Reinstall Your Mac OS X

Although rare, there are times when it is necessary to reinstall your Mac OS X operating system. With all of the different installation options this process can seem overwhelming and complicated; this article should help you make sense of the entire installation process.

Note: The steps in this article apply for version of Mac OS X up to and including Leopard. Snow Leopard has a similar process but will "Archive and Install" by default. To preform an "Erase and Install" on Snow Leopard you must erase the drive using Disk Utility before running through the installer.

Please Follow these steps carefully to prevent loss of data if you are reinstalling.

Back Up Before You Reinstall

Before performing any type of reinstallation, be sure to back up your personal files. Even when using the Archive and Install feature there is always a chance of data loss.

1. Decide on a backup location.

• External Hard Drive: this is the preferred method as a hard drive is capable of holding large amounts of data.
• CDs/DVDs: this is only an option if the computer is currently bootable and has a disc burner. CDs and DVDs are limited in their capacity, however, they are readily available.
• On-line Storage: if you have an FTP server or MobileMe account you may be able to back up your files on-line.

2. Decide what to backup.

• Personal Files: your personal files are located in your home folder. These include documents, pictures, movies, etc..
• Applications: it is generally not recommended that you back up applications, as people have a tendency to back up all of their applications including ones they no longer use. The reinstallation may be an opportunity to get rid of some of the unused applications, as you can easily reinstall them as they are needed.
• System Files: system files should not be backed up as they will be reinstalled during this process.

3. Enable the Root user on your computer. 

• Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
• Open Directory Utility in /System/Library/CoreServices.
• Click the padlock icon and enter your Administrator login.
• Select the "Edit" menu, and choose Enable Root User.
• Choose a password for the root user and click "OK".
• Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
• From the Finder's Go menu, select Utilities.
• Open the Directory Utility.
• Enter your administrator password and click "OK".
• Select the "Edit" menu, and choose Enable Root User.
• Choose a Root user password and click "OK".
• Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and Earlier Versions
• From the Finder's Go menu, select Utilities.
• Open the NetInfo Manager Utility.
• Find and click on the lock icon on the Manager window.
• Enter an administrator password and click "OK".
• Select the Security menu, and choose Enable Root User.
• Choose a Root user password and click "OK".

4. Log out of your current account.  

• Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
• Select "Log off <account name>".

5. Log in as the Root user.

• On the log in screen click "Other".
• Enter "Root" as the new name.
• Enter the password you created.

6. Using the Root user, drag the files and folders you decided to preserve to your backup location. 

• Personal files can be located by opening "Macintosh HD" and clicking the "Users" folder.

Select an Install Type

Mac OS X has three main reinstall types. Before you proceed it is important that you understand the differences between each. Choose carefully which type you would like to perform.

Archive and Install

• Available in Mac OS X 10.2 and later, an Archive and Install will automatically move existing system components to a folder called "Previous System". The Archive and Install will then proceed to reinstall Mac OS X.
• The Archive and Install will also preserve user account information and personal files. however, before proceeding with usage of the computer all software updates will need to be completed unless you are on Snow Leopard in which case the updates are preserved.

Archive and Install (Not Preserving User & Network Settings)

• Similar to the Archive and Install method, this option will move the existing system components to a "Previous System" folder; however, it also moves the user accounts and network settings to this location.
• If you follow this type of installation, you will need to recreate your accounts and reconfigure your network settings; however, your personal files are preserved on the hard drive and can be retrieved.

Erase and Install 

• The Erase and Install - as its name implies - will completely erase the contents of the hard drive before reinstalling Mac OS X.

Reinstall Mac OS X

1. Insert your Mac OS X Install DVD or Installation Disc 1.
2. Restart the computer and hold down the letter "C" as the computer starts up.
3. Continue to hold down the letter "C" until you see a grey screen with an Apple and a small spinning gear.
4. Select your language on the Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer screen and click "Continue".
5. Click "Continue" on the following screen.
6. After reading the Software License Agreement, click "Agree".
7. Select the volume to which you are going to install. "Macintosh HD" is the default name.
8. Click the "Options" button in the bottom corner of the window and select your installation type.
9. Click "OK" and then "Continue". You will be presented with a confirmation window at which point you can click "Install" to proceed.

