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Inspired by this question: How to mess up a PC running Windows 7?, I'm interested in repairable ways that you could intentionally 'mess up' a Mac computer.

Note from a Mod on the other question, that should also be mentioned here:

If you suggest ways to disable/break the computer, please include information on how to fix whatever it is you're breaking as well, if it is not immediately obvious.

One-liner answers, that fail to explain how they work or what the do, will be converted to comments.

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Macs cannot be messed up. I hear that Macs "just work". – Mehrdad May 5 '11 at 23:06
I completely disagree – MaxMackie May 31 '11 at 22:25
Unplug it. 8-)} – Keith Thompson Oct 19 '11 at 4:21

9 Answers

up vote 5 down vote

Use Control-Option-Command-8 to invert the screen colors.

enter image description here

Press it again to turn it back, it's somewhere in the options so those that don't know the hotkey have to hunt.

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+1 for not being malicious but still (possibly) causing a nuisance. – Kevin Y May 6 '11 at 1:18
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In a similar vein, Apple-Fn-F5 turns on VoiceOver which gives a running commentary on everything on the screen. – blahdiblah Jun 1 '11 at 0:07
up vote 3 down vote

Install MacDefender

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I couldn't find it in the Mac App Store... :) – JavaAndCSharp Jul 11 '11 at 16:22
up vote 2 down vote

If you can enable the root user, the easiest thing to do would be to chown the user folders of every user account, and then use chmod to prevent the original users accessing them. This is reversed easily enough, as the owner should be clear from the name of the user folder.

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up vote 2 down vote

Add an AppleScript as a log in item with the following content:

tell application "System Events"
    log out
end tell

Then, every time the user logs in, they will be logged out again. Optionally add a (possibly random) delay and/or a humorous/obnoxious message. To get back use of the computer, hold the shift key down while logging in to disable log in items, then remove the log in item.

For a bit of nostalgia, remember doing similar things with a shut down AppleScript and the Startup Items folder on Mac OS?

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up vote 2 down vote

A quick one I like to do is press cmdctlshift3 to copy a full screen capture, then open Preview and press cmdN and cmdshiftF to open the screen shot in full screen.

Move the floating controls off the screen if it's a newer version of Preview, and it looks like the computer is frozen.

Pressing esc will exit the full screen view.

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This is given away by the Dock and menu bar sliding over the full screen view. – Lauri Ranta May 12 '11 at 12:03
up vote 2 down vote

Move (or delete) the /System/Library/Fonts folder. Need to use the Console from the CD (or Super User mode) to move the files back. Allows you to log on, but you can't do anything as there is NO text

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Cant believe that works! You'd think there would be some kind of backup for system fonts? Would love to see what it looks like (Dont have a Mac to try it on) – Connor W May 31 '11 at 22:14
Basically, every character gets replaced with squares. The menus are HUMUNGOUS (sp?) and have to scroll, even if the menu only has a couple items. Definitely a sight to see – Luke Jul 28 '11 at 2:48
up vote 2 down vote

Change the keyboard layout to DVORAK or similar. Change the login keyboard layout to DVORAK without a warning notification.

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up vote 1 down vote

Install Windows. (Can't comment yet, sorry!)

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up vote 0 down vote

Open the /etc/hosts file, and add entries like

127.0.0.1   google.com

Substitute google.com for any legit site. To reverse, remove the line. You need to reboot for changes to take effect

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You don't have to reboot, only flush your dns cache. – 0sh May 3 '12 at 22:01

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