VMWare Fusion: How to shutdown Windows when it is hung

I have been running VMWare Fusion with Windows XP as my guest OS for some time. The other day, Windows XP while shutting, just hung as it seems to do from time to time on regular PC-based installed. I spent 2-days, waiting for it to complete. I even used the:

VMware Fusion menu bar > Virtual Machine > select Power Off

But it seem by using:

VMware Fusion menu bar > Virtual Machine > press the option key and select Power Off

It is the equivalent of pulling the plug out of the wall and it worked. Hope this will help someone out as it did me.

Kellep

Apple's Mac Isn't as Secure as Some Want Us to Believe

An interesting article on eweek.com

Source: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Apples-Mac-Isnt-as-Secure-as-Some-Want-Us-to-Believe-183583/

Mac OS Clone Systems Maybe a Reality with Psystar

I have covered Psystar’s attempt to provide customer with a Mac OS system not built by Apple Corp. In the past with the following links below:

http://kellepcharles.blogspot.com/2008/04/mac-clone-maker-psystar-closes-online.html

http://kellepcharles.blogspot.com/2008/04/defiant-psystar-back-selling-leopard.html

It seems they may have gotten the situation in hand by the result of their storefront page:
http://store.psystar.com/home/desktops/osx

Psystar Open Computers are capable of running Apple's OS X Leopard. View our computer models capable of running OS X Leopard as their native operating system.

I will be on this story more in 2009…

Mac OS X 1.5.6 Security Update

Apple has released a major set of security patches for its Mac OS X operating system which fixes a number of critical flaws in the software.

The Mac OS X 10.5.6 update includes a critical update for Adobe Systems' Flash Player, fixing bugs that were disclosed last month. It also includes patches for several Mac OS libraries, the operating system kernel, and system utilities such as the BOM (Bill of Materials) archiving software. In total, 21 bugs are patched in the update.

Here are instructions on how to upgrade your Mac OS X to the latest update. Click Here or

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1338

Mac OS X Boot Commands

I recently had to work on a Mac OS X that did not want to boot off of the CD ROM drive, I was able to conduct a work around. The following commands are helpful for you Mac OS X techs, Computer Forensics Examiners and Mac users. Enjoy...

****** Mac OS X Boot Commands *******

Command-S Boot into Single User Mode
Command-V Boot using "Verbose" mode (shows all kernel and startup console messages)
X Reset startup disk selection and boot into Mac OS X Server
Shift Boot into "Safe Boot" mode, which runs Disk First Aid. A reboot will be required afterward.
Option Boot into Open Firmware to select a boot device
Command-Option-Shift-Delete Bypass internal harddrive on boot
T Boot into Firewire target disk mode
C Boot from the internal optical drive
N Start from the Network (NetBoot)
Command-Option-P-R Reset Parameter RAM (PRAM) and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM)
(mouse button) Eject (internal) removable media

ALSO: if you use open firmware password... you'll need this:
Startup Manager -accessed by pressing the Option key during startup
Enter commands after starting up in Open Firmware -press Command-Option-O-F key combination during startup.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482

How to troubleshoot a computer with Open Firmware Password enabled
If you cannot access the Open Firmware Password application and need to troubleshoot your computer by:

Resetting the PRAM
Starting up in Single-user mode
Starting up in Verbose mode
Starting from CD-ROM

Then follow these steps:

Start up into Open Firmware by pressing and holding the Command-Option-O-F key combination during startup.
At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
Press Return.
When prompted for your password, enter it and press the Return key. It responds OK.
At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
Press Return.

The computer restarts and you are now be able to reset the PRAM and startup in Single-user mode, Verbose mode, or from CD-ROM.

Mac OS X Trojan reported in the wild

Mac OS X Trojan reported in the wild

By Jose Vilches, TechSpot.com
Published: June 20, 2008, 3:19 PM EST

We typically hear about malware makers taking aim at Windows systems – which makes sense given the large install base – but with the rise in popularity of Apple and its OS X operating system, more and more we’re seeing dangerous malware, viruses and Trojans now being targeted for the Mac, too.

A new Trojan reported by SecureMac is an example of that, with the security vendor saying that variants of the AppleScript.THT Trojan horse spotted in the wild could affect users of Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard. The Trojan exploits a vulnerability within the Apple Remote Desktop Agent enabling complete access to a user’s system. It can log keystrokes, take screen shots, take pictures with the iSight camera, and enable file sharing, all while avoiding detection by opening ports in the firewall and turning off system logging.

