Ask TUAW: Sync problems, Windows keyboard layouts, parental controls, security dongles and more

In this exciting edition of Ask TUAW we'll be looking at using parental controls to limit email, fixing Boot Camp partition problems, limiting access via a USB security dongle, updating with a combo updater and more.

As always your suggestions are most welcome, and questions for next week should be left in the comments. When asking a question please include which machine you're running and which version of OS X, as certain answers will vary between different Macs and Tiger vs. Leopard, etc. (we'll assume you're running Leopard if you don't specify). And now, on to the questions!

rafi6 asks

I have a mbp running leopard and an iphone. For a long time I didn't sync my contacts with .mac and now when I try sync them, it tries to change lots of contacts on my computer. Is there any way I can copy all the contacts on my computer to .mac and then maintain them synced after? Also, I'm having the same problem when I try to sync them to google.

What you need to do for .Mac is Reset Sync Data, which you'll find in under the Advanced button in the Sync tab of the .Mac Preference Pane. This Apple Support Document explains what you need to do. Once you do this all of the information on .Mac will be replaced with the data on your computer, so make sure it is completely up to date before you do this. Be sure to make sure the arrow points from your computer to .Mac.

Incidentally, I would recommend making a backup of your Address Book before doing any syncing. You can find the Export Address Book Archive item in the File menu.

Zac asks

I have a question that involves Parallels and languages in OS X. I study Linguistics and have the Western Spanish Keyboard for my MacBook (it makes typing accents much easier). I cannot figure out how to get Windows XP to recognize the correct keyboard layout. Back when I used Boot Camp, Windows recognized the keyboard, but since I installed Parallels it does not. I'm guessing there is a driver for the keyboard somewhere on the Boot Camp CD, does anyone know how to extract it?

As you suggested, this is really a Windows question because in Parallels the machine will just use the Windows driver. Now, I don't generally answers Windows questions, but this wiki page will probably get you started. It looks like what you need to do is boot into Windows then find the keyboard layout you want within the Windows registry. Then export it to a USB flash drive and re-import it to your Parallels virtual machine.

tukan asks

I am currently running Leopard on a SR Macbook 2.2. I was wondering if there was any way to integrate current software updates (especially those hefty 10.5.X packages) into my original install DVD (with 10.5.0). I know you can do it for Service Packs in XP, but I can't find the way to do this with Leopard, and I don't fancy spending hours in Software Update after next reinstall (especially that we might be at 10.5.10 by that day :) Or is it that all updates overlap and you can patch a 10.5.0 with, say 10.5.3, straight away?

What you want to do is slipstream an install disc, and unfortunately this is not possible with Leopard (there were utilities for older versions of OS X, but none of them work anymore). But it's not necessary to spend hours. All you have to do is download the 10.5.3 combo updater. This will do exactly what you want: bring a virgin 10.5.0 install up to date. Apple generally releases a new combo updater shortly after each system update.

iGO asks

Since... [the] update to 10.5.3, I have an issue with a managed account on my iMac Core Duo.Everything is working fine except one aspect of my son's managed account. I am the administrator. When he tries to connect to the iTunes store, it never connects and eventually kicks back an error code stating:"We could not complete your iTunes Store Request. An unknown error occurred (-50) There was an error in the iTunes Store. Please try your request later" I have scoured and checked every setting in Parental Controls but nothing is fixing the issue. I know Parental controls is the culprit because when I turn that off, he connects immediately. Also, it used to work just fine under 10.5.2. Tried repairing permissions too, but no go.

Unfortunately, this seems to be a known bug (see also this thread). As of right now there does not appear to be a work around other than disabling parental controls. Someone suggested that it's still possible to search the iTunes store, just not load the iTunes front page. It may be worth complaining to Apple about this.

jsg asks

I have tried to install XP on my MBP using the bootcamp, but I got an error massage and I unable to do it. The question is two part:1) How do I troubleshoot it? 2) After failed attempt to install XP, my HD showed less space (it was 57 gig free before hand, and now it is 37 gig free...I had chosen 20 gig for XP partition).

Unfortunately, that's not enough information to suggest anything concrete in answer to (1) other than check out Apple's Boot Camp Support site. As far as (2) goes, it appears that you did successfully partition your drive, creating the 20 GB Windows partition. If you want to get it back you just need to run the Disk Utility which will allow you to delete the FAT32 partition and reintegrate it into your main HFS+ partition. Check out the Partition tab.

Adam asks

My boss is having big troubles on his PC and has finally gotten so fed up he wants to switch to the mac we have in the office. The only issue is he has to move all his outlook email/contacts over to the Mac. He would like to use Entourage (rather than mail – at least he's switching to the mac, right?) but I have yet to find a way to do so. Does anyone know how to migrate from Outlook 2003 to Entourage 2008?

We just answered a similar question, but I'm always one to encourage switching. Check out Little Machine's O2M for $10.

Sean asks

Is there an equivalent for Macs for this? At my place of work, we can't have Mac laptops due to security issues. All of the Windows laptops are protected with this USB dongle that renders your machine useless if you don't have it. (I would argue that Windows does that anyway, but, alas.) If I can find something equivalent, I might be able to work a Mac laptop or two in here.

Check out SecuriKey ($130) which we posted on a while back. It basically sounds like what you want.

maradatscha asks

I'm searching for a way to stop emails beeing sent to everyone except some people. Is there a way to do this without setting up my own Mail Server?

Yes, you can do this with the parental controls. Go to the Accounts Preference Pane and enable parental controls for that account. Then go to the Parental Controls Preference Pane and in the Mail & iChat tab you'll find an option for restricting email (and IM) to particular people.