Apple Macbook 13inch Late2009 Users Guide

4
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...

 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution53
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 instances when the 
computer freezes or doesn’t...

 
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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...

 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution55
ÂIf the problem persists, reset the MacBook power manager by disconnecting the 
power adapter 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 
that it is compatible with your computer. See whether removing it and reinstalling 
the old memory allows the computer to start up (see page 46). 
ÂPress the power (®) button and immediately hold down the Command (x),...

 
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If an audio device plugged into the audio port isn’t working
Unplug the audio device. Choose Apple () > System Preferences, and open Sound 
preferences. In the Input pane, specify whether you want the port to be used for Sound 
Input or Sound Output. Plug the audio device back in.
Note:  If you’re running Windows on your MacBook, the port supports only audio 
output.
If you forget your password
You can reset your administrator password and passwords for all other...

 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution57
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...

 
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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...

 
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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...

 
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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...