Question for Mac Users

[romantico]

Let me first say,I am no computer expert.I should know more about computers as a computer owner,but I don't and I have to learn. Having said that,here is my problem.

About two years ago when I went looking for a computer,all my friends told me to get a Mac. They all were Mac Users and loved theirs. One thing that sold me was everyone told me how user friendly it was. Well, since around late winter early spring I have been having trouble. Not sure if it's my Mac or if it's the Mac user (me).When I am working on it with no warning,the screen will just go blank and shut off.Sometimes it will restore my previous sessions the other times it won't. Lately,when I go to restart it I have to sign back into everything. It does not seem to remember screen names,passwords,etc. like it use to. I know that is more of a cookie issue,but why all of a sudden is it becoming a problem? Another thing I have trouble with is when I am working the computer will just freeze. I get that spinning rainbow ball and it just freezes. I will walk away and come back 10-15 minutes later and it's still frozen. I have to shut the computer down to get out of it.

I should have bought Apple Cares or some kind of support package when I purchased it. When I ask my friends and tell them the problems I am having,they are confused and baffled because they never have these issues. Only thing I have a bad habit of doing is opening multiple windows(usually no more than 4 or 5) So,just curious if any other Mac users ever have these problems.One friend turns their Mac on at 9:00 in the morning and eaves it on til 10 or 11 at night,with no problem and I do not use mine all day long or anything. ANy advice would be helpful.Thanks!

[GCP]

1. Have you tried re-loading the OS?

Failing that, is there an Apple store anywhere near you? You can take it into their Genius Bar and have their guys troubleshoot it for you.

[targetpractice]

2. What version of Mac OS X?

Do you apply the automatic software updates? You didn't give us any information about what hardware, operating system, or applications you are using when you have these problems.

Totally random (unpredictable) freezes and screen blanking (requiring restarts) can indicate a hardware problem.

[realisticphish]

3. That stuff sounds like hardware

Unix rarely has software issues like that (and that's what OSX is based on).

Could be RAM, hard drive, or one of several other potential parts. I would try to find an independent mac repair shop nearby. It's usually cheaper than Apple itself, if you don't have AppleCare.

[NewJeffCT]

4. This happened to me a few years ago with my iMac

Only a few months after the 1 year regular warranty expired. Turned out it was the motherboard - $900 to fix. Screw that - I could buy two decent PCs for just that repair cost. I didn't buy the "apple care" extended warranty because everybody told me Mac was so great, sturdy & reliable, so why should I buy it? Most extended warranties are rip-offs, anyhow.

It was my first & last Mac.

Now working on a 2 year old HP that has lasted over 6 months longer than my iMac.

[wickerwoman]

5. Try taking it to a Mac Store

I didn't have Apple Cares but they replaced my battery and motherboard for free and there's no charge for the consult.

The blacking out thing might be a bad battery. If my power cord got knocked at all it would black out the screen because the battery was dead.

Anyway, Apple has fantastic customer service if you can find a place near you.

Good luck!

[MrScorpio]

6. Sounds like hardware

You need to get it to an Apple repairer

[Steely_Dan]

7. I can help you...

...but I need a lot more information.

What system OS are you using?

Are you using an iMac, MacBook, ????

Do you ever clean out your computer? I mean, do you delete old files? Sometimes, if you let your computer get too short of memory, it will not operate as fast and have "thinking" problems. Highlight the hard drive icon and go to "get info." There you will see how much memory you have used and how much is available.

What browser are you using?

One thing I would do right away is to reload your system. Be sure to do a "clean install" where you archive your files and settings. This can correct a lot of problems and it is very easy to do on a Mac.

It is true what most of your friends told you. Macs are very reliable and seldom have issues. Of course, it can and does happen in rare cases where a new Mac purchaser has a bad experience and swears never to buy another one again. It can happen with any system. However, I have been using them since they were introduced in 1984. I can count on one hand the number of times I have had problems. I wouldn't use any other system.

-P

[romantico]

10. THANKS!

I have a iMAC OS X by the way. I realized after reading some of the posts I do not know very much about my computer,which I have to change. I need to take a simple crash course for beginner Mac users.I Never clean out my computer. I need to learn how to do this. I need to learn how to delete old files. The most I do is empty the trash (LOL)

Thanks for the all advice and help. I think what I need to do is just take the computer down to the my Apple store and have them take a look at it. Thanks again for the advice!

[evlbstrd]

8. Bad memory or not enough memory?

or, go to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility. Run that, select your hard drive and click Repair Permissions and restart.
Also, run Disk Utility whenever you let Software Update install something.

[Steely_Dan]

9. Wow....

I didn't know that you should run "Dusk Utility" after each Software Update. Makes sense. I'll be doing that from now on.

Great suggestion.

-P

[evlbstrd]

11. It works.

But only after sunset.