Question : My kids asked me which computer games I liked to play when I was their age. I said I was most fond of an arcade game of a cartoonish Rambo-guy in camo clothes who fought dinosaurs trying to rescue little bunnies, using various cartoon-guns like a whipped cream shooter… I think it was called Peter Power or something… I would love to show the game to my kids (and play it myself once again)… but if I remember correctly it was no longer playable when OSX abandoned the Calssic mode…
Is there any way to let my kids play it themselves ?
Answer : Yes, there is. The game is called Power Pete (released by MacPlay) and was Best Arcade Game of 1995. The origanal developer Pangea Software re-released the game in 2001 as Mighty Mike. And recently, Pangea has granted a developer known as Illiyas Jorio the honours of releasing a FREE version of the game that works on all recent computers running current-day versions of macOS, Windows and Linux. The current version of Mighty Mike can be found on GitHub. The download link is provided on the Pangea website :
Even though Pangea Software’s website states that Jorio’s version of the game will work on “Mac OS X and 11” (probably refering to all Mac OSX 10.x versions up to macOS 11 Big_Sur from 2020) the latest release on GitHub (Mighty Mike 3.0.2) is even playable on the current version of macOS (macOS 15 Sequoia) and not only on Intel-based Macs, but also on the current Silicon-based M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs.
Just keep in mind that the graphics haven’t been updated, so you will get that pixelated retro-feel also… and you can still adjust the settings to play it with a joypad or game controller instead of your keyboard.
Question : My Mac is slow, and I can’t install updates anymore… I found out, by looking in Settings > General > Storage, that I only have about 5 GB of free space… and after the waiting for the internal storage volume bar to color up and indicate which types of files take up most space, I found out (by clicking on it) that the Applications have two sections : not only Applications (which are the installed macOS Applications I presume), but also something called “iOS Files” which take up about 45 GB…
What are those iOS Files ? and can I delete them to free up memory space ?
Answer : Yes, it can be a good idea to free up some free space on the internal memory of your Mac by deleting those iOS Files. They are in fact backups of your iPhone(s), which you don’t need on your Mac if your iPhone is being backed up to iCloud. Basically there are 2 ways of deleting these iOS Files from your Mac, one is deleting them without connecting your iPhone to your Mac, the other is a way that requires your to connect your iPhone. But if you have so little free space left (only a few GBs) you will need to combine the two to solve your problem :
first, make sure your iPhone is being backed up to iCloud, so open your iPhone
then, open the Settings.app
in the Settings window that opens, click on your Account ( your Own Name )
in the Account window that opens, click on iCloud
in the iCloud window, go to the “Saved to iCloud” chapter and click on “See All”
in the Saved to iCloud window, make sure taht everything that you want to include in your backups turned ON
then, go back into the iCloud window, go to the “iCloud Backup” chapter and click on it
in the iCloud Backup window that opens, make sure that “Back Up This iPhone” is switched ON
then, click “Back Up Now”
when the backup is finished, go to your Mac
on your Mac, open the Finder.app
when the Finder window is open, press the [CMD]+{SHIFT]+[G] key combo on your keyboard
in the search window that opens, in the search field, typ the following :
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
then press Enter
in the Finder window that opens you will see a folder named Backup
drag&drop that Backup folder onto your Trash
then, empty the Trash
when warned that some files can’t be deleted, just continue
when the emptying has finished, open the Trash and drag the Backup folder back into the location that it used to be in ( which is in the MobileSync folder inside the Application Support folder )
now your Mac should have a lot more memory space freed up, but you’re not finished yet
now, connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB or USB-C cable
on your Mac allow “trust this computer’, and unlock your iPhone by using your unlock passcode or face-recognition
NOTE : if you get a warning that a software update is needed for your Mac to recognise your iPhone, install that update first
now, your iPhone will appear in the sidebar of the Finder
when your iPhone shows up, click on it
in the iPhone’s settings window that opens, click on the General tab
then, in the General tab, in the Backups chapter, choose “Backup your most important data on your iPhone to iCloud”
then, go on to the Options chapter, make sure that only “Manually manage music, movies and TV shows” is checked and click the Apply button
then, exit the iPhone in the Finder and unplug the iPhone’s cable from your Mac
now, open the Finder.app again and press the [CMD]+{SHIFT]+[G]
in the search filed that opens, again, typ the following :
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
and press Enter
now, in the window that opens, click on the Backup folder
when the Backup folder opens, drag&drop all it’s contents ( usually only one folder with an unpronounceable name ) to the Trash
Question : I have a local WiFi and Ethernet/UTP network that has a TP-Link Deco X60 acting as the DCHP router. In that network I have a Synology DS 218 NAS and a WD MyCloud Home. All this used to work great, but even though I can see both both the Synology and the MyCloud under the Network chapter in the Finder of macOS, both have severe connection problems. Sometimes it is possibel to get connection for a few minutes, but most of the time both the synology and the MyCloud are unreachable. Even using the SynologyAssistant.app the Synology NAS can’t be found. On the other hand, the lights on the Synology and the MyCloud are burning, the Ethernet/UTP-cables are plugged in correctly… On the other hand, my Apple AirPort Time Capsule is connectable without problems.
