ClamXav anti virus

Installed OS X client for ClamAV. Installs ClamAV for you and works just fine.

Potential help on 10.5.8 upgrade

http://www.hutsby.net/2009/09/msi-wind-updating-to-1058-on.html

Basically looks like video drivers get hosed, so need to reinstall the kernel extensions.

Projectors in os x on Advent

I found that when I connected a projector, display went all garbled. Found suggestions that this was the 'mirrored display' mode of OS X, which is known to be broken in the graphics drivers on the Wind/Advent 4211.

There was a suggestion to enable the "show display settings in menu bar" or somesuch, which I did, and then hover the mouse button over the icon when plugging a projector in, press down twice, then enter. That disables mirror mode, which seems to be enabled by default when a projector is plugged in.

Did that. It works.

Then had to use DisplayConfigX to remove the 100Hz settings that the monitor didn't like, reboot, mac says it's now at 1024x768 60 Hz, projector says 1280x768 (it is 1280x800 native), everything looks about right in terms of aspect ratio.

Automator workflow for interleaving odd and even pages of PDF scans

I have made an Automator workflow that combines two PDFs, by shuffling (interleaving them), but after reversing the second one (second in terms of creation time). This means that you can scan a whole lot of pages (odd sides), turn them over and scan the other sides (even sides), then right click, choose an Automator workflow to combine them. They become Combined.pdf in the same folder - the originals are moved to the Trash.

Uses the python script automator action

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/automator/runpythonscript.html

This was something also wanted here.

The automator action starts with a Get Selected Finder Items action, then has a Run Python Script action with the following code.

import os

from CoreGraphics import *

def createPDFDocumentWithPath(path):

print path

return CGPDFDocumentCreateWithProvider(CGDataProviderCreateWithFilename(path))

def duplexPages(writeContext, oddfile, evenfile):

# open PDFDocuments for each of the files.

odd = createPDFDocumentWithPath( oddfile )

even = createPDFDocumentWithPath( evenfile )

# confirm that the number of pages is the same

maxPages = odd.getNumberOfPages()

if ( maxPages <> even.getNumberOfPages() ):

print "Documents do not have the same number of pages"

else:

# Shuffle the pages

for pageNum in xrange(1, maxPages + 1):

# start at first odd page

page = odd.getPage(pageNum)

print 'Page', pageNum, 'from', oddfile

if page != None:

mediaBox = odd.getMediaBox(pageNum)

writeContext.beginPage(mediaBox)

writeContext.drawPDFDocument(mediaBox, odd, pageNum)

writeContext.endPage()

# start at last even page

page = even.getPage(maxPages + 1 - pageNum)

print 'Page', maxPages + 1 - pageNum, 'from', evenfile

if page != None:

mediaBox = even.getMediaBox(maxPages + 1 - pageNum)

writeContext.beginPage(mediaBox)

writeContext.drawPDFDocument(mediaBox, even, maxPages + 1 - pageNum)

writeContext.endPage()

def realFilesOnly( item ):

return item.find(".") <> 0

# from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/249785/os-x-determine-trash-location-for-a-given-path

def get_trash_path(input_file):

    path, file = os.path.split(input_file)

    if path.startswith("/Volumes/"):

        # /Volumes/driveName/.Trashes/

        s = path.split(os.path.sep)

        # s[2] is drive name ([0] is empty, [1] is Volumes)

        trash_path = os.path.join("/Volumes", s[2], ".Trashes", str(os.getuid()))

        if not os.path.isdir(trash_path):

            raise IOError("Volume appears to be a network drive (%s could not be found)" % (trash_path))

    else:

        trash_path = os.path.join(os.getenv("HOME"), ".Trash")

    return trash_path

def main(input, *args, **kwargs):

dirname = os.path.dirname(input[0])    # extract folder to work in

# print dirname

files = input

# print files

# files = os.listdir( dirname )

# files = filter(realFilesOnly, files) # filter out special files

# print files # enable to see which files are selected

if ( len(files) == 2 ):

# files[0] = os.path.join(dirname,files[0]) # add path to files 

# files[1] = os.path.join(dirname,files[1])

# odd file is assumed to be the earlier one

if ( os.path.getctime(files[1]) > os.path.getctime(files[0]) ):

odd = files[0]

even = files[1]

else:

odd = files[1]

even = files[0]

print "Identified Odd: ", odd

print "Identified Even: ", even

outputFilename = os.path.join(dirname, "Combined.pdf")

print "Output to: ", outputFilename

pageRect = CGRectMake (0, 0, 612, 792)

writeContext = CGPDFContextCreateWithFilename(outputFilename, pageRect)

duplexPages(writeContext, odd, even)

# delete the original files

trashPath = get_trash_path( odd ) # find location of trash

os.rename( odd, os.path.join(trashPath,os.path.split(odd)[1]) )

os.rename( even, os.path.join(trashPath,os.path.split(even)[1]) )

else:

print "Incorrect number of files"

return files

It can be saved as a Finder Plugin to appear on the context menu for Finder items.

