Official Mac Tech Support Thread.

[m0o0op]

That's strange, but you're not alone with this issue. I've seen it a variety of places, and there's no good solution, apart from deleting the podcasts from iTunes using the same method as above and syncing your iPod. Drag them back into iTunes, and sync your iPod again (in your case, dragging the podcasts over).

[Vudell]

USELESS!

should have a new iPod soon anyway, I guess. ugh. UGH

[aptmunich]

Originally Posted by Vudell

USELESS!

should have a new iPod soon anyway, I guess. ugh. UGH

Why don't you just use sync, but only with a playlist. Then you can treat that playlist as your iPod's "library" and just add/remove the stuff you want on the go to that.

[m0o0op]

I was going to recommend that if it didn't work, but I don't think the podcasts would show up in the podcast section then, though.

[Grapist]

My problem's solved and both my itunes and garageband are intact and working.

[jeffdrafttech]

Grrrrrrrr. iPod

You are right about my iPod not ejecting in my earlier question (I'm running a Vista machine that I can't update because updates cause crashes). Even if I manually eject, iTunes tells me that it can't eject because some other software is using the iPod (I have disc use turned off). I'll just blame this mess on Windows, and just reset my ipod whenever I unplug it; doing that is more convienent than having it reset itself when I want to use it.

One more iPod issue. I have one of the new nanos (4th generation 16GB). The device is great. A huge improvement over my previous 2nd gen nano. The games are especially surprisingly good, but they are hell on the battery. Games limit you to about an hour of battery life.

I had hoped that the battery wouldn't be an issue because I have chargers lying around. I have an ipod specific Belkin charger in my car, and my alarm clock has a usb charging port. Neither of my ipod chargers work with the new ipod. Teh usb port in my alarm clock attached to an ipod cable does nothing. My belkin charger actually pulls up a screen on the ipod that says "this charging accessory is not compatable". What the fuck? It uses a USB power sourse. What changed? If I get an extra this-generation USB cable will it charge with usb power outlets like the one on my alarm clock? My speaker system wont power the ipod but will play sound. Did they make everyone's car ipod systems junk too?

Warning everyone: this generation of ipods makes all of your ipod accessories into useless junk.

[Vudell]

Originally Posted by jeffdrafttech

Did they make everyone's car ipod systems junk too?

Warning everyone: this generation of ipods makes all of your ipod accessories into useless junk.

oh no! I had not even thought of this. without my car stereo plug, my ipod would never be charged

[aptmunich]

Originally Posted by jeffdrafttech

Grrrrrrrr. iPod

You are right about my iPod not ejecting in my earlier question (I'm running a Vista machine that I can't update because updates cause crashes). Even if I manually eject, iTunes tells me that it can't eject because some other software is using the iPod (I have disc use turned off). I'll just blame this mess on Windows, and just reset my ipod whenever I unplug it; doing that is more convienent than having it reset itself when I want to use it.

One more iPod issue. I have one of the new nanos (4th generation 16GB). The device is great. A huge improvement over my previous 2nd gen nano. The games are especially surprisingly good, but they are hell on the battery. Games limit you to about an hour of battery life.

I had hoped that the battery wouldn't be an issue because I have chargers lying around. I have an ipod specific Belkin charger in my car, and my alarm clock has a usb charging port. Neither of my ipod chargers work with the new ipod. Teh usb port in my alarm clock attached to an ipod cable does nothing. My belkin charger actually pulls up a screen on the ipod that says "this charging accessory is not compatable". What the fuck? It uses a USB power sourse. What changed? If I get an extra this-generation USB cable will it charge with usb power outlets like the one on my alarm clock? My speaker system wont power the ipod but will play sound. Did they make everyone's car ipod systems junk too?

Warning everyone: this generation of ipods makes all of your ipod accessories into useless junk.

Older iPods had two sets of charging pins in their dock connector:
One set for USB power, one set for firewire power.

Now that firewire is going the way of the dodo, Apple dropped firewire data support from most iPods quite some time ago and now they've also dropped firewire charging support.

Unfortunately some 3rd party manufacturers used the firewire pins for charging.

[jeffdrafttech]

I'm really impressed by this thread. You guys know your shit.

I'm thinking about buying a new laptop if my job stays steady through the holidays.

I've sworn off anything running windows after my tragic Vista machine purchase. Fuck learning the Linux CLI. I really want a mac.

I really dig the new Macbook. The price is sort of off-putting for the specs. A $1300 computer with 2gb of ram and 160gb hard drive. I'm definitely not spending a lot more than that and I definitely want a bigger drive.

My question is: if I buy one of these and upgrade the ram and HD myself, am I voiding the warranty?

The Apple site says that both upgrades are easy. Is this true? I have upgraded RAM and Hard Drives on Windows desktops before without any trouble.

When I shop all of this, what specs should I look for in a hard drive and memory for great performance? I'd like to price this out. Are higher rpm drives worse on battery life? Are there drives to avoid? Same with memory: give feedback on what to look for and avoid.

I'm kind of clueless, but browsing Amazon it looks like 4gb of ram and a 320gb hard drive run about $125. Those upgrades in the apple store are $350

Lastly, are the Nvidia graphics, LED screen, half-pound of weight, and aluminum case worth the extra $300 over the plastic model? Is the plastic model easy to upgrade (drive and memory)?

Anything else to consider?

I know I will get a mac for my next notebook. Even if it's a couple hundred bucks more, I can avoid the many many many hours lost and software downgrade purchase I went through with my vista machine.

Opinions?

[m0o0op]

First off, thanks for the compliment

Second of all, the specs don't matter as much for a Mac, it is going to run all the apps in Mac OS X that you will want, and with the new MacBooks, games are well within your reach either using Windows via Boot Camp, or Mac specific games.

The new MacBook designs are fantastically upgradable, a breeze to get to both the hard drive and the RAM. Just pop out the battery and you are at the hard drive, which you can slide in and out, and undo a couple of screws on an L bracket, and you can replace the RAM.

I would say for a long term investment, the new MacBooks are great, they are sturdy, they look good, and will have much better resell value than the plastic models, and the plastic models are harder to upgrade, but not by a whole lot.

If you are used to bigger screen size, make sure you are comfortable with the 13" display on the MacBook, and if it's too small, and you are willing to give up the new look, the refurbished MacBook Pro off the Apple Online Store is always a possiblility.

I'd be glad to answer any other questions you may have also