Everyone knows that the human body has electrical resistance. Well, I can only assume that this is what Apple was trying to tap into when they created the “buttons” on their flat panel displays. It’s a switch, really, and when you touch it, it can either put the computer to sleep (if you tap it), or shut it down in an unfriendly manner (if you hold it.)
Neat huh? Except that whatever technology they’re using, it’s very susceptable to various wavelengths that occur in a standard computer room--speakers, wireless input devices, printers, cordless phones, routers, etc.
Ok, now go back 10 hours earlier in the day, back when I didn’t know any of what I just told you. My 20” cinema display arrives via FedEx. Great! I let it get to room temperature like a good boy, and hook everything up. Wire my new Klipsch speakers up, too. Turn it on--a glorious sound, and proceed through the initial configuration setup and localization and registration. 4 minutes into booting up, my computer shuts itself off.
Thinking it must have been my impatient rush to get the computer on the wireless network and active, I take my time the second time through. Makes it. I run Software Update, to make sure everything is updated before I begin installing my software. It makes it through the download and install, but about 20% into optimization, my computer shuts itself off again.
Freaking out, I start the computer up again, and run Software Update again, to get the few files that I knew wouldn’t be triggered until I had completed previous updates. During the download, it...well, you know.
Maybe it’s my RAM? I run the hardware test, and during the hour and a half that took (1.5GB RAM slowed it down I guess), I discovered, from my other computer, the above information on the Apple discussion forums, as well as the suggested fix--a secret way to disable the switches altogether. I do that, and to be safe, ran to Circuit City and got a 600 watt APC surge protector/battery backup unit.
So, three major problems here, Apple. First, why is it so danged sensitive? Second, if it’s that sensitive, why are there no warnings about keeping other electronics away from it? Finally, considering the first two points, why is the method for disabling the switches hidden from the user without a cryptic keystroke combination?!? *sigh*
Oh well. It is pretty danged sweet looking and all working now.
Posted Wednesday February 11, 2004
in Rants by Derek Jones
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20” Cinema-screen, dual-proc G5… I hate you. And Apple, right now. And their little dog, too!!
But I’m sure I’ll stop hating Apple just as soon as I can actually get video editing to work. Without 147 steps. And tons of new software to buy. Oh… “I hate them sooo much...”
By Chris Curtis on February 11, 2004 at 10:27pm link