MacBook Pro and Apple Remote: please advise

Question

Level 1

9 points

MacBook Pro and Apple Remote: please advise

Hello all,
I wonder if some kind soul out there can kindly advise me?
I have a MacBook Pro (MacBookPro2,2 /Intel Core 2 Duo / 2.33 GHz / OSX 10.6.4) but am usure of its age- the serial number is W8651 *WOH.
I bought it second hand a couple of years ago and it's been brilliant, never a problem.
I have recently acquired an Apple Remote (older, white one, unused in original seal) to make controlling my music easier but can't get the thing to work.
The machine has a round IR receiver located on the front to the left of the opening catch and its use is discussed in the user's manual. There is no sign of any mention of 'uncouple remote' in the security part of system prefs.
I've tried to couple it by holding down the menu and fast forward buttons, as instructed, but nothing happens.
As I said, the unit is unused so I haven't bought a new battery for it yet. I just wondered if there's something about this model that won't allow the remote to be used with it? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

<Edited by Host>

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4), Intel Core 2 Duo / 2.33 GHz

Posted on Jun 19, 2010 7:18 AM

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Answer 1

g4s

Level 2

414 points

Jun 19, 2010 7:32 AM in response to Steve Howe1

Make sure the remote receiver is not disabled. System Pref./Security, under the General tab. I don't think there are settings for it anywhere else.

Message was edited by: g4s

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Answer 2

Jun 19, 2010 9:59 AM in response to Steve Howe1

"unused in original seal"

Depending on how "old" that "unused" remote is, it may need a new battery.

!http://i50.tinypic.com/izvwo1.gif!

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Answer 3

Steve Howe1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 19, 2010 10:03 AM in response to g4s

Thanks for that, but, as I said, there appears to be no such setting under security/general...

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Answer 4

Steve Howe1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 19, 2010 10:05 AM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

As I said, it was still sealed in cellophane when I received it. Do you think the battery may have become useless merely by sitting around for a long time? Thanks.

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Answer 5

Jun 19, 2010 10:16 AM in response to Steve Howe1

Yes, if...........

Long time = years

I am not at my SL comp at the moment. In Tiger, there is a disable remote option in System Preferences>Security. Are you saying this option is not listed under SL?

!http://i50.tinypic.com/izvwo1.gif!

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Answer 6

Steve Howe1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 19, 2010 10:22 AM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Nope, not a sign. Nor anywhere else I can think of either.

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Answer 7

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Jun 19, 2010 10:25 AM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Baby Boomer (USofA) wrote:

I am not at my SL comp at the moment. In Tiger, there is a disable remote option in System Preferences>Security. Are you saying this option is not listed under SL?

Hi BB,

It's definitely there (supposed to be anyway) in SL too.

Steve, by any chance did you install SL from a machine-specific SL install disc from a different machine without infrared?

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Answer 8

Steve Howe1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 19, 2010 11:54 AM in response to tjk

Hmm. Interesting question. I received the disc from the dealer from whom I purchased the MBP.

Examining the disc, it says on the paper sleeve, "not for resale". On the DVD itself, it says "CPU Drop-in DVD", "This software is part of a hardware bundle- not to be sold separately." Its says its "version 10.6, 2Z691-6554-A"

What do you think? I've just spent some time repairing the disc, permissions etc. Worth doing but made no difference to this problem...

Appreciate the help guys.

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Answer 9

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Jun 19, 2010 12:26 PM in response to Steve Howe1

Steve Howe1 wrote:
Hmm. Interesting question. I received the disc from the dealer from whom I purchased the MBP.

Was this an Apple Store? If so, it was likely part of a program which gave buyers the current OS, even though the machine they bought had an older OS on it; as such, this should not be an issue. OTOH, if this was not from an Apple Store, and it was some dealer "doing you a favor" and giving you a disc/set which is machine-specific to a different machine, I would suspect this is the issue.

Examining the disc, it says on the paper sleeve, "not for resale". On the DVD itself, it says "CPU Drop-in DVD", "This software is part of a hardware bundle- not to be sold separately." Its says its "version 10.6, 2Z691-6554-A"

The retail version I bought says 655 8, fwiw.

What do you think? I've just spent some time repairing the disc, permissions etc. Worth doing but made no difference to this problem...

Depends on your answers.

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Answer 10

Jun 19, 2010 12:35 PM in response to Steve Howe1

CPU Drop-in DVDs is an upgrade version and checks for the existence of Tiger on the target drive. These drop-in discs aren't tied to any specific model as far as I can tell.

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Answer 11

Steve Howe1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 19, 2010 4:51 PM in response to tjk

"OTOH, if this was not from an Apple Store, and it was some dealer "doing you a favor" and giving you a disc/set which is machine-specific to a different machine, I would suspect this is the issue."

A place called 'The Mac Fix Centre' in London. They've helped us out a lot in the past and did me proud re the MBP but, yes, I guess the copy of SL could have come from anywhere.

I didn't install it over Tiger. I erased the HD and installed SL fresh from this disc.

So I guess I now need to get my hands on a 'proper' copy of SL from who knows where and do a clean install from it?

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Answer 12

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Jun 19, 2010 5:13 PM in response to Steve Howe1

Steve Howe1 wrote:
So I guess I now need to get my hands on a 'proper' copy of SL from who knows where and do a clean install from it?

In this situation, buying a used MBP and somebody just "threw in" SL, it sure sounds suspect, like it came from a different Mac, so that's my guess. Is the set you got grey?

Message was edited by: tjk

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Answer 13

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jun 19, 2010 5:40 PM in response to Steve Howe1

Hi Steve,

If you head to 'System Profiler" (hold down the option key and choose it from the top of the Apple menu) and choose "USB" in the left hand panel under "Hardware", does the IR receiver actually appear as one of the sub items on one of the USB buses in the USB device tree in the right hand panel? If not, then the IR module in the MBP may itself be defective. (you may have to click on the triangles next to each of the USB buses to disclose it)

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 14

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Jun 19, 2010 7:26 PM in response to Steve Howe1

Under Snow Leopard, System Preferences/Security window should look like
!http://img.skitch.com/20100620-ttn7924wxdyhxk49pseqbjc9aw.jpg!
if your Macbook Pro actually has an infrared receiver.

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Answer 15

Jun 20, 2010 3:52 AM in response to Steve Howe1

Run Photo Booth-- you should see yourself on screen. Point the remote at the iSight camera at the top of the screen and push the button. If the remote has a good battery and it's working properly, you should see the Remote's light come on in the image on screen. The camera is sensitive to infra-red light. If the screen doesn't show the IR LED lighting up, there's a problem with the remote--battery or whatever.

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