After the Installation

After any type of installation there are a number of steps you should take to bring the computer back to a usable state.

1. Connect to the internet and run Software Updates. 

1. Click the Apple icon in the top left of the screen.
2. Select "Software Update"
3. Install all available updates.

2. Run a quick Repair Disk Permissions.

1. From the Finder's Go menu, select Utilities.
2. Open Disk Utility.
3. Select "Macintosh HD" on the left hand side of the window.
4. Click "Repair Disk Permissions" and allow the scan to complete.

3. Restore any files that you backed up to the location of your choosing.
4. Reinstall any software affected by the reinstall.

Things You'll Need

• A location to backup important files.
• Your Mac OS X Install & Restore CD/DVD or a retail OS X Installation Disc.

Tips

• Although the Archive and Install is the preferred method, some third-party applications, such as Microsoft Office, may need to be reinstalled as a result.
• Always complete any official Apple Software Updates after reinstalling the operating system.

Warnings

• Before performing any type of reinstallation, always back up your files. Even when performing an Archive and Install, errors during the installation process could result in a loss of data.
• When performing an Archive and Install, use the installation CD for the current version of the operating system that installed on the computer. For example: If your computer came with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) but you upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), Archive and Install using the Leopard CD's.

 source : WikiHow

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How to Break a BIOS Password

Have you ever been locked out of an old computer by a forgotten BIOS password? There's no need to get frustrated. It is relatively easy to bypass this safeguard.

STEPS

1. Power off the computer and make sure that it is unplugged.
2. Open up your computer case. You need physical access to the motherboard to complete this procedure.
3. Find a circular, (mostly) silver metallic object on the motherboard. This is the CMOS battery. 
4. CAREFULLY remove the CMOS battery, avoid touching it with your fingers, and leave it out for about 120 seconds. This will flush the CMOS memory which stores the BIOS password and all other configuration. (See Warnings) 
5. Set the battery back into place and power on the computer. 
6. The computer should then warn you that the CMOS configuration could not be found. You can either reconfigure it yourself or restore defaults. Restoring the default configuration should be fine. 
7. You will notice that the BIOS password has been cleared and you can boot without it. You may reset the BIOS password to something else by going into the BIOS configuration and setting a new User Password (The Supervisor Password controls access to the BIOS, NOT the computer!)

LAPTOP

1. Remember that laptops can be trickier, especially if it's a newer model. If it has a security chip on the motherboard forget about it. You either have to physically remove the chip or contact the mfg for the "master" password. If you can boot up off of a cd or floppy try any of these methods:
2. Create a Win98SE bootable media "or anything that lets you boot into MS-DOS" and boot off of it.
3. When the A:\> prompt appears type debug and press enter.
4. You will then only see a "-".
5. Type o 70 2E "include the spaces" and press Enter.
6. Type o 71 ff "include the spaces" and press Enter.
7. Type q and press Enter.
8. Here are a list of common mfg backdoor passwords:
   • AWARD BIOS
     • AWARD SW, AWARD_SW, Award SW, AWARD PW, _award, awkward, J64, j256, j262, j332, j322, 01322222, 589589, 589721, 595595, 598598, HLT, SER, SKY_FOX, aLLy, aLLY, Condo, CONCAT, TTPTHA, aPAf, HLT, KDD, ZBAAACA, ZAAADA, ZJAAADC, djonet, %øåñòü ïpîáåëîâ%, %äåâÿòü ïpîáåëîâ%
   • AMI BIOS
     • AMI, A.M.I., AMI SW, AMI_SW, BIOS, PASSWORD, HEWITT RAND, Oder
9. Other passwords you may try (for AMI/AWARD or other BIOSes) - LKWPETER, lkwpeter, BIOSTAR, biostar, BIOSSTAR, biosstar, ALFAROME, Syxz, Wodj gvs
10. Dell XPS M1210 = xceaxn05

