free to leave it alone, of course. But tweaking options like Highlight Color (under General), your Mac’s background image (Desktop & Screensaver), or the default alert sound (Sound -> Sound Effects) is your Cupertino-given right, so tweak you shall.

4. Master gestures

If your new Mac includes a trackpad—either because it’s a laptop with a built-in pad, or you scored a Magic Trackpad to go with your new desktop—take some time to learn about the many gestures built into Lion, your new Mac’s operating system. One of the simplest ways to discover the various gestures available is right in System Preferences, where you just were one tip ago. Once there, click on Trackpad. There, you’ll find three tabs’ worth of mouse shortcuts. Move the cursor over any of them, and you’ll get a video preview of how to trigger the gesture. Some may well improve your Mac computing experience; I, for one, love the three-finger double-tap on any word to bring up its definition.

5. Discover the Mac App Store

On a new Mac, it’s right there in your Dock—the blue circle with a stylized A inside it. The Mac App Store offers thousands of apps, and downloading and installing those apps is straightforward. Many apps are free; others require a payment, ranging from $1 to a couple hundred bucks. While you can—and likely will—find plenty of apps outside the cozy confines of the Mac App Store, browsing it is a great way to discover interesting apps, read reviews, and get a sense of the Mac software marketplace.

6. FaceTime with someone

Video chatting might not feel like the future anymore, but it’s still a delight. Perhaps no software makes it easier to start (or receive) a video call than FaceTime, which is built right into Lion. Find it in your Applications folder, or use Spotlight (the magnifying glass at the upper right of your menu bar) to search for FaceTime by typing in the first few letters of the app’s name. Now all you need is the email address or phone number of another FaceTime user. And remember, anyone running Lion or Snow Leopard, an iPhone 4 or 4S, or an iPad 2 can FaceTime with you. That’s a lot of people.

7. Download Chrome

It pains me to offer this tip; I’ve been a Safari devotee since Apple first introduced its own Web browser. But Safari 5.1 introduced some significant annoyances that made the experience of using it far less enjoyable—unless you enjoy undesired page refreshes, system-wide slowdowns, and other bugginess. Recent updates to the browser have improved the situation, but haven’t eliminated the problems. Google’s free Chrome browser isn’t flawless, but in my real-world usage, it’s faster, more reliable, and less problem-prone than Safari.

8. Make an iMovie trailer

iMovie comes included on every new Mac. (Just check your Applications folder.) Mastering the software takes patience, but you can create a great-looking pseudo movie trailer using your own video clips in just a few minutes if you follow the MacWorld tutorial. Creating professional-quality trailers from your own home movies is great fun, and it’s an excellent way to get acquainted with iMovie’s more powerful features, too.

9. Record a song with GarageBand

You’ve already made a movie; composing your opus should be easy. Like iMovie, GarageBand ships free with new Macs. The app lets beginners and professionals alike create music. If you have a USB keyboard, that’ll help, but you certainly don’t need one. Start dragging music loops together—guitar parts, drum parts, and so on—and GarageBand automatically matches their pitch and tempo as needed. You can even play MIDI instruments with your mouse or keyboard (Window -> Keyboard). Create an “I Don’t Miss Windows At All” jingle and share it with your friends.

10. Clean up

Your Mac’s desktop is your work (and play) space; neatness counts. Tidy up by removing apps from your Dock that you won’t use often. To do so, quit the apps if they’re open, and then simply drag their icons out of the Dock; they’ll vanish in a puff of virtual smoke, though they’re still safely ensconced in your Applications folder, ready for you to run them again should the need arise. Also consider creating a junk drawer on your desktop, so that you can store files you’re not ready to sort there, instead of scattered all over the desktop itself.

What’s next?

You’ve made your Mac your own, you’ve created great art, and you’ve grown increasingly familiar with how to use your new computer. All you need to do now is keep exploring and learning!  If you need any other training or computer repair in Tallahassee, please call or email MacPro Services!

(Blog Credit to MacWorld:  To see the original blog click here)

The post Ten fun things to do with your Mac appeared first on MacPro Services.

