Apple MacBook 13inch Aluminum Late2008 Manual

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4 Problem, Meet Solution
www.apple.com/support
Mac Helphelp 
						

							 
52 Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution
Occasionally you may have problems while working with your MacBook. Read on for 
troubleshooting tips to try when you have a problem. You can also find more 
troubleshooting information in Mac Help and on the MacBook Support website at 
www.apple.com/support/macbook.
If you experience a problem with your MacBook, there is usually a simple and quick 
solution. Think about the conditions that led up to the problem. Making a note of 
things you did before the problem occurred will help you narrow down possible causes 
and find the answers you need. Things to note include:
ÂThe applications you were using when the problem occurred. Problems that occur 
only with a specific application might indicate that the application is not compatible 
with the version of the Mac OS installed on your computer.
ÂAny new software that you installed, especially software that added items to the 
System folder.
ÂAny hardware that you installed, such as additional memory or a peripheral.
Problems That Prevent You from Using Your MacBook
If your MacBook doesn’t respond or the pointer doesn’t move
On rare occasions, an application might “freeze” on the screen. Mac OS X provides a 
way to quit a frozen application without restarting your computer. 
To force an application to quit:
1Press Command (x)-Option-Esc or choose Apple () > Force Quit from the menu bar.
The Force Quit Applications dialog appears with the application selected. 
						

							 
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2Click Force Quit.
The application quits, leaving all other applications open.
If you need to, you can also restart the Finder from this dialog.
Next, save your work in any open applications and restart the computer to make sure 
the problem is entirely cleared up. 
If the problem occurs frequently, choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar at the 
top of the screen. Search for the word “freeze” to get help for times when the computer 
freezes or doesn’t respond.
If the problem occurs only when you use a particular application, check with the 
application’s manufacturer to see if it is compatible with your computer. To get support 
and contact information for the software that came with your MacBook, go to 
www.apple.com/guide.
If you know an application is compatible, you might need to reinstall your computer’s 
system software. See “Reinstalling the Software That Came with Your MacBook” on 
page 61.
If your MacBook freezes during startup, or you see a flashing question mark, or the 
screen is dark and the sleep indicator light is glowing steadily (not in sleep)
The flashing question mark usually means that the computer can’t find the system 
software on the hard disk or any disks attached to the computer.  
						

							 
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ÂWait a few seconds. If the computer doesn’t soon start up, shut it down by holding 
down the power (®) button for about 8 to 10 seconds. Disconnect all external 
peripherals and try restarting by pressing the power (®) button while holding down 
the Option key. When your computer starts up, click the hard disk icon, and then click 
the right arrow. After the computer starts up, open System Preferences and click 
Startup Disk. Select a local Mac OS X System folder.
ÂIf that doesn’t work, try using Disk Utility to repair the disk:
ÂInsert the Mac OS X Install DVD into your computer. 
ÂRestart your computer and hold down the C key as it starts up. 
ÂChoose Installer > Open Disk Utility. When Disk Utility opens, follow the instructions 
in the First Aid pane to see if Disk Utility can repair the disk.
If using Disk Utility doesn’t help, you might need to reinstall your computer’s system 
software. See “Reinstalling the Software That Came with Your MacBook” on page 61.
If your MacBook doesn’t turn on or start up
Try the following suggestions in order until your computer turns on:
ÂMake sure the power adapter is plugged into the computer and into a functioning 
power outlet. Be sure to use the 60W MagSafe Power Adapter that came with your 
MacBook. If the power adapter stops charging and you don’t see the indicator light 
on the power adapter turn on when you plug in the power cord, try unplugging and 
replugging the power cord to reseat it.
ÂCheck whether the battery needs to be recharged. Press the small button on the left 
side of your computer. You should see one to eight lights indicating the battery’s 
level of charge. If a single indicator light is on, connect your power adapter to 
recharge. For more information about battery indicator lights, see page 56. 
						

							 
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ÂIf the problem persists, return the computer to its factory settings by disconnecting 
the power adapter, removing the battery, and holding down the power (®) button 
for at least 5 seconds. 
ÂIf you recently installed additional memory, make sure that it is correctly installed and 
is compatible with your computer. See whether removing it and reinstalling the old 
memory allows the computer to start up (see page 42). 
ÂPress the power (®) button and immediately hold down the Command (x), Option, 
P, and R keys simultaneously until you hear the startup sound a second time. This 
resets the parameter RAM (PRAM). 
ÂIf you still can’t start up your MacBook, see “Learning More, Service, and Support” on 
page 63 for information about contacting Apple for service.
If the screen suddenly goes black or your MacBook freezes
Try restarting your MacBook. 
1Unplug any devices that are connected to your MacBook, except the power adapter.
2Press the power (®) button to restart the system.
3Let the battery charge to at least 10 percent before plugging in any external devices 
and resuming your work. 
To see how much the battery has charged, look at the Battery ( ) status icon in the 
menu bar.
The screen might also darken if you have energy saver features set for the battery. 
						

