I'm far too much of a fiddler. And in my fiddling I managed to completely FUBAR my beloved and venerable 2010 MacBook Air. I managed to successfully install GNU/Linux along side my macOS High Sierra installation; however, when I went back to reclaim the disk space used by GNU/Linux for my macOS install running APFS, I was met with a failed boot screen. Yikes!
If you have an older Mac and you perform Time Machine (or other) backups, sometimes that diligence might not be enough to get your system back up and running to an expected working state. https://safeomg.netlify.app/download-zoom-for-mac-os-x.html. The recovery process is more involved than simply restoring from Time Machine.
Top comment 'Fast easy set up.gets the job done. I also really like the devices page, which lists all the devices connected to the router with a wireless or wired connection, and it even allows you to edit the name, and appears to store the information by MAC address, so that even if the device reconnects and is assigned a different IP, the router will remember the device name. Oct 12, 2019 Is Linksys velop compatible with macOS High Sierra. My Airport express has broken down and I need tot change router. I checked for compatibility with my different apple products but there is no information concerning Mc Os computer.
When backups aren't enough
In my previous life as a network and system administrator, I learned (the hard way) that backing up data is only part of the data protection process. In fact, backing up is the easy part. The hard part is system restoration. Just because you have your data ready on a remote disk to be restored, doesn't mean you have a computer ready for you to restore to.
Dealing with older hardware
Normally, if you have a modern Mac, an OS repair is a straight forward thing where you can reboot by pressing the Command-R keys at boot time and be presented with a series of tools to help you recover your Mac.
Following that, you can either re-install (not wiping your personal data), run disk utilities to repair a hard drive (my intention), or wipe your hard disk completely and do a fresh install. When that's done, you can restore from Time Machine as needed. So far so good.
Old begets old
What happens if you have no ability to start restoration utilities at boot time? Well, Apple has a built-in system that allows you to perform an internet-based recovery. 'That's great,' you say. And it is. Until we realize that the recovery mode from the internet will query your system and provide a version of the recovery based on when the system was released. Therefore, since my MacBook was from late 2010, it provided me tools that would only install and repair disks that work with OS X Lion.
Os x toolbar for windows. macOS High Sierra now runs Apple's new file system, aptly named APFS. APFS isn't supported on OS X Lion. My disk utilities to repair my drive were now useless. So I was forced to wipe and install Lion from the internet recovery utility.
Starting internet recovery mode.
The good news is that getting to internet recovery mode is as easy as starting the regular recovery mode except with some extra steps.
- Shut down your Mac.
- Power you mac back on while pressing Command-Option-R until you are prompted to connect to a network.
- Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
You'll now have to wait while your system downloads the recovery utilities from the internet.
Install OS X
You'll be happily greeted by a familiar (yet older looking) version of the repair utilities where you can restore from Time Machine, install OS X (not a typo since OS X was the default install on my 2010 Mac), or run Disk Utility (Again useless in my case since APFS was what my internal hard drive had running).
You'll be tempted to try and run a restore from Time Machine and your certainly free to try it out to see if things will automatically start working (and if your APFS volume is intact you may be able to). However, I had to do a complete OS X install.
You can follow our guide to install a fresh copy of OS X if you need help.
I strongly suggest to create an Install account rather than use your normal account name when preforming a fresh install so that when you come to the restoration process, you avoid any compatibility issues with having similar account names.
Once again, you'll need to wait a while while your Mac downloads the installation file from the internet.
Upgrade OS X
Once re-installed, you'll quickly want to upgrade to macOS High Sierra. Unfortunately, you can't. You need to first upgrade to a minimal macOS version of 10.8 and that would be macOS X Mountain Lion.
Searching for older versions of macOS in the App Store yields no results. But if you've downloaded and installed previous versions on your Mac, you can simply select it from your purchased apps list.
- Launch App Store.
- Select Purchased.
- Sign In to the App Store.
- Scroll down until you see an older macOS version such macOS X Mountain Lion.
Click DOWNLOAD.
The installer will automatically start and you can follow the prompts or you can look at how to upgrade your macOS install by following our guide.
Upgrade to macOS High Sierra
Now we can finally go ahead and perform the macOS High Sierra upgrade on our older Mac.
- Launch App Store.
- Search for macOS High Sierra.
- Click DOWNLOAD.
Again the installer will automatically start and you simply follow the prompts or follow our macOS installation guide.
Get your data restored
Finally, we're ready to restore our backed up data. If you back up using Time Machine, here's what you do.
- Launch Migration Assistant.
- Click Continue.
- Enter your Password.
- Click OK.
- Select to transfer From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
- Click Continue.
- Select your Time Machine backup location.
- Click Continue.
- Enter the Time Machine Password if needed.
- Click Connect.
- Select your Backup File.
- Click Continue.
- Select your Macintosh HD to restore to.
- Click Continue.
- Select The information you want restored. Select all for a complete restore.
- Click Continue.
Allow any upgrades to occur if prompted such as iTunes.
- Click Continue.
Now you need to wait for the restore to complete which can take many hours depending on the amount of data to restore and how you're transferring that data whether it be via ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
When complete, log into your restored account and delete the 'installer' or 'Setup' account if you created one earlier.
Your old mac is Restored! Any comments?
That's finally it. Your older Mac should now be restored to it's pre-FUBAR glory. Do you have any stories from the backup/restore trenches? Let us know in the comments!
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A more musical homeApple's new 'Behind the Mac' vid shows James Blake making music at home
Apple's latest 'Behind the Mac' video shows James Blake making music even though he's been stuck in his home studio because of 2020.