As far as computers and operating systems have come, there are still situations in which we find ourselves becoming frustrated by slower performance.  For most of us Mac users it’s in the form of the infamous color wheel. In most cases this is a sign that the iMac is trying to perform a processor-intensive task. In layman’s terms, the computer can’t handle what it’s been given at that point in time.  Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to help get rid of the spinning color wheel before you call your favorite Computer Repair Company in Tallahassee.

1. Software Updates

When’s the last time you ran an update?  Apple also recommends updating all software on a regular basis to keep your iMac functioning at its highest level. The most-important updates will include security updates, firmware and other system software. OS X is automatically set up to check for updates regularly, but you can do this manually by clicking on the Apple menu in the top left of your screen, choosing “Software Update,” and selecting the updates you wish to download.  We recommend updating “All”.  This is good to do before any computer repair is performed.

(Don’t forget to do this on your iPhone and iPad as well… App Updates!)

2. Clearing Cache

Using an Internet browser is one of the most-common activities performed on Macs, so running into the spinning wheel on a regular basis while surfing the Web can be frustrating. A common way to alleviate this is to clear the browser cache. Each browser will have a different path to clearing cache. In Firefox, press “Cmd,” “Shift” and “Delete” at the same time, and select how far back you wish to clear the cache. For those using Safari, press “Cmd,” “option” and “E” at the same time. When the confirmation window opens, click “Empty.”

3. Permissions Repair

Files, folders and applications all have certain permissions settings, determining whether they can be written on or read-only. From time to time, these permissions can get damaged, preventing the file or program from opening or running smoothly and creating overall computer performance issues. The best way to combat this is by doing a permissions repair using the Disk Utility program. It comes standard with all apple computers and OS X operating systems, and is typically found in the Utilities folder which is in your Applications folder. Simply open the program, select your hard drive, and click “repair permissions.”  Running your disk permissions could also help the life of your hard drive to prolong any computer repair you may need.

4. RAM and Hard Disk Space

The spinning color wheel is also an indication of generally slow performance and may be a result of lack of hard disk space or RAM (random access memory). Problems are more probable when your hard disk is nearly full, but all you have to do is free up some space. If there are files and programs that are seldom-used, you may want to move them over onto an external hard drive to free the space. If you are running some memory-intensive programs, you may not have enough RAM. The best solution in these cases is to upgrade to more RAM, which can be done by calling MacPro Services and asking us to install more RAM in your Mac.

5. Call Your Favorite Computer Repair Company

Here at MacPro Services, we have the most extensive computer diagnostics, tests, and techniques to figure out why you’re getting the beautifully frustrating color wheel.   If you have any questions about computer repair or have any other repair needs like iPhone Repair or PC Repair, feel free to contact us.

The post Sick Of Your Mac Color Wheel? appeared first on MacPro Services.

Ladies and Gentleman,

The team here at MacPro services have discussed, exampled, and even arm wrestled over this list but have successfully come to a conclusion.  The Apps listed below are apps that you will find useful in your every day life.  As you discover these apps and others, feel free to let us know your favorite apps and just maybe they will be wrestled over for our next list.

Instagram

Be your own photographer!  Take pictures then upload them to Instagram (or Facebook/Twitter) for all your friends to see!

SkyGrid

Keep up to date on the latest news but customize it to your preferences!

Run Keeper

Run Keeper uses the GPS in your phone to keep track of your mileage when you’re running around the neighborhood.

Netflix

Don’t let your movies or TV shows have any boundaries.  Watch Netflix on your iPhone or iPad wherever you are!

Pinterest

If you’re a creative buff and want some fresh ideas for crafts or cooking or just want to see some really cool things, check out Pinterest.

Facebook

Yes, the most popular social media is mobile.  Share wherever you go with the Facebook Official App

RunPee

Ever needed to run to the restroom during the middle of a movie?  RunPee App will tell you the best times to use the restroom then fill you in on what you’ve missed!

Alarm Clock

Waking up in the morning can be very difficult.  Make it easier by waking up to your favorite song!

Skype

Simply Skype with friends and family on your iPhone or iPad.

Photoshop Express

Emphasize your photography skills by downloading the Photoshop Express App to make minor adjustment your pictures!