							 
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If you press the battery button, and all battery indicator lights flash five times 
quickly
Your battery needs to be replaced. Contact an Apple Retail Store or an Apple 
Authorized Service Provider (AASP).
If you press the battery button, and the battery indicator lights flash from left to 
right and then from right to left, five times in a row
Your battery is not recognized. Check that your battery is installed properly in your 
computer.
If you forget your password
You can reset your administrator password and passwords for all other accounts.
1Insert the Mac OS X Install DVD. Then restart your computer and hold down the C key as 
it starts up.
2Choose Utilities > Reset Password from the menu bar. Follow the onscreen instructions.
If you have trouble ejecting a disc
Quit any applications that might be using the disc and try again. If that doesn’t work, 
restart the computer and then immediately press and hold the trackpad button.
Using Apple Hardware Test
If you suspect a problem with the MacBook hardware, you can use the Apple Hardware 
Test application to help determine if there is a problem with one of the computer’s 
components, such as the memory or processor.  
						

							 
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To use Apple Hardware Test:
1Disconnect all external devices from your computer except the power adapter. 
If you have an Ethernet cable connected, disconnect it.
2Restart your MacBook while holding down the D key.
3When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language you want 
to use.
4Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
5When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow 
the onscreen instructions.
6If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, it displays an error code. Make a note of the 
error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn’t detect a 
hardware failure, the problem may be software related.
If this procedure doesn’t work, you can insert the Applications Install DVD to use Apple 
Hardware Test. For more information, see the Apple Hardware Test Read Me file on the 
Applications Install DVD that came with your computer.
Problems with Your Internet Connection
Your MacBook has the Network Setup Assistant application to help walk you through 
setting up an Internet connection. Open System Preferences and click Network. 
Click the “Assist me” button to open Network Setup Assistant.
If you have trouble with your Internet connection, you can try the steps in this section 
starting with Network Diagnostics. 
						

							 
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To use Network Diagnostics:
1Choose Apple () > System Preferences.
2Click Network and then click “Assist me.” 
3Click Diagnostics to open Network Diagnostics.
4Follow the onscreen instructions.
If Network Diagnostics can’t resolve the problem, there may be a problem with the 
Internet service provider (ISP) you are trying to connect to, with an external device you 
are using to connect to your ISP, or with the server you are trying to access. You can try 
the following steps.
Cable Modem, DSL, and LAN Internet Connections
Make sure all modem cables are fully plugged in. Check the modem power cord, 
the cable from the modem to the computer, and the cable from the modem to the 
wall jack. Also check the cables and power supplies for Ethernet hubs and routers. 
Turn the modem off and on to reset the modem hardware
Turn off your DSL or cable modem for a few minutes, and then turn it back on. 
Some ISPs recommend that you unplug the modem’s power cord. If your modem has a 
reset button, you can press it either before or after you turn the power off and on.
Important:  Instructions that refer to modems do not apply to LAN users. LAN users 
might have hubs, switches, routers, or connection pods that DSL and cable modem 
users do not have. LAN users should contact their network administrator rather than 
an ISP. 
						

							 
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PPPoE Connections 
If you are unable to connect to your Internet service provider using PPPoE (Point to 
Point Protocol over Ethernet), make sure you have entered the correct information in 
Network preferences. 
To check PPPoE settings:
1Choose Apple () > System Preferences.
2Click Network.
3Click Add (+) at the bottom of the network connection services list, and choose PPPoE 
from the Interface pop-up menu. 
4Choose an interface for the PPPoE service from the Ethernet pop-up menu. Choose 
Ethernet if you are connecting to a wired network, or AirPort if you are connecting to a 
wireless network.
5Enter the information you received from your service provider, such as the account 
name, password, and PPPoE service name (if your service provider requires it). 
6Click Apply to make the settings active.
Network Connections
Make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into your MacBook and into the network. 
Check the cables and power supplies to your Ethernet hubs and routers.
If you have two or more computers sharing an Internet connection, be sure that your 
network is set up properly. You need to know if your ISP provides only one IP address 
or if it provides multiple IP addresses, one for each computer. 
						

							 
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If only one IP address is provided, then you must have a router capable of sharing the 
connection, also known as network address translation (NAT ) or “IP masquerading.” 
For setup information, check the documentation provided with your router or ask the 
person who set up your network. You can use an AirPort Base Station to share one 
IP address among multiple computers. For information about using an AirPort Base 
Station, check Mac Help or go to the Apple AirPort website at 
www.apple.com/support/airport.
If you cannot resolve the issue using these steps, contact your ISP or network 
administrator.
Problems with AirPort Extreme Wireless Communication
If you have trouble using AirPort Extreme wireless communication:
ÂMake sure the computer or network you are trying to connect to is running and has a 
wireless access point.
ÂMake sure you have properly configured the software according to the instructions 
that came with your base station or access point.
ÂMake sure you are within antenna range of the other computer or the network’s 
access point. Nearby electronic devices or metal structures can interfere with wireless 
communication and reduce this range. Repositioning or rotating the computer might 
improve reception.
ÂCheck the AirPort (Z) status icon in the menu bar. Up to four bars appear, indicating 
signal strength. If the signal strength is weak, try changing your location.