VoodooHDA drivers for OS X

Some activity says that microphone-enabling drivers may be available:

http://forums.msiwind.net/osx-drivers/almost-fully-working-voodoohda-speakers-headphone-ext-mic-t10871.html

"system-library-extension; if you have applehda.kext/appleazaliaaudio,kext/voodoohda.kext back them up somewhere and then delete them, then download the voodoo kext. next step launch kext helper and add the kext to the box, enter your password, reboot and then try skype or audacity.

for further help, use the search box. all of these answers are in the forums somewhere. in fact if you go look at the original voodoo posting i think they posted directions in there. if you installed os x to your wind firsthand then im sure you used kext helper at some point. "

Then there is a "new version" that includes preference panels (but looks like pref panel is only update and is a separate file).
http://forum.voodooprojects.org/index.php/topic,139.0.htm

However, people reported problems with the new version and waking from sleep.

Word 2008 Mac Option/Control Key and navigation

By default, Word uses the option key instead of Ctrl-key like I have set up Mac to do, to go one word left or right for example (and Shift combinations). 

Found I could change this behaviour by Tools/Customise Keyboard and then changing the WordLeft and WordRight behaviours. 

Also set ParaUp and ParaDown, and their xxxExtend variants.

Removed the FileNew shortcut, and unwanted EndOfLine and 

Changed Bold to Command+N, Normal to Command+L, Italic to Command+G

Upcoming fun with stacks

Looks like stacks can do some fun things:

http://lifehacker.com/395741/power-tweak-your-macs-stacks

Display resolution problems

The screen keeps coming up as 800x600!

This post tries to solve this display resolution problem, which everyone seems to be having:

http://forums.msiwind.net/mac/help-nagging-800x600-screen-resolution-bug-cold-boot-t2383.html

Apple Mail Leopard with Gmail

This is instructions for setting it up:

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=81379

Finally, some settings they recommend:

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=78892

Seems to work nicely so far.

Ay curumba, they've even got address book syncing going.

http://googlemac.blogspot.com/2008/05/mac-os-x-1053-sync-google-contacts.html

My address book doesn't have the sync with google option, it might be because a software update is needed (one's been nagging me). I have 4.1.1.

Installing Leopard on Advent 4211

I got MSIWindOSX86.iso off bittorrent (searched on The Pirate Bay). Download took two days, much longer than it should have.

Youtube video by OneTrack who made it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS7yFH_I3NI&feature=related

And post about it:


This post for the alternative (but seemingly not as good) Kalyway version suggests that you need firmware 1.05+, which is available from thetechguys which is PC World's tech support site.

http://www.modaco.com/content/asus-eee-pc-http-www-eeeasy-com/270099/pauls-complete-guide-to-installing-osx-leopard-on-your-msi-wind-advent-4211/

Bios update 1.08:

http://support.thetechguys.com/4211bios

I got the ISO onto a DVD and it booted up, but the screen resolution wasn't what it should be according to the youtube vid (my install was running over to the LHS, whereas on the video it runs right across the screen.

Rather than proceed like that I thought it best to update the BIOS to 1.08 (it's 1.06) before proceeding. Ran it, interestingly the keyboard doesn't work after the reflash but you turn it off and unplug and wait 10s and then it goes again.

Now when I boot the same ISO it has a slightly different message. And when Windows had started it Found New Hardware (SMBUS stuff). So the BIOS update must have done something.

Then I also add 1Gb of RAM and put the 320 Gb HDD in :-) Couldn't get the HDD out so used this help:

http://www.laptopmag.com/Advice/how-to/msi-wind-hard-drive.aspx

Booted up, formatted whole 320Gb as HFS+ in Disc Utility.

During the install when you reach the Install Summary page (after selecting drive to install on) you have to select Customise -> Patches -> Kernel and uncheck it.

Install - everything works and it's nice!

Getting Xerox XM3-19W monitor working on Mac Mini

This monitor isn't recognised properly, but after a lot of difficulty, I have used SwitchResX Control Panel to get some settings that work. You use SwitchResX to set up a monitor resolution profile (requires reboot to install the profile I think, then set it in SwitchResX), but after that you don't need it anymore and can just delete SwitchResX.

From the manufacturer's data (to put into monitor profile although I think this is optional):
Vertical 56-75 Hz
Horz 56-82 kHz
Clock 20-187 MHz
Resolution 1440 x 900 in 50Hz

Settings that work: Horizontal, Vertical
Pixel clock: 107.03 MHz
Active: 1440, 900
Front porch: 83, 3
Sync Width: 152, 6
Back Porch 235, 25
Blanking: 470, 34
Total 1910, 934
Scan rate 56.037, 59.996

Don't use SwitchResX's simplified settings option, they don't work!

