Technically Easy

Tag: Mac

  • Top 4 Issues with Peripherals You Can Come Across

    Top 4 Issues with Peripherals You Can Come Across

    You may be fully satisfied with your flawlessly working Mac until some unexpected, unexplainable issues pop up. One of the most frequent causes of concern is the trouble with peripherals. Such problems may reveal themselves differently, ranging from a dead USB port to non-detected Bluetooth headphones. Any connectivity problem like this can be quickly addressed with the help of DIY means, which we disclose in this article to help you manage minor Mac issues without engaging costly repair services.

    Unresponsive USB

    The simplest answer to a question of failing USB connection is the malfunctioning of the device itself. It often happens that low-quality, cheap USB devices fail all of a sudden, so your Mac is not to blame for the absent connection. So, it would be best if you double-checked whether the USB flash drive works well or whether the cable you’re using is in working condition before suspecting any Mac problems.

    If the peripherals are in good working condition (and are compatible with your Mac’s settings), it’s time to suspect internal issues. To clarify the reason for the failing operation, you need to reset the Mac SMC or the device’s NVRAM/PRAM. These two core features of your iOS are responsible for the fundamental properties of the system’s functioning, so by returning to the default settings, you can quickly get your Mac’s USB functionality back to order.

    Bluetooth headphones

    Bluetooth headphones are a great invention improving the user experiences, but once something goes wrong, you may find it a bit harder to get things straight. First, you need to check whether your headphones are sufficiently charged and operate without failure. It’s also vital that their discoverable mode is turned on.

    If the headphones are double-checked but still don’t appear in the list of connected devices, it’s time to reboot your Bluetooth on a Mac. Turn the function off and on, trying to reconnect the headphones again.

    If none of the methods mentioned above works, it’s time to restart your Mac entirely. Turn your Bluetooth function on, remove some Bluetooth devices from the list (if you’re currently using too many), and restart the computer once again. Additional measures may include finding and disabling interfering apps and looking for the Apple updates for your iOS, which may revive the Bluetooth function.

    Managing several devices

    Once you see that the USB port stopped working and you have several peripherals turned on simultaneously, it’s better to turn all devices except for the tested one off. Once this is done, you’ll see much clearer whether the problem is in the USB port of your Mac or some other intervening device, such as a USB concentrator.

    Dead USB-C port

    The latest generation of Macs has only USB-C ports to ensure your device’s connectivity with peripherals, so it’s vital to ensure that they work at all times. Otherwise, you might lose a significant portion of your gadget’s functionality. Once you notice that your USB-C port has stopped working correctly, you need to restart your Mac to revive its performance and get rid of some cumbersome processes that drag its CPU and harm its core features.

    After the “shock” of the abrupt shutdown and reboot, the USB-C port is naturally expected to start working again (if it was some minor technical glitch). If it doesn’t, you can take more advanced measures, such as resetting your SMC responsible for the core functions of the battery, fans, and ports. An SMC reboot can revive these functions and get your Mac back to normal functioning.

    As you can see, Mac users often come across some problems with peripherals, which may be quickly resolved with simple troubleshooting. No need to rush to a local repair service; you can rectify your Mac’s performance on your own.

  • How to Remove Applications from the Mac Computer?

    How to Remove Applications from the Mac Computer?

    Over time, every Mac user may realize there are too many unused applications on the device. If only uninstalling unnecessary programs was as easy as moving the icons to the Trash, but unfortunately, it is not so simple. Every time when you uninstall an app incorrectly, some files may remain on the hard drive, taking up space and slowing down the computer. Of course, many apps have automatic uninstallers but there are still tons of programs without this useful feature.

    Needless to say, any unused app on your Mac should be removed properly. In our article, we will explain how to uninstall unnecessary applications successfully without wasting a lot of time. Follow our tips you can use without problems!

    Which applications should be removed?

    Of course, it depends on what kind of software you have installed on your device and which problems you have to solve. In general, we recommend removing the next programs:

    • Any apps that were downloaded from not trustworthy sites because they may contain viruses that can harm your computer.
    • Programs that take up a lot of RAM. Of course, you may need some apps that eat up a lot of space but check out, maybe you have some unnecessary software that does it too.
    • All the applications you are not using for the last 2-3 months. We guarantee you will not need them for the next 2-3 months, and if not, it’s better to download and install them later.
    • Any installed programs with the same features as other software you use on the computer. It’s better to choose one app to not overload your device.

    What if an application was deleted accidentally?

    Do not worry! You can easily restore any program you have removed using a Time Machine backup. You should also remember that if that was a program from official sources (Apple Books or iTunes Store), you can download those programs again without problems. And, if you accidentally deleted any part of the operating system on the Mac, then it’s better to reinstall the system.

    Is it necessary to use uninstallers?

    Some applications have their own uninstallers, so you can remove them easily and fast just when you want. Of course, it’s better to use an uninstaller but if something went wrong, then you should try to remove the program manually or try an automatic cleaner that will help you to keep your computer free from unnecessary apps. We suggest installing only those programs that have their own uninstallers, but if you need an app without this, it is not difficult to remove it later with a special cleaning program.

    Uninstalling programs manually

    If you choose to delete applications manually, then you should have at least minimal experience in understanding computer files because you can accidentally remove some important things from your device, including system files. Be informed that you will not only have to delete the app itself, but check out if there are any traces of it on the computer, and remove all the files that could still leave there. Please feel free to read here more detailed information about app removal.