What can I do to make my NAS available in my network ?
Answer : Eventhough there can hardware problems that cause this, it is usually a software problem. Since you have a TP-Link Deco router, it is possibly a bug introduced in a new version of the firmware. Do this to fix it :
make sure all your network devices that you want to cable connect are connected to your network with a Ethernet/UTP cable
first, go to your main TP-Link Deco router
disconnect the power from the main Deco router
then make sure that the Ethernet/UTP cable from port 2 is directly plugged into your internet modem, and the Ethernet/UTP cable from port 1 is connected to the Ethernet/UTP-switch that all other Ethernet-devices are connected to
then plug the power cable back into your main Deco router and wait until it’s light turns green
then, on your Mac, open a new Finder window and click on “Network” in the menu list on the left
then, in the window that opens, click on your Synology NAS’ name, and you’ll see “connecting…” that will turn into “connected as:…” and you will see the folders that are on your NAS
this means that your Synology NAS is now available in your network
to check this, open the Synology Assistant app and click “Search”
when your NAS appears in the list, select it and click “Connect”
then the web-based interface opens in your browser login using the you NAS account name and password
when the web interface shows the vritual desktop – your done π
to check your WD MyCloud, open the finder once again and click “Network” once again
now, click on “MyCloud” and wait for macOS to connect
the Finder will then show all files that are on the WD MyCloud
Question : I want to access my Synology DS218 NAS because I got an eMail from Synology that there is a new system update available, but when trying to login I need the Synology Secure SignIn app on my iPhone. But I haven’t used the app for a while, and now it turns out it has been offloaded by iOS. I’ve re-installed the app, but now my entire account has been erased and syncronisation with my NAS is no longer possible. I tried to setup my account in the Secure SignIn again, but when trying to do so, I get caught in a loop… I need an access to the app to login to the NAS’ virtual desktop interface… and I need access to my NAS’ virtual desktop interface to setup an account in the Secure SignIn app…
What can I do ?
Answer : Even though you are caught in a loop, there is a way to get out of this… but it involves a rather rigorous reset… to do so, do this :
make sure you have the Synology Secure SignIn app on your iPhone (you can download it from the AppleStore – there are versions for iOS/iPhone and iPadOS/iPad)
make sure you have SynologyAssistiant.app on your Mac (you can download it from the Synology Download Center – search based on the model of your NAS)
find the tiny button marked RESET (on the back of your NAS)
use a paperclip, ballpoint-tip or something alike to press & hold the RESET button for 4 seconds, until you hear a beep
immediately release the button when you hear the beep
you have now reset the network settings of your NAS, removed the 2-factor authentication and reset the password to blank (but all data on your NAS will remain intact)
now plug the UTP/Ethernet-cable from your NAS straight into your Mac
temporarily switch off WiFi on your Mac (and disconnect all other network & internet connections)
then, open the SynologyAssistant.app on your Mac
when the screen opens, click on βSearchβ
when your NAS appears in the list of found devices, click on βConnectβ
now your webbrowser (Safari) opens
on the first screen, when your account name is asked, type : admin
then click the blue NEXT button
on the second screen, leave the password field blank and click the blue NEXT button
when prompted to enable 2-factor authentication, click βNo, thanksβ
when prompted to set up adaptive MFA, click βI donβt want to secure my accountβ
when the recommendation and question if you are sure to proceed appear, klick the blue OK button
now the Reset Password page opens, set the account name you want to use (if you want, you can use your previous account name)
now, if you click at the upper new password field, you will probably be recommended to use a Safari Strong Password, if so, click OK (if no password is suggested, set a long password manually)
make sure you write down this password offline (or somewhere very secure)
then, make sure the chosen password is the same in both fields and clcik OK
when you get the βSuccess! Your password has been changed.β message, click the βSign In Nowβ button
then, you will need to log-in again on your NAS, this time with your new password
if you get a message saying βpassword invalidβ you can ignore it and try again (usually the second time it will just work anyway)
when the webinterface opens, click on your account info (blue person icon) top right
from the pulldown menu, choose βPersonalβ
when the βPersonalβ settings window opens, click on the βSecurityβ tab
in the βSecurityβ tab window that opens, select β2-Factor Authenticationβ and click the blue Apply button
in the pop-up window that opens, choose βVerification code (OTP)β
then put your Synology NAS (a.k.a. βDSMβ) account password in the next pop-up window and click the blue OK-button
the next pop-up window advises to download the Secure SignIn app, but since youβve already done so, just click the blue Next-button
in the next pop-up window you will see a QR-code
now, open the Secure SignIn app on your iPhone and click the OTP-button (bottom-right)
