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OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Post Install Frequently Asked Questions

Article ID = 77
Article Title = OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Post Install Frequently Asked Questions
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 24th July 2012
Article Last Updated = 14th November 2016
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?77

Article Brief Description:
Frequently asked questions after installing OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Post Install Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which version of Mac OS X did you upgrade from?

After Upgrading From Mac OS X 10.6

Q. Scrolling appears to be the wrong way round. Can I change it?
A. Yes. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences >
  • (for mice) click on the Mouse icon and untick the "Move content in the direction of finger movement when scrolling or navigating" option.
  • (for trackpads) click on the Trackpad icon > Scroll & Zoom tab and use/don't use the "Scroll Direction: natural" option.
Q. I can't find my User Library? Where is it?
A. Your User Library has not gone and it is in fact in the same place, but now, in Mountain Lion, it is invisible. To get to it just go to the Finder > (while holding the "alt" key down) the Go menu and select "Library" from the menu. A useful tip is to do this and then click and drag the folder icon next to the Library window's "proxy icon" to the Finder "Toolbar" (at the top of a Finder window) or the Finder "Sidebar" (to the left of a Finder window) but note that it doesn't work by dragging it to the Dock. You can then use these Finder Toolbar or Sidebar icons to get to your Library folder easily.
Q. I don't like the system "Resume" feature. Can I switch it off?
A. Yes. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > General and tick the "Close windows when quitting an application" option. Alternatively if you like the feature for some applications but not others, in those that you don't want the feature you can alt-Command-Quit (Quit and Discard Windows).
Q. I don't like the new system wide text "Auto-Correct" feature. Can I switch it off?
A. Yes. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Language & Text and untick the "Correct spelling automatically" option.
Q. I don't like the new Apple System Information view. Can I get the original view back?
A. Yes. System Profiler has been renamed System Information and it opens with the new simplified window. To see the old style view, in System Information go to File menu > Show System Report or alternatively hold down alt and select "System Information" from the Apple menu.
Q. I don't like the new Apple Mail view. Can I get the classic view back?
A. Yes. In Mail go to Mail menu > Preferences > Viewing tab and tick "Use classic layout".
Q. My Finder windows used to show the number of selected items, disk space left and/or the path for selected items. Can I get this back?
A. Yes, Mountain Lion switches these off by default. In Finder go to the View menu and select "Show Path Bar" and/or "Show Status Bar" as required.
Q. I have a NAS drive but although I can connect to it I can no longer use it as a Time Machine backup destination. What's wrong?
Q. I have a NAS drive but can no longer connect to it using the AFP protocol. What's wrong?
Q. I have a very old AppleShare IP (ASIP) server but can no longer connect to it using the AFP protocol. What's wrong?
A. AFP servers must support the new Netatalk 2.2 protocol instead of any older versions to work with Mountain Lion.
  • Apple has disabled AFP support for the Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange (DHX) Protocol ("DHCAST128"). DHCAST128 is often used by NAS boxes, mainly because it has fewer overheads. DHCAST128 is deprecated and replaced by Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange 2 (DHX2). The minimum size of the prime is increased to 512 bits to improve resistance to numerical methods of attack.
  • You should contact your NAS provider for an update to the NAS software.
  • For a list of potential NAS products affected with information, links and software updates see this article.
  • Apple has now officially stated a workaround in this technical support article.
Q. Where has Front Row gone?
A. Front Row is no longer included with Mountain Lion. Alternatives include:
Q. Where has iSync gone?
A. iSync is no longer included with Mountain Lion. It has been replaced by iCloud. Or you could try:
Q. How do I turn this new "Power Nap" feature on/off?
A. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Energy Saver and tick/untick "Enable Power Nap" as required - if this option is not available your model of computer does not support Power Nap.
Q. PDFs no longer seem to work properly in Safari. What's going on?
A. Adobe Reader plug-in and Acrobat plug-in are not compatible with the Safari 5.1 browser. See this Adobe Advisory.
Q. I'm trying to open an application but Mountain Lion keeps popping up the message "You can't open the application your application name here because PowerPC applications are no longer supported". What's wrong?
A. Mountain Lion no longer supports PowerPC applications/the Rosetta environment. See this article.
Q. I have the Apple USB Modem but under Mountain Lion I cannot get it to work. What's wrong?
Q. I use to use my Mac as a fax machine. This option seems to have disappeared from System Preferences. Can I use my computer for faxes?
A. The Apple USB Modem is not supported by Mountain Lion as the USB modem is a 32-bit device (and Mountain Lion is 64-bit) so fax options have been removed from the system. You will need to obtain a Mountain Lion compatible third party modem and/or fax software. Possible alternatives are:
Q. I'm trying to move an application out of the Applications folder but it just creates an alias. What am I doing wrong?
