New to Apple Mac and no idea - Help Needed

[Redneck]

The headline says it all.
I purchased a Mac Mini Server which I want to use as a media server using iTunes.
Set up the server software, installed iTunes today but there is no file menu bar (the one with File | Edit | View etc.) in iTunes. I need to get to the "Preferences" in order to tell iTunes where its home folder is supposed to be. I have no idea how to get there.
The Mac Mini is connected to a 47" TV and a Lenovo Mini Remote keyboard.

Any help is appreciated.

[LanceHaynie]

Can you see the apple menu normally outside of iTunes? I have the same setup and I know that sometimes my tv likes to crop so that I can't see the menu.

[Redneck]

Lance, thank you, that was the problem. My TV didn't show that menu bar on top. I switched to an unscaled format ratio and now things are getting clearer.

Since I don't know anything about OSX I wasn't sure if I simply oversee things.

[LanceHaynie]

You're welcome, it's something I deal with daily. Learning OS X is a breeze, and I love OS X Server.

[Redneck]

Ah, two more questions here.

I've been trying to install the "DVD or CD Sharing" on a Windows computer (I actually tried with two). The manual tells me to insert the OSX installation CD into the Windows computer ...", but when I do that the CD won't be recognized by the computer. I tried with Windows Vista and Windows XP.
Any suggestions?

Second question. How do I get to maximize a window, like Safari or, even more important, HULU Desktop? I know I can grab the bottom right corner and drag to resize it but there must be an easier way to get full screen viewing, I hope.

[LanceHaynie]

To the first, I have no idea! I have not one dreadful windows machine in my house.

To the second, try the green button in the top left. Most applications that will maximize. Safari is kinda weird, it doesn't always play nice and you have to drag the corner.

[S-Man]

As far as I know, Safari only fills the center of the screen, from top to bottom when you 'maximize'. If you have a widescreen monitor it's going to leave gaps on both sides. So if you want the entire screen full you'll have to drag the bottom right corner after scooting the whole window over to the left.
Firefox however fills the screen when you click the green button on top left.
A great place for research is Macrumors.com. But for simple stuff, we can help you out with that. OSX is great, I love it.

[rbalcom]

Originally Posted by Redneck

I've been trying to install the "DVD or CD Sharing" on a Windows computer (I actually tried with two). The manual tells me to insert the OSX installation CD into the Windows computer ...", but when I do that the CD won't be recognized by the computer. I tried with Windows Vista and Windows XP.
Any suggestions?

I'm no expert and my suggestions are only my opinion, but networking Mac and Windows computers is a little complicated. The only way that I have been able to access files on the Windows PCs is to actually connect to the Windows PC as my user account name from the Mac. Big trick to this is that the Windows PC user account must have a non-blank password. On the Mac in Finder, select the drive on the networked PC and press the Connect As button to enter your user information.

Of course, all the PCs and Macs need to be in the same workgroup and file sharing needs to be set up on the PC.

Hope this helps,

[utdbear]

Go into System Preferences -> Display, then select the resolution (720p or 1080p) and then make sure the checkbox is clicked on 'overscan'. That should solve the problem for you.

I have a Mac Mini 2009 and I use Plex media server and I really enjoy it, so you might want to look into it.

With regards to file sharing, I just turned on File Sharing in System Preferences and it worked for me. Might be a little more trouble if you're doing it via WiFi on something other than an Airport router, I have my house networked with Cat6 so it was pretty easy.

[LanceHaynie]

Originally Posted by utdbear

I use Plex media server and I really enjoy it, so you might want to look into it.

Me too, and it is amazing! If you have the Apple remote, it is all you need.

[Redneck]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. As of now I've got everything up and running smoothly. That Mac Mini server works like a charm, it's fast, quiet and powerful (average processor load under 10%). Downloads are flying, even though the DSL line is still the same. Life is good again.