What do you do when life gives you a bunch of lemons in the form of Lisa computers you can’t sale? Rebadge them and slap some janky software on them!
Category: Kbase of the Week
Apple Publishes Support Document on MagSafe Duo Charger⇢
- Apple’s 29W USB-C power adapter is not compatible with the Duo Charger, as MacRumors notes.
- The iPhone 12 mini charges at 12W, while the larger phones charge at 14W.
- Apple says that “it is important to plug into a power source before placing your iPhone on the MagSafe Duo Charger,” so maximum power can be passed through the charger.
Additionally, there’s a bit about the device’s construction:
As with most soft materials, the covering of accessories might experience normal wear over time. The hinge area of your MagSafe Duo Charger might wrinkle over time if kept in the folded position. Leaving your MagSafe Duo Charger in a very hot environment (like the inside of a car on a hot day) in the folded position might lead to more visible, deeper wrinkles in that area. This doesn’t affect the functional performance of the accessory.
Kbase Article of the Week: Install MPX Modules in Mac Pro⇢
Follow these steps to install MPX Modules in your Mac Pro. MPX Modules must be installed in PCIe expansion slots 1 and 3.
Important: Each PCIe slot is rated a maximum of 75 W; Each 6-pin auxiliary (AUX) connector is rated 75 W, and each 8-pin AUX connector is rated 150 W. Only install PCIe modules that specifically state that they are compliant with the industry standard PCIe specification. Use of noncompliant modules may not keep different input power sources separated, resulting in a possible burn hazard, and may damage the computer.
Kbase Article of the Week: SCSI Hard Disks: Mounting Without Restarting⇢
I want to mount Apple SCSI hard disks without restarting the system. Is there any way to do this from the System software or any of the included utilities? If not, can you suggest any other utilities that would enable mounting Apple SCSI drives without restarting?
Yes, there are several shareware utilities that allow mounting of SCSI volumes without a restart. They are: SCSI Probe by Robert Polic, SCSI Info by Bob Easterday, and SCSI Tool by Paul Mercer. SCSI Probe is available online.
Kbase Article of the Week: Mac Computers with Apple silicon⇢
Starting with certain models introduced in late 2020, Apple began the transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon in Mac computers.
On Mac computers with Apple silicon, About This Mac shows an item labeled Chip, followed by the name of the chip.
On Mac computers with an Intel processor, About This Mac shows an item labeled Processor, followed by the name of an Intel processor. A Mac with an Intel processor is also known as an Intel-based Mac.
Kbase of the Week: Safely Open Apps on Your Mac⇢
After last week’s Apple server meltdown, this support article outlines what this system does, and how Apple will work to improve it.
Kbase Article of the Week: Legislative-Information Databases: A List⇢
A shockingly specific article this week:
So many services provide electronic access to legislative-information databases that we cannot describe them all. Here is a brief list of those that seem most appropriate with contacts for each.
Kbase Article of the Week: ADB - The Untold Story: Space Aliens Ate My Mouse⇢
This week, I’ve dug up an oldie:
This Technical Note explains a number of esoteric and unknown issues concerning the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB). It is intended to detail information concerning all levels of the ADB, from the hardware to the application usage level. This note is supplementary to the information in The Guide To Macintosh Family Hardware and in the Apple Desktop Bus Specification. The information in the specification is the most accurate source of data, and unless it is specifically refuted, it should be treated as the authoritative source.
Bonus Kbase Article of the Week: How to use your MagSafe Charger with iPhone 12 Models⇢
Your MagSafe Charger is designed to work with iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple MagSafe accessories, and Qi-certified devices and accessories.
Some additional details:
- Don’t place credit cards, security badges, passports, or key fobs between your iPhone and MagSafe Charger, because this might damage magnetic strips or RFID chips in those items. If you have a case that holds any of these sensitive items, remove them before charging or make sure that they aren’t between the back of your device and the charger.
- As with other wireless chargers, your iPhone or MagSafe Charger might get slightly warmer while your iPhone charges. To extend the lifespan of your battery, if the battery gets too warm, software might limit charging above 80 percent. Your iPhone or MagSafe Charger could get warmer and charging could take longer after heavy use. Your iPhone will charge again when the temperature drops. Try moving your iPhone and charger to a cooler location.
- Your iPhone won’t charge wirelessly when simultaneously connected to power via the Lightning port—instead, your iPhone will charge via the Lightning connector.
And this gem:
Kbase Article of the Week: About iCloud Photos and My Photo Stream⇢
iCloud Photos and My Photo Stream can help you get your photos on your Apple devices and on your PC. What’s the difference between them? Learn more about both features.
Back in its day, I always found Photo Stream a little confusing; iCloud Photos makes way more sense, and has been solid for years. However, this feature still exists, at least for most people.
Interestingly, it seems that Apple has done away with Photo Stream, at least for new accounts, according to a footnote on this page:
Kbase Article of the Week: LaserWriter 12/640, 12/600, 12/660, 16/600, 4/600 PS: Generating a Startup Page⇢
This document explains how to generate a startup page for the LaserWriter 12/640 PS, Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS, Color LaserWriter 12/660 PS, and LaserWriter 4/600 PS printer. It also provides a sample startup page for the printers.
Sadly the samples are long gone.
Kbase Article of the Week: Intel-based Mac: How to Tell if an Application is Universal⇢
Are you wondering whether your application is running with Rosetta or not? It’s easy to figure out if you have a Universal version of an application. Here’s how:
- In the Finder, click once on the application icon, so it’s highlighted.
- From the File menu, choose Get Info.
- Find the section labelled General and toggle the triangle, if necessary, to open this section.
- On the Kind line, Universal applications appear as “Application (Universal)”.
If your application is Universal but you want it to run with Rosetta, note that there is a checkbox that says “Open using Rosetta”. This can be useful if your Universal application uses plugins that have not yet been released in a Universal format.