A. Nothing. Mountain Lion has changed the permissions on the Applications folder. To move an application out of the folder you now need to "copy" it (by dragging and holding the alt key down) first. Then you can delete the original from the Applications folder.
Q. I'd really like to use the original QuickTime 7 Pro. Can I still do this?
A. Yes.
  1. Download the QuickTime 7.6.6 installer.
  2. Install QuickTime 7.6.6.
  3. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities and open QuickTime Player 7.
  4. In QuickTime Player 7 go to QuickTime Player 7 menu > Registration… and enter your registration code.
  5. If you can't remember your registration code go to the Apple Store online e.g. Apple Store UK.
  6. Click on "Account" in the top right.
  7. Click on the "Downloadable software purchases" and login if necessary.
  8. The "Software Download History" page should load and your serial number will be listed on it.
Q. I've heard something about a low-power wake mode (sharing resources without the need to turn on the monitor or attached USB devices). I can't find this in the Preferences anywhere. How do I utilise this mode?
A. Mountain Lion does indeed have this feature but it's not obvious because the "preference option" is named the same in previous versions of the OS. In Mountain Lion you simply need to go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Energy Saver and make sure the "Wake for network access" is ticked. Unlike previous versions of the OS this option allows the computer to wake in low power mode at the following times:
  1. When a user at another computer accesses your computer's shared resources.
  2. At regular intervals so that your computer can notify other computers on the network that its resources are available.
NOTE: It is not clear at the moment whether this feature only works on newer models of Mac or whether it works on all supported Macs.
Q. I've heard something about a feature called "AirDrop" but I cannot get this feature to work on my computer. What's wrong?
A. Not all Macs support this feature as it is dependent on the wireless chip in your computer so basically older computers won't support it. To check whether your Mac supports this feature go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > More Info... > System Report > open the triangle on the left for the "Network" category and select "Wi-Fi". Under "Interfaces" on the right look for "AirDrop" to say "Supported". Macs that are likely to support the AirDrop feature include:
Q. When I copy files from one place to another that has files with the same name the new dialogue window does not have the "Don't Replace" option/button. What do I do now?
A. Mountain Lion works differently to previous OSes and there is a new dialogue window for such instances including a "Keep Both Files" option. Basically Mountain Lion copies/moves all unique files first (unlike older OSes) and then gives you the dialogue window for the files with the same name with the following options:
  • Keep Both Files: this will keep both files with the same name, it will add "copy" to the filename of the items you are moving/copying
  • Stop: this is now the equivalent of the old "Don't Replace" option
  • Replace: this is the same as before where it will replace the items with the same name with the items you are moving/copying
NOTE: Although Mac OS X 10.7.2 or later may be required for this to work, you can hold down "Option" when making the copy and you will be presented with "Skip" instead of "Keep Both Files" (you can also toggle between Skip/Keep Both Files using the Option key).
Q. I'm trying to browse web sites but all the texts are coming up with the letter A in a square. What's wrong?
A. You have a font problem. Try these:
  1. If you are using a third party font manager e.g. FontExplorer or Suitcase Fusion check for updated software.
  2. If you are using a third party font manager e.g. FontExplorer or Suitcase Fusion check you have not enabled fonts that will "conflict" or "override" the System fonts.
    • FontExplorer: Go to the "Tools" menu and make sure "System Font Protection" is unticked.
    • Suitcase Fusion: Go to Suitcase Fusion > Preferences > Activation tab and make sure "Allow Suitcase Fusion to override System Fonts" is unticked.
    • FontAgent Pro: Go to FontAgent Pro > Preferences > and make sure "Manage System Fonts" is unticked.
  3. Make sure your (required) fonts are stored in the correct Mac OS X locations:
    • Macintosh HD > Library > Fonts folder.
    • Macintosh HD > System > Library > Fonts folder.
    • Macintosh HD > Users > ~your home directory > Library > Fonts folder.
  4. Reboot to your normal boot disk in Safe Boot Mode to clear (font) caches.
  5. Nuke your font caches.
  6. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Font Book and Select All (Command+A) fonts. Then try each of the following:
    • File menu > Validate Fonts.
    • Edit menu > Resolve Duplicates.
    • File menu > Restore Standard Fonts.
Q. I have multiple partitions on my hard disk and I installed Mountain Lion but now my Boot Camp Windows installation doesn't work/I cannot boot to Windows. What's wrong?
A. Windows requires that Boot Camp is within the first four partitions on your hard disk. Unfortunately a Mac running Mountain Lion has TWO additional invisible partitions on the hard disk (EFI and Recovery HD) so if you have more partitions than just your normal Mac OS X and Windows, Windows may not work. The standard setup (Boot Camp will work):
  1. [hidden] EFI
  2. [hidden] Recovery HD
  3. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
  4. Boot Camp and Windows
An example non-standard setup (Boot Camp may not work):
  1. [hidden] EFI
  2. [hidden] Recovery HD
  3. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard (dual boot)
  4. Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (dual boot)
  5. Boot Camp and Windows
NOTE: This is a limitation of Windows and it's partitioning scheme, not the Mac or Mac OS X.

