UPDATE 1/2/10: I’m re-posting this Blog POST from a few weeks ago, because lots of folks are spending time during the New Year holiday to do some house keeping on data from 2009. I’m sure lots of people got new Macs for the holidays too, so be sure to read the Blog post below.

Two things to remember:

1. Never delete data that has not been certified in it’s new location or on a new computer.

2. Never use a computer to process and generate mission critical data without a back-up.

When folks buy a new computer and then transfer the data to the new unit, they are often anxious to re-purpose or re-sell the old computer. So much so, that once they see the new unit is up and running, they will ERASE the old unit and put a fresh OS on it in preparation for it’s new life. In many cases they have already made a deal to sell their old Mac and the sale is “pending” on them getting the new Mac up and running. So there’s often some pressure to get the job done quickly and complete the transaction.

With all hard drives (and new hard drives in NEW computers) there’s a 30 to 60 day “burn-in” that if the drive is going to give up on you there’s a pretty good chance that it will fail in that time frame. There are almost no DOA hard drives, so the ones that have issues are the ones that develop one in that first 30-60 days. If a hard drive comes off the line at the factory and it’s got an issue, they catch those, and destroy them. In fact, it’s been quite some time, since a hard drive has arrived here at MacMedics “Dead On Arrival”. In a few cases we see them dead, when they have been improperly packaged for shipment. We cannot afford to have one of our client’s computers to have a sick hard drive installed in it, so if a batch of hard drives comes to us and they were shipped by an idiot, then back they go. Thankfully we buy by the case, so the factory shipping container is usually very sturdy, so this is not an issue very often.

NEVER EVER put new data on a new hard drive (then delete your old data or sell an old computer) and assume that you’re safer then you were with the old drive. Data SHOULD always be in two places at once!

If you need to erase an old computer and you’ve just transferred ALL of your data to a new shiny computer, don’t let that “new computer” feeling of safety (because it’s new I’m at LESS risk!) distract you! If it’s a new Mac, then run a quick Time Machine back up or clone your drive with SuperDuper BEFORE you erase that old data. Don’t forget to ensure that new backup is also working correctly. This is a common issue, so DON’T fall into this trap!

See my website at http://www.HardDrivesDie.com. Yeah! It’s that common of an issue that I made a website all about it. It has my TOP 5 list of data protection-preservation tips. Also see my Friday the 13th Blog post on topic of hard drives.

Apple has promoted MacMedics from our current designation as an Apple Authorized Reseller to our new designation as a new Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller. Apple has recognized MacMedics for our advanced consulting involving Macintosh servers and Windows integration. Our work in converting businesses and organizations that were once 100% Windows over to the Macintosh platform has also made us well suited for our new Apple assigned vertical specialty. We are proud to announce that MacMedics is now an Apple Authorized VAR specializing in Network and Integration.

We’re very excited about this, and there’s even an official press release from our public relations team. You can check that out here in PDF form (or read the full text of the announcement below). Thank you to everyone that worked with us and supported MacMedics in this new Apple authorization!

The full press release follows:

Millersville, MD – May 11, 2009 – MacMedics, a 20 year old full-service Apple Authorized consulting, sales and repair firm announced today that Apple, Inc. has promoted their status to an Apple Authorized Value Added Reseller (VAR).

Apple’s VAR program is designed for resellers and integrators that deliver highly specialized, turn–key solutions—including the audio, broadcast, film, networking, Original Equipment Manufacturer, photography, publishing, scientific/technical, storage, and video markets. Apple has recognized MacMedics for its work in integrating Macs into existing Windows environments, as well as for replacing Windows-based servers with more reliable and secure Macintosh servers. Over its 20-year history, MacMedics has handled 50,000 on-site service calls and possesses 200 plus years of combined Mac experience across its 20 employees.

“With this additional designation from Apple, MacMedics will expand its focus on Macintosh network integration, which has long been a major part of our consulting practice,” states Dana Stibolt, president and founder of MacMedics. “The additional resources the Apple VAR authorization provides will greatly enhance the personal services that we can offer our clients.”

MacMedics is also an Apple Authorized Service Provider, and offers walk-in Apple service for both in and out of warranty Macs, and out of warranty iPods and iPhones in their repair centers in Millersville, MD and Lanham, MD. MacMedics is also an Apple Developer as well as an Apple Authorized Government Distributor.

