Apple killed my computer ..... again.

[Jim D]

There was another security update of the mac os this week, 10.13.6 iirc.

It said for all users, improves this or that ....

So putting my fears aside, I installed it. What's the chances it'll
kill the hard drive a second time ?


Well, pretty good actually, because it did.

Un Be Lieeeeevable

Did all the normal install stuff, the on reboot, it stalled and up came
a hideous screen of errors and a dialong box saying the install failed.
Crap. It was about 10pm, I had a gig the next day, and could
literally feel my body shaking. I'm still not totally recovered from
the last time this happened. Yes, I have backups, and a backup
computer, but still the thought of going thru all this again was about
too much.

tried rebooting ... same thing, takes about 20 minutes, then fails.
thought to myself, I'm not just gonna wipe the drive again, that's too
much work, I'll buy a new system first, since that seems inevitable in
any case.

Then I thought, safe mode. I know that's a pc thing, but isn't there
some obscure way to boot a mac into safe mode ? Looked that up, and
yes there is. Reason it's obsure on a mac is probably because most mac
owners wouldn't know what to do in safe mode anyway. Me included. The
mac os is not friendly in that sense, it's all secret and locked up.
You can't change much.

But safe mode it was, maybe it'll at least boot to a usable screen.

And,,,,,,, like magic, it did. Pretty crappy, lots of weirdness, but a
usable desktop. So I went back to apple's site, downloaded the security
update AGAIN ... and then installed that. The download took a
looooooooong time, like a half hour for a 1.8 gig file. Way longer
than the first time ( which didn't work ).


Did the the install over, rebooted .... and amazing, it worked that
time. Ran all the diagnostics I could think of, everything's fine.

So what's the deal ? Maybe my machine is just getting too out of date
and something didn't line up right. Maybe the update doesn't like my
third party solid state drives. Maybe it didn't download correctly.
Maybe I have some software that's incompatable with the update and that
killed the install process ? That last one seems possible, but then
again that machine had a complete clean reinstall just a few weeks ago.
There's not a lot of garbage on it.


In any case, it's going again. I haven't ran that update on this mac (
my backup MBP ). Guess I should at some point. I'm thinking next week
when I'm not as busy.



Time for a new laptop. Or this will keep happening, possibly really
biting me at some point.


JimD

[Ouisie]

Maybe it really is time to stay clear of so-called 'upgrades/updates', as
clearly, they're more trouble than they could possibly be worth!

Ouisie

[Jim D]

Post by Ouisie
Maybe it really is time to stay clear of so-called 'upgrades/updates',
as clearly, they're more trouble than they could possibly be worth!
Ouisie

They are doing something with these to break older machines.

I'm holding off for the 2019 models to come out. The 2018 macbook pros
have issues. See a lot of problems discussed on the audio forums.
Goofy things like overheating and ports not working right, and power
supply issues. If I bought an 2018 model, and stayed away from the i9
cpu's, I'd probably be ok. Read the i5 cpu's seem to be ok. But those
are in the 13 inch screens. Don't want that small of a screen. This
will very likely be the last laptop I buy, so might as well get one I
like.

I have one of each screen size now, a 13 and a 15. The 13 is ok for
reading email, or web playing. But it's a pretty small screen if you
need to open multiple windows. So a new 15 is what I'm leaning toward.
No giant rush. As long as both of these are running, I'm ok. If one of
them dies, I'll buy a new one then. Otherwise, I may just see how long
I can limp along on these. The longer I wait, the better they will
get, maybe. Progress and all that :-)

I am looking forward to faster I/O ports. USB2 is what these have. And
that's pretty crappy .. because, if I have ANY USB1 devices connected,
that particular port drops to usb 1 speeds. My Samson keyboard is
USB1. As is my midi foot switch. A new mac will be thunderbolt, much
faster better. I need to look into this, but they make hubs for that
with various usb ports, and I'd hope that plugging in a usb1 device
doesn't slow the entire hub down like it does with normal usb hubs.

Then, when the Samson keyboard finally dies, I'll replace it with a
much nicer midi controller. Want something with a decent selection of
assignable faders and knobs. I saw one, in the $500 range, but can't
recall what brand it was. Need to look that up again.

hey, it's late. I'm feeling pretty good tonight. Getting over the
volume idiocy. time heals all wounds ... or so they say.


JimD

[Ouisie]

Post by Jim D
They are doing something with these to break older machines.

I'd much rather see their Wicked company broken instead!!!

Post by Jim D
I'm holding off for the 2019 models to come out. The 2018 macbook pros
have issues. See a lot of problems discussed on the audio forums. Goofy
things like overheating and ports not working right, and power supply
issues. If I bought an 2018 model, and stayed away from the i9 cpu's, I'd
probably be ok. Read the i5 cpu's seem to be ok. But those are in the 13
inch screens. Don't want that small of a screen. This will very likely be
the last laptop I buy, so might as well get one I like.

