Tag: OS X

Office For Mac 2011 -Cannot Save Spreadsheet in Excel Problem

Ran into an issue on an install of Office for Mac 2011 recently. When the user attempted to save an excel spreadsheet, they would get an error as follows:
– file name or path name does not exist
– file is being used by another program
– name is the same as another file

Unfortunately these error messages were not the case- it was a new file with a unique name, and only Excel was trying to use the document.

The solution was simple to understand once the issue was fixed by verifying disc permissions. The user did not have the correct permissions to write files. Apparently saving an Excel document writes first to a temporary location which they had no rights.

Using Monolingual To Reclaim Disk Space On MAC OSX

Monolingual is a freeware application that deletes all the extra languages on your Mac, in an attempt to free up disk space. By removing all the files kept by unused languages, substantial space can be freed up. For instance, you would have to be a tremendous Star Trek geek to even think of using the Klingon language on the Mac, but a default install includes it.

Other options, such as keyboard layouts, can also safely be removed. The ability to remove Architectures is available. This is an option to select only if you are sure you want to remove them, backwards compatibility can be affected. Continue reading “Using Monolingual To Reclaim Disk Space On MAC OSX”

coconutBattery

coconutBattery is an application that monitors the status of a Mac battery. The latest version, 2.5.1, is compatible with the MacBook and Macbook Pro. This freeware app can tell what the current charge of the battery is, what the current capacity is and the original capacity was. It can also detect the model of MacBook it is running on, how old the computer is and how many load cycles the battery has undergone. The program can save battery information for long term analysis as well.

coconutBattery can be downloaded from the author’s site at coconut-flavour.com. The author accepts donations via paypal, please support this program

Mac OS X Volume Formats

Mac OS Extended – Default for Mac OS X, journaling enabled file system. This is also the recommended format for new installs. Also called HFS Plus. The Journaling feature in Mac OS Extended was first introduced in Mac OS X Server 10.2.2

Mac OS Standard (aka HFS -Hierarchical File System) – Older standard that is not very popular, and inefficient when compared to Extended. OS X can read a HFS volume but the OS cannot be installed on one.

UFS UNIX File System -Supported in OSX, and may be of use to UNIX developers. Only use this if there is a specific reason for it. Apple notes that AirPort does not function when OS X is on a UFS volume.

FAT -Windows compatible file system– allows files created to be used in both Mac OS X and Windows. Not supported for boot volumes.

Mac OS X Extended’s journaling feature creates a continuous record of changes to the file system in an attempt to have a restore record available in the case of a fault or loss of power. This feature is recommended for server and critical data protection, as it may incur a performace hit to the machine. It can be turned on or off using Disk Utility. You can also check the current volume format type using Disk Utility, along with a view of overall capacity and free space.