McLarenblog • Page 84 of 137 • Evaluate products and politics for you.

Microsoft Office 2011 Can Not Complete Installation Of Update.

08/28/2013 Score Card

Problem: You are notified that there is an update to Microsoft Office 2011 for your Mac. You proceed through the steps but get stopped up by one or more programs that will not close. My problem was that the Microsoft Office Installation program could not close two programs. They were hidden as start up applications explained shortly.

Solution: Write down the offending programs. We will go look for them in a rather unlikely place.

Go to the Apple menu (upper left corner) > System Preferences > System Users & Groups. It just so happens that each user can specify some applications that will automatically open when that person logs into the computer. Problem is that some applications load their programs into this auto load when you install them. We are going to see if the programs on your list appear in the automatic start up list. Even if they don’t, you might turn off all start up items until this update installation is complete.

Go to “Login Items” tab (see image above) when selecting “Current User” and see what programs have turned themselves on “automatically when you log in”.

If you see the programs listed, deselect them, turn them off, for automatic start and then reboot your computer. After the restart those programs should not have started and will no longer impede the Office 2011 update.

Going To War In Syria – I Detect The US Is Being Played.

08/28/2013 Score Card

Hearing that the Syrian leadership has allegedly used chemical weapons to kill parts of its own population seems to be the most stupid development by Syria’s government. Knowing that this should draw the United States and other countries into the conflict is either a colossal misstep or a calculation that might gain the Assad regime some advantage. Lets look at the countries that support Syria and see their motivations.

If it is the wishes of Russia, China or Iran to draw the western powers into this conflict makes one think where is the benefit to the countries pulling the strings and how does Assad gain anything.

China wants to expand its role in Asia. The United States is the principal opponent to those plans. Pushing the United States into another war would further tax the US military and may so diminish the US power that China might feel embolden to pursue more aggressive expansion.

Russia oligarchy allegedly wants to continue to strip wealth out of their country and would love to have a free hand in doing so with less attention. With the whole world focused on Syria, the Russian problem will be barely noticed.

Iran’s principal opponent is Israel and the United States is solidly behind that country. Israel is probably planning to bomb Iran’s nuclear facility some time in the near future but may pull back from those plans if their principal ally is embroiled in another war.

As for Assad, he could easily have made a financial deal to gain wealth from this agreement and political asylum if the outcome turns against him.

How To Extend New Airport With An Older Airport Extreme

08/13/2013 Score Card

Disclaimer: The following how to explanation intent is to provide you my road map for incorporating an older Airport Extreme and pair it with a new Airport Extreme with the new 802.11ac technology. My Extreme also included an internal hard drive, called Airport Time Capsule. This post was composed August 2013. As time goes on this tutorial will become out of date due to system software changes, Airport Utility changes and hardware upgrades. My point is that you should take care as your circumstances may be different and procedures may change, especially as time proceeds.

Also, this setup requires quite a few steps, some computer knowledge and maybe some ability to figure out work around solutions as your environment, equipment and software might not be the same.

You should check to see if the equipment you posses is the same or similar to the WiFi system I am describing.

My computer operating system is 10.8.4.
Airport Utility version I am using is 6.3.1 (631.4)
WiFi Explorer version is 1.5.1.
My old Airport Extreme model is IC: 579C-A1143.

Background: With my purchase of a new MacBook Air, I also purchased a Airport Time Capsule. My intent was to still use the older but extremely reliable Airport Extreme as an extension to the new system. I did not want the old Airport Extreme to just collect dust so I decided to attempt to add it to the new network but down stream to extend the WiFi range. The Apple sales man told me it could not be done, saying some computer chip was missing. I had nothing to loose so I tried anyway. It took a while but I was able to add the Extreme to the Time Capsule with a wireless connection.

I got my best information at this web site: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4274187?start=0&tstart=0

Let me tell you that getting this extension to the network going took some time because I did not have a clue what I was doing. Following are some notes that might help if your willing to jump in to some frustration.

