David and Katie talk with former Apple Genius Joe Ciati about troubleshooting your Mac. We discuss removing adware, explain Activity Monitor and Console, how to diagnose hardware and software problems and when you can attempt to fix something yourself and when its time to call a pro.

Thanks to MPU listener Jigar Talati for assistance with the shownotes this week!

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

The Omni GroupWe're passionate about productivity for Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Squarespace Everything you need to create an amazing website.

Automatic Drive smarter and safer with the Automatic car adapter – get 20% off, exclusive for listeners. Use coupon code: mpu2014.

Pixelmator Powerful image editing that gives you everything you need to create, edit and enhance your images, now on iPad and Mac.

Guest Starring:

Joe Caiati

Links and Show Notes:

Thanks to MPU listener Jigar Talati for assistance with the shownotes this week!

Links for this episode:

• dot info
  
• Diagnostics & Usage
  
• Joe Caiati (@JoeCaiati) | Twitter
  
• Be your own Genius — 512 Pixels
  
• 235: Workflows with Stephen Hackett | Mac Power Users
  Katie and David sit down with Stephen Hackett of 512pixels.net to discuss his previous life as an Apple Genius, how he juggles a day job, Relay.fm and being Editor-in-Chief of the Sweet setup with his family life, his love of old Macs and more.
• Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support
  
• The Safe Mac
  
• AdwareMedic
  
• iStat Menus, a Mac app by Bjango
  
• Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support
  
• How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support
  
• Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support
  
• Mac OS X v10.6.3: Diagnostic and usage data collection - Apple Support
  
• How to use Activity Monitor - Apple Support
  
• OS X: About Network Utility - Apple Support
  
• Apple - Find Locations
  
• iFixit: The free repair manual - iFixit
  
• Share diagnostics and usage information with Apple in iOS - Apple Support
  
• OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support
  
• Remove InstallMac from your Macs - The Sweet Setup
  
• Using Apple Diagnostics - Apple Support
  
• Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support
  
• How to use Activity Monitor - Apple Support
  
• Resolving Kernel Panics
  

More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segments