Apple imac 21 5 inch late 2009 User Manual

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 81 2010-11-18
Audio: Microphone
Unlikely cause: LCD display, power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Audio: Microphone
•  Microphone not working
•  Microphone audio garbled
•  No sound 1.
  Verify that no tape, sticky notes, or other objects 
are blocking microphone located on top of 
computer near camera. Microscopic perforations 
on top of computer must be free of obstructions 
in order for...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 82 2010-11-18
5.  Inspect microphone cable 
routing and verify if cable is 
pinched or damaged. Yes
Replace rear housing 
(microphone cable not 
available separately). L14
No Go to step 6.
6.  Record sound sample using 
GarageBand or iMovie. Verify if 
sound quality of sound sample 
is normal during playback. Yes
Microphone circuitry OK. 
Return system to user.
No Replace logic board. M09
Audio: Built-in Speakers Have Distorted Sound...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 83 2010-11-18
3.  Connect external speakers or 
headphones to audio-out port 
and play a known-good sound 
file. Verify if sound quality is 
acceptable. Yes
Suspect bad speaker.  
Go to step 4.
No Audio CODEC or amplifier 
issue suspected. Replace logic 
board and retest. M09
4.  Inspect LEFT and RIGHT 
speaker cones and speaker 
connection cable for damage. 
Verify if speakers have visible 
damage. Yes
Replace damaged speaker. 
Retest....

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 84 2010-11-18
2. Make sure no cables are 
connected to external sound 
input/output ports. Go to 
System Preferences > Sound > 
Output and verify that “Internal 
speakers” is an available option. Yes
Go to step 3.
No If “Headphones” is the only 
available sound output 
device, replace audio cable.
If “Digital output” is the 
only available sound output 
device, reseat audio cable to 
logic board. If issue persists, 
replace audio cable.
If...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 85 2010-11-18
Camera Issues
Unlikely cause: LCD display, power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans, speakers, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Camera Issues
•  Camera not detected
•  No green LED for camera
•  Excessive blooming
•  Poor White Balance
•  Poor Focus
•  Green image
•  Image distortion 1.
  Launch System Profiler and confirm that system’s 
USB hub and built-in camera are visible.
2.  Verify camera lens and glass...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 86 2010-11-18
FireWire Device Not Recognized
Unlikely cause: LCD display, power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
FireWire Device Not Recognized
•  FireWire hard drive not 
recognized
•  FireWire optical drive not 
recognized
•  FireWire camera not recognized
•  FireWire printer not recognized 1.
  For external FireWire drives, make sure any 
external power source is plugged in and 
operating to...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 87 2010-11-18
4. Verify if FireWire device is 
recognized with a known-
good FireWire cable on user’s 
computer. Yes
FireWire cable issue. Issue 
resolved.
No FireWire device may need 
additional power. Go to step 5.
5.   Using a powered FireWire 
hub, and having installed any 
software or firmware updates 
for the device, verify if FireWire 
device is now recognized. Yes
Device recognized. Required 
additional power from hub or 
update....

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 88 2010-11-18
USB Device Not Recognized
Unlikely cause: LCD display, power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
USB Device Not Recognized
•  USB wired keyboard/mouse not 
recognized
•  USB external drive not 
recognized
•  USB camera not recognized
•  USB printer not recognized 1.
  Reset SMC.
2.  For printers and external USB drives, make sure 
any external power source is plugged in and 
operating to...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 89 2010-11-18
3.  Verify if a known-good USB 
keyboard and mouse are 
recognized. Yes
Test original USB mouse and 
keyboard. Replace if still not 
recognized. Go to step 5.
No External USB ports not 
functioning. Replace logic 
board. M15
4.  With no USB devices 
connected, restart computer. 
Verify if Bluetooth Mouse Setup 
assistant launches after startup. Yes
Bluetooth detected.  
Go to step 3.
No Bluetooth not recognized. 
Internal and...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 90 2010-11-18
Wired Keyboard Does Not Function Properly
Unlikely cause: LCD display, power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Wired Keyboard Does Not 
Function Properly
•  Some or all keys on the 
keyboard don’t work
•  Eject key or Caps Lock key 
doesn’t seem to work
•  Some keys don’t work as 
expected 1.
  Reset SMC
2.  Open System Preferences > Universal Access > 
Mouse & Trackpad and verify that...