Need to buy DVD drive / Storage for my iMac Mid2011 but don't know where to start
I have an iMac mid2011, and would like to fit it with an additional dvd drive so that I don't have to mess around changing region codes from 1 to 2 and back.
Can somebody please recommend a dvd drive (better if blu-ray) compatible with iMac Mid2011? I am thinking of buying online, but I am afraid of getting the wrong thing.
I am also expanding my video library, and have considered buying a 2TB external HD, but a friend told me to better buy a NAS. So same question goes, should I stay traditional and just buy the hard drive? Which brands are most compatible with my mac? and If you'd rather buy a NAS, why should I go for it, and which brand?
Thanks so much Apple experts.
AJD
So far I've not found a single USB DVD player that didn't work with the Mac. BluRay is a bit trickier since you'll also need 3rd party software to play commercial BluRay movies because the Mac OS doesn't support BluRay.
A NAS is useful under three circumstances: 1) you want to access data from the drive when you aren't at home. 2) you have more than one computer in the household and want to share that drive with them and/or 3) you want to take advantage of RAID technology. And even here a NAS isn't the only way to accomplish this.
If none of these hold true for you then save your money and get a high quality external drive - I recommend OWC to one and all. (I have no affiliation, I'm a very satisfied customer.) You might even want to consider OWC's miniStack Max which contains both a hard drive and optical drive.
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Where is the data file for the address book located, I need to restore mine from backup but don't know where it is to do so. Putting my Mac Pro onto icloud synching contacts resulted in duplicate and triplicates of the same cards. I have a few THOUSAND contacts and the last time this happened was on mobile me. that had a function where you could replace info on the mobile me server with info on the computer. I see no way to do that on the new cloud.
In the stupidly hidden user's Library->/Application Support/AddressBook/ labeled as AddressBook-v22.abcddb
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My computer caught a virus. My entire drive was wiped clean, however, I had recently done a backup to a portable hard drive. When I got my computer back from the tech, and logged into my itunes, my library shows all my songs, but NONE of them have a music file associated with it - therefore I cannot play it. I have located the music files on my external hard drive, confirmed they play, but don't know how to go about getting them from my hard drive to my computer. Can someone please help me?????
In iTunes, go to File > Add to Library and select the files/folders you would like to add.
You can also choose to consolidate library after that to move them off the external. -
''dupe of https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/910470''
I guess I have done enough and will check it out and see if I can get another Internet company as Firefox is to complicated for me.
I have been working on this for 3 days and have more to do in my life than fool with this. I have already posted the problem and don't know where to find the answer. I can't open SMS's and IM's in the pull down in Compose box on email page.Its known issue, see;
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Need os9 compatible DVD drive replacement for MDD G4
Are current ide optical drives (Pioneer 110, for example) supported at all under OS9.2? Not too bothered about iTunes etc support but do need Finder read and Toast burning support.
Thanks
Roger kingBooted into OS 9.2. Had to install Toast 5.1.3 from CD as I have not installed the program while started from my 9 volume. Used 110D to install. Restarted machine and burnt CD at 32x. Burn successful. Did not try a DVD-R.
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Will I need to buy bigger external HD for new iMac?
I have had my trusty iMac (the snowball one) for 6+ years now and have loved it dearly. It has an 80gig hard drive that is about three quarters full. I have other things stored on an external hard drive, and have been using a 200gig external for Time Machine.
Anyway, I am about to splurge on a new iMac. Going for the 21.5 inch one, but putting 2T hd in it and as much ram as possible.
My question is: what will time machine need for back up? For the past few years I have been using a 200gig external for Time Machine (I also have a 500g one for extra photos and music). It will be quite a while before I have even 100 gigs of stuff to back up with Time Machine. So can I continue to use the 200 gig external for TM? Should I use the 500gig instead? Or am I going to have to buy a new external to equal the 2T?
For what it is worth, I plan to keep my snowball iMac and use it to store some documents or photos that I do not need to access often?
Many thanks in advance.
JaneHi Jane,
Pondini has made excellent FAQs for Time Machine to be found here http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html
Quote from it:
+"A general "rule of thumb" is, TM needs 2 to 3 times as much space as the data it's backing-up (not necessarily the entire size of your internal HD).+
+But this varies greatly, depending on how you use your Mac. If you frequently add/update lots of large files, then even 3 times may not be enough. If you're a light user, 1.5 times might do. Unfortunately, it's rather hard to predict, so if in doubt, get a bigger one!"+
Endquote.
