Community Chat

[wildcat fan]

We have MacBook Pro at work (public school) and our IT folks have instructed us not to run that update.  Apparently, a few people ran the update right after it came out and their computers stopped communicating with the interactive whiteboards, printers, etc.  They said that our older equipment would have to be updated too in order for MacBook to communicate once it has El Capitan on it, and we're in no position to update the whiteboards, etc.  

Personally, I'm not thrilled with the MacBook.  It freezes and sometimes can't be restarted.  Just a rainbow colored wheel keeps spinning.  I've had it since January, but the IT folks have had it five times since then for a total of about four months.  Some people have no problems, but other co-workers have had similar experiences as mine.

[RainCityWoman]

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@Mz iMac wrote:

@RainCityWoman

"I checked the Apple Community, but didn't find that particular problem. I am so frustrated."

Which forum did you check?  Sorry, but I find this hard to believe.  Your problem is all over the place in the EC & Blootooth forums w/troubleshooting suggestions.  That place is loaded w/very knowledgeable users as well as OS experts. 

Did you also check Apple's Knowledge Base?  User Tips?

If you didn't find anything, why didn't you post your problem like you did here???

For the record, I do understand your frustration.

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You don't have to believe anything I say. really. I found the original shut down problems, but no solution until I went to Apple store in person. The keyboard issue finally turned up but I scrolled and scrolled before I found it. I am in the process of validating my font book at the moment as that was a suggestion. I spent two hours on the phone with Apple tech support as I said and was warned that some of the solutions given on the Apple community can cause more problems. I tried to post my problem and got a message saying it was already addressed on down the list. So, as you can see, I wasn't just sitting idle wringing my hands. 

[RainCityWoman]

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@Mz iMac wrote:

@Allegheny

"is it possible to uninstall El Capitan and the update and return to Yosemite or would just mess things up even more?  "

YUP!  From your backup!

Boot into Internet Recovery, Partition the disk in Disk Utility (i.e. erase the entire hard disk), then restore from your backup you made prior to installing.

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I asked at the Genius Bar to go back to Yosemite, and was warned against doing that. Since they are more adept at it than I am, I took them at their word.

[RainCityWoman]

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@stevieb wrote:

Wow, and just as I was seriously contemplating replacing my laptop with an Apple, you know, to avoid all the downsides of PC ownership, the incessant Windows updates, new OS's, and other glitches, I see this...

 

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I bought my new IMac less than 5 months ago. It had Yosemite OS and it worked just fine until I went to El Capitan 10.11.1.  That's when all the trouble started. For the record, I have owned 7 Macs over the years, and this is the ONLY one I've ever had any trouble with. I usually keep them until I can no longer do upgrades due to new technology. It looks to me like there are a myriad of problems with this upgrade, each one being lightly different from the others. Next time I will wait until the bugs are fixed before I upgrade. I have a feeling I will be back at the genius bar soon if this keyboard issue doesn't stop. I also had a new issue today with the track pad and the mouse freezing. It's a new glitch every day.

[gardenman]

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@stevieb wrote:

Wow, and just as I was seriously contemplating replacing my laptop with an Apple, you know, to avoid all the downsides of PC ownership, the incessant Windows updates, new OS's, and other glitches, I see this...

 

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The reality is every computer has issues. I've looked at the Apple support forums over the years and they're always filled with people having the same sort of issues as Windows users. If you listen to some of the Apple fanboys/fangirls they'll insist you'll never have a problem if you buy Apple products then they'll advise you to buy Apple Care so when you do have a problem you can get help. If you're never going to have a problem then you don't need Apple Care and the Genius Bar.

The easiest to use computers these days are probably the Chromebooks/Chromeboxes. They're a bit limited in capability, but can do most of what most people do with no real headaches. Schools are starting to adopt them in a big way. 

[dooBdoo]

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@gardenman wrote:

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@stevieb wrote:

Wow, and just as I was seriously contemplating replacing my laptop with an Apple, you know, to avoid all the downsides of PC ownership, the incessant Windows updates, new OS's, and other glitches, I see this...

 

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The reality is every computer has issues. I've looked at the Apple support forums over the years and they're always filled with people having the same sort of issues as Windows users. If you listen to some of the Apple fanboys/fangirls they'll insist you'll never have a problem if you buy Apple products then they'll advise you to buy Apple Care so when you do have a problem you can get help. If you're never going to have a problem then you don't need Apple Care and the Genius Bar.

The easiest to use computers these days are probably the Chromebooks/Chromeboxes. They're a bit limited in capability, but can do most of what most people do with no real headaches. Schools are starting to adopt them in a big way. 

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This misinformation has been discussed and refuted many times on these forums.   First, those who like and use Apple products don't tell others "you'll never have a problem if you buy Apple products." That's an odd myth that won't go away.   What you'll hear is that a much smaller percentage of users (we have to look at percentages since there are more users of Windows-based devices) have problems with Apple products than those who use Windows-based PCs. 

Secondly, as many of us have explained here repeatedly, it's completely illogical to expect any product to need absolutely no support whatsoever.  People have questions.  Some are new users, some of us do things to cause problems on our devices, some problems with the hardware or software do arise.  No one, as far as I know, has ever created the perfect product which requires no support.  Apple has top-notch support, it's provided here in the USA and not contracted out, and it's always been rated exceptionally well, so of course it's recommended. 

