If you’re facing a problem with your Mac that you’re unfamiliar with, I suggest reverting to the tried-and true playground rule of “safety first.”

You’re enjoying a leisurely afternoon of web surfing. Suddenly, your YouTube video is rudely interrupted by an ominous gray and black screen.

If it appears an Apple computer is beyond Mac repair, users should take the following steps.

Many consumers and bloggers took Apple to task because of a sometimes frustrating installation process

Recent reports show users who have upgraded to the new Mac OS X Lion operating system may need to fortify their login passwords to avoid security threats and serious Mac repair.

If Mac users find their computer no longer recognizes their external hard drive, they may be able to resolve the matter without extensive Mac repair.

When it gets right down to it, most computer buyers simply want to know if a Mac computer is a worthwhile investment over a PC.