TIPS

• If you looking for Sony PCG Series BIOS Master Password try this one: http://elektrotanya.com/?q=hu/content/sony-pcg-series-bios-master-password
• Depending on the manufacturer of your motherboard, you may be able to use what it is called a "backdoor password" to bypass the password problem. Try looking at the external links for possible passwords.
• Remember that passwords are Case Sensitive. The last two passwords in the AWARD BIOS list are in Russian.
• Sometimes the bios reset jumper has a "handle" and is colored a bright color to make it easy to locate. Also, look in your case near the bottom. If it is a manufactured computer then it probably came with a little sticker with the jumpers and the location of the reset jumper.
• If you're really stuck, the PC manufacturer can often give out a "reset password" if you can prove you are the owner. This works with Dell but they usually charge.
• B. By Using Software:
• I have found that BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is the most effective.:
• BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool is a program that works instantly to remove any lost or forgotten BIOS/CMOS password. Simply boot your PC to DOS and execute the program, and get access to forgotten BIOS/CMOS passwords in just seconds
• If you want your bank account emptied and a virus installed, just go to the SCAM website:
• BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery Tool Service: http://www.biospasswordrecovery.com/
• Notice that they don't have any contact information (but happily says to go to the non-existent "Contact Us" page for an instant email if you have any trouble with their amazing software!) I really wish someone would prosecute the people who set up scams like that. Then again, since they rarely do prosecute, I should consider setting some up myself!

WARNINGS

• In rare cases, the battery may be soldered into the motherboard and very difficult to remove. If this is true, you may need to find a jumper near the battery that achieves the same result. If you don't know which jumper it is, you CAN test them all. Unplug (really unplug, not just power off) the computer, and start a methodical change in all the jumpers positions, change one, count to ten, change it back, move on the next. After completing the lot of them (on older motherboards this could take a while) plug the PS back in, and boot up. You may risk damaging your computer with this procedure if you are not careful.
• Some notebooks such as IBM's ThinkPad render useless when the BIOS password is being tried to reset.
• Don't just start pulling jumpers on the motherboard. Make sure you know where it was and in what position in case anything goes wrong put it back.
• If you turn your computer on and it makes strange noises / beeps, you should contact the vendor, manufacture, or a tech guy to fix it.
• When a BIOS is locked with password, a checksum of that password is stored to a sector of the FlashROM - this is a chip on the motherboard of the laptop which also contains the BIOS and other settings. For most brands, this checksum is displayed after entering an invalid password for the third time. using this number a password can be calculated. Which is the reason this number is displayed and is the way the OEM tech support calculates a password. Dell laptops use the service tag.

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How to Build a Hackintosh

A Hackintosh is a non-Apple computer which nevertheless runs OS X. You will need to buy a retail copy of OS X and breach your EULA as is your right under the legal doctrine of fair use.

STEPS

1. Acquire OS X compatible hardware. If you want a netbook study the netbook compatibility database at BoingBoing 
2. Purchase OS X retail for $29. 
3. Partition a 8Gb thumb drive as Mac OS Extended filesystem type. 
4. Copy the Install DVD image to your hard drive. 
5. Restore the image to your thumb drive. 
6. Install Chameleon and EFI bootloaders onto your thumb drive. 
7. Tweak your BIOS. 
8. Install OS X. 
9. Study InsanelyMac, Lifehacker and OSx86 wiki for advice. 
10. If you use a legitimate retail edition of OS X you should be able to install updates but check beforehand that they won't cause any incompatibilities.

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How to Run Windows On a Mac

Not sure how to run Windows on your Mac? Here you will find helpful tips to efficiently run Windows on Mac OS X 10.5 or later. 

