Apple Macbook Mid2007 User Guide

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

							 
42Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution
Occasionally you may have problems while working with your MacBook. Read on to 
find some solutions 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. Quitting a frozen 
application might allow you to save your work in other open applications.
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.  
						

							 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution43
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 you are unable to force the application to quit, press and hold the power (®) button 
for a few seconds to shut down the computer. Wait 10 seconds and then turn on the 
computer.
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 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 51.
If your MacBook 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)
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.   
						

							 
44Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution
ÂWait a few seconds. If the computer doesn’t soon start up, shut it down by pressing 
and holding 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 Disc 1 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 51.
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 
battery. You should see one to four lights indicating the battery’s level of charge. If a 
single indicator light is flashing, allow the power adapter to charge the battery at 
least until that indicator light is glowing continuously.  
						

							 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution45
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 
that it is compatible with your computer. See whether removing it and reinstalling 
the old memory allows the computer to start up (see “Installing Memory” on 
page 35). 
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 to reset 
the parameter RAM (PRAM). 
ÂIf you still can’t start up your MacBook, see “Learning More, Service, and Support” on 
page 52 for information about contacting Apple for service.
If the display 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 display might also darken if you have energy saver features set for the battery.  
						

							 
46Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution
If you forgot your password
You can reset your administrator password and passwords for all other accounts.
1Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc 1. 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
ÂQuit any applications that might be using the disc and try again. 
ÂIf this doesn’t work, restart the computer while holding down 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. 
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, follow the onscreen instructions.
5If 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.  
						

							 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution47
For more information about Apple Hardware Test, see the Apple Hardware Test Read 
Me file on the Mac OS X Install Disc 1.
Problems with Your Internet Connection
Your MacBook has the 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.
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.   
						

							 
48Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution
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 cable and DSL modem 
users do not have. LAN users should contact their network administrator rather than 
an ISP.
PPPoE Connections 
If you are unable to connect to your Internet service provider using PPPoE, make sure 
you have entered the correct information in Network preferences. 
To check Network preference settings:
1Choose Apple (!) > System Preferences.
2Click Network.
3Choose Network Port Configurations from the Show pop-up menu. 
4Drag Built-in Ethernet to the top of the Port Configurations list. 
5Choose Built-in Ethernet from the Show pop-up menu. 
6Click PPPoE. 
7Select “Connect using PPPoE.”
8Check the Account Name field to make sure you’ve entered the correct information 
from your ISP. 
9If you chose to save your password, retype it making sure it’s correct.   
						

							 
Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution49
10Click TCP/IP. Make sure you’ve entered the correct information from your ISP 
in this pane. 
11Click Apply Now.
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.
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 visit 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.  
						

							 
50Chapter 4   Problem, Meet Solution
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 menu in the menu bar. Up to four bars appear, 
indicating signal strength. If signal strength is low, try moving your location.
ÂSee AirPort Help (choose Help > Mac Help, and then choose Library > AirPort Help 
from the menu bar). Also see the instructions that came with the wireless device for 
more information.
Keeping Your Software Up to Date
You can connect to the Internet and automatically download and install the latest free 
software versions, drivers, and other enhancements from Apple. 
When you are connected to the Internet, Software Update checks Apple’s Internet 
servers to see if any updates are available for your computer. You can set your MacBook 
to check the Apple servers periodically, and download and install updated software.
To check for updated software:
1Open System Preferences. 
2Click the Software Update icon and follow the instructions on the screen.
ÂFor more information, search for “Software Update” in Mac Help. 
ÂFor the latest information about Mac OS X, go to www.apple.com/macosx.