Hello,
I have been a "vanilla" mac user for the last three years. I just use it to do some writing, music, do some basic photo and video editing. My kids as they are growing up, use it to do their term papers. However, a few things have happened in the last 9 months and I would like some advice on how to proceed.
My System
=======
iMac, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.8 GHz, L2 Cache 6MB, RAM 2 GB.
OS: Mac OSX 10.6.8, Kernel Darwin 10.8.0
My problems with the iMac
=================
Was foolish enough to forget about getting apple care 🙁
(1) The DVD writer does not work anymore. Now it won't even read any disc. Periodically, it eats the CD and arbitrarily releases it. (Yes I read the forums and tried every trick the users recommended and to no avail). I want replace the DVD writer. I know it's expensive but it's cheaper than getting a new iMac. Any recommendation as to what's the best type of place to take it to and get this done is appreciated.
(3) I have made back up of the user accounts (not using time Machine) on an external drive. The external drive is a 500GB by Hitachi. I used the software that came with it (for the mac of course), and created backups of all the accounts. I want to be able to do a reset on the iMac similar to the iPad or the iPod where they do a reset to factory settings. My questions are:
(a) Is there a way to do a "restore factory defaults" on my iMac?
(b) If there isn't, then what is the best way to do this?
(c) I have upgraded Leopard to snow Leopard (yes paid for the upgrade).
If I were to do a reset, will I lose the upgrade? I mean how would I upgrade it to Snow Leopard (since I did the upgrade online and not have CD's for that..Gosh I sound old school).
This is my first post on here and I hope I have not broken any rules. I apologize if the questions are too simplistic in nature. I hope to get some good guidance from y'all.
-J' Meister!
I have been a "vanilla" mac user for the last three years. I just use it to do some writing, music, do some basic photo and video editing. My kids as they are growing up, use it to do their term papers. However, a few things have happened in the last 9 months and I would like some advice on how to proceed.
My System
=======
iMac, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.8 GHz, L2 Cache 6MB, RAM 2 GB.
OS: Mac OSX 10.6.8, Kernel Darwin 10.8.0
My problems with the iMac
=================
Was foolish enough to forget about getting apple care 🙁
(1) The DVD writer does not work anymore. Now it won't even read any disc. Periodically, it eats the CD and arbitrarily releases it. (Yes I read the forums and tried every trick the users recommended and to no avail). I want replace the DVD writer. I know it's expensive but it's cheaper than getting a new iMac. Any recommendation as to what's the best type of place to take it to and get this done is appreciated.
(3) I have made back up of the user accounts (not using time Machine) on an external drive. The external drive is a 500GB by Hitachi. I used the software that came with it (for the mac of course), and created backups of all the accounts. I want to be able to do a reset on the iMac similar to the iPad or the iPod where they do a reset to factory settings. My questions are:
(a) Is there a way to do a "restore factory defaults" on my iMac?
(b) If there isn't, then what is the best way to do this?
(c) I have upgraded Leopard to snow Leopard (yes paid for the upgrade).
If I were to do a reset, will I lose the upgrade? I mean how would I upgrade it to Snow Leopard (since I did the upgrade online and not have CD's for that..Gosh I sound old school).
This is my first post on here and I hope I have not broken any rules. I apologize if the questions are too simplistic in nature. I hope to get some good guidance from y'all.
-J' Meister!
