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.
