2013 ACMT

A couple weeks back the Apple Certified Macintosh Technician course was hosted here at BRCTC. We had instructor Joe Bisson come from Crywolf to teach us about Apple computers. This is my first certification test, and I can say it was well worth it. I got to meet new people, and had the opportunity learn so much! Needless to say I am now an ACMT. While taking this course we learned about:

• Diagnostic tools

• Stages of startup

• Troubleshooting

• Backing up files

• Recovering files

• Data transfer from one device to another

• Proper hardware replacement procedures

Even though it was I that learned this information, I would love to pass some of it on to the rest of you! The tips I am about to give are all going to be things that you can use with your new MLTI IV devices this year.

Stop Your Mac From Sleeping

I think the top tip that I can give is how to stop your computer from falling asleep in the middle of a presentation and then prompt you with a password. This is a very simple setting to change. To do this click the apple in the top left of the screen. Then click System Preferences. Once opened you are going to want to open Energy Saver. You will see that there are two tabs: Battery or Power Adapter. Just slide the slider to the right to choose how long until your computer falls asleep.

Another place you will want to check is in System Preferences > Desktop and Screen Saver. Click the Screen Saver tab and make sure that Start after at the bottom left is set for a reasonable time.

The final step that you need to do for this to work is changing the security settings. In System Preferences > Security & Privacy under the general tab, you can check or uncheck the “Require password <minutes/hours> after sleep or screen saver begins.”

Enable / Disable Power Nap

Power nap is a new and improved way of letting your MacBook Air sleep. For a small battery fee, Power nap allows the mac to update your Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Notes etc. While plugged in, your Mac can also download updates, perform spotlight indexing, background downloads, and Help Center updates.

By default Power nap is enabled while you are plugged in (Power Adapter). It is not while using battery power. To change the settings go to System Preferences > Energy Saver. Then check or uncheck the box that says “Enable Power Nap while on <power source>”.

Downloaded Apps Won’t Open?

By default Macs use something called Gatekeeper. Gatekeeper manages all security settings for you mac computer. This includes what downloaded programs / files can open. If you get a pop-up box that says “‘Application’ can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.” Your only option is ok, so how do you open it?

EASY. Just hold control and click the icon and select open. You Mac will warn you of the security risks and allow you to click the open button. From here your application or file should open!

My Mac has lost some features!

Did your Audio stop working? Did your fans start going super fast? or Not at all? Try an SMC reset. This is a chip or area where some of that information is stored. By doing this you put the data back to the way it was when you bought it. This does not erase your files or anything like that.

To start shutdown the computer. Now plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected. Press the left side Shift+Control+Option and Power button at the same time. Release all the keys and power button at the same time. Now start your Mac as normal. Don’t be worried if the LED on the MagSafe power adapter changes or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC.

Maybe a different issue?

One good thing to do is run Apple Diagnostics. First make sure your Mac is off. Then hit the power button and quickly hold the “D” key. You can let go when text comes up on the screen. This will scan your computer for any internal issues that can be seen by sensors etc. It will show you errors which you can write down. If there are no errors it displays your serial number and allows you to restart or power off. This is good to do before you take it in to repair. It may give the tech an idea of what is wrong before starting to work on it.