I strongly recommend that you buy WiFi Explorer, an application from the Apple Store. This application is excellent! I recommend this application because it really helped me set up my wireless system. It showed me the following hidden facts:
I found out that my two wireless routers were putting out signals on THREE channels. You do not want to do that! You want to minimize the spectrum your WiFi is using. Be a good neighbor. WiFi Explorer shows that my laptop is receiving 18 separate WiFi systems! I want to make all my routers output on the SAME channels so I would not step on other systems with radio interference. Here is my channel list:

Channel 3 = old Airport Extreme
Channel 11 = new Airport Time Capsule
Channel 149 = new Airport Time Capsule (No one in my area was using 5 GHz)

NOTE: The new Airport Time Capsule does put out TWO channels. You can not turn either off. My concern was that the old Airport Extreme was on another channel showing to the world that I was using THREE.

I was later able to view the old Airport Extreme “come up” from a device reset. It came up with a whole new wireless name which was a bit confusing for a while but I guessed as to what was happening and just sat back sipping my tea waiting for the boot up process to finish and provide the name I specified.

You do NOT have to connect the old Airport Extreme by Ethernet cable to get this to work (you could and it would be a bit more reliable for not dropping some packets). We are going to set this older unit up wireless. Obviously, you need both units to “see” one another. Get them close to one another for this set up process. Later on, after we are finished, you can move the child unit away to extend the system coverage.

Put the child Airport Extreme in the same room as the Airport Time Capsule and be able to view the LED lights on both units. This will make setting this unit up much easier for you. Unplug the child or Airport Extreme for now and let it rest of at least a minute before applying power. The resting period is necessary for all the internal capacitors to drain and thus end any power to the device. (This is the reason cable companies tell you to power down your router and modem for at least a minute to do a reset.)

On your computer that you will be using to set up the wireless system, turn OFF the Airport Utility if you have it running. I really recommend that during this process you realize that Airport Utility may NOT display recent changes unless you quit the application and then restart it. Airport Utility restart is an important check that what this program is displaying on your computer screen is up to date.

With the old Airport Extreme in the same room, powered up that unit if you have not done so. This is done by plugging in the power at the back of the unit. Wait a minute or two for the unit to complete its boot process.

Take a paper clip and insert it into the extremely small hole in the back of the Extreme (see image below). The reset hole on my unit was next to the last Ethernet connection, right side of the box and next to the Kensington lock hole.

Press in with the paper clip slightly until you feel and possibly hear a slight clicking sound. The LED at the front of the unit will begin to flash real fast. Keep pressing in on that hidden switch for 9 to 10 seconds. This will erase any prior settings that this router has stored. We want it to come up “clean” or “fresh”. I actually had to do the reset twice on my unit.

Go to your computer and open up the Airport Utility. It is going to open up showing a real nice simple graphic. At the top is the Earth which represents the Internet or your cable modem. You can click on this Earth and you should see some simple information such as connection status, router address, DNS server list and domain name. Just below this Earth is the name “Internet” and you should see a green dot in front of that name. The green dot tells us that the cable company recognizes your router as being legitimate and is sending it packet signals.

Just below the Internet Earth should be Airport Time Capsule. It had better show a green dot before its name indicating it is working properly. If you do not see a green light, you can not go any further. You then need to fix the Time Capsule.

Just below the Airport Time Capsule should be your Airport Extreme. It is madly trying to figure out how to connect to the Time Capsule and let me tell you that this can really take some time. Go get a cut of coffee to tea and take your time getting it.

In the upper left of the Airport Utility screen you will see a long horizontal button labeled “Other Wi-Fi Devices”. It took a while before the software showed a device that could be added.

Image above shows NO other devices are recognized for setup.

The image above now shows one new device.

At some point, this button will reveal the new Airport Extreme (image above) and it is telling us that we need to bring it in as part of your existing system. This is called a pairing process. Click on this button and you should be shown the Airport Extreme (probably your only choice). Click on this menu item.