when the OTP-window opens on your iPhone, click the + button top right
then your camera will open within the Secure SignIn app
now, using your iPhone, scan the QR-code that is displayed on your Mac
then, a 6-digit code will be generated on your iPhone
key in that 6-digit code into the βVerification Code (OTP)β field on your Mac and click the blue Next-button
in the βBackup email settingsβ window that opens (on your Mac) check that your account eMail address is also listed as your Backup eMail address, and verify your eMail address if you havenβt done that already
if βSend verification emailβ is greyed out and βVerifiedβ is indicated next to it in green, you can click the blue Next-button
in the next window, click the blue Next-button
now, your NAS has been successfully re-linked with the app, so you can close the βPersonalβ window by clicking the X button (top right inside the window)
when done, in the online virtual desktop (which is still open on your Mac), click the Control Panel icon
in the βControl Panelβ window that opens, click βRegional Optionsβ (in the βSystemβ chapter)
in the next window, make sure the βTimeβ tab is selected (usually the βTimeβ tab will be already displayed automatically)
then make sure that βSynchronize with NTP Serverβ is selected in the βTime Settingβ chapter
at βServer address:β select βtime.google.comβ and click the βUpdate Nowβ-button
even if it says βStatus: Checkingβ¦β or βcannot connectβ you can now click the blue βApplyβ-button
Note : keep in mind that the codes generated by the Secure SignIn app are time-sensitive, so it is essential that the time set in your NAS is correct and keeps getting updated
you can now close the NASβ vritual desktop in your browser
now, reconnect the UTP/Ethernet cables from your NAS and your Mac in the way they used to be before your problems occurred (so both your Mac and your NAS will have internet connection)
then, on your Mac, reopen the SynologyAssistant.app
maybe you need to click the βSearchβ-button, but ususally your NAS will already be listed
select your NAS from the list and click the βConnectβ-button
now, your NASβ login page will open in your browser
on the first page key in your Synology NAS account name
on the second page, key in your password and put a checkmark at βdo not ask again on this deviceβ
on the thrird page, key in the 6-digit OTP code that is shown in the Secure SignIn app on your iPhone
now your NASβ virtual desktop will open in your browser
there, click on the Control Panel icon
open βRegional Optionsβ again
in the βTimeβ tab, check that the current time is displayed, that the βTime Settingβ is on βSyncronize with NTP Serverβ and that βStatus:β is at βNormalβ (in green)
if not, adjust these settings and click βUpdate Nowβ
Question : I am working in Word (from Microsoft Office for Mac) on a multi-page document and I want to include the page numbers including the total number of pages.
How do I do that ?
Answer : In Word 16 (the current version of the texteditor from Microsoft Office for Mac) it is straight forward to include page numbers. To include page numbers in your Word document, do this : – have your document open in the Word.app – click on ‘Insert’, either in the top menu bar or in het document’s menu bar – then click on ‘Page Numbers’ -and in the small ‘Page Numbers’ popup screen that now opens, set the desired position (Top/Header or Bottom/Footer), the desired alignment (Left, Center, Right, Insides or Outsides) and put a checkmark if you wish to have the ‘Page number shown on first page’ also – then click ‘OK’ and page numbers will automatically appear on all pages
However… if you also want to include the total number of pages next to the page numbers, you cannot do that this way or any similar way… you will need a completely different method : – have your document open in Word.app – first make sure you are on the first page of your document – now, click on ‘View’ in the top menu bar – then, in the pulldown menu, click on ‘Header and Footer’ – then, click with your cursor in either the Header or the Footer, depending on where you want the page numbers – click on ‘Insert’ in the top menu bar – in the pulldown menu, click on ‘AutoText’ – and in the next pulldown menu, click on ‘Auto-text’ – in the ‘AutoCorrect’ popup window that now appears, click on the ‘AutoText’ tab/button – then scroll though the alphabetical list and choose “Page X of Y” andd click the blue ‘Insert’ button – now, eacht page will have both page number and total number of pages in the Footer (or Header) of each page – so, basically you’re done now – but… if you want do do some customization, you can… – to change the font of the page numbering, just select the text “Page 1 of 22” (if your document has 22 pages) and choose the desired font and font size – to change the “Page 1 of 22” into something like “1 of 22” or “1 ( 22 )”, just select the part of the “Page 1 of 22” text that you want to change and adjust it to your liking [ and if you accidentally delete either the page number or the total number of pages, just redo from start ]
Question : I have a 2019 MacBook Air and when I tried to install the latest macOS system update, it froze… I called Apple, and they told met to reinstall macOS, but evert time I turn my Mac off and back on with the OPTION+SHIFT+R key-combo pressed on my keyboard, I run into a black screen with a light grey globe with a white triangle with an exclamation mark in it (a warning icon) and a text below it that just says “support.apple.com/mac/startup -2101F”
What can I do to fix this ?
