• Outline

 

• Overview

Course Overview

 

Day 1

Basic Computer Theory & Terminology
Overview of the main components that make up a Macintosh Computer.
Understanding their roles and how they communicate with one another to make your computer work.

Underlying Technologies

This course introduces you to some key technologies implemented in Apple computers, including:

• Processors

• Memory

• Hard Drives and their connectors including SCSI, ATA, SAS, SSD

• Optical drives

• Firmware Architecture

• Expansion slots including PCI, ExpressCard/34, SD Card Slot

• Audio & Video in/out

• Ethernet

• Airport / Wi-Fi

• Bluetooth

• FireWire

• USB

• Thunderbolt

• Infrared

• Power Management Technologies including PMU, SMU, SMC

• Circuit Sensors including Sudden Motion Sensor, ALS (Ambient Light Sensor)

Internal Components

Identify slot and connector types, major modules common to Macintosh desktops and list common malfunctioning symptoms.

Troubleshooting and Administrative Reference Tools and Materials.

Looking at online tools, such as Global Service Exchange (GSX), Apple Support Articles (Knowledge Base), Apple Support Site and the Discussion Boards.

 

Day 2

Hardware Service Issues
Describe how to locate the AppleCare name for a Mac.
Identify the locations, physical or otherwise, of a Mac’s serial number.
Identify any hardware or software requirements to use or upgrade a Mac, using the Apple Support Site.
Identify special precautions when working inside an Apple portable computer.

Troubleshooting Tools, Diagnostics and Utilities
Introduction to the Apple recommended tools required to diagnose and resolve Hardware failures.

General Troubleshooting Theory
Troubleshooting Goals – an explanation of what professional troubleshooting should accomplish.
Troubleshooting Steps – a comprehensive review of the components of Apple’s recommended troubleshooting process.

Apple Professional Hardware Troubleshooting (Component Isolation)
Reducing machine’s to minimal configuration for troubleshooting purposes.

Job Aids – a general troubleshooting flowchart and notes you can use as a reference.

Technician Safety

Safe Working Procedures and General Maintenance.

- Includes Electrostatic Discharge Prevention (ESD), Technician Safety as well as how to safely handle sensitive components.

Accidental Damage

- How to identify Accidental Damage on an Apple Computer, how to deal with informing the customer and how to process the repair.

Power Management

Understanding of how the computer receives and distributes power to all the components along with how to troubleshoot power problems.

 

Day 3

Apple Recommended Hardware Tools

A look at the recommended hardware tools required to repair Apple Computers.

 Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD’s)

Describe how sub-pixels make up colours, general maintenance and cause and symptom of pixel defects.

Basic Networking Theory & Troubleshooting

Looking at how networking is implemented on the Macintosh. Covering how the hardware and software combine and how to troubleshoot any issues.

Networking – Wi-Fi and Airport ~

Looking at 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g as well as Apple’s hardware range of Apple Base Stations.

We look at the current Wifi standard (802.11n) and Apple’s latest hardware and software solutions which support it.

Chapter finishes with a collection of Wireless troubleshooting tips.

Apple Desktop Overview and Take Apart

Covers the hardware features, specifications and service issues of the Apple Desktop Range.

Displays

Introduction to Apple Displays. How to troubleshoot the hardware of Apple’s External Monitors.

Apple iMac Take Apart and Troubleshooting

Component isolation and take apart

 

Day 4

Mac Mini Take Apart and Troubleshooting

Component isolation and take apart

Mac Pro Take Apart and Troubleshooting

Component isolation and take apart

Apple Portable Specific Theory

Explanation of the additional components found in a portable computer, including troubleshooting tips and procedures.

The Portable Take Apart Process

How repairing Portable computers differ and things to look out for.

Power Management in Portables

More in-depth look into Power distribution including how Power Adaptors and Batteries work and how to troubleshoot them.

Apple Portable Overview and Take Apart

Covers the hardware features, specifications and service issues of the Apple Portable Range.

MacBook Take Apart and Troubleshooting

Component isolation and take apart

 

Day 5

MacBook Air Take Apart and Troubleshooting

Component isolation and take apart

MacBook Pro Take Apart and Troubleshooting

Component isolation and take apart

 

Open Q&A and Exam Preparation (Including Review Quiz)

Apple ACMT Service Certification Examination

 

Day 6

Mac OS X v10.7 Troubleshooting Course

Installing Mac OS X v10.7 and Recovery

Including Installation requirements, differences between HFS+, Fat32, upgrade paths. Using the Recovery Partition.

Basic Usage and new features

Describing features of Finder, Dock, Mission Control, QuickLook, Launchpad etc. Locating OS version, build number using about this Mac.

File Systems.

File systems supported by Mac OS X, file and folder locations, search paths, Disk Utility and file repair.

Preferences and troubleshooting

Locating, configuring and reconfiguring System Preferences.

Managing Users and Permissions

Distinguish between the types of users, file and folder access and resetting passwords.

Parental Controls

How to configure and troubleshoot User Accounts using Parental Controls.

 

Day 7

Applications and troubleshooting

Applications supported in Mac OS X v10.7, Applications created with different developer APIs, the UNIX concept of a process, the relationship of processes and applications, tools to monitoring and managing processes, application preferences, troubleshooting, Boot Camp

Time Machine

Introduction to Apple’s built-in Backup software utility.

OSX Networking, File Sharing and Internet Access

Defining common network technologies, accessing online and network accounts such as Exchange, sharing volumes and modifying the permissions on a file.

 

Day 8

Troubleshooting Tools and Tips

Identifying OSX Utilities, repairing permissions using Disk Utility and ID a Kernel Panic.

Printing and Other Peripherals

Defining peripherals, configuring printing in OSX.

OSX Boot Process, Startup and Login

Defining boot errors for the Power On Self-Test, describing what happens during the Kernel load stage.

Processes involved in loading up the system and logging in to a User Account.

 

Open Q&A and Exam Preparation (Including Review Quiz)

Apple Mac OS X v10.7 Troubleshooting Certification Examination