STEPS

1. Turn on your Mac and log into your account.
2. Go to the Utilities folder located under "Applications" or type "Boot Camp Assistant" into spotlight search.
3. Launch Boot Camp Assistant.
4. Click Continue.
5. Decide how much space you want for your Windows partition. You can divide space equally between Mac OS and Windows, give Windows 32GB, or assign space manually using the slider.
6. Then click Partition.
7. Insert your 32-Bit or 64-Bit Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 DVD into your drive and click Start Installation.
8. Your Mac will restart and launch the Windows installer. Click continue/next. *For Windows XP click Enter then press F8*
9. If prompted for product key enter it or leave it blank (you can enter it later).
10. When presented with a list of partitions, select the one labeled BOOTCAMP.
11. Format that partition and click continue.
12. The installation process will begin. Your Mac may restart several times.
13. Once Installation is finished and you have created a user account, insert you Mac OS X install DVD to install all of the Boot Camp drivers necessary for a smooth Windows-Mac environment.

TIPS

• When you turn on your Mac, hold down the option key to select whether you want to boot into Mac OS X or Windows.
• There are some Macs that can run 64-Bit versions of Windows. They are: MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008) and later, MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008) and later, Mac Pro (Early 2008) and later.
• Backup important information prior to installing Windows via Boot Camp.
• These steps require a Intel Mac, otherwise you won't have the setup app.

WARNINGS

• You must use the Mac OS X install DVD that came with your Mac. Do not use another Mac's install DVD or a retail copy of Mac OS X. If you do, you will experience frequent crashes while under Windows.
• Only Macs from 2009 or later support 64-Bit Windows. Do not attempt to install 64-Bit Windows on Macs that are from 2008 or earlier.

YOU MUST HAVE :

1. Mac OS X 10.5 or Later
2. 32-Bit or 64-Bit Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 install DVD

Source : WikiHow

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How to Find a Lost iPhone

Losing an iPhone isn't just about the expense involved, which is considerable enough. It's also about the personal data, your iTunes account, and your photos, and all the hours you've already spent perfecting its contents to the way you want them. And it's never pleasant to lose a gadget. Here are some ways to find your lost iPhone again.




STEPS

Use MobileMe. This is the most direct route as it doesn't require borrowing someone else's phone to download an app. You do, however, need access to a computer.

Use "Find My iPhone" via MobileMe. This is a free app, although you must have a subscription to MobileMe or an iPhone 4, iPad or iPod Touch 4G with the most recent iOS 4.2 updates, where the Find My iPhone feature of MobileMe is now free of charge. This method works on the built-in GPS chips, and can also be used to locate a lost iPad or iPod (via Wi-Fi in the case of the iPod Touch).[1] You'll need to have MobileMe configured on your iPhone, and the Location Services feature will need to have been turned on on the lost iPhone (go to "Settings", then "General", then "Location Services").
              

• Install the Find My iPhone application on another iPhone, an iPod Touch, or an iPad. Ask a family member or a friend to use their i-gadget if you don't have any other devices you can access.
• Sign in to the Find My iPhone app using your MobileMe name and password. The application locates your iPhone; it will also show you the location of your phone on a map.
• Set a display message or make your iPhone play a sound. The sound can be used to draw the attention of the person who has your phone, enabling them to check the message you're sending (it lasts for 2 minutes). Send a message with information on how to return the phone. This will show up on your iPhone's screen.
• Lock your phone remotely. This way, other people cannot use your phone without knowing the passcode.
• Wipe your phone of all personal information remotely. Doing this will get rid of all your personal texts, phone history, contacts, etc. permanently. Since this is a pretty drastic option, only use this feature if you don't think you'll be able to get your phone back.

Install an application on your iPhone called "If Found". If Found lets you create a background wallpaper that shows your contact details that lets an honest finder contact you by another means (such as your home phone). Naturally, you'll need to add this before you have the misfortune of losing your phone but it makes it very simple for even a non-iPhone owning person who finds your phone to find a way to get in touch with you without having to scroll through your data and maybe never work out who you are. (Note that you need to purchase If Found but the cost is minimal.)