    Uninstalling programs automatically

    If you are not an experienced computer geek, then it’s better to remove unnecessary programs using special software that can do it automatically without problems. You can find a great variety of software for successful app deleting. It doesn’t require any experience and it’s very easy to use the program. In fact, you don’t need to do anything, except confirming the removal. The program will find unused software and unnecessary applications automatically.
    Removing unused applications from the Mac will help to restore its performance and clean space on its drive. Needless to say, if your device’s memory is clogged with unnecessary files, it starts working slower. Take care of your device and delete unused software from time to time. If you use a special program to delete files automatically, it’s simple to scan your Mac regularly to find unnecessary software. Of course, you should download all the programs from trustworthy sources to avoid viruses.

  • How to Check if Your Mac Hardware is Working Properly

    How to Check if Your Mac Hardware is Working Properly

    Mac’s hardware is cited as one of the best, fashioned with great speed, capacity, and enhanced reliability. As machines are unpredictable, you will encounter an issue at one point with your Mac’s hardware. This is the case with even the most powerful systems, you can’t avoid issues.

    It is common for many Mac users to raise concerns about hardware failure and have no idea where the problem is. To avoid the expensive costs of repairs, you should perform some hardware checks from time to time to make sure everything is working properly. Here’s how to verify your Mac hardware is functioning as it’s supposed to.

    Run a general Apple diagnostic test

    There is so much going on in your Mac device, from multiple moving parts to a couple of sensors and components that get heated. Running the Apple Diagnostic test begins with turning off your Mac. Disconnect all devices connected to the Mac, including printers, external storage devices, speakers, etc.

    Turn the power button on, and hold press the D key until you get an option to choose the language. Select the language you wish to apply by using the arrow keys. The test takes 2 to three minutes and Apple will show whether there are issues or not.

    Running a diagnostic test will help you identify issues that need to be addressed. This helps you understand, for instance, why your MacBook charger stopped working and will offer a solution. Try fixing the identified problems by following the specific instructions provided by Apple. After fixing the problems, you can run another test just to make sure everything is set.

    Here are more things you can do at home to check on the hardware issues.

    Check the status of RAM (Memory)

    It is not easy to test on RAM because you don’t need much of it during the diagnostic process. If you run a test on the RAM from the Operating System, there is a sizable amount of memory being used by the OS to function during the test itself. This RAM may not be subjected to a test but it is better still to perform the diagnostic than not doing it at all.

    If you want some peace of mind with your Mac’s RAM in addition to the diagnostic test, there are other memory testing tools like Mac’s Disk utility, MemTest86, EtreCheck, and Onyx. To get the best of these memory testers, minimize as many applications so that more RAM is available for testing.

    Hard drives tests

    It is good to check the health of your Mac hard drives periodically. This is because internal storage is one of the most important components of a computer and where all the software and operating system is located. Any hard drive crashes will result in the failure of your Mac and the loss of critical data, which you cannot afford to lose.

    Fortunately, Apple has included an in-built tool that can detect and repair minor damage to the hard drive. Besides the general diagnostic checkup, the quickest way to check the status of the hard drive is by running the Disk Utility.

    You can also try third-party apps like Drive Genius. Simply open the Disk Utility from the application on Mac and hit the verify button. All the problems on the hard drive will be displayed in the main window.

    Physical hardware components

    These are pretty much overlooked when checking the status of the Mac. Some of the basic physical hardware components you can test on the Mac include USB ports, a keyboard, and optical drives. For ports, simply insert cables on the headphone, firewires, or USB ports and you will be set.

    For the keyboard, on your Mac, go to System Preferences, > Keyboard, and check the box next to the Show keyboard and emoji viewers in the menu bar. From here, you will find the keyboard viewer, which will let you know if all the keys are functioning properly.

    Graphics hardware (GPU)

    Your graphics card is important whether you are a gamer or not because without it, you will be staring at a blank screen. The GPU, just like the CPU, runs first and consumes a lot of energy, so there can be problems at one point and you will need to check if it’s working properly. One of the best ways to tell if your GPU is working is a quick benchmarking test.

    Some of the benchmarking applications include Geekbench, LuxMark, or Cinebench. You can also conduct stress testing using another benchmark application called Heaven to configure the GPU by applying maximum pressure.

    Conclusion

    This is how you can verify if your Mac hardware components are properly functioning. The steps are simple and you don’t have to be tech-savvy to run a diagnostic test. Follow through the steps as provided and you will be good to go.

  • Most Popular Ways to Accessorize Your Mac

    Most Popular Ways to Accessorize Your Mac

    If you’re looking into buying one of Apple’s prime selection of computers or already have one, you might be surprised to know that you’re still not reaching the peak of what a computer can do. All that can change with the purchase of some simple accessories.

    In this article we look at what goods you’ll need to really get the most from your Mac device, whether it’s professional work or throwing it in your bag for some on-the-move computing. Even these powerful computers have gaps in their functionality that need to be filled, so don’t be caught out. The MacBook Air is the device of the moment, and you can browse a huge range on sites like ebay.co.uk if you need inspiration on which one to plump for.

    Here are some popular items you can use to accessorize your Mac.

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  • Vimeo Videos Downloading on Mac

    Vimeo Videos Downloading on Mac

    As you know, Vimeo is a popular video sharing website which has over 16,000 videos uploaded daily. There are many reasons millions use Vimeo. It is interesting to know the fact that Time Magazine voted Vimeo.com. as a Top 50 Website for the last two years running.

    Also, Vimeo is a respectful community of creative people who make their own videos and share them with the world. Now everyone can upload Vimeo video as long as you can see the Download button below the video.

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  • 5 Cool Mac OS X Apps You Can Now Find in the Apple Store

    5 Cool Mac OS X Apps You Can Now Find in the Apple Store

    Apple’s Mac OS X is one of the most popular operating systems in the world, and by most accounts, it’s better than the more widespread Windows. In fact, the only reason it doesn’t have as many users as Microsoft’s OS is that it only works on Mac computers, and they simply can’t compete in volume with the dozens of PC and laptop models out there.

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