So, it seems to me that using your 500GB external HD for Time Machine should be sufficient for your useage.
Hope it helps
Stefan
Message was edited by: Fortuny -
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I've found some 250 GB hard drives at Best Buy for about $60-80, but I don't know how to install it, and I don't know where to go to get that done, that won't charge me an arm and a leg.
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Can I creat an new iCloud account and make it the primary one for my backups and buy extra iCloud storage for it? Thank you
Hey Hindfromlondon,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities. Since you are posting here, I take it you already have an Apple ID.
You can setup that Apple ID to work with iCloud. See:
Set up your Apple ID for iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support
And you usually want to stick with one Apple ID as having multiples can cause confusion (especially with purchases).
Frequently asked questions about Apple ID - Apple Support
What is an Apple ID?
An Apple ID is a user name you use for everything you do with Apple. Creating an account for an Apple service, such as the iTunes Store or the App Store, creates an Apple ID. Apple ID allows you to access other Apple services. You don't have to create a new account for each service—just use your Apple ID.
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and further down:
I have multiple Apple IDs. Is there a way for me to merge them into a single Apple ID?
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Need to create a driver class for a program i have made...
hey guys im new to these forums and someone told me that i could get help on here if i get in a bind...my problem is that i need help creating a driver class for a program that i have created and i dont know what to do. i need to know how to do this is because my professor told us after i was 2/3 done my project that we need at least 2 class files for our project, so i need at least 2 class files for it to run... my program is as follows:
p.s might be kinda messy, might need to put it into a text editor
Cipher.java
This program encodes and decodes text strings using a cipher that
can be specified by the user.
import java.io.*;
public class Cipher
public static void printID()
// output program ID
System.out.println ("*********************");
System.out.println ("* Cipher *");
System.out.println ("* *");
System.out.println ("* *");
System.out.println ("* *");
System.out.println ("* CS 181-03 *");
System.out.println ("*********************");
public static void printMenu()
// output menu
System.out.println("\n\n****************************" +
"\n* 1. Set cipher code. *" +
"\n* 2. Encode text. *" +
"\n* 3. Decode coded text. *" +
"\n* 4. Exit the program *" +
"\n****************************");
public static String getText(BufferedReader input, String prompt)
throws IOException
// prompt the user and get their response
System.out.print(prompt);
return input.readLine();
public static int getInteger(BufferedReader input, String prompt)
throws IOException
// prompt and get response from user
String text = getText(input, prompt);
// convert it to an integer
return (new Integer(text).intValue());
public static String encode(String original, int offset)
// declare constants
final int ALPHABET_SIZE = 26; // used to wrap around A-Z
String encoded = ""; // base for string to return
char letter; // letter being processed
// convert message to upper case
original = original.toUpperCase();
// process each character of the message
for (int index = 0; index < original.length(); index++)
// get the letter and determine whether or not to
// add the cipher value
letter = original.charAt(index);
if (letter >='A' && letter <= 'Z')
// is A-Z, so add offset
// determine whether result will be out of A-Z range
if ((letter + offset) > 'Z') // need to wrap around to 'A'
letter = (char)(letter - ALPHABET_SIZE + offset);
else
if ((letter + offset) < 'A') // need to wrap around to 'Z'
letter = (char)(letter + ALPHABET_SIZE + offset);
else
letter = (char) (letter + offset);
// build encoded message string
encoded = encoded + letter;
return encoded;
public static String decode(String original, int offset)
// declare constants
final int ALPHABET_SIZE = 26; // used to wrap around A-Z
String decoded = ""; // base for string to return
char letter; // letter being processed
// make original message upper case
original = original.toUpperCase();
// process each letter of message
for (int index = 0; index < original.length(); index++)
// get letter and determine whether to subtract cipher value
letter = original.charAt(index);
if (letter >= 'A' && letter <= 'Z')
// is A-Z, so subtract cipher value
// determine whether result will be out of A-Z range
if ((letter - offset) < 'A') // wrap around to 'Z'
letter = (char)(letter + ALPHABET_SIZE - offset);
else
if ((letter - offset) > 'Z') // wrap around to 'A'
letter = (char)(letter - ALPHABET_SIZE - offset);
else
letter = (char) (letter - offset);
// build decoded message
decoded = decoded + letter;
return decoded;
// main controls flow throughout the program, presenting a
// menu of options the user.
