7/07/2012

[macsupport] Digest Number 8983

17 New Messages
Digest #8983
1a
2a
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
2b
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
2c
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Louise Stewart" pudgybulldog
2d
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
2f
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "keith_w @dslextreme.com" keith9600
2g
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Barry Austern" barryaus
2h
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Jim Saklad" jimdoc01
2i
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
2j
Re: Ethernet plug won't unplug by "Ross Rasmussen" rossrasmussen
3
Thunderbolt - chip picture & article by "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
4a
Podcasts, new free Apple app by "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
4b
4c
Re: Podcasts, new free Apple app by "Lida Verner" coffenut20879
4d
5
used mac mini by "cnltnn" cnltnn

Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:03 am (PDT) . Posted by: "pat412255" pat412255

This article provides information about the WiFi Diagnostic Tool available in Lion:

<http://www.macworld.com/article/1162117/monitor_wi_fi_with_lions_hidden_tool.html>

--- In macsupportcentral@yahoogroups.com, Otto Nikolaus <otto.nikolaus@...> wrote:
>
> So the ethernet cable has not been directly plugged into the AirPort
> router? That info would have been useful.
>
> Wi-Fi channels are worth checking now that Wi-Fi routers are becoming so
> common. Try AirGrab WiFi Radar.
> <http://www.airgrab.com/AirGrab_WiFi_Radar/>
>
> Otto
>
> On 5 July 2012 21:47, davidpriceuk <dprice@...> wrote:
>

Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:19 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
Clearly you would use powdered graphite with everything turned off and
shut down.

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:20:28 -0700, Tim O'Donoghue wrote:
> If I remember correctly, graphite is conductive to electrical
> signals, and Ethernet consists of electrical signals over wires.
> It's probably not a good idea to use graphite in that case.

Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:24 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
First a couple of blasts of canned air.

Q-Tip and a little bit of rubbing alcohol.

With everything shut down.

I used to carry a little baggie with a mouse cleaning kit of my own.
This was BLM (Before Laser Mice). A Q-Tip and a drop of rubbing
alcohol and a clean cotton rag did wonders for rejuvenating a mouse's
rubber track ball, and the little internal rollers it rotated. In
particular, in winter, women clients who used hand lotion and
especially plastic mouse mats had all kinds of problems with the lotion
gradually coating the track ball and hardening and then actually
changing the diameter of the track ball.

Denver Dan

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:53:22 -0400, Louise Stewart wrote:
> If I have to resort to the graphite, how do I clean the slot
> afterwards? What can I use to get into that small space? I'm going to
> try the others, first. Hope I have some good news to report. Why are
> these things so difficult to remove? I had trouble removing it from
> the router, too, but it eventually came out.

Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:35 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Louise Stewart" pudgybulldog
I got some needle-nosed pliers and huffed and puffed and the plug finally came out!!! Thanks for the ideas.

On Jul 6, 2012, at 12:19 PM, Denver Dan wrote:

> Clearly you would use powdered graphite with everything turned off and
> shut down.
>
> On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:20:28 -0700, Tim O'Donoghue wrote:
> > If I remember correctly, graphite is conductive to electrical
> > signals, and Ethernet consists of electrical signals over wires.
> > It's probably not a good idea to use graphite in that case.
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:57 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
Howdy.

Perhaps it is time to toss out that Ethernet cable. The RJ-45 modular
connector (that's the "official" name for an Ethernet plug) might be
damaged.

If you look inside the Ethernet port, perhaps with a good light and
magnifying glass, you should see 8 little copper wires all in a
straight row. The Ethernet plug has 8 matching slots for these wires.
Standard Ethernet only uses 4 of the wires so when you buy an Ethernet
cable you may sometimes see a 4 wire (4 strand) or more often an 8
strand cable.

Since Ethernet cables can carry not only computer data but also
telephone calls an 8 strand cable can be used simultaneously for both
telephone and for data. The connectors at the ends just have to
separate out the proper strands.

If you get a new Ethernet cable, but sure to get one rated at Category
5e (or, for a LONG cable, Category 6).