The Airport Utility should then start to marry or pair the two devices and finish by showing you a new splash screen. A new graphic will show the Time Capsule to the left with a solid line to the Airport Extreme is the graphic. A default “Base Station Name” will be provided. I chose to add the word “Extended” to this name so I can better view this device with WiFi Explorer as a separate device and each computer can be used to show which device it is connected to later.

In the lower left corner of the splash screen is a button to activate “Other Options”. You really need to investigate this! You have four options:

Create a new network.
Add to an existing network.
Replace an existing network.
Restore previous settings.

Your going to choose one of the first two options. Option one will place the Airport Extreme into a separate WiFi Channel. I can not do this because so many people live around my home have WiFi. I chose option two, “Add to an existing network”. This is nifty in that it will output on the same WiFi channel and extend its range.

At the lower right of this splash screen are two buttons “Back” and “Next”. Mouse click on “Next”.

The next step is critical. The splash screen will now show a new graphic and ask you too which network do you want to “Connect to”?

You do not want to connect to any other WiFi network than your own. I was given two choices.

My home WiFi Network
My home WiFi Network 5GHz

I figured that because the Airport Extreme is not 5GHz capable that I would choose the “My home WiFi Network.

After making your selection as to which network you wish the Extreme to pair too, mouse click on “Next” button (lower right corner).

Yikes, another splash screen (above). The same graphic as before showing the Time Capsule to the left and the Airport Extreme to the right shows. Another option to change the name of the Base Station is presented. I again added “Extended”. Again, go get some tea or coffee as this process will take some time.

Note: Please notice, in the image above, that the line between the Time Capsule and Airport Extreme is dashed, not solid. This shows that the connection between the two devices is WiFi and not Ethernet.

The Airport Utility, in the image above, shows a successful system. Internet, Time Capsule and Extreme all show green indicators before their names (I removed my wireless name from image).

Finally, go and mouse click on the Extreme graphic shown on the Airport Utility screen to reveal information about the device. Take special note of the “connection”. My unit shows “Excellent”.

TIP: Once your Extreme is set up this way, you can then move it around to get better coverage into your back yard, garage, or even neighbors if they need to borrow your Internet. You must be certain that the Extreme can properly receive strong signals from the Time Capsule for successful operation and best performance. The application, WiFi Explorer is perfect when loaded on to a laptop for mapping how strong the parent Time Capsule signal is. Be aware that you can make changes in the preferences for “Scan Sensitivity”.

How To Get A Second Extended Monitor To Work As Extended Desktop With MacBook Air

08/08/2013 Score Card

I was really annoyed in not being able to connect a second monitor up to my MacBook Air in a configuration that pleases me. I have a large screen Samsung (P2570) monitor that accepts HDMI and digital inputs. (Note: if you have a HDMI TV, this method should also work.) I purchased a Belkin Mini DisplayPort to HDTV Cable, 6 feet long (F2CDO3yw2M-APL exclusive to Apple Store). It connected directly to my MacBook Air and the Samsung monitor. I like to position that larger screen over and behind my laptop screen. Problem for me was I could not figure out how to slide content from the MacBook Air up to the second screen. Content would hit the edge of the laptop screen and stop. I finally found the solution which is most interesting.

Aside: I have a five year old MacBook Pro computer. I always use extended desktop with that computer. I found some slight problems with this older unit. The computer seemed to remember the last location for that screen when you launch it next time. This was a problem if I disconnected the second screen. Application screens that were in that second screen could not be found because they were sent to the monitor that I had disconnected. The solution was simple. I would reconnect the second monitor and move content back to the laptop or turn on mirroring and fix the problem.

I wanted to see how the MacBook Air handled this problem. I tested this MacBook Air by putting application screens up to the second monitor, turned off my laptop and disconnected the second monitor and see what would happen. I expected to NOT find missing content that was sent to the second monitor that I had just disconnected. Apple really improved the software, boy have they! My laptop reverted to single screen perfectly showing application screens that were positioned in the second extended desktop! Wow! I now leave my laptop configured for two extended screens and I only need to remove my laptop with no ill effects. All the content that I left in the second monitor space would drop back into the laptop screen. That is really cool.

