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LightWaver-67 · Apr 17, 2004, 06:39 AM

Any tips, advice, warnings, suggestions...?

I am fairly Mac-savvy... was much MORE savvy in the pre-OSX days. I could troubleshoot and repair with the best of them. Now with OSX (all flavors) I just don't have the motivation to look under the hood like I used to. but I digress...

I followed some advice and made sure that the SELLER (CDW) Installed the RAM so that if there are any issues with it, or the computer, then "user error" excuse could be minimized. I had heard that G5s can get suirrelly with memory, so I am just here looking for any OTHER tips, hints or tricks with these. They are a LEASE, so I want to trouble-shoot them as SOON as I can just to expedite any repairs or replacements.

We're getting three (3) machines; one (1) Dual-2Ghz and two (2) 1.8Ghs machines.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Oh yeah... the boss sprung for two 23"-Cinema Displays for the 1.8Ghz machines (one each) and for my Dual-2Ghz, I'll be using two 19" CRT displays.

Thanks again...

The Placid Casual · Apr 17, 2004, 08:41 AM

The only advice I would give, is to ensure they are defragged every few weeks to prevent the 'freezing' issue. Although this applies to *all* macs, not just G5s.

Other than that, enjoy them!

Cadaver · Apr 17, 2004, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
The only advice I would give, is to ensure they are defragged every few weeks to prevent the 'freezing' issue. Although this applies to *all* macs, not just G5s.

Other than that, enjoy them!

I've never defragged an OS X machine, and I've never felt the need to.
MacOS X 10.3 will auto-defrag any file <= 20MB that it access, anyway.

My humble advice would be don't bother with the time/risk of defragging an OS X machine. And, never, ever let a piece of Norton (Symantec) software anywhere near your Mac. PC, fine. Mac, no way.

LightWaver-67 · Apr 18, 2004, 02:23 AM

Thanks for those replies...

Just to clarify... I'm not new to the Mac or to Mac OSX... I know how to run & maintain my machine running 10.3... I am actually looking for any problems or information on the HARDWARE or maybe the interaction of the OS on the new G5 towers we're about to recv.

Anything quirky with them... something to watch for...?

thnx.

The Placid Casual · Apr 18, 2004, 04:27 AM

Originally posted by Cadaver:
I've never defragged an OS X machine, and I've never felt the need to.
MacOS X 10.3 will auto-defrag any file <= 20MB that it access, anyway.

My humble advice would be don't bother with the time/risk of defragging an OS X machine. And, never, ever let a piece of Norton (Symantec) software anywhere near your Mac. PC, fine. Mac, no way.

I would usually agree on the defrag issue, however there *is* a need under 10.3.3.

The random freezing issue reported in the OS X forum, ARStechnica and Apple's discussion board has now been proved to be caused by fragmented files, regardless of the fact that it should be taken care of under OS X. The problem also seems to be worse on G5s looking at Apples boards.

I submit these threads for evidence:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...62#post1937662

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...950121&p=5

As for Norton, yep don't ever use it, but Drive 10, PlusOptimiser et al to a great job.

Maflynn · Apr 18, 2004, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
I would usually agree on the defrag issue, however there *is* a need under 10.3.3.

I've never defragged and have not incurred any type of random freezes. I use my PB pretty heavily too.

Of all of the thread's I've seen here and elsewhere degragging is viewed as not needed and the maccnn thread you have referenced in no way mentions defragging owther then your reply, so cannot say because of that one thread Panther has a inherent problem that requires defragging. If that were so, many more people would be posting issues.

Mike

powerbook867 · Apr 18, 2004, 08:54 AM

I never defrag either....not trying to thread crap, just my opinion...

The Placid Casual · Apr 18, 2004, 10:05 AM

I take it you haven't been to the Apple discussion forums recently...

And be sure, I'm glad your machines are unaffected.

rhogue islander · Apr 18, 2004, 10:25 AM

I'm addicted to the notion of defragging as I came from the windows side of things where Norton Systemworks is an effective and valuable tool.

I tried using Norton on my Macs until I learned how poorly supported and dodgy it was. Since then I've been going with the prevailing wisdom that it is unnecessary with Panther.

I still can't quite get over the feeling that I should be doing it, however.