Hardware and Software

Your Tools  Install Disk / Mac OS X Network Utility System Profiler Disk Utility Console.app and Verbose Start (Apple+V)  Safe boot (Shift), Single User Mode (Apple+S)  F2 or Install Disk: For running AHT  Tech Tool (Pro or Deluxe)  Target Disk Mode (and another Mac)

Generic Issues and Solutions  PRAM issue (Apple+Opt+P+R)  File System issue Try single-user mode or safe boot. If that doesn’t help, see HD slides.  Driver / kext issue, startup item issue (try safe-boot)

Details, details… My computer doesn't start / doesn't boot need more details! - startup chime? - beeps? - power light blinking pattern? - spinning pinwheel? - login screen / blue screen / aurora - desktop

Freezing or errors inside OS - When/where: spinning pinwheel, blue screen/aurora, after login. - clicking noises: suspect HD - frozen but can move cursor: suspect HD, but can be anything - video garbled: suspect GPU - none of the above: suspect RAM Kernel panic/Odd error messages: See Console utility for details. Look for references to "disk" or "memory".

Hard Drive Failure – Best Practices Backup important stuff ASAP! Target disk mode. External USB adapter (if CRU).

Hard Drive Failure - Symptoms - reseating HD does not help (if CRU) - no single user mode - circle with a line - pinwheel keeps spinning - stuck at blue screen or aurora

Hard Drive Failure - Symptoms - HD not visible in boot manager - tech tool or AHT do not detect a hard disk - Install disk does not detect a hard disk - Disk Utility (install disk) - “SMART” error - HD not visible via target disk mode

Hard Drive Failure - Symptoms - fails tech tool tests - fails AHT tests - can’t repair with disk utility - recurs after Erase and Install (but run TT or AHT first)

Hard Drive Failure - Solutions  Best case: backup, Apple Care. Call Apple. Apple replaces HD for free.  No Apple Care? Apple Small Dog DIY  You can try Erase & Install or Archive & Install, but…

RAM Failure - Symptoms  Computer beeps (lookup beep codes)  Power light flashes a pattern (lookup pattern)  Fails Tech Tool RAM test.  Fails AHT RAM test.  Issue reproduced when booted from another location (target disk mode, install disk) – no video corruption.  System Profiler shows failing RAM module.

RAM Failure – Best Practice  Test each DIMM separately. Determines which DIMM is faulty.  Test each DIMM slot separately. Determines which slot is faulty.

RAM Failure - Solutions  Reseat RAM.  Best case: Has Apple Care? Call Apple. CRU.  No Apple Care? Apple Small Dog DIY

Graphics Failure – Best Practices  Use an external display to test (attach before powering on Mac).  Reset PRAM.  Backup!  Boot from install disk.

Graphics Failure - Symptoms  No video (external or internal) but can hear startup chime.  Distorted video.  Intermittent distorted video.  Distorted video during HD video playback or screen saver. Computer crashes during these actions.

LCD Failure – Best Practices  Use an external display to test (attach before powering on Mac).  Reset PRAM.  Backup!  Boot from install disk.

LCD Failure – Symptoms  No LCD video (or interm.), but external display works.  Screen very dim.

LCD/GPU Failure - Solutions  If no Apple Care, extremely expensive ($400+).  Very difficult to DIY.  Small Dog can be cheaper than Apple.  Try buying Apple Care…  Can sell on Ebay…  Can backup via TDM or USB adapter…

Keyboard or Trackpad Failure – Best Practices  Test when booted from install disk.

Keyboard or Trackpad Failure – Solutions  Vacuum (gently!) or blow canned air (vacuum in SR can blow, too).  Covered under Apple Care (unless accidental damage).  Very difficult to DIY, but affordable via Apple, Small Dog.  Small Dog can be cheaper…

Network Failure – Best Practices  Test on multiple jacks (DIRECTLY TO WALL!).  Test with multiple cables.  Test with multiple wireless connections (midd_u vs midd_s).  Boot from install disk.  Check Network Utility, System Profiler, Network preference pane.  Create a new location.  Safe mode.

Network Failure – Solutions  Covered under Apple Care (unless accidental damage).  Very difficult to DIY (but see below). Airport replacement affordable via Apple, Small Dog.  Small Dog can be cheaper…  Can purchase USB adapter

AC Adapter or Power Related Issue  Reset PRAM.  Reset SMC or power management.  Try known good appropriate AC adapter – must verify Wattage.  Test AC with battery removed (older models).  Test without AC and a charged battery (older models).  If system board issue, service call is expensive (unless covered by Apple Care).

Battery  Older models – only covered for 1 year.  Newer models – covered for 3 years w/ Apple Care. Not CRU!  Affordable.  Can try fully draining then fully charging…  System Profiler can be very helpful.

USB/Firewire  Test from install disk.  Check System Profiler.  Target Disk Mode can help w/ Firewire testing.  Service call expensive (unless covered by Apple Care).

Audio  Test from install disk.  Test internal speakers.  Test audio port with headphones.  Check System Profiler.  Red light on audio port!? Headphones Canned air  Service call expensive (unless covered by Apple Care).  USB headphones/mic are cheap.