Next, I will describe how to make the necessary changes to make a second monitor extend the laptop presentation. My configuration is vertical with the second add on display over or on top of the laptop screen.

Method:

Open System Preferences and look for Displays. Open Displays.

Turn ON “Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available”. This really is not necessary. I just like doing it in case I do not see all my content and need to fix that problem fast.

Turn OFF “Mirror Displays”. Mirror is when you want both screens to show the same thing, exact same content. This method that I am describing is showing how to extend the laptop screen into a second monitor. We will be increasing your viewing space by adding a second monitor that can show MORE content. For example, when writing I like to always show the dictionary, web browser, and Pages or Scrivener. That just will not work with the MacBook Air screen. Laptops have small screens. I put items into the second monitor screen. This makes for a very efficient writing process. I also love this method for composing my web pages. I compose my text using Pages. I have Adobe Lightroom open to find and manipulate photos. I have a web browser open to check the look of my web content. I have Grab open to capture screen content.

Choose “Arrangement” tab so you can slide the displays around. You can slide the second monitor left, right bottom or top of the laptop screen. I chose top.

Typically the MacBook Air will be the smaller blue box with a white bar on top (see image below).

This is the trick method.

Grab ONLY the white bar that shows on top of the laptop (small) blue box and slide it on top of the large second monitor box. Actually it is important to slide the white bar into the second monitor blue box until that box shows a red outline. That red outline indicates to you that the change will be made. You naturally can slide that white bar back to the smaller laptop screen at any time.

In the above image you can see the white bar being moved (mouse cursor missing from image) from the lower blue box (laptop) to the larger and upper blue box which represents the second or added monitor. Take note that the upper blue box is showing a red outline which indicates that the menu bar will now be a part of that monitor. The image below shows the result.

Notice in the image above that I now have slid the white (menu) bar to the top of the second monitor.

That is all you need to do. I found this setup worked perfectly. Except, you will still have your task bar to launch applications at the bottom laptop box but your screen menu now is at the top of the second and larger second screen.
Now this makes sense. We just made both screens a pillar of sorts with launch dock at the bottom of the laptop screen and the top of the displays extending up to the larger screen and the menu now resides at the very top of the second display.

A slight annoyance was that I had to move the mouse cursor up and down this huge vertical space over and over. With the MacBook Air the track pad is very efficient and I figured I did not need a mouse. I just might have to now to make the huge cursor moves easier.

Asilomar

07/20/2013 Score Card

Asilomar Conference Center, for me is a bit strange and many of its strange components are very much appreciated by me. First, this is a government facility, owned by the State of California. It is a state park run by a private company contracted to manage the facility. It is a conference center that is quite large and located in a terrific plot of land between Carmel and Monterey right on the beach. In years past you typically can not plan to stay here if you are not part of a pre planned conference so booking a room can only take place within a few weeks of your arrival. It was really difficult to plan to stay here months in advance. They only open rooms when large groups do not fill up the place, like for conferences. This place validates those, like me, who can not or do not like to plan ahead. I call the center or use my computer to see if I can get a booking just days before arriving. It is a dice roll whether you will be able to book a room. I feel like I win the lottery when I can get a room. However, since Aramark took over running this facility, it appears to me that booking into this resort can be done at any time. I really recommend that you go to their web site as it shows days that are available. http://www.visitasilomar.com/accommodations.aspx

P.A. Hearst Social Hall is where you check in.

