Apple imac 21 5 inch late 2009 User Manual

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) — Feedback 11 2010-11-18
• Logic Board: Added note that logic board may be easier to remove if RAM is removed first.
Views
•  Exploded Views: Added part numbers for Power Supply Pressure Wall (922-9281), Backlight 
Pressure Wall (922-9282), Bluetooth Antenna (922-9283), and AirPort Antenna (922-9284).
Updated 28 October 2009
• Basics: Added another kBase link to Wireless Troubleshooting section.
•  Troubleshooting: General: Added another kBase link to Wireless Troubleshooting section.
•  Take Apart: General: Added section “How to Remove a Broken Glass Panel.”
Introduced 20 October 2009
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 Apple Technician Guide 
Basics
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)   
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Basics — Overview 13 2010-11-18
Overview
Identifying Features
The iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) has an all-aluminum enclosure with a glass front.  It can be 
distinguished from the previous model by the glass extending all the way to the top, left and 
right edges, rather than having an aluminum bezel that borders the glass.  Also, the rear of the 
computer is aluminum rather than black plastic. 
This model’s other new features include:
• Larger and LED-backlit 21.5-inch 16:9 display with 1920x1080 native HD resolution
•  Increased processor speeds: 3.06 GHz or 3.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
•  Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M or ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics
•  Four RAM memory slots: two slots are filled with at least 2GB each, for a total of 4GB; 
maximum RAM is 16GB
•  Larger hard drive options: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB (CTO only)
•  SD card reader
•  New Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Magic Mouse, standard with all configurations
•  Ships with and requires at least Mac OS 10.6.1 (Snow Leopard)  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Basics — Overview 14 2010-11-18
Product Configurations
For product configurations, refer to AppleCare Tech Specs: http://support.apple.com/specs/
Wireless Troubleshooting
If you’re having issues with Bluetooth and wireless connectivity issues, refer to the following 
Apple Knowledge Base articles:
kBase #TS3048: Desktop computers: Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues 
kBase #HT1365: AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of interference for wireless 
devices and networks 
kBase #HT3903: Apple Wireless Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad: How to install batteries  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Basics — Safety 15 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. 
Important: If computer is shut down by removing power cord, allow power supply a good 2-3 
minutes to discharge capacitors before handling it.  However, if you select “Shut Down” via the 
Apple menu, the computer will discharge power supply capacitor almost immediately.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Basics — Serial Number Location 16 2010-11-18
Serial Number Location
The iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)’s serial number is located on the bottom of the stand. When 
replacing a stand, transfer the serial number to the new stand.  
						