Switching keyboard layouts using keyboard shortcut

One thing that's being annoying me is that I can't change keyboard layouts by a shortcut, like I can with Windows (Shift-Alt etc.). In System Preferences - Keyboard and Mouse it looks like you can set all key shortcuts for the system in once place - a much better idea than Windows where it's all in one place.

In the Keyboard Shortcuts panel the Input Menu category is off by default - I turned it on and assigned Alt-`, which is actually labelled / on my british keyboard being used as a US keyboard.

Backup using SMB Windows sharing

I'm trying to back up all my photos from the Mac to Windows.

I enable a share in Windows and try to connect to it from OS X by using the Connect to Server option in Finder. Connecting to smb://limpet/Music brings something up, asking for the workgroup (DHG), username and password, but when I look at the folder contents there is nothing. I can't copy anything into it, and also I know there are files there on the Windows PC that I should be seeing. I tried this also for another share and the same result.

I tried browsing at the bottom of the Connect to Server dialog. It finds me the group Dhg and the computer Limpet (with a capital now). The next box over says Connect... To see the avialable shares for server "Limpet", click Connect. I do, and after a while it asks me to select from the shares available on Limpet. There are Authenticate Again, OK and Cancel options. I choose OK, but it just returns me to the dialog. Oh, there is a folder on the desktop.

All the folders I have opened correctly tell me how much free space I have on the Windows drive, but they are empty and I can't put anything into them.

Actually, the easiest way to connect is from the Network in Finder.

I tried fiddling with the Windows Firewall. File and Printer Sharing is only enabled for computers on the local network (this is XP, Windows Firewall -> Exceptions -> Edit -> Change Scope), so I enable it for all computers. No effect. I turn off Windows Firewall altogether and it doesn't work still.

If you drag a connected share to the trash, it doesn't eject. But if you hit the eject symbol in Finder, it does. That's pretty shoddy.

It turns out that I was using the wrong username!! Now it works fine (and really quick). And dragging to the eject/trash icon works too.

So now I can connect to my work laptop and backup everything onto it - relief!

I had a problem where copying files from Mac to Windows stopped, saying I did not have the correct permissions to perform the operation. Turned out that some of the files I was copying OVER were read only, so it couldn't complete.

Installing Parallels on Mac OS X to get Windows XP Pro going

When I first started up Parallels after installing it, it seemed to find the My Boot Camp virtual machine. I'm not really sure where it came from. I tried to run it and at hung up, trying to 'start from hard drive'. Anyway, I deleted it (seems to be just a 4kB file somewhere in my Documents folder).

I ran Parallels Desktop again, and this time it did what the Quick Start guide said it would - offer to make a new VM. Good. The 'more options' section has the very useful option to Share virtual machine with other Mac users, which forces you to put the VM in /Users/Shared/Parallels - this is good I think, means other people could use Word and Excel and so on.

I was also able to tell it to install from the XP Pro image I had made as a backup on my desktop - neat.

However, it seemed to try to boot from various devices then said non-system disk or disk error. Oh. I selected Devices->CD/DVD 1 and told it to use the hardware DVD drive and it worked after that. Hmm.

Unlike the last time I had this going, I haven't had to create a separate partition. There is a file called winxp.hdd in the Parallels folder for the VM, and it keeps getting bigger as the copy/install happens. That's great - it was awful having this unnecessary partition last time. Only I made such a partition already, thinking I would need it!

Coherence doesn't work like it used to - seems to say I have to install the Parallels Tools. I do this from Parallels menu Actions -> Install Parallels tools. That works much nicer now, and has, as promised, linked up my Desktop and other folders.

Also do Actions -> Install Kapersky Internet Security which I bought as part of the Premium edition of Parallels (since I was so impressed)

Installed my favourite Firefox addons:

Ad Blocker

Gmail Manager

Download Statusbar

CookieSafe

dragdropupload

Had problems with an update error in Windows Update.

Got Office 2007 Home and Student edition installed - now I'm up and running for the project that's kicking off very soon.

Most useful dashboard widgets

Better than keeping my normal constantly thrown out scrap of paper on my desk, I found

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/business/lists.html

which is a dashboard widget for keeping lists. It's very basic, which is all I need! But how do you edit something once you've written it? Hmmm, well, it doesn't matter too much I suppose.

The other Mac OS X widgets I use are

http://www.liquidx.net/albumartwidget/ which downloads my iTunes album covers from amazon in the background, automatically

http://www.phantomgorilla.com/widgets/ to get BBC radio stations (heaps of them I didn't even know existed)

the excellent currency converter widget that updates without you pointlessly having to press 'convert' (that button doesn't exist in this lovely program)
http://www.palple.net/widgets/currencyconverter/index.html

plus the standard calendar and clock widgets and the truly superb scientific calculator widget with memory (in fact full Javascript expressions it seems)

http://www.brackeen.com/calculate/