So you get one you like and then, all over again, have to learn the hard
way, of their latest Fascist Tricks to further Screw their Customers!

Post by Jim D
I have one of each screen size now, a 13 and a 15. The 13 is ok for
reading email, or web playing. But it's a pretty small screen if you need
to open multiple windows. So a new 15 is what I'm leaning toward.

I prefer the 'old school' method of using additional monitors when multiple
programs are open ;)

Post by Jim D
No giant rush. As long as both of these are running, I'm ok. If one of
them dies, I'll buy a new one then. Otherwise, I may just see how long I
can limp along on these. The longer I wait, the better they will get,
maybe. Progress and all that :-)

Obviously, the Fascists/Corporatists are only interested in how they can
'better' Exploit their customers.

Post by Jim D
I am looking forward to faster I/O ports. USB2 is what these have. And
that's pretty crappy .. because, if I have ANY USB1 devices connected,
that particular port drops to usb 1 speeds. My Samson keyboard is USB1.
As is my midi foot switch. A new mac will be thunderbolt, much faster
better. I need to look into this, but they make hubs for that with
various usb ports, and I'd hope that plugging in a usb1 device doesn't
slow the entire hub down like it does with normal usb hubs.

Why not go with USB 3.0 instead?

Post by Jim D
Then, when the Samson keyboard finally dies, I'll replace it with a much
nicer midi controller. Want something with a decent selection of
assignable faders and knobs. I saw one, in the $500 range, but can't
recall what brand it was. Need to look that up again.

I'd be more interested in getting by with older, more affordable equipment
than paying state of the art prices.

Post by Jim D
hey, it's late. I'm feeling pretty good tonight. Getting over the volume
idiocy. time heals all wounds ... or so they say.

JimD

If they get hearing aids, or some other personal amplification system, they
won't have to be bothering those who can hear to lose their hearing for
their sake!

Ouisie

[Jim D]

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
They are doing something with these to break older machines.

I'd much rather see their Wicked company broken instead!!!

I agree. Separate the computer company from the phone company from the
itunes company.

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
I'm holding off for the 2019 models to come out. The 2018 macbook pros
have issues. See a lot of problems discussed on the audio forums.
Goofy things like overheating and ports not working right, and power
supply issues. If I bought an 2018 model, and stayed away from the i9
cpu's, I'd probably be ok. Read the i5 cpu's seem to be ok. But those
are in the 13 inch screens. Don't want that small of a screen. This
will very likely be the last laptop I buy, so might as well get one I
like.

So you get one you like and then, all over again, have to learn the
hard way, of their latest Fascist Tricks to further Screw their
Customers!

Just like buying anything else produced by our " throw away " culture.

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
I have one of each screen size now, a 13 and a 15. The 13 is ok for
reading email, or web playing. But it's a pretty small screen if you
need to open multiple windows. So a new 15 is what I'm leaning toward.

I prefer the 'old school' method of using additional monitors when
multiple programs are open ;)

So do I. When I'm at home working on music, I nearly always have a
second large monitor attached. Don't carry that sort of thing to my
solo gigs.

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
No giant rush. As long as both of these are running, I'm ok. If one of
them dies, I'll buy a new one then. Otherwise, I may just see how long
I can limp along on these. The longer I wait, the better they will
get, maybe. Progress and all that :-)

Obviously, the Fascists/Corporatists are only interested in how they
can 'better' Exploit their customers.

Post by Jim D
I am looking forward to faster I/O ports. USB2 is what these have. And
that's pretty crappy .. because, if I have ANY USB1 devices connected,
that particular port drops to usb 1 speeds. My Samson keyboard is
USB1. As is my midi foot switch. A new mac will be thunderbolt, much
faster better. I need to look into this, but they make hubs for that
with various usb ports, and I'd hope that plugging in a usb1 device
doesn't slow the entire hub down like it does with normal usb hubs.

Why not go with USB 3.0 instead?

Thunderbolt is the port Apple uses on their current MBPs. No choice.
I can buy adaptors to drop back to USB.x. And I will. Not going to
throw away my current usb stuff.

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
Then, when the Samson keyboard finally dies, I'll replace it with a
much nicer midi controller. Want something with a decent selection of
assignable faders and knobs. I saw one, in the $500 range, but can't
recall what brand it was. Need to look that up again.

I'd be more interested in getting by with older, more affordable
equipment than paying state of the art prices.

my current laptops are aging, going to fail eventually.

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
hey, it's late. I'm feeling pretty good tonight. Getting over the
volume idiocy. time heals all wounds ... or so they say.