On the package for the cable it will say Cat 5e or Category 5e.

The "Cat" (Category) rating has to do with the speed of data over the
cable.

Almost all computers made in the last ten years can do a speed called
Gigabit Ethernet (aka 1000BaseT). But to actually hit this higher
speed the cable has to be rated for it and that's the Cat 5e rating.

You will see, on most cables, Category or Cat 5e printed on the side on
the cable and repeated.

If your Mac has Gigabit Ethernet port, if your router or Ethernet
Switch or base station has Gigabit port(s), and if you cable is rated
at Cat 5e the you can move data between devices at the fastest speed
the device can achieve.

I have something like 35 Ethernet cables in my house and over the years
have had to upgrade some from the older and slower speed standards.

Ethernet cables ratings and speed:

Cat 3 is for 10BastT speed (slow).
Cat 3e is for a faster speed.
Cat 5 is for a faster speed like 100BaseT (medium speed).
Cat 5e is for the current fastest speed 1000BaseT (aka Gigabit
Ethernet).
Cat 6 is for Gigabit speed but for longer cables like 200 or 300 feet
or more.

More trivia than you ever wanted to know????

Behave and Becool.

Denver Dan

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:34:49 -0400, Louise Stewart wrote:
> I got some needle-nosed pliers and huffed and puffed and the plug
> finally came out!!! Thanks for the ideas.

Fri Jul 6, 2012 10:05 am (PDT) . Posted by: "N.A. Nada"
Gently push the Ethernet connector __in__, use your finger nail to depress the release, and the connector should then come out. If need be, use something small like a small screwdriver, or fingernail file to depress the release.

By pushing in gently, first, you take the tension off the release.

Do not use graphite, as it is conductive with high voltages, but more because of the mess it will cause with the white Mac mini.

On Jul 6, 2012, at 6:53 AM, Louise Stewart wrote:

If I have to resort to the graphite, how do I clean the slot afterwards? What can I use to get into that small space? I'm going to try the others, first. Hope I have some good news to report. Why are these things so difficult to remove? I had trouble removing it from the router, too, but it eventually came out.

Fri Jul 6, 2012 10:19 am (PDT) . Posted by: "keith_w @dslextreme.com" keith9600
I checked and find I have a Cat. 5.
What would I need to be using my computer for, in order to justify going up
to a Cat. 5e?
I have my computer and my wife's on LAN and both use AirPort WiFi and an
ethernet modem to get online.
Neither of seems to have any speed problems... or, maybe we've not yet
tasted real speed and don't know the difference? Hahahah.

keith whaley

On Fri, Jul 6, 2012 at 9:57 AM, Denver Dan <denver.dan@verizon.net> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Howdy.
>
> Perhaps it is time to toss out that Ethernet cable. The RJ-45 modular
> connector (that's the "official" name for an Ethernet plug) might be
> damaged.
>
> If you look inside the Ethernet port, perhaps with a good light and
> magnifying glass, you should see 8 little copper wires all in a
> straight row. The Ethernet plug has 8 matching slots for these wires.
> Standard Ethernet only uses 4 of the wires so when you buy an Ethernet
> cable you may sometimes see a 4 wire (4 strand) or more often an 8
> strand cable.
>
> Since Ethernet cables can carry not only computer data but also
> telephone calls an 8 strand cable can be used simultaneously for both
> telephone and for data. The connectors at the ends just have to
> separate out the proper strands.
>
> If you get a new Ethernet cable, but sure to get one rated at Category
> 5e (or, for a LONG cable, Category 6).
>
> On the package for the cable it will say Cat 5e or Category 5e.
>
> The "Cat" (Category) rating has to do with the speed of data over the
> cable.
>
> Almost all computers made in the last ten years can do a speed called
> Gigabit Ethernet (aka 1000BaseT). But to actually hit this higher
> speed the cable has to be rated for it and that's the Cat 5e rating.
>
> You will see, on most cables, Category or Cat 5e printed on the side on
> the cable and repeated.
>
> If your Mac has Gigabit Ethernet port, if your router or Ethernet
> Switch or base station has Gigabit port(s), and if you cable is rated
> at Cat 5e the you can move data between devices at the fastest speed
> the device can achieve.
>
> I have something like 35 Ethernet cables in my house and over the years
> have had to upgrade some from the older and slower speed standards.
>
> Ethernet cables ratings and speed:
>
> Cat 3 is for 10BastT speed (slow).
> Cat 3e is for a faster speed.
> Cat 5 is for a faster speed like 100BaseT (medium speed).
> Cat 5e is for the current fastest speed 1000BaseT (aka Gigabit
> Ethernet).
> Cat 6 is for Gigabit speed but for longer cables like 200 or 300 feet
> or more.
>
> More trivia than you ever wanted to know????
>
> Behave and Becool.
>
> Denver Dan
>
> On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:34:49 -0400, Louise Stewart wrote:
> > I got some needle-nosed pliers and huffed and puffed and the plug
> > finally came out!!! Thanks for the ideas.
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Fri Jul 6, 2012 1:05 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Barry Austern" barryaus
At 11:35 PM -0400 7/5/12, Louise Stewart wrote:

>
>
>My Magic Jack phone had a problem so I live chatted with them to fix
>the problem. One of several people I chatted with told me to remove
>the ethernet connection from the router and plug it into the
>computer so she could check things on her end. I did that. Now the
>connection will NOT come out of the computer. The plug has this
>weird little nub on it that must be pushed in for it to release.
>When removing it from the router, it was tough, but finally
>released. But I canNOT get it to release from the computer and I'm
>afraid I'm going to break either it or the computer in trying. Any
>hints on how to get the thing out? It's plugged into a Mac Mini.

A pin or a small screwdriver to press on the tab. Assuming that the
cable you are talking about is a standard RJ-11 (telephone cable) or
RJ-45 (Ethernet cable, which is kind of the same, but bigger) if the
tab does break off the cables are cheap.If the tab does break off in
the jack then it will fall right out when you tip the computer.
--
Barry Austern
barryaus@fuse.net

Fri Jul 6, 2012 3:25 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Jim Saklad" jimdoc01
> If I have to resort to the graphite, how do I clean the slot afterwards? What can I use to get into that small space? I'm going to try the others, first. Hope I have some good news to report. Why are these things so difficult to remove? I had trouble removing it from the router, too, but it eventually came out.

Cheaper ones fit poorly and have release tabs that break off easily.
Good ones are more durable and have a soft, flexible plastic shielf to protect the tab.

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jim Saklad mailto:jimdoc@me.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Fri Jul 6, 2012 3:38 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
Howdy.

Cat 5 cable carries 100BaseT speed (aka "Fast Ethernet") and 10BaseT
speed.

What these Cat ratings indicate is mostly the number of twists per foot
in the cable. Twisting copper wire reduces or cancels out
electro-magnetic interference between the different wires in a cable.
The original copper wire run into homes for POTS telephone service,
going back to somewhere around 1876 were twisted pair wires.

The 100BaseT speed is fine for communicating with WiFi base station and
most Internet connections.

However, if you want to swap files at Gigabit (1000BaseT) speed between
you and your wife's computer over Ethernet, then you should get Cat 5e
cables.

Of course, you also need to have an Ethernet Switch that is rated for
1000BaseT (Gigabit) Ethernet speeds.

I have a Verizon provided cable router (for its FiOS fiber service)
with 5 Ethernet Switch ports and WiFi. The Ethernet ports on the
Verizon router are rated for 10BaseT and 100BaseT speed and not for
1000BaseT (Gigabit) speed.

I have 16 port Netgear Gigabit Ethernet Switch "cascaded" off the
router.

You can "cascade" one Ethernet switch to another then to another and
all the devices still communicate.

So the 16 port Netgear Switch is where the Ethernet cables (all at Cat
5e) plug in for AVR/Receiver/Amp, Sony PS3, and for each room in the
house. Another 8 port Ethernet Switch (Gigabit) is cascaded from the
16 port switch and is for my computer desk/office area.

