[.ca] Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters (ISBN 020169963X)

From Amazon.co.uk:
Even the most loyal Macintosh fan knows that there are many ways in which their Mac can misbehave. When it does , Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters is the book to turn to. At nearly 1000 pages, this book covers just about every problem you are ever likely to encounter with your Macintosh, and many which you will hopefully never run into; for example, no one ever wants to hear their usual start-up chimes replaced by the sound of a digitised car crash! The Apple Mac has undergone huge changes since the 3rd edition of Sad Macs was published; the 4th edition has been almost completely re-written to cover Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9 (and even includes a section on Mac OS X), and to include new Mac hardware such as the iMac, iBook and G4 machines. However, users of pre-PowerPC Macs or versions of the Mac OS older than 8.0 will have to refer to previous editions of Sad Macs for help, as these have been dropped from the latest edition in an effort to keep the sheer size of the book manageable! Sad Macs is broadly divided into three sections. The first of these, Background and Basics, tells you all about the hardware and System software of your Mac and then moves on to preventative maintenance and general strategies for solving problems when you run into them. The second section, Symptoms, Causes and Cures, devotes a chapter to each of the most common areas of Mac problems, such as System errors, printing problems, the Internet and many more besides. Finally, the Disaster Relief section contains 16 "Fix-It" chapters which give you all the details on how to troubleshoot the various aspects of your Mac and solve problems when you find them. Sad Macs, Bombs and Other Disasters is an essential addition to any Mac user's library. Nowhere will you find such a comprehensive guide to maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing your Mac. --Daniel Jardine

Well worth the money!:
One of the few technical books in my library that I feel has really paid for itself, and then some. Technical books are so expensive, and most of mine sit in the bookcase collecting dust within a month or two after purchasing them. This book had saved me more money than I spent on it within the first month, and I continue to use it on a regular basis. In addition to having real and practical advice on fixing problems, Mr Landau provides advice on preventative maintenance and must-have troublshooting aids, and background on how Macs work when thre aren't any problems. I would say that this book is the most essential of those aforementioned must-have tools.

Sad Macs, Bombs & Other Disasters:
The iMac I purchased in July 2001 is my first home computer. I found this book at the library, then discovered it contained so much good information, that I purchased it. It sometimes has too much info for a newbie, but still it is an excellent reference. This book is the "bible of troubleshooting", and a great way to learn how your computer works. I'd say it is a "must purchase"!

Sad Macs, Bombs & Other Disasters:
The iMac I purchased in July 2001 is my first home computer. I found this book at the library, then discovered it contained so much good information, that I purchased it. It sometimes has too much info for a newbie, but still it is an excellent reference. I use 2 other books along with this one, to trouble shoot and confirm resolutions to any computer problem. This book is like the "bible of troubleshooting". I'd say it is a "must purchase"!

Landau knows his stuff, but ...:
I have a lot of respect for Landau .. and he knows what he's writing about ... but this was written pre-OS X. It's time for another edition, since OS X has a whole NEW set of problems ... including the occasional "kernel panic" (read "crash"). There is also a whole new group of compatibility issues with peripherals: printers and scanners among them.

Don't Hesitate--Worth Every Penny and More!:
I bought this book more as a chore than for pleasure--I never expected to find myself reading it for pure enjoyment. But the author has truly gone above and beyond the call of duty in writing this book. It not only covers every "disaster" contingency in clear, concise language, it also provides page after page of insight, tips, and tricks on how to get the most out of your Mac.