Apple Macbook 13inch Users Guide

Chapter 5   Troubleshooting91
 
If the computer freezes during startup, or you see a flashing question mark, or the 
display is dark and the sleep indicator light is glowing steadily (not in sleep)
ÂWait a few seconds. If the computer doesn’t start up after a brief delay, shut down 
your computer by pressing and holding the power (®) button for about 5 seconds, 
until the computer shuts down. Then hold down the Option key and press the power 
(®) button again to start up your computer. When your computer...

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ÂCheck whether your battery needs to be recharged. Press the small button on the 
battery. You should see one to four lights indicating the battery’s level of charge. If 
only one battery level indicator light is flashing, allow the power adapter to charge 
the battery until at least one indicator light is glowing continuously.
ÂIf the first two suggestions don’t solve the problem, return the computer to its 
factory settings by disconnecting the power adapter, removing...

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To see how much the battery has recharged, look at the Battery status menu in the 
menu bar.
Your display might also darken if you have energy saver features set for the battery. For 
more information, see “Adjusting Your Display” on page 28.
Other Problems
If you forgot your password
You can reset your administrator password and passwords for all other accounts.
1Insert your Mac OS X Install Disc 1. Then restart your computer and hold down the C 
key as it starts up....

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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 are within antenna range of the other computer or the network’s 
access point by checking the AirPort (Z) status menu in the menu bar. Up to four 
bars appear, indicating full signal strength.
Nearby electronic devices or metal structures can interfere with wireless 
communication and...

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If you have trouble ejecting a disc
mQuit any applications that might be using the disc and try again. If this doesn’t work, 
restart the computer while holding down the trackpad button.
If you suspect a problem with your computer hardware
ÂYou can use the Apple Hardware Test application to help determine if there is a 
problem with one of your computer’s components, such as the memory or processor.
For more information about Apple Hardware Test, see “Using Apple Hardware...

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Reinstalling the Software That Came with Your Computer
Use the software installation discs that came with your computer to reinstall Mac OS X 
and any applications that came with your computer.
Important:  Apple recommends that you back up the data on your hard disk before 
restoring software. Apple is not responsible for any lost data.
Installing Mac OS X and Applications
To install Mac OS X and the applications that came with your computer:
1Back up your essential...

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After selecting the destination disk for installation, continue following the onscreen 
instructions for a basic installation of Mac OS X. To install custom applications, click 
Customize, click the triangle next to the application, and select the version you want to 
install.
Installing Applications
To install just the applications that came with your computer, follow the steps below. 
Your computer must have Mac OS X already installed.
1Back up your essential files....

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Using Apple Hardware Test
You can use Apple Hardware Test to help determine if there is a problem with your 
computer’s hardware. 
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.
2Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 that came with your computer. 
3Restart your computer and hold down the D key as it starts up.
4When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears,...

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Locating Your Product Serial Number
Use one of these methods to find your computer’s serial number:
ÂChoose Apple () > About This Mac and then click on the version number beneath 
the words “Mac OS X.” Clicking cycles between the Mac OS X version number, the 
build version, and the serial number. 
ÂOpen System Profiler (in /Applications/Utilities/) and click Hardware. You can also 
open System Profiler by clicking the More Info button in the About This Mac dialog.
ÂRemove...