Flashlight

Grab the flashlight but the batteries are empty?  Open up your Flashlight App on your iPhone to get a bright light.

Tune In Radio

Don’t miss your favorite radio show when you’re out of town.

ESPN

Hey sports buff! Stay on top of all of the latest scores with the ESPN Sports Center App.

WordPress

Have a wordpress website or blog?  Easily maintain, add, or remove content with your wordpress app.

WhiteNoise

Having trouble sleeping?  Try out this Dr. Oz recommended white noise generator before you catch some Zzz’s

Don’t forget to call MacPro Services for all your iPhone Repair needs in Tallahassee

The post Top 15 Apps (Mobile Devices): Staff Picks appeared first on MacPro Services.

Don’t forget to hold down that Option/Alt key

1. On your mac, click the Apple menu. When the drop-down appears, press and hold the Option key. This will change the “About This Mac” menu item into “System Information…”

2.Select System Information and in the window that opens, select “Wi-Fi” which is located under the Network heading. Make a note of what follows the Signal/Noise entry.

3.In the example below, you can see -52 as the signal and -87 as the noise. Now for the tricky part that makes us English majors cringe – MATH. You want to subtract the noise from the signal. Thus, as I sit in Panera Bread, my wireless signal strength works out to -52 – (-87) = 35.

Click to enlarge

4. Then, you take that number and apply it to the following handy chart.

40dB or more: Excellent signal
25dB t0 40 dB: Good to very good signal
15dB to 25dB: Low signal
10dB to 15dB: Very low signal
Lower than 10dB: Little or no signal

Thus, in our example at 35dB, we are getting a very good signal at Panera.

5.Is your Mac wireless signal strength not what you were hoping for? It might be effecting your Internet experience. Fortunately, there are ways to fix low signal. You can move your Base Station, change channels that your wireless connection uses, remove other devices that may be interfering or install a device to extend your wireless range.

If you need help with your wireless signal strength or any other computer repair in Tallahassee contact MacPro Services. We are happy to come to your home or business and help you get the most out of your technology.

The post Testing Your Mac Wireless Signal Strength appeared first on MacPro Services.

Mountain Lion has a little known dictation feature built right in – much like Siri on the iPhone. It is extremely helpful and very easy to use. If you still have an older operating system, why not upgrade to Mountain Lion?

Mac Built In Dictation

SUMMARY: To use mac built in dictation, open any application that has a text input area and position your cursor in that text area. Press the Shortcut key twice (by default, it’s the Function key). Speak your piece and when you are finished hit the Function key again or click “Done.” It’s as simple as that!

Dictation Shortcuts

Dictation includes many voice “shortcuts” that allow you to manipulate the text and insert symbols while you are speaking. Here’s a list of the more important shortcuts:

• “new line” is like pressing Return on your keyboard
• “new paragraph” creates a new paragraph
• “period” or “full stop” places a period at the end of a sentence
• “quote … end quote” places quotation marks around the text spoken between
• “exclamation point” places an exclamation point (!)
• “question mark” places a question mark (?)

Dictation Not Working?

You can enable the new Dictation feature in Mountain Lion by navigating to System Preferences > Dictation & Speech > Dictation. Select the “On” radio button.

The post Discovering Mac Built In Dictation appeared first on MacPro Services.

Wondering how to upgrade to Mountain Lion? It may be simple enough, but if you do not follow these six simple steps, you could end up with trouble.

Step 1.

Make sure your Mac can run Mountain Lion. Your Mac must be one of the following models:

• MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
• Mac Mini (Early 2009 or newer)
• iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)

If you are running Lion, you can find out if your current Mac qualifies by clicking the Apple icon at the top left of your screen, choosing About This Mac, then clicking More Info.

Step 2.

Make sure you have Lion or the latest version of Snow Leopard & Update your Software.

While you have the About This Mac window open, check what version of OS X your Mac is running.

If you are running Lion (10.7.x), you’re ready to update to Mountain Lion. Go to Step 3. If you are running Snow Leopard (10.6.x), update to the latest version of OS X Snow Leopard before you purchase OS X Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store. Click the Apple icon and choose Software Update to install Snow Leopard v10.6.8, the latest version. While you are at it, update any other software that needs to be.