public static void main (String[] args) throws IOException
// declare constants
final String PROMPT_CHOICE = "Enter your choice: ";
final String PROMPT_VALID = "\nYou must enter a number between 1" +
" and 4 to indicate your selection.\n";
final String PROMPT_CIPHER = "\nEnter the offset value for a caesar " +
"cipher: ";
final String PROMPT_ENCODE = "\nEnter the text to encode: ";
final String PROMPT_DECODE = "\nEnter the text to decode: ";
final String SET_STR = "1"; // selection of 1 at main menu
final String ENCODE_STR = "2"; // selection of 2 at main menu
final String DECODE_STR = "3"; // selection of 3 at main menu
final String EXIT_STR = "4"; // selection of 4 at main menu
final int SET = 1; // menu choice 1
final int ENCODE = 2; // menu choice 2
final int DECODE =3; // menu choice 4
final int EXIT = 4; // menu choice 3
final int ALPHABET_SIZE = 26; // number of elements in alphabet
// declare variables
boolean finished = false; // whether or not to exit program
String text; // input string read from keyboard
int choice; // menu choice selected
int offset = 0; // caesar cipher offset
// declare and instantiate input objects
InputStreamReader reader = new InputStreamReader(System.in);
BufferedReader input = new BufferedReader(reader);
// Display program identification
printID();
// until the user selects the exit option, display the menu
// and respond to the choice
do
// Display menu of options
printMenu();
// Prompt user for an option and read input
text = getText(input, PROMPT_CHOICE);
// While selection is not valid, prompt for correct info
while (!text.equals(SET_STR) && !text.equals(ENCODE_STR) &&
!text.equals(EXIT_STR) && !text.equals(DECODE_STR))
text = getText(input, PROMPT_VALID + PROMPT_CHOICE);
// convert choice to an integer
choice = new Integer(text).intValue();
// respond to the choice selected
switch(choice)
case SET:
// get the cipher value from the user and constrain to
// -25..0..25
offset = getInteger(input, PROMPT_CIPHER);
offset %= ALPHABET_SIZE;
break;
case ENCODE:
// get message to encode from user, and encode it using
// the current cipher value
text = getText(input, PROMPT_ENCODE);
text = encode(text, offset);
System.out.println("Encoded text is: " + text);
break;
case DECODE:
// get message to decode from user, and decode it using
// the current cipher value
text = getText(input, PROMPT_DECODE);
text = decode(text, offset);
System.out.println("Decoded text is: " + text);
break;
case EXIT:
// set exit flag to true
finished = true ;
break;
} // end of switch on choice
} while (!finished); // end of outer do loop
// Thank user
System.out.println("Thank you for using Cipher for all your" +
" code breaking and code making needs.");
}My source in code format...sorry guys :)
Cipher.java
This program encodes and decodes text strings using a cipher that
can be specified by the user.