-more-

About MacMedics:

Since 1989, MacMedics (http://www.macmedics.com) has offered Apple sales, support and consulting to business, education and residential customers in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company offers a broad range of services including desktop computer set-up, maintenance and administration, system and network administration, consulting and technology planning, Internet service and hardware set-up and troubleshooting, onsite and in-store training, emergency response and preventative maintenance. MacMedics provides Apple Authorized sales and service to over 8,500 clients from their three offices in Baltimore, Washington, and Philadelphia.

# # #

Wouldn’t it be great if you could run DOS programs on your Macintosh?

Here’s some of the most recent feedback comments our clients have given to Apple regarding our Apple warranty service.

• Considering the time of year (right at holiday season) I thought Mac Medics were VERY fast to respond and repair my IMAC. They were very informative and very professional throughout the ordeal.

• I wish there was a MacMedics closer than 58 miles away!

If you have a Mac problem, you’d like us to look at, we’d be delighted to check it out for you. We offer some distinct advantages over visiting the Apple Store. As both Apple Authorized Resellers and Apple Authorized Service Providers we can take great care of you and your Mac by helping you get the service and sales you need. MacMedics can also honor your AppleCare warranty or your Apple factory 1-year warranty.

1. No appointment is needed when you bring your computer in. Just drop it off anytime.

2. MacMedics is fast! We try to have any needed parts on order the same day you check in. We also have many commonly needed Apple service parts in stock.

3. We’re absolutely fanatical about ensuring your unit is correctly repaired and properly reassembled. See our MacMedics blog post regarding service obtained elsewhere.

4. In warranty or out, we can help! We’ve been fixing Macs for 20 years, so if you have a Mac that’s out of warranty, we can still fix it using Apple factory parts and offer you a 1-year MacMedics warranty on the repair. Out of warranty repairs completed by the Apple Store are only under a 90-day warranty.

5. Not located near an Apple Authorized Service Provider? You can ship us your unit yourself, or get in touch with us on details on how we can pick it up from you.

I certainly got quite a jolt today when I went to sell one of the super fine new Unibody MacBook Pro’s. I had just recorded the serial number and was preparing to upgrade the RAM before selling it at MacMedics Millersville today when we noticed a MAJOR problem. This unit’s retail box was factory sealed, and it’s outside shipping box had been in good shape (we watch them very carefully for shipping damage). The pictures tell the tale, but how did this happen? We have no idea. It’s ugly, so prepare yourself for ultimate Unibody case carnage.

See full size on my Flickr account.

Our first MacBook Pro arrived. First impressions: This computer is super cool! Our in-lab techs have already looked over the official Apple take-apart guides and troubleshooting info, so we’ll be ready if we see any for service anytime soon.

Stop by and visit MacMedics tomorrow at the Washington DC area InDesign Users Group Official Adobe CS4 roll out event being held in Washington DC tomorrow. We’ll have this sweet unit with us to show off. We’re also offering a number of door prizes for the official door prize pool (including an iPod). MacMedics will also be holding a door prize drawing of our own where we’ll be giving away an 8GB iPod touch. We’ll also have first aid kits, iPod cases, and lots of other freebies to give out. Come see us!

We’re also taking orders for the new Adobe CS4 suite, and all of the new MacBooks, and MacBook Pros. Call your local MacMedics office for details or pick up a business card tomorrow.

The MacMedics office in Millersville, MD will securely erase your hard drive and responsibly recycle it for you free of charge. Drop off your hard drive, sign a data destruction waiver, and we’ll take of the rest. If you drop off your hard drive, iPod, or older Macintosh computer for data destruction, we’ll give you a coupon for $10 off an iPod repair, or $25 off the price of a new Mac.

James Wiebe of Wiebetech recently gave us Drive eRazer that we are using to perform this service. This little device will erase drives to Department of Defense security standards.

Drive eRazer

Some Western Digital MyBook hard drives were released into the channel with defective FireWire cables. Using included cables will cause damage to computer’s FireWire ports, as well as to your other connected FireWire devices. We’ve heard that Western Digital is paying for repairs and replacing cables.

Extensis has announced that Suitcase Fusion (v 12.1.3) has been tested and is compatible with Adobe CS3 applications. The current version of Suitcase Fusion can manage and manually activate fonts while using any CS3 product.

In addition, a new font auto-activation plug-in for Adobe Illustrator CS3 is available for download now. This Font Sense™ equipped plug-in ensures accurate font matching and auto-activation of fonts when opening your Illustrator CS3 documents.

The plug-in update is available free-of-charge to registered Suitcase Fusion users. It is recommended that you use the current version of Suitcase Fusion (v 12.1.3) in coordination with this new plug-in.

Need to upgrade to the latest version of Suitcase Fusion? Call your nearest MacMedics office to order an upgrade.