Apple imac 21 5 inch late 2009 User Manual

© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Take Apart
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)   

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 102 2010-11-18
General Information
Opening the Unit
• The iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) has a glass panel that attaches to the front, which must be 
removed prior to replacing any module on the unit.
•  Important: The glass panel should only be removed by Apple-authorized technicians.  
Follow all cleaning and handling instructions to prevent damaging glass panel or LCD panel.
•  Follow ESD precautions when glass panel is removed.
For more...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 103 2010-11-18
Required Special Tools for Glass Panel
Special tools are required to remove, handle and clean glass panel.
• 922-8252 – Suction cups, Pkg of 2
•  922-8253 – Gloves, lint-free, anti-static, Pkg of 2
•  922-8258 – ESD bags, 24”x20”, Pkg of 5.  To prevent buildup of static charges which may 
attract dust particles, store LCD panel in an ESD bag when it is removed from unit.
•  922-8259 – Microfoam bag to store glass panel, Pkg of 5...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 104 2010-11-18
Cleaning & Handling the Glass Panel
Follow cleaning procedures in this manual to ensure glass panel is free of dust and other 
particles before returning the computer to customer.
• The glass panel is not tempered and will break into sharp pieces of mishandled.   
A scratched or broken glass panel is not covered under warranty.
•  Removing glass panel requires special tools such as lint-free gloves, rubber suction cups, 
and...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 105 2010-11-18
How to Remove a Broken Glass Panel
A shattered panel can be removed using safety glasses, packing tape, and leather gloves. 
1.  Put on the safety glasses and leather gloves. 
2.  Lay the computer on a smooth, clean work surface.
3.   Peel protective covering off the front of the glass. Remove and discard any large pieces of 
broken glass.  

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 106 2010-11-18
4. Apply a strip of packing tape horizontally across the top and bottom of the glass panel. 
Next, apply the tape diagonally, across the broken glass panel, forming an “X.”
5.   Continue applying tape horizontally, thoroughly covering the broken glass. Most of the 
glass will still be attached to the steel ring that runs around the perimeter of the glass 
panel.  

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 107 2010-11-18
6. Use a black stick to pry the glass panel off the magnets on the rear housing.
7.  Lift the entire glass panel off the rear housing.  

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 108 2010-11-18
8. Place the broken glass inside a large box, label the box, and dispose of it properly. 
9.   Using a whisk broom, clean the work surface of tiny glass particles.
10.  Stand the iMac up and use a lint free cloth to carefully brush any of the particles off the 
iMac onto the table. Clean the work surface again.
11.  When the repair is finished the cloth should be disposed of immediately.
12.  Use a broom and dustpan to sweep up...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 109 2010-11-18
Safety
Warning: HIGH VOLTAGE: The AC/DC power supply PCB remains powered up whenever 
system is plugged in, whether or not system has been turned on. Use extreme caution 
when troubleshooting system with glass panel removed.  • Don’t work alone. In the event of electrical shock it is important to have another 
individual present who can provide assistance. 
•  Keep one hand in your pocket when working on any iMac system that is...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Take Apart — General Information 110 2010-11-18
Logic Board Handling
IMPORTANT: Always use two hands to support logic board and heatsink.  Handling board 
incorrectly could flex board and damage chips and circuitry. Never handle board by heatsink.
Reassembly Steps
When no replacement steps are listed, replace parts in exact reverse order of Removal 
procedure. 
Note About Images in This Guide
Because a pre-production model was used for most images in this manual, you may...