'Tis the season for big price breaks, but Apple Computers didn't intend to offer its users a $100 discount on the newest Macintosh operating system.
But staffers at tech site Macfixit, in search of a simple workaround, were surprised to discover that they could easily convert OS X 10.1.1 upgrade CDs into fully functioning, complete copies of the OS X operating system.
OS X 10.1.1 is intended only to upgrade certain features of the OS X operating system.
OS X 10.1.1 is priced at $19.95. Apple sells the complete version of OS X for $129.00.
Shortly after Macfixit posted the details of its discovery -- which involves deleting a specific module from the upgrade CD's files -- Macfixit received a letter from Apple's lawyers threatening legal action if the story wasn't immediately removed from the site.
A statement on the Macfixit site reads: "Apple has asked us to remove the information regarding how to convert an Mac OS X 10.1 Update CD to a full install CD."
"Although we believe the information provides a legitimate method for dealing with certain troubleshooting issues (as explained in the original article) and that we were not advocating anything illegal, we understand Apple's concern and have thus cooperated."
"Some people aren't happy with OS X 10.1.1, but once they run the update, they can't revert back to the version of the system that they were happy with," Jerven said. "Removing that module, while screwing up Apple's profits, allows you to go back to 10.1. People may want the information who have no desire or intent to rip off Apple by getting a complete copy of OS X for $20."
View: The whole article @ Wired
News source: CoolComputing
But staffers at tech site Macfixit, in search of a simple workaround, were surprised to discover that they could easily convert OS X 10.1.1 upgrade CDs into fully functioning, complete copies of the OS X operating system.
OS X 10.1.1 is intended only to upgrade certain features of the OS X operating system.
OS X 10.1.1 is priced at $19.95. Apple sells the complete version of OS X for $129.00.
Shortly after Macfixit posted the details of its discovery -- which involves deleting a specific module from the upgrade CD's files -- Macfixit received a letter from Apple's lawyers threatening legal action if the story wasn't immediately removed from the site.
A statement on the Macfixit site reads: "Apple has asked us to remove the information regarding how to convert an Mac OS X 10.1 Update CD to a full install CD."
"Although we believe the information provides a legitimate method for dealing with certain troubleshooting issues (as explained in the original article) and that we were not advocating anything illegal, we understand Apple's concern and have thus cooperated."
"Some people aren't happy with OS X 10.1.1, but once they run the update, they can't revert back to the version of the system that they were happy with," Jerven said. "Removing that module, while screwing up Apple's profits, allows you to go back to 10.1. People may want the information who have no desire or intent to rip off Apple by getting a complete copy of OS X for $20."
View: The whole article @ Wired News source: CoolComputing
There are two ways to do this little operation. One, you can go here and download Microsoft's PowerToys. This is a set of essential applications offered free from Microsoft. They are unsupported, but the ever-popular Tweak UI has never caused us any undue problems. XP PowerToys is easier to install than previous versions and resides in the program menu, rather than the control panel.
Once you have it installed, go to Taskbar and uncheck "Enable Balloon Tips."
This is the easy way to do it, but you're looking at about a 1MB download. If your Internet connection is really slow, your time is limited, or you just hate downloading things, I bring you a second, more risky way as a public service.
You can perform a registry tweak to the same end. If you aren't familiar with hacking your registry, go to the Related Articles at end of this story and read up on opening your registry, backing it up, and restoring certain keys in case something goes wrong. Registry hacks take place immediately and can cause damage to your system.
The Key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced
Create a new DWORD value, name it EnableBalloonTips, and set it equal to 0.
If EnableBalloonTips is already there and equal to 1, set it equal to 0. Quit the registry editor, log off, and log back on. Voila! Your computer will stop talking down to you.
Bonus:
You want to know the coolest new thing about the Windows XP registry? It's the ultimate convenience for power users. Windows XP registry comes with a favorites menu. Now you can tweak and nudge and bump without having to keep a list of keys stashed around.
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