Unwanted ads on your Mac? Here's what to do.

Icon for AdwareMedic

We've seen a big jump in the number of MacBooks with lots of ads when browsing.  These ads can give misleading results, and are certainly annoying.  What can you do? 

Download a removal tool-  Install and run AdwareMedic  (http://www.adwaremedic.com).  This software will scan your machine looking for adware, malware, and other types of software that can slow down your browsing.  Download the program using the link above.  The file AdwareMedic.dmg will be in your Downloads folder.  Double click on the file and drag it into your Applications folder.

You must press Open in order to use the file.

Drag the AdwareMedic to the Applications folder alias.

If you would like to donate to support this software, you may do so.  Otherwise click Not Now.

Click the magnifying glass in order to start scanning your computer.  If they find anything, allow it to remove the problems.  Quit when finished.  A restart may be required.

Cause:  If you found adware on your computer, it's likely you installed it yourself by clicking on ads.  Beware of ads items you are installing.  If you have to enter your password to put something on your computer, make sure you are expecting it.

One piece of adware called MacTracker has been causing particular problems.  It claims to "speed up" you computer, but we've found it does the exact opposite.  There is also a piece of software called Genio that hijacks your search results.  AdwareMedic will remove both of those types of issues.

If you would like to read more about this type of material, visit http://www.thesafemac.com

Checkerboard DVD's and AirPlay

http://msdtechdept.blogspot.com/

Checkerboard Pattern when playing DVD's with Apple's DVD Player

Users who try playing DVD's on their classroom projectors using the AppleTV can sometimes see a checkerboard pattern.  This can be very frustrating.  Good thing there is a fix that works 99% of the time to get around this issue.

The trouble seems to come from Apple's default DVD application called DVD Player when it tries running through the Apple TV.  Using another program to play the DVD's gets around this issue.

VLC's interface

VLC

To fix this, we need to download a different application from playing the DVD's.  This new application is called VLC.  Teachers and students can install VLC from the Self Service application under the Utility category or download from the link above.  Once you start VLC with the DVD inserted, go to the File menu and select Open Disk.  That should take care of your issue, and the DVD should play properly.   For more information about this problem and the proposed fix, visit Dave Taylor's story on his blog at http://www.askdavetaylor.com/use_airplay_to_watch_dvds_on_my_appletv/

Problems Installing Apps on OSX

http://msdtechdept.blogspot.com/

Some students are reporting trouble trying to install certain applications.  Due to the settings required by the MLTI Project Office, applications not downloaded directly from the Apple store or digitally signed by Apple themselves are prohibited from installation by a feature called Gatekeeper.

This entry will show you how to get around most of these issues.

 If you are receiving one of the three messages you see on the left, you may want to try this trick.  Find the installer package.  It looks like a cardboard box with a yellow item inside it.  Hold the Control key down while clicking on the package, then select "Open."

This should allow you to install the package normally while bypassing the Gatekeeper functions.

Apple MLTI: Deployment Update 9  OS X Mavericks & Recovery Partition Yesterday Apple made a series of significant announcements. One of the most significant is the release of OS X Mavericks. Mavericks is available today, and for the first time ever this update to OS X is free. The Apple MLTI Project Office is working to complete testing of the upgrade and will provide additional information soon. In the interim, the immediate recommendation is to notupgrade. If you were to upgrade to Mavericks, the custom MLTI recovery partition will be replaced with a standard Mavericks recovery partition without the custom MLTI software. We will be providing additional information on this and any other updates soon. MacBook Air Updates We are currently tracking an issue with the MacBook Air where the device will sleep during usage. If you receive reports of machines suddenly going to sleep please update to 10.8.5. If the issue persists on 10.8.5 please call the MLTI help desk as we are looking to gather additional logging information. We are aware of an issue with MacBook Airs running 10.8.5 with third party applications accessing the FaceTime HD camer a. A software update has been released to address this. MLTI Repair Depot The MLTI Repair Depot is open and dispatches can now be created for MacBook Air 11”, MacBook Air 13", iPad Retina, and iPad mini units. Schools can access DepotWorks through the link in the Asset Manager or by going directly to http://www.belldepots.com. Your school’s user name and password are the same as they are for the current Asset Manager. MLTI Technical Users Group Meetings Please join us for a conversation focused on technical solutions for managing MLTI. Each month we will be hosting 2 meetings in different regions of Maine. Pre-registration for these meetings is not required. The meeting starts with a short presentation to kick off the conversation, but ANY topics related to MLTI are welcome. We will cover topics for both Primary (iOS) and Alternate (OS X) solutions. Bring your questions and cool solutions to share with others supporting this unique program. Each meeting will run from 9AM to 11AM. One of these machines is working hard. Nov 13, 2013 Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School 20 Forest Ave Ellsworth, ME 04605 Dec 4, 2013 Presque Isle High School Room 409A 16 Griffin Street Presque Isle, ME 04769 Dec 11, 2013 Piscataquis Community Secondary School 9 Campus Drive Guilford, ME 04443 Battery and Cleaning Information This generation of MLTI devices provides significant advances in battery technology. To maximize a battery’s life and longevity please follow the following best practices for both iPadsand MacBook Airs. Cleaning instructions have recently been updated to help keep your devices looking new. Sincerely, Maine Apple Project Team Apple Resources Asset Manager AppleCare Support Professional Development Apple in Education Your contacts AppleCare MLTI Help Desk: 800-919-2775 pin#4MLTI Apple MLTI Project Office: 207-688-4501 DOE MLTI Project Office: 207-624-6746 DOE Project Office email: MLTI.project@maine.gov