Step 3.

Verify application compatibility.

From click the magnifying glass in the top-right corner of your Mac. This is Spotlight – which finds helpful tools on your Mac. Type in “System Information” or “System Profiler” (depending on your current OS) and click to open the application.

Under Click Software > Applications, look to the “Kind” column and ensure that no programs are listed as PowerPC, as those applications will not work once you upgrade to Mountain Lion. They should read Universal or Intel. If they do not, visit their site and see if there is an update available.

Step 4.

Make sure your Mac’s startup drive is in good health: To do so, open Disk Utility (in /Applications/Utilities), select your startup drive in the list on the left, click the First Aid tab to the right, and then click Verify. If Disk Utility finds problems, you can attempt a repair or contact some experts.

Step 5.

Back up your Mac before upgrading to Mountain Lion.

Make sure you back up, so that you are prepared for that inevitable day. I personally recommend a Time Machine backup, as they are the easiest and sure-fire way to get a solid backup. If you are unsure or want to chat with an expert about a backup solution that is right for you, give us a call.

Step 6.

Download OS X Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store.

Open the Mac App Store from your Dock to buy and download Mountain Lion. Then follow the onscreen instructions to install it. If you don’t have broadband access or if you just need some help, please give us a call, and we will gladly assist you in upgrading to Mountain Lion.

The post How To Upgrade to Mountain Lion appeared first on MacPro Services.

Most people hear “keyboard shortcuts” and think, too complicated. Most of us can’t remember our own password, much less a combination of buttons. However, the truth is that learning a few easy Mac keyboard shortcuts can save you time and frustration. Here are five of the most important keyboard shortcuts that every Mac user should know about.

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Command + S

Save early, save often. This is the most important and useful shortcut you could ever learn. The Mac keyboard shortcut for saving files is Command + S. Using this keyboard shortcut will open a Save dialog window. When I’m authoring anything important, I find myself using the Command + S shortcut almost as often as I use the spacebar key.

2. Command + Q / Command + H

Want to quit or hide an application while you work in another app? Simply navigate to the app you wish to quit and press Command + Q. The app will instantly quit (or prompt you to save any unsaved work). To hide the app, press Command + H. Hiding an app will leave the app opened, but get it out of your way. To show the app again, click its icon in the Dock or use the Command + Tab app switcher to select it.

3. Command + X / Command + C / Command + V

So, I cheated because this is three Mac keyboard shortcuts in one. However, they all involve the same task: moving data from one place to another.

CUT (Command + X)

If you need to move text from one place to another, first highlight the text using the mouse and then press Command + X. This will remove the selected text, and copy it to the clipboard.

COPY (Command + C)

If you need to copy text, first highlight the text using the mouse, and then press Command + C. This will keep the selected text where it is, but make a copy of it in the clipboard.

PASTE (Command + V)

To Paste the text that you have Cut or Copied to the clipboard, use the Command + V shortcut with your insertion point at the location where you want the clipboard contents to be pasted.

4. Command + Space

Introduced in OS X Tiger (version 10.4), Spotlight is a great tool for searching the contents of your Mac, launching applications, searching Apple Mail or even looking up the dictionary meaning of words.

By default, Spotlight is set to respond to the Command + Space keyboard shortcut. Press it, and you’ll get a blue Spotlight bar that appears in the top, right-hand corner of your screen. Begin typing and your computer searches on-the-fly.

5. Command + Shift + 3

This three-button shortcut has a million uses and is well-worth committing to memory. Command + Shift + 3 takes a snapshot of anything you are looking at on the screen and drops it as a picture on your desktop. Thus, if you need a copy of that receipt saved to your computer – snap it. If you are reading an awesome article and want to save it for later (and don’t want to waste paper on printing) – snap it. As an added benefit, the screenshot is saved with the date and time as the title.

These are just 5 Mac keyboard shortcuts – there are many more. However, learning just these will have you well on your way to a more productive Mac experience. If you want more information or want one-to-one personal training, contact MacPro Services,LLC.

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