JimD
If they get hearing aids, or some other personal amplification system,
they won't have to be bothering those who can hear to lose their
hearing for their sake!
Ouisie

Yes.


JimD

[Ouisie]

Post by Jim D
I agree. Separate the computer company from the phone company from the
itunes company.

And then slice those into tiny pieces...along with 'government' too ;)

Post by Jim D
Just like buying anything else produced by our " throw away " culture.

I suggest we throw away such a culture instead!

Post by Jim D
So do I. When I'm at home working on music, I nearly always have a second
large monitor attached. Don't carry that sort of thing to my solo gigs.

I don't want to *have to* look at monitors in order to play a gig!

Post by Jim D
Thunderbolt is the port Apple uses on their current MBPs. No choice. I
can buy adaptors to drop back to USB.x. And I will. Not going to throw
away my current usb stuff.

Proving that the same reason computers don't belong in cars is also the very
same reason they don't belong in Music either...THEY'RE NOT ***NEEDED***!!!

Post by Jim D
my current laptops are aging, going to fail eventually.

This one here is going on three years old and has never gone anywhere, so
I'm counting on it to last.

Ouisie

[Jim D]

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
I agree. Separate the computer company from the phone company from the
itunes company.

And then slice those into tiny pieces...along with 'government' too ;)

Post by Jim D
Just like buying anything else produced by our " throw away " culture.

I suggest we throw away such a culture instead!

Post by Jim D
So do I. When I'm at home working on music, I nearly always have a
second large monitor attached. Don't carry that sort of thing to my
solo gigs.

I don't want to *have to* look at monitors in order to play a gig!

Post by Jim D
Thunderbolt is the port Apple uses on their current MBPs. No choice.
I can buy adaptors to drop back to USB.x. And I will. Not going to
throw away my current usb stuff.

Proving that the same reason computers don't belong in cars is also the
very same reason they don't belong in Music either...THEY'RE NOT
***NEEDED***!!!

Post by Jim D
my current laptops are aging, going to fail eventually.

This one here is going on three years old and has never gone anywhere,
so I'm counting on it to last.
Ouisie

the two mac laptops I use at gigs are a 2010 - 13 inch macbook pro and
a 2011 -15 inch macbook pro. Both have had the hard drives replaced
with solid state drives. And opened up pretty regularly so I could
clean the fan cooling systems.

Jim D

[Ouisie]

the two mac laptops I use at gigs are a 2010 - 13 inch macbook pro and a
2011 -15 inch macbook pro. Both have had the hard drives replaced with
solid state drives. And opened up pretty regularly so I could clean the
fan cooling systems.

Jim D

I've only got a 1TB hard drive and the computer often uses it more than I
do, no doubt for silly things I wouldn't approve of in the first place, if I
knew about them.

Ouisie

[Jim D]

Post by Ouisie

Post by Jim D
the two mac laptops I use at gigs are a 2010 - 13 inch macbook pro and
a 2011 -15 inch macbook pro. Both have had the hard drives replaced
with solid state drives. And opened up pretty regularly so I could
clean the fan cooling systems.

Jim D
I've only got a 1TB hard drive and the computer often uses it more than
I do, no doubt for silly things I wouldn't approve of in the first
place, if I knew about them.
Ouisie

Drives fail eventually. All drives fail eventually. All of them. And
when they do, you lose what was on them.

So, if something matters, keep it on more than one drive.

Just looked out the window. The snow is just pouring down now. Wow.
There was a slim chance band girl and I would get together to go over
some songs for saturday. Unlikely now. And I play a solo tomorrow, so
that's out. Next day is friday, no point on a rehearsal that late for
a sat gig. So, we'll just look back at the old bar setlist and go for
it.

Actually ..... I'm gonna spend some time today refreshing my memory on
some of these old hack songs. Hey, they like 'em, they give me money
to play 'em .... it's all good :-)

JimD

[Ouisie]

Post by Jim D
Drives fail eventually. All drives fail eventually. All of them. And
when they do, you lose what was on them.

After several decades, sure.

Post by Jim D
So, if something matters, keep it on more than one drive.

That's always a good idea.

Post by Jim D
Just looked out the window. The snow is just pouring down now. Wow.
There was a slim chance band girl and I would get together to go over
some songs for saturday. Unlikely now. And I play a solo tomorrow, so
that's out. Next day is friday, no point on a rehearsal that late for
a sat gig. So, we'll just look back at the old bar setlist and go for
it.

Winter ruins everything, who needs it!

Post by Jim D
Actually ..... I'm gonna spend some time today refreshing my memory on
some of these old hack songs. Hey, they like 'em, they give me money
to play 'em .... it's all good :-)

JimD

Or write some New, Fresh tunes!

Ouisie