Common Problems
General Hardware Troubleshooting Tips
- Power Cords - Make sure that all of the power cords are firmly in place on all of the devices that could possibly be causing or contributing to the symptoms you are experiencing. Then trace the cords back to the wall and make sure that the other end of the cord is attached to a power outlet or surge protector.
- Other Cords - Once you've ensured that your computer and peripheral devices are receiving power, the next step is to make sure that the device has all of the connections needed for it to communicate. This step consists of making sure that these cables are firmly connected at each end, and that they are connected to the correct port. Don't forget to check internal connections; if your computer has been bumped it is possible for some connections inside to become loose.
- Dead PRAM Battery - If you own a Apple computer long enough your PRAM battery will eventually die. They usually last for three to six years. On a new motherboard, this sort of problem is usually a sign of a defect, although you shouldn't worry about it if it appears only the very first time the board is powered up or after you replace the battery. Often, a dying battery will first manifest itself intermittently. Sometimes, you may boot with no problem. At other times, you may see an error indicating that the Date and Time settings on your computer are wrong, or you may notice that some of your system settings keep changing. When the battery fails entirely, these errors will appear every time your computer is powered down. The solution is replacing the battery -- for detailed instructions for replacing the battery see the Replacing Hardware page.
- Non-responsive Hard Drive - This is possibly the most annoying problem to encounter. Make sure that all of the connections to the hard drive are secure and restart the computer. If the hard drive still doesn't work, it may have been corrupted. There is very little that you can do for a corrupted hard drive, aside from replace it.
Apple's Hardware Test
If you think your computer has a problem with its software, one way to check is by using the Apple Hardware Test tool. Using this tool requires the OSX install disk that came with your computer.
- Disconnect all external hardware from your computer except the keyboard and mouse. Also disconnect the ethernet cable from your computer.
- Insert the first Install Disk that came with your computer
- Restart your computer. Hold down the option key while the computer boots back up.
- Choose "Apple Hardware Test" from the list of available options that appears. Click the right arrow.
- Follow the instructions that appear onscreen.
- If a problem is detected, the Hardware Test will display an error message. This error message will tell you what is wrong with your hardware.