As many of us also have said on other threads when this comes up, in recent years there have been more glitches.  I don't know if we can attribute this to a wider variety of hardware options, or the loss of Steve Jobs' leadership and oversight, or something else.  I don't know the reason, wish I did, and I do wish the standard of excellence were as high as it once was.  But the fact remains that if we compare the percentage of Windows-based PC user problems and complaints to those from Apple users, Apple still comes out on top with the least trouble and the best support.   Looking at percentages, number of problems is lower, number of online support discussions is lower, number of software fixes is lower, satisfaction rate is still higher.

I've used and taught employees to use both Windows-based PCs and Apple products since the funny little boxy MacIntosh computers were introduced...  and no one could pay me to go back to Windows.  That being said, I'm glad many people do like Windows and also glad that those willing to live with the limitations are finding Chromebooks/Chromeboxes to be a great option.  I suppose there are "fangirls/fanboys" for every product, but problems will arise with anything.  Variety is important, as is competition.

[dooBdoo]

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@RainCityWoman wrote:

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@stevieb wrote:

Wow, and just as I was seriously contemplating replacing my laptop with an Apple, you know, to avoid all the downsides of PC ownership, the incessant Windows updates, new OS's, and other glitches, I see this...

 

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I bought my new IMac less than 5 months ago. It had Yosemite OS and it worked just fine until I went to El Capitan 10.11.1.  That's when all the trouble started. For the record, I have owned 7 Macs over the years, and this is the ONLY one I've ever had any trouble with. I usually keep them until I can no longer do upgrades due to new technology. It looks to me like there are a myriad of problems with this upgrade, each one being lightly different from the others. Next time I will wait until the bugs are fixed before I upgrade. I have a feeling I will be back at the genius bar soon if this keyboard issue doesn't stop. I also had a new issue today with the track pad and the mouse freezing. It's a new glitch every day.

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I'm so sorry you're having problems, @RainCityWoman.  Major issues with Apple updates are an anomaly and I've only seen them crop up in very recent years with certain devices.   It seems to me the MacBook Pros, and trackpads in general (not just Apple's), have the most issues.   I've never had any of the problems with my Macs, but I do understand the issues exist.   I do have to say I hope it won't be a trend and will remain an anomaly.   I've been using Apple computers (and PCs, when I had to use them in certain hospitals and clinics) since the mid-1980s, and the track record is excellent.  I wish you the best of luck with this, and hope it's all smoothed out quickly and permanently.

[dooBdoo]

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@Allegheny wrote:

When I installed El Capitan I didn't seem to have any issues.  Then when the first update came out I installed that.  Shortly there after I started having issues pages opening randomly, pages back and forth, stalling, had to force quit alot and reopen in Safe Mode.  

Another poster has given me a lot of guidance and I've been trying to diagnose via reading the Apple Support Forums and other articles.

I haven't had any issues in my mail application (fingers crossed).  Alot of issues with pointer jumping around when I am typing here and in regular email.  At this point my track pad is not operating so I attached an optical mouse.  

I have a couple of things I have to try before heading to the Apple Store.

But I am just curious, is it possible to uninstall El Capitan and the update and return to Yosemite or would that just mess things up even more?  

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Hi, @Allegheny!  I know you're still working on the problems all of us discussed in the Electronics forum and hope you can find resolution.  Going back to Yosemite isn't recommended and since you don't have a backup that's a moot point, anyway. 

Most users who have installed El Capitan aren't having problems, but I know that's little or no consolation for those who are.  I always do a boot in Safe Mode after every software update, and then reboot in normal mode, and I think that clears up some of the smaller glitches.  So far my peripherals are working with no problems, no software issues, no spinning beach ball (and I don't use Safari...  that's a whole 'nother issue we've discussed on other threads) -- I don't use the native Mail app other than to troubleshoot when someone needs help so I'll have to try it out and see if it's working (maybe later -- I'm not feeling great today, a wee bit under the weather).    I prefer to go online and use the web-based mail.   Apple's online support and the in-person staff are wonderful help and I do hope you can get things back in order.   I know it's frustrating, but please remember there are no silly questions and people are more than willing to offer assistance.

(Gentle reminder to everyone:   if you place anything you don't want to lose on a computer or mobile device...  the first thing to do is determine how to create regular backups of the things you don't want to lose.)

[debic]

LOL, well I'm holding off for awhile.  Seems like these updates all have quirks.  I read some beta testers reviews before it actually came out and wasn't in a rush. 

I never had a problem with Yosemite, but my friend had nothing but problems.

[Allegheny]

@Mz iMac @dooBdoo

Thank you both for words of encouragement and recommendations.  I get discouraged because I know so little compared to others and a lot of times just reading the support groups I get lost understanding the jargon.

I had no problems that I noticed after upgrading to El Capitan.  I waited several weeks before I upgraded.  Seems issues started arising after I installed the recommended update  Apple put out.  I'm still keeping my fingers crossed it may be that the track pad needs cleaning, however the timing seems too coincidental.

I'm am lucky in a sense compared to others.  I basically use my machine for email and the internet and have few photos stored.  While I have some files I would hate to lose, nothing earth shattering.

I am going to do a back up as soon as I figure the best route to go, I don't want to get involved with iCloud.  We use a Click Free for our PCs.  I think they may have one out now that can back up Apple Products.  We'll head to the the Apple Section of Best Buy and see what they have.  I also will call the Apple Store and see what they recommend.

I'm hanging in, but have so many questions that I would drive everyone here crazy.  I just appreciate everyone has been so kind.