MacMedics Alert on Apple's Lion OS X: 10.7

IMPORTANT: DO NOT install Lion without have a working and tested backup system. Also, if you run Time Machine, that’s awesome, but there is no real good way to “test” a Time Machine backup. If you install Lion, and you can’t work, you could find yourself in a real pickle. In situations like this, MacMedics recommends a “bootable clone” backup of your main drive. This way, if there is a problem you can boot off your clone, and get right back to work. Plus the best thing is you can “test” your bootable clone backup, by “booting” off of it before you do anything. This way you can ensure IF there is a problem installing, running, or using Lion, you can revert to your clone backup with NO downtime.

Also, installing a major OS upgrade can “kill” a hard drive. Whenever Apple releases a major update we see folks in the shop with dead or dying hard drives, that were killed by trying to run a major update. Don’t forget that we recommend a new hard drive every TWO years in laptops, and every THREE years in desktops. Also, back up hard drives also can die, and should be retired using the same guidelines. 2.5″ drives in backup devices should be “retired” every two years, and 3.5″ drives in back up devices should be “retired” every three years. Retire your backup drive, and then use it for an off-site back up. Also, when you buy a new backup drive write the date you purchased it on tape and stick it to the drive, so you don’t forget to retire it or to step it into semi-retirement as an off-site back up. See our website ww.HardDrivesDie.com for more info.

Please real this entire page of information, as it contains important information on upgrading your Apple OS. Info on 10.6.7 & 10.6.8 appear below, but the rest of our info follows that post. Also, stay in touch with us via FaceBook, Twitter, and the MacMedics newsletter, if you want our insider info. All of that info appears at the bottom of this page.

MacMedics Alert on Apple's Snow Leopard OS X: 10.6.8

The 10.6.8 update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Lion and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

-Enhance the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac OS X Lion

-Resolve an issue that may cause Preview to unexpectedly quit.

-Improve support for IPv6.

-Improve VPN reliability.

-Identify and remove known variants of Mac Defender.

For detailed information and precautions on running the 10.6.8 update from Apple, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4561. Please continue reading this page for more information on precautions and warning from MacMedics.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

Information On Lion And Updating Your OS In General

In case you don't know, this version of OS X (Lion 10.7) PowerPC applications can no longer run, as Rosetta is gone. This slams the door on anybody still clinging to Quark 6, CS2 or Office v.X/2004, as well as AppleWorks. Older peripherals (printers, scanners, etc) may not work if they have not been updated with 64-bit drivers. Lion runs the 64-bit kernel by default, and therefore requires 64-bit drivers. Anything that was updated specifically for Snow Leopard should probably work. Also, PostScript printers should be fine since they use a PPD rather than an actual driver.

As noted below, MacMedics also strongly recommends you have a tested and fully functional back up in place BEFORE you install any Apple system software update. Something could go wrong, and you could have a major problem on your hands. Whenever Apple releases a major update to OS X we usually see 4 or 5 clients' hard drives die that first day. If your hard drive is dying or already unhealthy, the extra hard drive activity needed to install a major update is often all it takes to kill a hard drive. Please see our web page on the subject of hard drive failures.

We'll post new info on this page and our blog as it becomes available. We will also Twitter about anything you need to know in the meantime.

For more detailed information on installing Apple system updates, please see details below.

Upgrading to Lion and/or installing any Apple OS X software update

Running a software update from Apple (or elsewhere) as soon as it pops up is not always the best plan. In our travels we very frequently see clients who have run a software update without planning ahead for it, and as a result end up with annoying issues, sudden incompatibilities, and even data loss. One thing to consider is how healthy your hard drive is overall before running an update. Never try to solve an issue such as system lock ups or crashing by installing the latest update, as symptoms like those can be exasperated by applying a software update.

Here's our safety checklist for running software updates or installing a system upgrade.

1. Back up your data, and double check your back up before installing any update. [Don't forget to unplug that back-up before installing an update]
2. Repair permissions - It's not going to hurt anything, so a quick permission repair is always a good idea.
3. Disconnect any USB or FireWire hard drives, devices, or hubs.
4. Make sure you have enough free space on your hard drive - A safe bet is to have 10% of your total hard drive free.
5. Quit all applications while running software updates. The updates should be the only process running.
6. Consider the possibility that major applications and/or features might be affected by an Apple software update or system upgrade.

Don't run a software update on a production machine while on a deadline. You want to be certain that the update will not cause more problems than it was designed to fix. If your machine is working, let it continue working as is, and plan to install the update after you know it's not going to cause any issues for you. We install the updates on our test machines here at MacMedics as soon as they are released to Apple Developers, and again when they are released to the public. Let us be the guinea pigs. We'll let you know how we feel about the update in our weekly e-mail to MacMedics clients.

Can your hard drive handle Lion?

Installing a new OS is like taking your hard drive to the gym. It can be quite a workout for an older hard drive, and whenever a new OS comes out, we always see a few dead hard drives as a result. No matter what you do, make sure you have a back up of your data before you begin!

Prices have dropped significantly on hard drives over the last year or so. MacMedics now recommends retiring hard drives after three years in desktops, and two years in laptops. Be sure to check out new web page to find out why you should retire your older hard drive and to learn about our 5 rules of data protection and preservation. Why take a chance with your data when faster, larger, and generally more reliable drives are available. Moving to Leopard is a great opportunity to get a new drive, while at the same time insuring your data is safe.

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