Each time a new operating system arrives, there comes an ubiquitous head-to-head battle: is the new one any better than previous one? Is upgrading worth the effort?
With one click, the video you select gets changed into a hilarious GIF ready for sharing. The best part about this GIF maker is the ease of use. Gif animator for mac os x. The interface is made for people with little to no experience with computers or graphics of any kind. Another important note is the length in which you can create a GIF file. Even a relatively inexperienced user can make original gifs now.
Today we’re going to answer these questions (and a few more) in regards to the new macOS 10.13 High Sierra and its older twin, macOS Sierra. We’ll drill into new features that are worth upgrading as well as downsides if you decide to install macOS High Sierra Beta. At the same time, we’ll have a closer look at regular Sierra version, which may just be strong enough to stick to many Mac users’ preferences.
So, let’s put all cards on the table and go for an unbiased macOS High Sierra vs macOS Sierra comparison. After a bit of fact-checking, we’ll leave it to you whether or not to upgrade to macOS High Sierra Beta.
Reasons you should upgrade to macOS High Sierra Beta
The macOS 10.13 High Sierra packs a bunch of new features that promise more capabilities for gaming, virtual and augmented reality. Then, there’s a series of small refinements that capitalize on a better, faster and more powerful UI. Here’s why you should probably upgrade to macOS High Sierra.
A better file system
One of the main arguments for the macOS High Sierra is, undoubtedly, the improved file system, which has received a significant speed boost. The new APFS (Apple File System), as it is now called, completely reorganizes how data is stored and processed, making it easy for users to copy files faster. For instance, the new copying algorithm allows to send a file to a new location, without storing both copies on drive. The Time Machine has got more flexible and now requires less drive space to operate. From now on your files are better protected against accidental crashes, which is obviously a strong selling point.
Enhanced graphics, VR and AR in Metal 2
If you’re looking for just one reason to upgrade to macOS High Sierra Beta, this is it. Metal 2 is the improved technology wrapped around GPU settings and, basically, an accelerator for your apps. It’s really a game-changer in macOS High Sierra, leveraging powerful tools for developers that can now benefit from external GPU support.
New high-end editing tools in Photos
Mac os x update. The Photos app has evolved with a set of new tools for easy, in-depth editing — Curves, Selective Colors — just to name a few. Amusingly enough, you can now launch external editing tools, like Photoshop, right inside Photos. More live effects and a new sidebar to organize your collections should make photo business more fun in macOS High Sierra.
HD videos that take less space
The new macOS High Sierra also introduces some great space-saving techniques, while maintaining the video quality as high as ever. High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is finally supported, which brings video compression to the next level. To put it short, your smaller size videos will look uber cool in Ultra HD.
Safari takes on speed
When run on macOS High Sierra, Safari could be the fastest browser ever invented. Period. Not to mention it also got safer and a lot less annoying, by giving users more power to block their unwanted ads.
Siri gets smarter
Recently named the world’s most popular voice assistant, Siri has moved one grade up in macOS High Sierra. Compared to the previous OS, it speaks in a more natural voice and can even DJ at your parties. Well, at least create your favorite playlists and answer music-related questions.
Of course, these are just cherries on top of the new macOS 10.13 High Sierra. If you’re already converted by now and can’t wait to hit the Install button, here are some sobering points that may make you change your mind.
Reasons you should stick with macOS Sierra (for now)
When analyzing the new features of macOS High Sierra, everything sounds great in theory. However, keep in mind that, for now, the download is only available to Apple Developers and is in Beta Version, which says a lot of possible issues and bugs will inevitably pop up.
What’s more, depending on how old your Mac is, it’s possible that it won’t be able to support all the improved capabilities that macOS High Sierra brings to the table. From this standpoint, if you’re not willing to risk your system to help Apple test High Sierra, you might be safer with regular macOS Sierra until the official version of macOS 10.13 High Sierra is released.
Most experts agree that the current update looks less of a breakthrough, but rather a scrupulous rework under the hood. That means if you aren’t a software developer or a gamer, you might not even notice the difference.
And the last reason, 32-bit apps will no longer be supported in macOS High Sierra. It concerns quite a few apps, really, (ones that don’t have a 64-bit version) but if some of your favorites are 32-bit, you are really out of luck.
High Sierra Download
Feature Comparison | macOS Sierra | macOS High Sierra |
Size on drive | 4.78 GB | about 3 GB |
Graphics | Metal (API) basic | Metal 2, perfect for gaming |
Video | H.264 compression | H.265, 40% Ultra HD |
Photos | Easy photo organization, face recognition | Built-in advanced editor, more effects added |
File System | HFS+, used for 20 years | APFS, faster file operation |
If you are not entirely convinced about switching and yet want your Mac to run better, you can look into some simpler solutions. After all, upgrading your Mac’s OS is a big move, a die-and-reborn type — you cannot predict all possible risks. At the same time, most Macs require cleaning and optimization after some months of use, like repairing disk permissions or re-indexing Spotlight search. This way you’ll boost the performance of your current OS.
How to speed up and optimize your Mac
Final tips before switching to macOS High Sierra
- Backup your most important data
- Remove junk from system folders — CleanMyMac X will do it in just minutes
- Update all your apps (by clicking Check for updates…)
- Delete large & old files to free up drive space
The latter can be done with CleanMyMac, the most popular Mac cleaning app in the world, that finds 74 GB of junk on an average Mac. Check it out — you can download it for free and clean 500 MB of system junk free of charge.
Thanks for getting to the bottom of this article. Hope it helps, folks. Stay tuned!
These might also interest you:
Mac High Sierra Update Problems
- How to Use Siri in macOS and What to Ask