The vulnerability is rated critical and in order to get infected a user must first download and install the malicious file, which is being distributed as both a compiled AppleScript or as an application bundle. SecureMac of course took the opportunity to pitch its MacScan antispyware security software as a solution for against this threat.

Apple fixes 70 issues with Mac OS X 10.5.3 update

By Jim Dalrymple, IDG News Service

May 28, 2008

Apple on Wednesday update Mac OS X fixing 70 issues with the operating system and its components.

Among the changes in Mac OS X 10.5.3 are several fixes for Apple's Time Machine backup application. Compatibility issues with its hardware counterpart, Time Capsule have been address, as well as compatibility issues with Aperture 2. Reliability has been improved when doing a full restore from a Time Machine backup and an alert message incorrectly stating that a backup volume doesn't have enough space has been fixed.

Apple's virtual desktop application, Spaces, received some minor updates, as well. A problem that could cause the reordering of application windows when switching desktops and then switching back has been fixed. An issue when pressing Command-Tab may incorrectly switch to a new space and reliability when syncing to .Mac have both been fixed in the update.

Mail received 10 updates in Mac OS X 10.5.3. Among them a stability issue when dragging large attachments to a mail message and reliability issues when changes are made to a mailbox while offline.

iChat reliability while screen sharing and an issue with group chats not being indexed in Spotlight has been addressed.

Automator, AirPort, Address Book, Parental Controls, and VoiceOver all received reliability enhancements with the update.

The 420MB Mac OS X 10.5.3 update is available for download via from the software Update control panel.

Apple Certified System Administrator 10.5

Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) 10.5 certification verifies an in-depth knowledge of Apple technical architecture and an ability to install and configure machines; architect and maintain networks; enable, customize, tune, and troubleshoot a wide range of services; and integrate Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, and other Apple technologies within a multi-platform networked environment. ACSA certification is intended for full-time professional system administrators and engineers who manage medium-to-large networks of systems in complex multiplatform deployments.

Required Exams:

• Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-509)

• Directory Services v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)

• Advanced Administration v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)

• Deployment v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)

As the Apple certification program continues to evolve, TestKing will continue to change and update our content to reflect those changes. Most of those who have earned one or more Apple certifications have done so through self-study, mainly because of the cuts in IT training budgets in recent years. With that in mind, TestKing has developed high quality and affordable study materials that will help you pass your certification exams quickly and easily, the very first time.

Another Batch of Safari Vulnerabilities Exposed

Apple's Safari browser is beginning to look like a bullet-ridden car in Iraq.
According to a warning posted to security mailing lists, there are multiple security flaws in Safari 3.1.1 that put users at risk of ID-theft spoofing attacks or, worse, expose them to drive-by malware downloads.

Safari is also vulnerable to at least two different denial-of-service attacks that could be more dangerous if hackers find a way to exploit the browser crashes.

In the absence of a patch, Safari users should consider using a different browser--Firefox or Opera

Taken from: http://securitywatch.eweek.com/apple/another_batch_of_safari_vulnerabilities_exposed.html

Mac OS X Security Configuration

This is a useful guide to assisting with the security and data protection of the Mac OS X desktop operating systems.

http://images.apple.com/server/macosx/docs/Tiger_Security_Config_021507.pdf

Mac Clone Maker Psystar Closes Online Store

Mac Clone Maker Psystar Closes Online Store
The Miami-based system integrator blames the closure on an apparent failure of Psystar's e-commerce system.
By Paul McDougall, InformationWeek -->April 16, 2008 URL: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207400006

A Miami-based system integrator that's selling an unauthorized Mac clone called Open Computer has closed its online store.
Psystar, on its Web site Wednesday, said its Internet store is closed because "we are currently unable to process any credit card transactions." Psystar did not provide an explanation for the problem, which it called temporary.

Despite the closure of its online store, Psystar is continuing to advertise its Mac clone.
One version of Psystar's Open Computer features Apple's Leopard OS X 10.5 operating system ported onto generic PC hardware that includes an Intel Core2Duo processor at 2.66 GHz, a 250 GB hard drive and an Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT graphics card.
The system is priced at $804.99. A similar, Apple-branded computer would cost more than $2,000.

But would-be buyers can't order an Open Computer due to the apparent failure of Psystar's e-commerce system.

