Lesson 2. Software Tools
| Reference Files | Chapter Test 2 (Chapter_Test_02.pdf)
Apple Hardware Test MacTest Pro Apple Service Diagnostic Display Utilities |
| Time | This lesson takes approximately 3 hours to complete. |
| Goals | Use Apple Hardware Test, MacTest Pro, and Apple Service Diagnostic to check a Macintosh computer
Describe features and functions of other Apple troubleshooting tools, including System Profiler, Apple Hardware Test, MacTest Pro, Extensions Manager, Software Install and Software Restore discs, display utilities, and Mac OS X tools Describe features and functions of third-party tools |
No single diagnostic tool is the best solution for every troubleshooting situation. The successful troubleshooter will have multiple tools available to address the widest range of possible problems. This lesson concentrates on software tools (some supplied by Apple, some by third-party developers) that are readily available and often used by technicians performing “triage” on Macintosh computers:
System Profiler, a tool in both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X that provides detailed information about hardware and software
Apple Hardware Test (AHT), a hardware diagnostic tool that works in Open Firmware and does not depend on the Mac OS in any way
MacTest Pro (MTP), a suite of Mac OS 9 tests that check both hardware and software
Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD), which detects hardware problems with Xserve and several other newer Mac models
Several utilities such as Disk Utility, Console, and Terminal that are specific to Mac OS X
Extensions Manager, a part of Mac OS 9 for troubleshooting extension conflicts
Software Install and Software Restore discs that enable users to selectively install or completely restore the default software on a Mac
Disk Utility, a Mac OS X utility that combines features of the Drive Setup and Disk First Aid applications from Mac OS 9
Display Utilities, several utilities for checking and adjusting a variety of displays and all-in-one computer systems
TechTool Deluxe, a third-party program provided with the AppleCare Protection Plan
NOTE
This lesson concentrates on the basic tools that you as a technician should understand. It does not cover all available diagnostic software.