Positives

Location, location, location. You simply can not conceive any better spot in California for this conference center. You are so darn close to the ocean, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove shops and down town Monterey. There are many wonderful restaurants in the area.
The Asilomar grounds is a real positive and they are large. This is a terrific spot to just hang out and vegetate. The Asilomar property is right on the beach. Only a road separates the Asilomar grounds and the Asilomar State Beach. There are numerous hiking opportunities along the beach and on the Asilomar grounds. They also have special information posts just outside some Asilomar buildings where you can use your cell phone to scan and launch a web site to learn about items close to where you are standing.
You may possibly save money by lodging at Asilomar when you compare total pricing with other facilities. The rooms are about $130 for 2 people (this price can change) but this includes a terrific breakfast valued around $20 for each person. So doing the math, you are getting the room for about $90 when not including meals.
No TV except in the bar (no audio). I list this as a positive if family members wish to discover one another again and not be distracted by the idiot box.
Free wifi and the signal is really strong. I was able to play the computer game, World of Warcraft, a most impressive indicator.
Many rooms come with a decent size balcony with two chairs.
Many rooms come with a fireplace stocked with paper and wood ready to light. They give you a combination to a storage locker typically located quite close to your room so you can pull out extra fire place fuel. We build a fire every night that we stay at Asilomar and really enjoy the smell, added warmth and crackling sounds.
I really value being able to open a window to get fresh air. Most rooms come with sliding glass doors and windows that can be cracked open for fresh air.
The air is clean and free of noise. For those who remember the fog horn located rather close to Asilomar, it has been removed.
The heater in our last room was terrific and quiet. I have stayed in many hotels and motor inns where the air conditioner and heater was way too loud.
Social Hall is where you check in and it contains a gift shop, pool tables, coffee shop with coffee drinks and full bar.
Asilomar also offers a swimming pool.

Negatives:

The rooms are a bit Spartan. The room furnishings are really basic. The rugs on the floor are not thick.
With each visit to Asilomar, you will not have any idea of what building and room you will be staying in. Some buildings and rooms are better than others.
You may have to lug your luggage a distance from vehicle to room.
No TV,
No radio,
No refrigerator.
No coffee maker.
Pocket door to bathroom is a negative for me. I really do not like pocket doors as they have issues for not completely functioning properly. They will make noise, not slide, not lock.
The grounds, roads, buildings seem to be laid out by someone who had no sense of proper organization. At Asilomar, the most direct and closest path is not in a straight line.
Finding a parking place is sometimes a challenge.

Other Issues:

If you rely on WiFi to get cell phone e-mail due to lousy cell tower signal, you must use your cell phone web browser to log into the Asilomar authorization web site and enter the user name and password given to you when you got your packet of information. If you notice that the e-mail messages have not been updating, you might have lost this link and need to start it up again. I found their Wifi coverage to be excellent.

Summary:
For the rich, famous, and pampered this place will disappoint. For the budget conscious, progressive hippie, ecologically and environmentally sensitive and appreciative of weird, this place may appeal. From my budget conscious, affinity for the unique, this place gets my approval. I really love having breakfast in the Checker Dining Hall where muffins, toast, cereal, drinks are laid out on a huge lazy Susan on top of a larger round table. As you enter the dining hall you meet a person who takes your meal ticket given to you when you registered for your room Seating is designated by this person. They may ask you if you are participating in a group or conference. If you are, you will be sent to tables reserved for the appropriate group. If you are independent from any group as we always are, you will be told to go to a table for open seating. Remember the table number this person tells you. You then walk into a cafeteria type line where you can select from a limited menu of items and are handed your food on a plate. You get to sit at a large table with off the road people you do not know if you are not part of a group. These people are sometimes quite a surprise and enjoyable or dreadfully boring. The feeling is like being at a summer camp, instead of being waited upon like a typical restaurant.

Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove, California.

07/20/2013 Score Card

This particular sight seeing location is very close to Asilomar State Beach and Conference Center, one of our favorite vacation spots located in Pacific Grove, California. This light house is open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM weekdays and weekends. It costs $2 to enter and look around. The rooms are quite small. In the basement is a very small room showing the Fresnel lens technology. When we visited, they were restoring some portions.

Phone Number: 831-648-3176Web site: http://www.pointpinoslighthouse.org/