Product Description

With the increasing complexity of Mac hardware and software, the likelihood of something going wrong is great. Yet most problems don't require hardware repairs or advanced technical skills--just some simple knowledge. That's what this book provides. Not only does Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters show readers how to fix things and prevent problems, but it sharpens their diagnostic skills so they can fix problems that aren't discussed in the book. It's been updated for coverage through Mac OS 9 (also applicable through later OS versions), and looks at FireWire, USB, iMacs, PowerBooks, the iBook, blue-and-white G3 Macs, G4 Macs, QuickTime 4.0, DVD drives, CD-R and CD-RW disc drives, infrared connections, cable modems (and other high-speed connections), SCSI cards--and much more. A Fix-It section provides an in-depth look at critical troubleshooting tools, and an extensive index helps readers easily find the solution they need.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1338380 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 980 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even the most loyal Macintosh fan knows that there are many ways in which their Mac can misbehave. When it does , Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters is the book to turn to. At nearly 1000 pages, this book covers just about every problem you are ever likely to encounter with your Macintosh, and many which you will hopefully never run into; for example, no one ever wants to hear their usual start-up chimes replaced by the sound of a digitised car crash!

The Apple Mac has undergone huge changes since the 3rd edition of Sad Macs was published; the 4th edition has been almost completely re-written to cover Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9 (and even includes a section on Mac OS X), and to include new Mac hardware such as the iMac, iBook and G4 machines. However, users of pre-PowerPC Macs or versions of the Mac OS older than 8.0 will have to refer to previous editions of Sad Macs for help, as these have been dropped from the latest edition in an effort to keep the sheer size of the book manageable!

Sad Macs is broadly divided into three sections. The first of these, Background and Basics, tells you all about the hardware and System software of your Mac and then moves on to preventative maintenance and general strategies for solving problems when you run into them. The second section, Symptoms, Causes and Cures, devotes a chapter to each of the most common areas of Mac problems, such as System errors, printing problems, the Internet and many more besides. Finally, the Disaster Relief section contains 16 "Fix-It" chapters which give you all the details on how to troubleshoot the various aspects of your Mac and solve problems when you find them.

Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters is an essential addition to any Mac user's library. Nowhere will you find such a comprehensive guide to maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing your Mac. --Daniel Jardine

From the Back Cover

You don't need to be an expert to fix your Mac--most problems don't require hardware repair skills or advanced technical knowledge. That's the philosophy behind the bestselling Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters, now in its fourth edition. Newly updated to cover Mac OS 9 and the G4s, it's the premier troubleshooting guide for anyone who owns a Mac and wants to keep frustrating downtime to a minimum.

Not only will this book help you diagnose and fix the most common--and annoying--Mac problems, it will sharpen your diagnostic skills so you can apply them to problems you may not find in the book. Sad Macs gives you the solutions you're looking for in plain English--not technical jargon--which makes it appropriate for everyone who wants to keep their Mac smiling, from near-beginners on up. Platform: MAC

About the Author

Ted Landau is a contributing editor to Macworld magazine and the Webmaster for MacFixIt, a Web site for Mac troubleshooting. He authored the three previous editions of Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters and is a past winner of the BMUG Choice Product Award.

Customer Reviews

Sad Macs - an all purpose Macintosh reference.
I don't buy too many books as here in Australia they are prohibitively expensive. So, it was with considerable caution I shelled out $35.00 for Ted's Sad Macs. As it turns out, It has EVERYTHING I ever needed to know about the Mac. Ted's understanding of the platform is very comprehensive - both from a hardware and software perspective. Honestly, I have had this book for over 12 months and I still read it whilst sitting on the loo. No, this is not an indication of the book's laxative affects, but rather every time I peruse it's pages, I learn something new. Not only does Ted cover nearly every conceivable aspect of the Mac, how it works, what happens when it doesn't, how to fix it, how to fine-tune it etc, he is also the GURU of the MacFixit website, which has solved several of my software-related problems. But, that's another story. If you love Macs and yearn to learn more - this is the book for you. I don't wish to infer that other books may not be as good, all I wish to convey is that Sad Macs was worth every dollar and cent! Happy reading!

My Personal Favourite for Macintosh Solutions
I heartily recommend this book to all Technical Staff that will at anytime need to resolve problems relating the the Macintosh platform. As an ACSE myself I have found Ted Lanau's books to be one of my best 'tools of the trade'.

Note that this book covers Mac OS 9, and PowerMac spec's upto the single G4 range *and* a few notes on Mac OS X (+Server).

I'm eagerly awaiting its sequel (edition 4)!
As a school, we have the sad situation of living with a mishmash that includes the Mac SE, II, LC, Quadra, PPC, and G3. This could be a major headache for the people in charge of keeping all these machines running for their various uses. Sad Macs, however, makes this management a whole lot easier. Now that we've added G3s to our ever-growing collection, we're looking forward to the 4th edition!