Psystar said it's fulfilling orders placed before its credit card processing system went down. "For customers who have already placed orders: if you received a confirmation e-mail then your item is in queue to be built and shipped," says a note on the company's site.
Psystar changed the name of its Mac clone from OpenMac to Open Computer earlier this week -- perhaps in response to anticipated legal pressure from Apple. Apple's end user license agreement forbids the installation or use of Leopard on third party hardware.
Business records show that Psystar is a small company operated by Miami residents Rodolfo Pedraza and Roberto Pedraza.

On Monday, a Psystar representative who would identify himself only as "Robert" said the company is not concerned about legal action by Apple. "We're not breaking any laws," Robert insisted in a telephone interview.

Psystar may be willing to have its right to sell Mac clones tested in court, Robert implied. "What if Microsoft said you could only install Windows on Dell computers?" he said. "What if Honda said that, after you buy their car, you could only drive it on the roads they said you could?" he added.
Robert also accused Apple of marking up the hardware on which its operating systems run by as much as 80%.

Psystar's Web site was up and running as of Wednesday afternoon -- except for the online store portion. The site was offline earlier this week as news of the company's Mac clone spread across the Internet.

Defiant Psystar back selling Leopard computers

Defiant Psystar back selling Leopard computers

The Web has been abuzz this week with speculation about the company Psystar, which recently appeared out of nowhere offering (for just $399) a PC called the Open Computer that runs OS X Leopard.

According to Psystar, the base configuration for their machine includes a 2.2 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 2GB of memory, integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics, 20x DVD +/-R SATA drive, four USB ports, and it comes preinstalled with Leopard. Sounds pretty sweet,right? ...Except for the fact that it's technically illegal to run Apple software on non-Apple equipment.

Something smelled fishy to tech reporters who had never heard of the manufacturer, so they began researching the identity and origins of the mysterious Psystar Corporation. The Guardian reported that they were unable to get answers to basic questions about the company from the contact listed online, that the headquarters had actually moved twice in a 24 hour period, and that there were no Google results for Psystar prior to this week. And earlier this week, the online store at Psystar.com suddenly shut down due to “problems with its ecommerce system.”

Apple has kept mum about the whole thing despite Psystar's defiant (and inaccurate) statement that Apple is acting as a "hardware monopoly." The Psystar Web site states: "Psystar has assembled a system that is completely operational with Leopard called the Open Computer. We call it the Open Computer to reflect the opening of what has previously been a hardware monopoly,"

While the controversy shakes out (Will customers get their Open Computers? Will they work? How long until Apple gives Psystar the smackdown?) we've got a suggestion for Leopard-loving scofflaws. Rather than buying an Open Computer, you could just make your own. A while back, Lifehacker posted some very thorough instructions for building a “Hackintosh” and while the parts will run you close to $800, you will at least be guaranteed an actual, physical computer. However, if you’re not up to the hack and that $399 is still burning a hole in your pocket, my uncle’s got some land in Florida you might be interested in...

http://www.popsci.com/gear-gadgets/article/2008-04/forget-psystar-build-your-own-mac-clone?page=

http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9919432-37.html

Linux and Mac OS X Desktop Gaining Market Share in 2008 on Windows Desktop

Linux and Mac OS X Desktop Gaining Market Share in 2008 on Windows Desktop

Recent research and announcements from IBM, Dell and other major PC vendors points to the Linux desktops being a factor to content with in 2008. In addition, the stability and popularity of the Mac OS X desktop is said to gain some percentage in the desktop market from Microsoft.

As a Mac OS X user myself and observing the increase of individuals in my circle converting, I can see a shift.

I will be keeping a close eye on these developments through out the year.

Linux Desktop PC

Linux Desktop PC

Linux, a very popular operating system has been gaining a lot of ground in the desktop PC market lately. Linux already a strong player in the enterprise and server market continues to grow at a steady pace. Every year, I hear more buzz talk about the integration or introduction of new product lines using various Linux distributions by vendors and computing professionals trying to break away from the grapples of Microsoft Windows.

Recent events has convinced me that 2008 will be a good push forward for Linux desktop users.

Dell will offer Ubuntu Linux 7.10 on its XPS 1330 laptops, while Sears.com is selling a fully equipped Linux desktop PC for $299, minus a $100 rebate. SecurityOrb.com, has also started offering Linux-based security desktop on their site and lastly Lenovo has launched a range of laptops pre-installed with Novell's SuSE Linux operating system.

There are many different flavors of Linux such as Ubuntu, Redhat, SuSE, Slackware and Fedora. For a comprehensive list, description and download information check out: http://www.securityorb.com/LinuxDistributions.html

These are just a few of the recent Linux based desktop PC news that has passed my way, but there are countless and more to come as well.