Getting Started
Welcome to the official training course for Apple desktop and portable systems. If you are enrolled in a leader-led Apple-authorized service training program, this book will serve as a reference and guide during your training experience. If you are reading this book on your own, it serves as a self-paced introduction to the procedures for troubleshooting and servicing Apple computers. The materials in this book are equally helpful in both classroom and self-paced situations, and also point to further resources that are available only to those enrolled in Apple-authorized service training programs.
The primary goal of the Apple-authorized service training curriculum is to prepare a technician to knowledgeably address customer concerns and questions. This includes the ability to return a Macintosh computer to normal operation, using the proper and authorized tools, resources, and troubleshooting methodology.
Whether you are an experienced technician or someone who just wants to dig deep into your Macintosh, you'll find in-depth technical service information as well as a comprehensive overview of the service tools and procedures used by Apple-certified technicians to diagnose, upgrade, and maintain Macintosh computers.
Warning: Voiding Your Warranty
Please note that, in most cases, any support or repair work performed on any Macintosh computer by an uncertified individual will void the manufacturer's warranty on that equipment. Throughout this book, we describe detailed Take Apart, upgrade, and repair procedures. These are intended as learning tools only. Apple Computer and Peachpit Press are not responsible for any damage to any equipment that occurs as a direct or indirect result of following the procedures described in this book. Please be aware that all repairs should be performed by an Apple-certified technician.
Course Structure
This book covers the required course material for Apple Desktop Service and Apple Portable Service certification exams. Topics include top-level descriptions of operations and procedures, tools for the jobs at hand, and actual repair and upgrade processes. Whether or not you plan to take the exams, this book will make it possible for you to maintain and fix computers using a logical, Apple-recommended troubleshooting methodology.
The book is divided into four sections:
Lessons 13-28: Upgrading, taking apart, and troubleshooting desktop models
Lessons 29-36: Upgrading, taking apart, and troubleshooting portable models
At the end of each lesson, you can take a test to help review the material you've learned. You can refer to the various Apple troubleshooting resources, such as the Knowledge Base and Service Source, as well as the lessons themselves, to help you answer these questions. In the case of the Take Apart lessons, rather than a test we have provided a list of review points, as the only successful way to test your Take Apart knowledge is by actually doing the job.
This book assumes a basic level of familiarity with the Macintosh operating environment. All references to Mac OS X refer to Mac OS X 10.3, which is the primary operating system assumed throughout the book. Important differences in Mac OS 9 behavior are called out when necessary.
Reference Files
The lessons in this book are designed to help you learn by doing, completing exercises and tasks as you go. The companion CD includes a variety of reference files, including simple checklists, flowcharts, and diagnostic utilities. Most important, it includes the service manuals for the Macintosh models that are used as examples throughout this book:
eMac
iMac G5 (20-inch)
Mac mini
Power Mac G5 (late 2004)
PowerBook G4 (15-inch 1.67/1.5GHz)
iBook G4 (12-inch late 2004)
Reference files are listed at the beginning of each lesson and occasionally within the text of those lessons, and are located in the lesson folders on the CD. Filenames shown in blue within the lesson refer to a file that is included on the CD.
We refer to many Knowledge Base documents within this book. While we have included most of these files on the CD for reference, they are also readily available online. We encourage you to read them there, as the online documents are updated whenever new information becomes available.
References to Knowledge Base material that is available only to individuals who are enrolled in a certified training program or are members of an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) program are marked as available to the “Apple extended audience.” This audience includes members of AASP organizations and those who have a self-servicing account or are enrolled in an official Apple Technician Training (ATT) program. (For more information about the self-paced ATT, which includes a year of access to continually upgraded online materials, please visit www.apple.com/training.)
Certification
Apple offers two hardware service certifications:
Apple Certified Desktop Technician (ACDT)
Apple Certified Portables Technician (ACPT)
These certifications qualify technicians to perform warranty repairs on Apple products while working at Apple-authorized service facilities.
This book covers the required course material for, and is mapped to the learning objectives of, the Apple Desktop Service and Apple Portable Service certification exams. It is designed to help you prepare for those exams. Successfully passing these exams is part of the requirement to be certified as an ACDT or ACPT.
For more information, visit http://train.apple.com/certification/hardware.html.
Apple also offers a number of other certification paths, including:
Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server Certifications
Certifications for Pro Application Users and Technicians
For more information, visit http://train.apple.com/certification.
The use of Apple Technician Training materials and the successful completion of Apple service certification exams do not imply any authorization by Apple to perform repairs or to conduct business directly with Apple or on its behalf. Results from Apple service certification exams are used by AASPs to assess the competence of repair technicians seeking employment in servicing Apple computers and selected peripherals.
About the Apple Training Series
Desktop and Portable Systems is part of the official training series for Apple computers developed by experts in the field and certified by Apple Computer. The lessons are designed to let you learn at your own pace. You can progress through the book from beginning to end, or dive right into the lessons that interest you most. It's up to you.
For those who prefer to learn in an instructor-led setting, Apple also offers training courses at Apple Authorized Training Centers worldwide. These courses, which typically use the Apple Training Series books as their curriculum, are taught by Apple-certified trainers, and balance concepts and lectures with hands-on labs and exercises. Apple Authorized Training Centers have been carefully selected and have met Apple's highest standards in all areas, including facilities, instructors, course delivery, and infrastructure. The goal of the program is to offer Apple customers, from beginners to the most seasoned professionals, the highest quality training experience.
To find an Apple Authorized Training Center near you, visit www.apple.com/training.