Answers...

to commonly asked questions.

flash

Do I still need flash?

I can’t remember what our discussion of Adobe Flash Player was except to ignore the updates. I am getting a notification that it will automatically uninstall unless I update it.
So far I am choosing to ignore it. Do I still need it on my computer?
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Do not interact with anything that says "Flash". As I discuss with many people, it's the most commonly used word that malware publisher use to pretend to help you. With that said, Adobe (the company that created the software called Flash) has discontinued it. The internet as a whole, has decided to stop using the old outdated technology. This means that any website that still uses flash to show things like embedded video, dancing images, interactive content, will no longer be displayed starting Jan, 2021. If you feel you may be looking at something fraudulent, feel free to send me a screenshot. (comman+shift+4 then drag over what you are seeing). Overall, there's nothing you need to do. Keeping your computer's OS up to date is always a good idea. Currently 10.15.7 is the latest version of Catalina however OS 11 Big Sur has been released although I am not currently green lighting that for people. Better to wait just a little longer, say mid January.

Adobe is providing an "uninstall" link as Flash reaches end of life but I don't know if you're looking at the legitimate uninstall or something false.

Long story short: don't update, don't uninstall, don't interact with flash at all because I can't guarantee you're not being tricked without actually seeing it.

Here's Adobe's statement on flash end of life: https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/end-of-life.html

Youtube crashing the computer

Can you advise why I'm having problems receiving files, photos, etc via email?
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Perhaps the files you are being sent are larger than the standard file size limit for email which is apprx. 10 megs to be safe. You may have also reached your mailbox storage limit although that is unlikely.  Gmail reserves 7 gigs for your emai.  I'ts doubtful you've surpassed 7 gigs of email storage.

Sites blocked?

Here's what they sent me to try if this third batch doesn't work....you agree with any/all of this?

From OWC:
Here are some things to try when you have suspected memory issues:

1) The first step is to make sure the memory is installed and seated all of the way. This is the most common solution to having a problem with the memory.  If you are unsure of how to install the memory properly you can see our install videos
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html  You can also get installation pdf instructions from Apple's site at their Do-It-Yourself center http://www.apple.com/support/diy/

With new memory a common problem is that people do not realize the chips take as much pressure to push in as they can and fail to put them in all the way.  Even if your old chips do not take as much force to insert new chips can take a fair amount more force on them to get them to snap fully in to place properly.
When inserting the memory you will usually be able to tell when the memory fully seats in the socket and normally will hear a clicking/snapping type sound as it does.

2)  Zap your pram.  If you need the steps you can refer to the Apple article
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

3) For Intel systems the next thing is to try resetting your SMC.  
   a. For Mac Pro's visit the Apple article
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
   b. If using a Macbook/MacBook Pro Apple has the article on how to do so
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
   c.  For Intel iMacs or Minis reset the SMC using the information in the Apple article
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2183

4)  Try moving your memory to different slots to see if the slots may be a factor.

   a.  If mixing memory try the new memory without the original memory.
   b.  If you bought multiple chips then try with only one chip at a time and see if the problems show up or not.  Repeat per chip or pair purchased.
   c.  If you bought multiple pairs, for  Mac Pros, try mixing the chip pairings to see if you can narrow down a specific chip or pair if problems are found.

5)  Sometimes it helps to clean the contact pins on the the chip as there may be a bit of resin residue leftover on them after manufacturing.  First take a rubber pencil eraser and buff the gold contact pins.  Then take a Q-tip with isopropyl alcohol and clean the contact pins of the chip. Do not use the alcohol on any other part of the chip and make sure to give it sufficient time to make sure it is fully dried before installing to try again.

Dust particles within the machine could also be a source of the problem so you can take a can of air and use it to blow the sockets and machine board free of the dust particles.  You can normally get a can of air at most electronics stores or local Walmart type stores.  I have even seen them carried in stores like Osco before.

6)  To make sure heat is not a factor in causing your machine problems if using a MacBook/MacBook Pro refer to the article we have posted about it
http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?source=tnd1286fancontrol&page=Tips/smcFanControl/smcFanControl.html

If there are still issues and you can get the machine to startup with the memory installed there are some software tests you can run.

1)  In OSX the software we recommend running is Rember.  Go to
http://www.kelleycomputing.net/rember/ and download Rember. This is an OSX program that can test the memory and is pretty accurate.

2)  You can get AppleJack from
http://applejack.sourceforge.net/  This software needs to be installed in OS 10.2.x or higher.  You then need to restart and boot to single user mode holding down Command(apple) and S.  Once the screen comes up for AppleJack press the X key to enter E(x)perimental mode.   It is not listed, but does exist.  Then select the option for running Memtest.  This has the advantage of leaving almost all the memory free for testing vs some of it being allocated for the system that the other two previous options require.

3.  You can boot to the disk that came with your system and run Apple Hardware Test(AHT) and use that to test the memory.  G4 Macs and later distribute the Apple Hardware Test on a system disc that came with your machine.  Each Apple Hardware Test is specific to the type and model of Mac with which it was distributed.  To run the Apple Hardware Test, you must start up from the disc:    

    a) If you have an Apple Hardware Test CD, start up from it as you would any other bootable disc:
        1. Insert the Apple Hardware Test disc that came with your Mac into your Mac's optical drive.
        2.Press and hold the C key on your keyboard as you start your system.
        3. Release the C key after the screen changes indicating it is loading.
    b) For Intel-based Macs, see the Apple article found
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

After you startup from the Apple Hardware Test, run the Extended Test.  You may want to run the Extended Test several times in a row as sometimes intermittent problems don't show up on every test.  You may want to run the AHT in Loop Mode overnight which can be an excellent troubleshooting step for finding intermittent hardware problems.  If Loop Mode is supported by the version of the Apple Hardware Test you are using, you run the Extended Test in Loop Mode by pressing Control-L before starting the test. Looping On should appear in the right window. Then click the Extended Test button.  The test will run continuously until a problem is found. If a problem is found, the test will cease to loop, indicating the problem it found.  If you let it run in loop mode allow it to loop 50+ times to make sure no problems are found.  You can stop the Extended Test and exit Loop Mode by either:

   a) Pressing the Command-period keyboard shortcut, i.e. Command-.
   b) Clicking the Cancel or Stop Test buttons. This can be difficult to do in Loop Mode.
   c) Manually restarting your Mac. Restarting manually, i.e. via either the power button or if your Mac is so equipped the Reset button.

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These are all good suggestions and valid.  But the glaring fact remains that you put the old ram in, machine boots, new ram in, machine doesn't boot.  conclusion:  new ram doesn't work.  
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