Doing the connections like this, the "cascading" means every computer
in the house can swap files over Ethernet at the fastest speed.

On Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:19:14 -0700, keith_w @dslextreme.com wrote:
> I checked and find I have a Cat. 5.
> What would I need to be using my computer for, in order to justify going up
> to a Cat. 5e?
> I have my computer and my wife's on LAN and both use AirPort WiFi and an
> ethernet modem to get online.
> Neither of seems to have any speed problems... or, maybe we've not yet
> tasted real speed and don't know the difference? Hahahah.
>
> keith whaley

Fri Jul 6, 2012 5:28 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Ross Rasmussen" rossrasmussen
I have found that a fine pointed object, such as the small end of a chopstick can apply the needed pressure to the plug lock (the thing you have to push down on). Sometimes you have to get something smaller and work it in a little deeper to get the right angle for leverage.
When you finally do get it out, THROW IT AWAY. Go but a new one. You really don't need the aggravation!
Aloha,
Ross

Fri Jul 6, 2012 8:31 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
Howdy.

An interesting article in MacRumors on Thunderbolt.

<http://www.macrumors.com/2012/07/06/prices-of-thunderbolt-cables-likely-to-drop-in-2013/>

Article says Thunderbolt prices may begin to drop in 2013.

A photo accompanies the article showing a Thunderbolt cable connector
opened so you can see the multiple chips that make it, so far, an
expensive technology but a very fast technology.

Denver Dan

Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:43 pm (PDT) . Posted by: "Denver Dan" denverdan22180
Howdy.

Apple has released a new free app called Podcasts.

It's a Podcast reader, subscriber, and takes over from the Music app on
iPad/Phone/Pod Touch for a reader for Podcasts.

App is on the App Store for iOS devices.

Denver Dan

Sat Jul 7, 2012 2:30 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Vixpix" nyskater
AWESOME!!!

Vickie 

Sent from a spoiled little iPad

On Jul 7, 2012, at 12:43 AM, Denver Dan <denver.dan@verizon.net> wrote:

> Howdy.
>
> Apple has released a new free app called Podcasts.
>
> It's a Podcast reader, subscriber, and takes over from the Music app on
> iPad/Phone/Pod Touch for a reader for Podcasts.
>
> App is on the App Store for iOS devices.
>
> Denver Dan

Sat Jul 7, 2012 4:20 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Lida Verner" coffenut20879
Have you used it?
If so, have you figured out how to create playlists of the podcasts?

*--**
* *Lida Verner*
"*Creating Calm Out Of Chaos*"

http://www.candlelightdreams.com/blog
http://lidaverner.smugmug.com
http://www.twitter.com/lidaverner

On Sat, Jul 7, 2012 at 12:43 AM, Denver Dan <denver.dan@verizon.net> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Howdy.
>
> Apple has released a new free app called Podcasts.
>
> It's a Podcast reader, subscriber, and takes over from the Music app on
> iPad/Phone/Pod Touch for a reader for Podcasts.
>
> App is on the App Store for iOS devices.
>
> Denver Dan
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sat Jul 7, 2012 5:13 am (PDT) . Posted by: "Bob Cook" cookrd1
>have you figured out how to create playlists of the podcasts?

I don't think that can be done. Ars Technica had a scalding review. I
downloaded it on my iPad when it came out but prefer Pocket or Instacasts.
Not a typical quality Apple app.
Bob

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sat Jul 7, 2012 7:16 am (PDT) . Posted by: "cnltnn" cnltnn
Hello,

I think I finally saved up enough money to buy a used Mac Mini to replace my 12 yr old G4. A long time ago a yahoo mac group suggested a good site that sold used Macs. I cannot find it in my bookmarks and was not able to search the old posts and find it. Any suggestions on where to buy?

I also wanted to make sure the criteria hasn't changed since I first considered buying a Mac mini. I need to have at least a Intel Core 2 Duo processor to run the latest operating system, right? Are there any other things I should keep in mind?

Thanks for any help!
-Carrie

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