Help me not hate my Macbook

[imjustagirl2]

OK, I went for a Macbook because friends (and people on here) swore by them. I'm also pretty computer illiterate, so it seemed like the easiest to use.

So help me tell me why I shouldn't pitch my five-week-old Mac out the window.

1.) About every fourth or fifth time I try to turn it on, the screen doesn't light up, so I have to hold down the power button to shut it down, wait, then restart it.
2.) About every third time I turn it on, I get this "this computer had to be restarted after Mac OSX shut down."
3.) I have to quit firefox and restart it about every five clicks on SportsJournalists.com. VERY much not conducive to the process.


Something I can do to make this computer NOT suck?

 

[jgmacg]

IJAG -

Have you called Apple yet?

 

[imjustagirl2]

Was going to go into the store today if I got ready for work in time. Otherwise, I'm off on Tuesday.

 

[DyePack]

Steps 2 and 3 sound like the OS needs to be reinstalled.

 

[imjustagirl2]

OK, when I said computer illiterate, I meant it.

How do I reinstall OSX if I never installed it in the first place?

 

[DyePack]

You need to buy/borrow/acquire/steal an OS X CD, preferably the same version as the OS on the computer.

 

[imjustagirl2]

Isn't that something the Apple store "geniuses" should do for me, since it's obviously Apple's fault my computer hates me?

 

[DyePack]

Probably, since the computer is 5 weeks old.

 

[jgmacg]

While DyeP's probably right - that it's an OS hang-up - I think IJAG should either a) visit her authorized Apple store and have them handle it, or b) call Apple Care and have them resolve the problem to her satisfaction. This is Apple's responsibility, not hers, and they should do everything possible to make sure she's happy. The box should run right off the shelf.

 

[imjustagirl2]

That's what I wanted to hear, jg. I probably won't make it today (Sundays seem to be busy days at the Apple store, and the line should be long). I'll pop back in there Tuesday.

 

[BYH]

I'll help you not hate your Macbook. Unless you don't want to be bored again by my tales of woe with the sack of **** Dell laptop.

I'd trade computers with you so fast you'd think you just got out of bed with me.

 

[imjustagirl2]

BYH: I've never had a problem with my Dell laptop. Not a single one.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

You need to buy/borrow/acquire/steal an OS X CD, preferably the same version as the OS on the computer.

You mean like the OS X Tiger DVD that came with the computer?

 

[Satchel Pooch]

If I remember correctly, in his latest column in the NYT, David Pogue said some of the newest Macbooks have been having problems shutting down all of a sudden, but there's been a patch released.

Here's one link on it found right away; it may help you, it may not.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,1000000091,39284456,00.htm

 

[imjustagirl2]

Followed the link, downloaded it, and when I clicked on it it said "Alert, your computer does not need this update."

So thanks for trying.

 

[Satchel Pooch]

Damn. To the Macstore you go. A tip: If the mall opens at 10, get there at 9:30 so you can be the first one to see the geniuses. If you get to the store at 3 you'll have to wait a couple of hours and spend a bunch of money you hadn't planned on at other stores in the mall.

 

[carrie]

You should be able to go online and make a reservation for a timeslot for the Genius Bar.

 

[ink-stained wretch]

Sigh.

Go back to pencil and paper, girl.

Get Brook to input your copy.

Everyone will then be happy.

 

[leo1]

BYH: I've never had a problem with my Dell laptop. Not a single one.

i've had nothing but problems with my (and my wife's) dell laptops. when they finally die, there is no possible way we're getting dells again.