Answer : The -2101F error message that you are getting means “cannot connect to the internet”, and connection to the internet is essential for your Mac to do a regular reinstallation of macOS nowadays… There are some options to solve this problem. First try this one : – check if your WiFi internet is working properly by connecting to your WiFi using your iPhone (or any other mobile phone) – if it turns out that your WiFi is not functioning properly, restart your modem to make sure all lights on it (like “Power”, “Internet”, “LAN” end “WiFi”) start blinking – then restart your Mac and try to initiate the reinstallation process again
If that didn’t work, try this : – connect the UTP/Ethernet-to-USB(-C)-converter-cable to a different port on your Mac, because sometimes that USB/USB-C port on your Mac may be faulty, misfunctioning of broken – then restart your Mac and try to initiate the installation process again
If that didn’t work, try this : – make sure that one of the USB(-C) ports on your Mac is functioning properly by connecting a USB-mouse or USB-keyboard or USB-stick with a light in it (you might also need a USB-C-to-USB-converter-cable for this) and check if the light is switching on – if the light in the mouse, keyboard or USB-stick doesn’t turn on when connected to your Mac (do make sure that the light is actually working when using it on another computer), your USB-port is broken and you will need a hardware repair (or a new Mac, which might be more tempting in a lot of cases) – if the light does turn on, disconnect the mouse, keyboard or USB-stick and use that USB(-C)- port for the reinstallation of macOS from a USB-stick – first you will have to create a USB-stick with a macOS-installer, to do this, you will need another Mac that is the same age or newer than your Mac and if your Mac doesn’t have an M1/M2/M3-or-newer processor, you will need an Intel-based Mac for this – follow the directions to create a USB-stick with a macOS-installer that are outlined here : https://www.macworld.com/article/671308/how-to-create-a-bootable-usb-macos-installer.html or the instructions from Apple itself : https://support.apple.com/en-us/101578 – if you don’t have an empty USB-stick at hand, you’re best of buying a 32GB USB-C-stick to buy one from Amazon US, click here to buy one form Amazon UK, click here to buy one from Amazon DE, clcik here – after you have created the USB-stick with the macOS-installer on it (on the other Mac), plug the USB-stick into your faulty Mac (make sure you use the USB(-C)-port that you know is working) and restart your Mac and initiate the installation process
Question : every time I restart my Mac, I get an error message from Microsoft saying that I can’t update, but I can’t find what’s wrong. When I click the link provided for more information, I get a page on the Microsoft website telling that support for MS Office 2019 for macOS has ended and that I should either updagrade to MS Office 365 or MS office 2021 for macOS… but as far as I know I am already running MS Office 2021 for macOS…
What is wrong ?
Answer : Eventhough there is a very small chance that something completely different is going on, in the majority of cases, your problem will be that you are running the MS Office apps that you primarily use (e.g. Word, PowerPoint and Excel) in the 2021 version and some of the MS Office apps that you never use (e.g. Outlook, OneNote or OneDrive) are still on the 2019 version.
To solve this problem, do this : – open the Finder – go to [your Mac] > Library > Application Support > MAU2.0 > Microsoft Autoupdate – doubleclick on Microsoft Autoupdate to run the MS Autoupdate.app – click on the pulldown-button (top-right ; the downward-pointing triangular arrowhead) – now the pulldown list of recent updates will fold out – in the list, spot the apps that aregiving an error – then click on the ‘Check for Updates’-button and wait for other updating errors to appear – if the MS Office apps that you regularly use (e.g. Word, PowerPoint and/or Excel) are giving an update error saying you need to upgrade, your version of MS Office for macOS is outdated and you should buy the newest version or switch to an Office 365 (now called Microsoft 365) subscription – if you only get updating errors for apps that you never use (e.g. Outlook), open a new Finder window – then, goto [your Mac] > Applications – then, type the name of the app you are looking for (e.g. Outlook) in the search field top right – in the list of applications that appears, select the app you are looking for – right-click on it’s name and choose Delete from the pulldown menu – in the warning window that appears, typ your computer password (the password you use to startup & unlock your Mac) and click OK to allow the app to be deleted from you Mac
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