You should also read the After Upgrading From OS X 10.7 FAQ below

After Upgrading From OS X 10.7 or earlier

Q. I keep getting banners and alerts in the top right of my screen. How do I change this behaviour/stop them appearing?
A. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Notifications and configure them accordingly.
Q. The system "Resume" feature has changed since 10.7. What can I do?
A. Whereas before you unticked an option in System preferences you must now go to Apple menu > System Preferences > General and TICK the "Close windows when quitting an application" option.
Q. Is Java included with Mountain Lion?
A. No. If you need it download it and install it.
Q. Is Adobe Flash included with Mountain Lion?
A. No. We recommend not installing Adobe Flash as it is a very high security risk and is also now unsupported with no further security updates to be issued!
Q. The Mountain Lion new features page lists "PowerNap" on it but I cannot get this feature to work on my computer. What's wrong?
A. Only certain Mac models can utilise this feature. Those models are currently:
  • MacBook Air (Mid 2010 or later)
  • MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display (Mid 2012 or later)
NOTE: You will need to install firmware and/or software updates for this feature to become operational on your computer.
Q. I went to System Preferences > Sharing and "Web sharing" is missing. What happened to it?
Q. I went to System Preferences > Sharing and "Xgrid sharing" is missing. What happened to it?
Q. I want to use X11 but it's not installed. What should I do?
A. Mountain Lion no longer includes X11 or web/Xgrid sharing, see our Mountain Lion FAQ for more information/alternatives.
Q. I'm trying to run a software application but Mountain Lion says it can't be opened because it's from an unidentified developer. What's wrong?
Q. I'm trying to install some software but Mountain Lion says it can't be installed because it's from an unidentified developer. What's wrong?
A. Probably nothing but make sure the software you want to run/install is legitimate and is not malware. Mountain Lion includes an enhanced security featured called Gatekeeper. Check out our article all about it.
Q. I've heard Mountain Lion supports using more than one Time Machine backup device. How do I get this to work?
A. You can "add" additional devices in the Time Machine preferences or select the option when connecting another drive.
Q. Safari doesn't appear to have an RSS facility or the activity monitor window. Are there alternatives?
A. Activity monitor is gone - it's not likely to come back. If you still want RSS feeds you could use a different web browser that does support them or use a dedicated RSS software application:
Q. Safari appears to have lost the ability to change the default font and size (used to be Appearance in Preferences), block pop-up windows and empty its cache (latter two used to be on the Safari menu). Are there alternatives?
A. "Block pop-up windows" is now in Safari menu > Preferences > Security tab.
A. Minimum font size is now in Safari menu > Preferences > Advanced tab
A. "Empty cache" is now available only when you have enabled the "Develop" menu (go to Safari menu > Preferences > Advanced tab > Show Develop menu in menu bar).
Q. Where's iChat gone?
A. It's been replaced with the Messages application.
Q. I've heard OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion has AirPlay video mirroring to an Apple TV. How do I get this to work?
A. Your (second generation/small black) Apple TV must be up-to-date. Only certain Mac models support AirPlay video mirroring, they are:
  • iMac (Mid 2011 or later)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2011 or later)
  • MacBook Air (Mid 2011 or later)
  • MacBook Pro (Early 2011 or later)
If you have a compatible Mac go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Displays > click the "AirPlay Mirroring" option near the bottom and select "Apple TV". Alternatively, when a compatible Mac with Mountain Lion detects an Apple TV on the same network, the AirPlay Mirroring menu item appears in the menu bar and this can be used to turn the feature on. In addition audio can be streamed on its own - audio from your Mac is wirelessly sent to your Apple TV. You can use this feature independent of AirPlay Mirroring by selecting your Apple TV in the Sound pane of System Preferences.
Q. Is there anything else you recommend?
A. Yes.
  • If you want to use the new Dictation feature remember to turn it on - go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Dictation & Speech > Dictation tab and switch 'Dictation' to "On".
  • If you use the Text To Speech function of Mountain Lion you can download additional voices and dialects - go to Apple menu > System Preferecnes > Dictation & Speech > Text to Speech tab > 'System Voice' pop-up menu > Customize… > select the voices/dialects that you want and download (each voice download can be quite large e.g. 1GB+).
  • Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Notifications and configure them as required (you can temporarily turn off all notifications by Option clicking the Notifications icon in the top right hand corner of the menu bar - it will go grey - Option click to turn it back on).
  • Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab and make sure Gatekeeper is configured.
  • Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Safari > Safari menu > Preferences > General tab and untick 'Open "safe" files after downloading'.
  • If you don't use it and it's installed turn off Java in your web browsers.
  • Use Apple's OS X Recovery Disk Assistant to create an emergency external recovery disk (internet connection required).
  • Obtain the OS X Install Disc Image to Create An External Installation Device (internet connection not required).
  • Create An Emergency Boot Drive For Mac OS X
  • Backup your computer regularly
  • If you need to get some work done see our retrofitting OS X 10.7 Lion or 10.8 Mountain Lion to be more like the older operating systems
Q. I've installed OS X 10.8 and I don't like it. Can I downgrade to 10.7/10.6?
A. Possibly. We're currently working on an article all about that - check back soon.

Article Keywords: OS X OSX 108 Mountain post after install FAQ frequently asked questions gatekeeper

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