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

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) — General Troubleshooting 182010-11-18
General Troubleshooting
Wireless Troubleshooting
If you’re having issues with Bluetooth and wireless connectivity issues, refer to:
• Bluetooth Service Diagnostic (BSD) self-paced training
•  Bluetooth Troubleshooting Course
•  kBase #TS3048: Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues
•  kBase #HT3887: Wireless input devices: Bluetooth frequently asked questions
•  kBase #HT1365: AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential source of interference for wireless 
devices and networks
•  kBase #HT3903: Apple Wireless Keyboard, Mouse, Trackpad: How to install batteries
Update System Software & Firmware
Important: Ensure the correct version Mac OS X and latest software and firmware updates have 
been applied before you begin troubleshooting. Computers sometimes exhibit symptoms that 
indicate the wrong Mac OS X system software is installed. Refer to:  
kBase #TS3101: iMac (Late 2009): Using the correct Mac OS X system software
Firmware is the name given to software that is written into memory circuits such as flash 
memory, that will hold the software code indefinitely, even when power is removed from 
the hardware. Firmware on Intel Mac computers is designed to be updated if necessary by 
running the Mac OS X Software Update check (available in the Apple menu) while computer is 
connected to the Internet.  For more information about firmware updates, refer to:  
kBase # HT1557: About firmware updates for Intel-based Macs
Troubleshooting Theory
For general information on troubleshooting theory, go to GSX and find the Service Training 
course menu link. From there you can access the Troubleshooting Theory self-paced course.
Hardware vs. Software
For information on how to isolate a hardware issue from a software issue, refer to:  
kBase #TS1388: Isolating issues in Mac OS X
For information on how to troubleshoot a software issue, refer to:  
kBase #HT1199: Mac OS X: How to troubleshoot a software issue 
kBase #TS1394: Mac OS X: Troubleshooting installation and software updates 
kBase #HT2956: Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation from CD or DVD  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) — General Troubleshooting 192010-11-18
Common Reset Procedures
Power On Self Test (POST )
Intel-based Mac computers such as the iMac rely on a combination of tones to indicate Power 
On Self Test (POST ) error codes.
• If the computer detects out-of-specification or no SDRAM, the screen will remain black 
but the computer will beep.  This error condition may be due to physically damaged RAM, 
installing incorrect type of RAM, or not having RAM installed.
•  Some RAM may appear to pass the Power-On-Self-Test (POST ) but still cannot be used by 
the operating system. In this case, the computer will display a gray screen, sound three 
tones and repeat tones until computer is turned off. 
•  The solution to both of these situations is to first re-seat memory and test computer again. 
If memory fails POST again, remove all installed memory and test by installing one by one 
each memory module that has been verified to work correctly on another system (i.e., 
“known-good”) or order new memory.
•  A sequence of tones heard at startup or a no video symptom may also be fixed by 
temporarily removing/replacing the backup battery. 
For more information, refer to:  
kBase #HT2538: iMac (Mid 2007) and later models: About new startup tones
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
The System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip on logic board that controls all power 
functions. If computer is experiencing any power issue, such as not starting up, not displaying 
video, sleep issues, or fan noise issues, resetting SMC may resolve it. To reset SMC on an iMac:
1.   From Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold power 
button for approximately ten seconds until it powers off ).
2.  Unplug all cables from computer, including power cord.
3.   Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4.  Release the power button.
5.   Attach the computer’s power cable, making sure power button is not being pressed.  
Note: If you press the power button while inserting the power cord, the iMac will enter a 
mode in which the fans run at full speed.  For more information, refer to:  
kBase #TS1433: iMac: Fans run at full speed after computer turns on
6.  Press the power button to turn on the computer.
For more information, refer to:  
kBase #HT3964: Intel-based iMacs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) — General Troubleshooting 202010-11-18
Resetting Parameter RAM (PRAM)
PRAM stores certain system and device settings in a location that Mac OS X can access quickly. 
Exactly which settings are stored in the computer’s PRAM varies depending on the type of 
computer as well as the types of devices and drives connected. To reset PRAM:
1.  Shut down the computer.
2.  Locate the following keys on keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold 
these keys down simultaneously in Step 4.  
Note: If the keyboard does not have an Option key, use the Alt key instead.
3.   Press power button.
4.  Immediately press and hold Command-Option-P-R keys.  
Important: You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5.   Hold down keys until the computer restarts, and you hear the startup chime a second time.
6.  Release keys.
For more information, refer to:  
kBase #HT1242: Mac OS X: What’s stored in PRAM
kBase #HT1379: Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
Starting Up in Safe Mode
Starting up into Safe Mode does several things that can help resolve software or directory 
issues that may exist on the startup volume. To start up in Safe Mode:
1.   Shut down the computer.
2.  Press power button.
3.   Immediately after you hear startup tone, press and hold Shift key.  
Note: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after startup tone but not before.
4.  Release Shift key when you see the screen with a gray Apple and progress indicator (looks 
like a spinning gear). Note that booting into Safe Mode will take longer than a normal 
startup. During startup, the words ”Safe Boot” will appear on Mac OS X startup screen. 
5.   To leave Safe Mode, restart computer normally, without holding down any keys during 
startup.
For more information, refer to:  
kBase #HT1564: Mac OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? 
kBase #TS1884: Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup