Apple imac 21 5 inch late 2009 User Manual

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 31 2010-11-18
Won’t Start Up
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Won’t Start Up
•  No startup chime.
•  Error tones during startup.
•  Grey screen with fan noise, or 
other noise.
•  Will not progress beyond 
Apple logo or spinning gear.
1.  Isolate OS by starting up from original install 
media for this computer, from a same-model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, or from a 
compatible known-good OS on an external drive. 
Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available 
when booted from the Install disc.
2.  Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored, 
corrupted information.
3.   Start up in Safe Mode by holding shift key down 
during startup to load only required kernel 
extensions and disable all startup and login 
items. See kBase #HT1564: Mac OS X: What is 
Safe Boot, Safe Mode?
4.  If system generates error tones there may be an 
issue with the SDRAM. See kBase #HT2341: Intel-
based Mac: Power On Self Test RAM error codes
5.   Identifying when in the startup process the 
computer hangs can help isolate the issue.  
See kBase #HT2674: Intel-based Mac: Startup 
sequence and error codes, symbols for 
information on the Macintosh startup sequence, 
and error codes and symbols used.
Deep Dive
Check ResultAction Code
1.   Boot computer to Apple 
Hardware Test on the internal 
hard drive or an inserted Install 
DVD by holding down the D 
key at startup. Verify if system 
boots up from any of these 
volumes. Yes
Run the extended tests 
and proceed with results. If 
AHT passes or boots with a 
memory error, go to step 2.
No Go to step 2.
2.  Remove installed SDRAM, and 
test with known-good SDRAM. 
Verify if computer starts up 
properly now. Yes
SDRAM issue. Reinstall one 
of user’s SDRAM modules 
and retest. Proceed one by 
one to find the faulty SDRAM 
module, and replace it. X02
No Go to step 3.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 32 2010-11-18
3.  Wait 15 seconds after computer 
was powered down and 
disconnect AirPort cable from 
logic board. Verify if computer 
starts up properly now. YesGo to AirPort Card Kernel 
Panic symptom flow.
No Go to step 4.
4.  Disconnect hard drive SATA 
cable and startup from Install 
DVD in the optical drive, or 
from an external bootable 
volume. Verify if computer 
starts up properly now. Yes
Go to Hard Drive Not 
Recognized symptom flow.
No Go to step 5.
5.   Reconnect hard drive, 
disconnect optical drive cable 
and retest. Verify if computer 
starts up properly now. Yes
Go to Optical Drive Not 
Recognized symptom flow.
No Go to step 6.
6.  Remove coin battery on back 
of logic board (you will need to 
completely remove logic board 
to do this), and leave out for 
approximately 1 minute. Then 
reinstall battery. This will reset 
logic board. Verify if computer 
starts up properly now. Yes
Issue resolved by logic board 
reset. Measure DC voltage on 
battery touching battery with 
red probe, and grounding 
with black probe. If voltage is 
2.7v or less, replace battery. 
For multimeter help, see 
kBase #HT3250: Diagnostics: 
Using a digital multimeter.
No Replace logic board. M02  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 33 2010-11-18
Intermittent Shutdown
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Intermittent Shutdown
•  Powers off during startup.
•  Powers off during desktop use.
•  Computer restarts 
spontaneously.
•  Powers off when waking from 
sleep.
1.  Make sure that power cord is securely attached 
to the back of computer, and is not hindered by a 
desk or other furniture.
2.  Plug computer directly into an AC outlet to test if 
a surge protector or UPS is causing issue.
3.   Open System Preferences > Energy Saver > 
Schedule and make sure that a “Shut Down” 
event is not scheduled.
4.  Isolate OS by starting up from original install 
media for this computer, from a same-model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, or from a 
compatible known-good OS on an external drive. 
Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available 
when booted from the Install disc.
5.   Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored, 
corrupted information.
6.  Start up in Safe Mode by holding shift key down 
during startup to load only required kernel 
extensions and disable all startup and login 
items. See kBase #HT1564: Mac OS X: What is 
Safe Boot, Safe Mode?
Deep Dive
Check ResultAction Code
1.   Verify improper shutdown 
by opening the system.log 
located in /var/log. Filter log 
for “shutdown cause”. Entries 
of value “0” or a negative 
value indicate an improper 
shutdown. Verify if you find 
recent entries of an improper 
shutdown in log file. Yes
Determine if user caused 
improper shutdown. Use 
known-good AC power cord 
and AC outlet. Go to step 2.
No Revisit Quick Check examples 
for possible software issues. 
Check if user is running 
other automating software 
that may be shutting down 
system. Verify issue and jump 
to appropriate symptom 
flow. No repair needed under 
current symptom flow.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 34 2010-11-18
2. With known-good AC power 
cord and AC outlet, Verify if 
system continues to restart or 
shutdown Yes
Go to step 3.
No AC power cord / outlet issue. 
Issue resolved. X03
3.   Disconnect hard drive power 
cable from hard drive and 
startup the computer from 
other bootable media (like 
Install DVD, a same model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, 
or a compatible known-good 
OS on an external drive). Verify 
if system continues to restart or 
shutdown. Yes
Go to step 4.
No
Possible bad software or hard 
drive. Go to Hard Drive Not 
Recognized symptom flow.
4.  Inspect and reseat AC inlet 
connection to power supply 
(the smaller of the 2 cables 
connected to power supply), 
and DC power cable from 
power supply to logic board. 
Verify if damage is observed on 
the cables or connectors. Yes
Replace damaged cable. 
Retest. Return to step 1 if 
problem continues. X03
No Go to step 5.
5.   Install known-good power 
supply. Verify if system 
continues to restart or 
shutdown. Yes
Reinstall original power 
supply. Go to step 6.
No Issue resolved with power 
supply replacement. P02
6.  Replace DC power cable, 
which supplies power to 
logic board, hard drive, and 
LED backlight board.  Verify if 
system continues to restart or 
shutdown. Yes
Go to step 7.
No Issue resolved with DC power 
cable replacement. X03
7.   Replace logic board.  Verify if 
system continues to restart or 
shutdown. Yes
Use Minimum Configuration 
troubleshooting to isolate 
failed module.
No Issue resolved with logic 
board replacement. M08  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 35 2010-11-18
Kernel Panic, System Crashes
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Kernel Panic, System Crashes
•  Kernel Panic on startup or 
desktop use.
•  System freeze during use.
•  System freeze upon wake from 
sleep.
1.  Isolate OS by starting up from original install 
media for this computer, from a same model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, or from a 
compatible known-good OS on an external drive. 
Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available 
when booted from the Install disc.
2.  Ensure that all software and firmware updates for 
this model have been installed to take advantage 
of any available bug fixes.
3.   Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored, 
corrupted information.
4.  Start up in Safe Mode by holding shift key down 
during startup to load only required kernel 
extensions and disable all startup and login 
items. See kBase #HT1564: Mac OS X: What is 
Safe Boot, Safe Mode?
5.   Check the panic.log, located /Library/Logs/
Panicreporter, for information in the back trace 
that may give clues about the kernel panic.
6.  For more information, see kBase #HT1392:
About “You need to restart your computer” 
(kernel panic) messages.
Deep Dive
Check ResultAction Code
1.   Boot the computer to Apple 
Hardware Test on internal hard 
drive or an inserted Install DVD 
by holding down the D key at 
startup. Verify if system boots 
up from any of these volumes. Yes
Run extended tests and 
proceed with results. If AHT 
passes or boots with a kernel 
panic, go to step 2.
No Go to step 2.
2.  Remove all peripheral devices 
including keyboard and mouse. 
Verify if system starts without 
kernel panic. Yes
Add peripheral devices one 
at a time until kernel panic 
repeats. Replace device 
causing issue.
No Go to step 3.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 36 2010-11-18
3.  Use known-good SDRAM in the 
system. Verify if system start 
without kernel panic now. Yes
Install user’s SDRAM one by 
one and test. If kernel panic 
repeats, replace affected 
SDRAM. Verify if correct 
SDRAM specification is being 
used. X01
No Go to step 4.
4.  Wait for 20 seconds after 
shutdown and disconnect 
AirPort cable on logic board. 
Verify if system starts without 
kernel panic now. Yes
Go to AirPort Card Kernel 
Panic symptom flow.
No Go to step 5.
5.   Disconnect SATA cable from 
hard drive and startup to the 
Install DVD in the optical drive 
or from an external volume. 
Verify if system starts without 
kernel panic now. Yes
Go to Hard Drive Not 
Recognized symptom flow.
No Go to step 6.
6.  Disconnect camera and 
microphone cables from logic 
board. Verify if system starts 
without kernel panic now. Yes
Go to Camera Issues or 
Audio: Microphone symptom 
flow as appropriate.
No Go to step 7.
7.   Disconnect Bluetooth cable 
on logic board. Verify if system 
starts without kernel panic 
now. Yes
Go to AirPort/Bluetooth 
Issues symptom flow.
X99
No Go to step 8.
8.  Disconnect SD board on logic 
board. Verify if system starts 
without kernel panic now. Yes
Go to SD Card Not 
Recognized symptom flow.
No Go to step 9.
9.   Disconnect optical drive and 
test. Verify if system starts 
without kernel panic now. Yes
Go to Optical Drive Not 
Recognized symptom flow.
No Replace logic board.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 37 2010-11-18
No Video
Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive, speakers, camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
No Video
•  No image.
•  Backlight failure. 1.
  Check brightness setting.
2.  For no-video issues, connect an external display 
to Verify if iMac video circuitry is functioning. 
If image appears on external display go to 
Backlight Issue/No Backlight symptom flow.
3.   Reset SMC.
Deep Dive
Check ResultAction Code
1.   Verify boot chime present and 
fans running when system 
powered ON. (Reset SMC and 
clear PRAM if necessary for 
proper boot up.) Yes
Power ON self test OK. Boot 
sequence started.  
Go to step 2.
No
Go to Won’t Start Up 
symptom flow.
2.  Verify if image is visible on 
built-in LCD panel. Yes
Video present. Verify system 
functionality and return to 
user or jump to appropriate 
troubleshooting flow.
No Go to step 3.
3.   Connect supported external 
display. Verify if image appears 
on external display when 
system is booted. Yes
External display detected by 
system. Video circuitry on 
logic board functional. 
Inspect LVDS cable 
connection to back of LCD 
panel.  Reseat and test 
again.  If issue persists, go to 
Backlight Issue/No Backlight 
symptom flow.
No Go to step 4.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 38 2010-11-18
4. Pivot enclosure to access 
lower intake vent, and locate 
diagnostic LEDs on edge of 
logic board. Verify if LED #3 
turns on shortly after system 
powers on. Yes
Logic board communicating 
with video card. Go to step 5.
No If LED #3 does not turn ON 
-If system has a separate 
video card, reseat video card 
and retest, then replace video 
card and repeat step 4. If issue 
persists, replace logic board.
-For a system without video 
card, replace logic board. M03
5.
  Locate diagnostic LEDs on 
logic board. Verify if LED #4 
turns on shortly after system 
powers on. YesLogic board communicating 
with LCD panel. Go to 
Backlight Issue/No Backlight 
symptom flow.
No Replace LVDS cable.  
Go to step 6.
6. Locate diagnostic LEDs on 
the logic board. Verify if LED #4 
turns on shortly after system 
powers on. YesVideo controller functional 
and communicating with LCD 
panel. Go to Backlight Issue/
No Backlight symptom flow.
No Video controller unable to 
communicate with LCD panel.  
Reseat cables first.  If issue 
persists, replace LCD panel. 
Retest. M03  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 39 2010-11-18
Corrupted Video
Unlikely cause: power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans, speakers, camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Corrupted Video
•  Text and graphics appear fuzzy
•  Image corrupted
1.  Verify Mac OS X version installed is the build 
number supported on the hardware. Make sure 
customer didn’t migrate over their old version of 
Mac OS. See kBase #TS3101: iMac (Late 2009): 
Using the correct Mac OS X system software.
2.  Set System Preferences > Displays to native 
resolution of LCD. Non-native resolutions are 
unable to produce optimal clarity.
3.   Clean outside surface of glass panel.
4.  Make sure all relevant software updates have 
been applied. Graphics driver updates may be 
included with software updates.
5.   Boot from install DVD or another known-good 
volume to determine whether a potential 
software/driver issue exists.
6.  When issue occurs, take a screenshot of the 
display (Command-Shift-3). View screenshot file 
on a known-good computer. If image corruption 
can be seen in the screenshot then issue is with 
the video drivers, software, or video/logic board. If 
issue cannot be seen in the screenshot then LCD 
panel and LVDS cable should be tested further.
Deep Dive
Check ResultAction Code
1.   Boot from Install DVD and 
Verify if issue is still visible. Yes
Go to step 2.
No Issue likely caused by 
software or driver issue. 
Troubleshoot for software 
issues. Make sure all software 
updates have been installed.
2.  Verify if issue is visible on an 
external display. Yes
Issue is NOT caused by 
internal LCD display.  
Go to step 3.
No Go to step 6.  
						

							iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 40 2010-11-18
3.  For systems without a separate 
video card, go to step 4. If a 
video card is present, remove 
video card, inspect connector 
for damage or corrosion. 
Reinstall video card and retest. 
Verify if issue still occurs. Yes
Replace video card.  
Go to step 4. M04
No Issue resolved by reseating 
video card.
4.  Verify if video corruption issue 
is still present. Yes
Replace logic board. If a video 
card was replaced, reinstall 
the user’s original video card. 
Go to step 5. M04
No Issue resolved with 
replacement video card.
5.   Verify if video corruption issue 
is still present with replacement 
logic board installed. Yes
Return to step 1 and retest. X04
No Issue resolved with 
replacement logic board. M04
6.  Inspect glass panel. Verify if 
issue is caused by condensation 
or contaminants on inside/
outside surface of glass panel, 
or on surface of LCD panel. Yes
Clean glass and/or LCD using 
procedures in Glass Panel 
take-apart chapter.
Identify possible sources 
of contamination (nearby 
cigarette/cooking smoke, 
heavy airborne dust, etc.) 
to prevent recurrence. 
Condensation should 
dissipate after computer has 
been running a few hours.
No Go to step 7.
7.   Disconnect LVDS cable 
between LCD display and logic 
board, and verify if there is 
damage to cable or connectors. 
Repeat with vertical sync cable 
connected between LCD panel 
and LED backlight board. Yes
Replace LVDS cable or any 
other damaged part/module. X03
No Reinstall LVDS cable and 
vertical sync cable.  
Go to step 8.
8.  Verify if issue is still visible after 
reinstalling/replacing LVDS 
cable and vertical sync cable. Yes
Replace LVDS cable and LCD 
panel. Go to step 9. L04
No Issue resolved with reseating 
cables.
9.   Verify if issue is still present 
with replacement LCD panel 
installed. Yes
Return to step 1 and retest.
No Issue resolved with 
replacement of LCD panel. L04