Use iHound. This is a free program that alerts you the moment your iPhone is plugged into a computer. This means that you'll receive an email letting you know that your tracked iPhone has been located, along with a detailed report on where it is being used. This is a good additional measure for where the iPhone gets turned off but is later plugged in to change or upload software, etc.

• iHound lets you sound an alarm to help you find the iPhone in case it's slipped down the back of sofa, etc.
• iHound lets you use geofencing location alerts. These are alerts and check-ins that work automatically with Facebook, Foursquare, or Twitter when you arrive at locations.

Use iLocalis. This lets you log in to the website to find your missing iPhone. You can also log in and send yourself a message. If the sim card has been changed, you'll also be able to get the thief's new phone number. This software requires a jailbroken iPhone.







Check local police stations and lost property stations in the vicinity of where you lost your iPhone. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that someone has handed in your phone, and even if they haven't, leave your details as there may be a delay in processing or turning in. The amount of lost items not ever collected from police or lost-property is enormous – just visit police auctions!

• Think laterally. Although you may have lost your iPhone in one borough or suburb, a person finding it might use a police station of a borough or suburb nearest to their own home, especially if in a hurry or not able to locate the one where they found the phone. Ask how you can check stations outside your area as well.

Use social media. You never know - letting people know via Twitter or Facebook that your phone's gone missing may return dividends if someone who follows your pages or has befriended you online stumbles across it. It's a long shot but friends of friends of friends are sometimes a good way to find something lost.

• You can use Twitter to keep a track of your iPhone. Create an account just for your iPhone and a separate email address of its own. Protect the Twitter account so that only you, or a limited number of people such as your spouse or business partner, can see the account. Then set up your iPhone to tweet in on a regular basis. Install a program called "FindMe"; it will be able to use the tweets to this Twitter account to tell you the GSM tower's cell ID, as well as the latitude and longitude using Google maps. 

Take good care of your iPhone and try not to lose it again. Losing an iPhone and never retrieving it again is an expensive and potentially personally exposing experience. Do your best to avoid losing it again by following these suggestions:

• Always double-check that you have your iPhone on you before leaving any place - cafes, restaurants, business meetings, other people's houses, museums, the opera, etc. Just get into a habit of looking for it before you leave.
• Keep your iPhone somewhere safe at all times. Losing the iPhone is easier if you haven't been careful about where you keep it. Bags that let the contents fall out easily, pockets that tip when you move, and leaving it unattended while swimming or doing laps around the track, etc., are ways of asking for trouble. Secure the iPhone in a good carrying item or lock it up when you're pursuing outdoor or sporting activities, so that you don't need to worry about it.

Source : WikiHow

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Make cartoon effect on your photo

Hi guys, do you interested with photoshop? or interested with cartoon?
OK, now i will invite you to learn editing a photo to be cartoon effect. Here, I used Adobe Photoshop CS5. Basicly, to edit the photo to be cartoon effect is same like drawing and painting on the paper.

Now I will give you the tutorial to do it. Here, there are 4 steps, drawing,painting,detailing,and finishing. OK, now , read below :

DRAWING
In this step, you will make the outline of the object in the photo. This step also called sketching.

• Open the photo that you want to edit with adobe Photoshop ( right click - open with -Photoshop ).
• After the Photoshop window has opened, then click new layer ( bottom-right-side ),then then rename “layer 1” with “outline”.
• In the layer “outline” you make the line arround the object in the photo. To make the line, first, click brush tool and choose the type brush “Hard Round Pressure Size” and the size 1px.
• Then click pen tool to make the line. And choose “path” as the pen type. Then make a path line on the round object.
• After make a path, right-click and choose “stroke path”.
• In the stroke path window choose brush and uncheck "simulate pressure" ( check it when make hair line and shadow line ).
• See the figure below.

make a path

• To make the eye, choose “Eliptical Marquee Tool” to selecting the eye, then painting it with black color use brush tool. See the figure below.

make selction

• Make new layer and rename it “background”. Give that layer with white color. Move it to under the outline layer. And the result like figure below.

PAINTING
After the sketch has made, now is time to painting it. The painting will devide 3 parts, painting the base color, shadow color, and brightness color. First, you must paint the base color.

• To painting the sketch, you must make new layer according to the part of the figure ( skin part, hair part, t-shirt part, etc ). See the figure below.

make new layer

• Now we ready to painting, first, paint the skin with the color base ( up to you ). Do it in the “skin base “ layer. And choose the layer type “multiply”. Then painting the sketch use brush tool ( press “[“ or “]” on your keyboard to choose the size of brush simply). Like the figure below.

skin painting

• Doing like that for other part. Like the figure below.

object painting

•  Now, painting the shadow color. Make new layer for every part ( for example, skin shadow, hair shadow, and t-shirt shadow ) and choose “multiply”. The color is same with the base color. To make the color look softer, choose Filter-Blur-Gaussian Blur, and choose the radius ( up to you ). See the figure below.

shadow painting

• Next, painting the brightness color. This step is same with the shadow color. But the layer type use “screen” type. See the figure below.

• Now, painting the lips. The painting use tracing technique. Make new layer ( multiply type ), rename it to “lips”. Unvisible the background layer ( uncheck the “eye” icon of background layer ).  Then check the “eye” icon of picture layer. After that, activate the lips layer, and paint the lips in that lips layer follow the lips figure. Then make new layer ( multiply type ) to paint the brightness of lips.

lips painting

• Then painting the eye. Make new layer ( normal type ). Choose the pupil color ( up to you ). Brush on the eye, just little , then make  it be longer use smuge tool. Finally, give the bright effect on the eye, then the result like  figure below.

eye painting

DETAILING
This third step, you will make detail  of the cartoon effect. Make some line on the hair ( doing it in the outline layer ). The size of line must be thicker than the sketch outline ( use brush size : 3-5 ). Then make the line of eye to be thicker. Then make new layer to paint the eyebrow. The result will look like the figure below.

the detail

FINISHING
This is the last step. In this step, you will add some creation ( up to you ). Here, I give the picture new background. Before do it, you must merge the layer to be one. Please unvisible the original picture layer and background layer, then on the outline layer, right-click then choose merge visible. Now you can add the new backgoround. Don’t forget to paint the white-side of eye with white color. The last result will be look like figure below.

the result

 Good luck...

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Adding Download Link using site.google.com

do you want to add an internal download link in your blogspot?
now i will tell you how to add internal download link in your blogspot. basicly, blogspot only serve  insert images and videos, so when we want to insert the other file format, like doc,ppt,xls, etc from our computer, we will get problem. for solving it you can give a link on the certain words to URL file that we uploaded.

you can upload the file to free file uploader site such as 4shared.com, dostoc.com, ziddu.com. but now, i will tell you to upload using site.google.com. these are the steps, check this out :

1. open the google site. choose "more" menu and click site "submenu". let's see the figure below.

Google Site Interface

2. now, you must log in to your Google account, see figure below.

log in interface

3. after you log in, next, you click "create new site" button like the figure below.

create your site

4. next, you must enter your name site and verify the code,then click "create site" button. see below.

write your name site

5. if you success create your site, now you must create a page.

create a page

6. after that, will appear the page like figure below. click "File Cabinet". enter the name ( up to you ) in name box ( i suggest, the name is same with the file name ). then click "create page".

write your name page

7. then appear a page like below. in this page you will upload your file. click "Add file" to upload the file.

add your file

8. on the "Add file" window, click "Browse" to choose the file that will be uploaded. then click upload. see below.

browse your file

9. after the upload proccess done, you will get the window like below. then right click the "download" link and click copy address.

copy the download URL

10. open new tab, and you should open your blog dashboard. and click "new entry", and write the article and you should choose the word to be made a download link. in the figure below i choose "here" word. then block it and click "link" then paste the url. delete some text in that url begin from "?" until the end of url. then click OK.

block the word

delete some word

11. then publish your article, and open your blog. the result will like below

the result

 good luck!!

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