Does Mac have a system restore function like a PC?

Question

My Mac system recently updated itself and now when I connect my digital camera, it won't show up on the desktop. It worked fine yesterday, and the only change was the new software that came from Apple, which the computer initiated itself.

Iphoto does open when I plug the camera in, and it does recognize the camera, but if I hit download, Iphoto just freezes.

Usually to copy photos to the computer, I would plug the camera in, double click on the camera icon that pops up, and just drag the photos to the folder where I wanted them, but now the icon doesn't appear.

PCs have that system restore function, but I don't know how to do that on a Mac.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The biggest reason why Windows needs system restore is the registry. Nothing wacks out Windows more than a flipped out registry. Since Mac OS doesn't have a registry, there is very little need for a restore program.

But restore is not the core issue here. Camera is the core issue. The problem you have is likely caused by a corrupt camera driver. The update could have unintentionally blasted the driver but it is not a typical result of a Mac OS update. But you have to consider that the Software Updates program not only finds Apple software but also other brands of software. It is possible for the Software Updates to have connected to the ... I'm not seeing the brand of camera, Kodak, Sony, Minotla??? web site and got an update for the camera driver. Maybe that update is faulty or the installation of that update was not completely fine.

If you have a card reader, just take the card out of the camera and try it in the card reader. The card reader needs no driver so it should just work. If the card reader doesn't work, something may have happened to the Apple software for USB connection. In that case, run the updater again. If you don't know what updates were installed, open System Preferences > Software Updates. Then select the "Installed Updates" tab. There will be a list of updates and the dates. Either a security update or an OS X update could be responsible for USB since it is a network connection.

Answer 2

Did you have to install some software when you originally got your camera? When you upgrade your sytem software, it might have got rid of the software driver that was needed to recognize your camera properly. Just reinstall the software for your camera. I don't think Disk Utility is going to help at all if it's missing a driver.

Answer 3

I'm not sure, but OS X Leopard which releases soon will have Time Machine, which is probably the coolest system restore ever....