import java.io.*;
public class Cipher
public static void printID()
// output program ID
System.out.println ("*********************");
System.out.println ("* Cipher *");
System.out.println ("* *");
System.out.println ("* *");
System.out.println ("* *");
System.out.println ("* CS 181-03 *");
System.out.println ("*********************");
public static void printMenu()
// output menu
System.out.println("\n\n****************************" +
"\n* 1. Set cipher code. *" +
"\n* 2. Encode text. *" +
"\n* 3. Decode coded text. *" +
"\n* 4. Exit the program *" +
"\n****************************");
public static String getText(BufferedReader input, String prompt)
throws IOException
// prompt the user and get their response
System.out.print(prompt);
return input.readLine();
public static int getInteger(BufferedReader input, String prompt)
throws IOException
// prompt and get response from user
String text = getText(input, prompt);
// convert it to an integer
return (new Integer(text).intValue());
public static String encode(String original, int offset)
// declare constants
final int ALPHABET_SIZE = 26; // used to wrap around A-Z
String encoded = ""; // base for string to return
char letter; // letter being processed
// convert message to upper case
original = original.toUpperCase();
// process each character of the message
for (int index = 0; index < original.length(); index++)
// get the letter and determine whether or not to
// add the cipher value
letter = original.charAt(index);
if (letter >='A' && letter <= 'Z')
// is A-Z, so add offset
// determine whether result will be out of A-Z range
if ((letter + offset) > 'Z') // need to wrap around to 'A'
letter = (char)(letter - ALPHABET_SIZE + offset);
else
if ((letter + offset) < 'A') // need to wrap around to 'Z'
letter = (char)(letter + ALPHABET_SIZE + offset);
else
letter = (char) (letter + offset);
// build encoded message string
encoded = encoded + letter;
return encoded;
public static String decode(String original, int offset)
// declare constants
final int ALPHABET_SIZE = 26; // used to wrap around A-Z
String decoded = ""; // base for string to return
char letter; // letter being processed
// make original message upper case
original = original.toUpperCase();
// process each letter of message
for (int index = 0; index < original.length(); index++)
// get letter and determine whether to subtract cipher value
letter = original.charAt(index);
if (letter >= 'A' && letter <= 'Z')
// is A-Z, so subtract cipher value
// determine whether result will be out of A-Z range
if ((letter - offset) < 'A') // wrap around to 'Z'
letter = (char)(letter + ALPHABET_SIZE - offset);
else
if ((letter - offset) > 'Z') // wrap around to 'A'
letter = (char)(letter - ALPHABET_SIZE - offset);
else
letter = (char) (letter - offset);
// build decoded message
decoded = decoded + letter;
return decoded;
// main controls flow throughout the program, presenting a
// menu of options the user.
public static void main (String[] args) throws IOException
// declare constants
final String PROMPT_CHOICE = "Enter your choice: ";
final String PROMPT_VALID = "\nYou must enter a number between 1" +
" and 4 to indicate your selection.\n";
final String PROMPT_CIPHER = "\nEnter the offset value for a caesar " +
"cipher: ";
final String PROMPT_ENCODE = "\nEnter the text to encode: ";
final String PROMPT_DECODE = "\nEnter the text to decode: ";
final String SET_STR = "1"; // selection of 1 at main menu
final String ENCODE_STR = "2"; // selection of 2 at main menu
final String DECODE_STR = "3"; // selection of 3 at main menu
final String EXIT_STR = "4"; // selection of 4 at main menu
final int SET = 1; // menu choice 1
final int ENCODE = 2; // menu choice 2
final int DECODE =3; // menu choice 4
final int EXIT = 4; // menu choice 3
final int ALPHABET_SIZE = 26; // number of elements in alphabet
// declare variables
boolean finished = false; // whether or not to exit program
String text; // input string read from keyboard
int choice; // menu choice selected
int offset = 0; // caesar cipher offset
// declare and instantiate input objects
InputStreamReader reader = new InputStreamReader(System.in);
BufferedReader input = new BufferedReader(reader);
// Display program identification
printID();
// until the user selects the exit option, display the menu
// and respond to the choice
do
// Display menu of options
printMenu();
// Prompt user for an option and read input
text = getText(input, PROMPT_CHOICE);
// While selection is not valid, prompt for correct info
while (!text.equals(SET_STR) && !text.equals(ENCODE_STR) &&
!text.equals(EXIT_STR) && !text.equals(DECODE_STR))
text = getText(input, PROMPT_VALID + PROMPT_CHOICE);
// convert choice to an integer
choice = new Integer(text).intValue();
// respond to the choice selected
switch(choice)
case SET:
// get the cipher value from the user and constrain to
// -25..0..25
offset = getInteger(input, PROMPT_CIPHER);
offset %= ALPHABET_SIZE;
break;
case ENCODE:
// get message to encode from user, and encode it using
// the current cipher value
text = getText(input, PROMPT_ENCODE);
text = encode(text, offset);
System.out.println("Encoded text is: " + text);
break;
case DECODE:
// get message to decode from user, and decode it using
// the current cipher value
text = getText(input, PROMPT_DECODE);
text = decode(text, offset);
System.out.println("Decoded text is: " + text);
break;
case EXIT:
// set exit flag to true
finished = true ;
break;
} // end of switch on choice
} while (!finished); // end of outer do loop
// Thank user
System.out.println("Thank you for using Cipher for all your" +
" code breaking and code making needs.");
}
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