Showing posts with label battery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label battery. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2015

How to Drain a MacBook Battery


Unplug the power cable from your MacBook and run the computer from the battery. Plugging in the cable will recharge the battery, so avoid doing this until you have fully drained the battery.
Click the 'Apple' button on your MacBook's desktop and click 'System Preferences.' Click 'Energy Saver.' Select 'Battery' from the 'Settings for' drop-down list. Select 'Better Performance' from the 'Optimization' drop-down list. This will disable many of the MacBook's battery-saving settings.
Plug in USB powered devices such as a keyboard, mouse and flash drive. These devices draw power from your laptop's battery to function and will help drain the battery faster.
Click the 'AirPort Wireless' icon from the MacBook's menu bar and click 'Turn AirPort on.' Close the 'Available Networks' screen that loads. You don't have to connect to a network to drain your battery faster with this wireless utility.
Click the Bluetooth logo from your computer's menu bar and click 'Turn Bluetooth on.' Again, you do not need to connect a Bluetooth device to drain battery power with this feature.
Open up as many applications as you can without freezing the computer. This will tax your system's resources and accelerate battery usage.
Insert a DVD into the MacBook's disc drive and play the movie. This will further tax your system resources, force your battery to power the drive and give you something to watch while your battery quickly drains to empty. The computer will shut down when the battery is fully drained.
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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

How to Operate a MacBook


Turn on your MacBook. Press the power button with the computer plugged in. This is not a step you have to take very often. The MacBook has a low power 'sleep' mode that is much more convenient than switching the computer off. Just close the lid of the computer when you're finished using it, and open the lid when you want to use it again.
Explore the main screen---called the Desktop or Finder---of the MacBook. Notice the menu bar at the top of the screen; this bar will contain the menus for whatever program you are currently using. It also has controls and information for common tasks, such as a battery meter, a volume control and a wireless Internet control.
Explore the 'Dock' area along the bottom of your screen. The Dock contains frequently used and currently active programs. To use a program, simply click on its icon in the Dock. Try opening iCal, the Mac calendar program. Notice that the menus on the top of the screen change and the name iCal appears on the left side of the menu. To quit a program, click and hold on its icon in the Dock until the 'Quit' option appears.
Customize your computer. Click on the apple at the far left of the menu bar and select 'System Preferences.' This is where you change any system setting you like. Explore the various options inside System Preferences. Don't worry---you will have to enter your password before it allows you to make any serious changes.
Explore your home folder. Click on the blue smiley face on the left side of the Dock, and your home folder will appear in a new Finder window. From here, you can access your photos, movies, music and documents.
Explore the Applications folder. Your MacBook has many more applications than are shown on the Dock. To access them, open a new finder window (the blue smiley face), and click on the 'Applications' icon on the left side of the window. Double-click a program to start it, or if you prefer, drag the icon to the Dock to make it a permanent fixture there.
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Sunday, October 4, 2015

How to Troubleshoot an Apple Computer Full Screen Display


Check the resolution of the screen. If things are just looking funny and out of proportion, then you have either accidentally zoomed in on your screen or changed the resolution. To change the resolution, click the Apple icon at the top left part of the menu bar, then 'System Preferences' and then click on the Display icon. There you can change the displays to find the one that you want to go back to. If the display and resolution settings do not work, try holding Command and swipe downward on the track pad. This should zoom out from your screen to the standard resolution and setting.
If you're using a laptop, connect to a power source. If your computer does not show any picture on the display, then you may be near the end of your battery life. See if restarting your computer helps. Hold the power button and the 'Control' and 'Command' keys simultaneously for several seconds.
Reset the PRAM, which is done by pressing the power button to turn the computer on and then immediately pressing 'Command,' 'Option,' 'P,' and 'R' until you have cycled through three start-up chimes. Resetting the PRAM is useful for any type of troubleshooting because it resets your computer to the original factory settings. This is often one of the first troubleshooting techniques that Apple certified maintenance technicians will try on a computer.
Reset the SMC for laptops by removing the power supply, removing the battery, and then holding the power button for five seconds. This is an additional option that resets your computer. If it still does not work and your computer does not properly show your display screen or if it does not boot up at all then you may have a more serious issue.
Consult your owner's manual for further tests that you can undertake such as the hard-drive test or checking the hardware and software of the computer through a Disk Utility check, which is done by utilizing the installation disks.
Call the Apple Service hotline or schedule an appointment at the nearest Apple retail store or an authorized service provider. The number for Apple support is (800) 275-2273. Or go to Apple's website (then link is included in Resources).
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Saturday, October 3, 2015

How to Replace the RAM in a MacBook Pro (11 Steps)


Shut down your MacBook Pro. Remove the external cords, power adapter, Ethernet cable and any peripherals.
Allow your computer to cool down for 10 minutes if it has been on. The metal components inside the MacBook Pro can be hot to the touch.
Turn the computer over and open the battery cover release the latch on the computer's bottom. Push the latch in and pull it up. Lift the battery cover off.
Pull up on the tab on the back of the battery. Lift it up to loosen it, then pull it out.
Remove the four screws along the battery compartment with a size 00 screwdriver. Place the screws in a safe place. Remove the four screws near the hinge side. Make a note of where the screws go back into the body of the computer.
Lift the back cover off the computer and locate the memory module in the center of the computer.
Discharge static electricity from your body by touching a metal surface inside the computer.
Remove the existing RAM by pushing out on the retaining clips to release the first module. Remove the RAM, then release and remove the second module.
Hold the new RAM card at a 30-degree angle. Line up the notch in the RAM card with the tabs that are located in the memory slot. Slide the card into the bottom slot, then push down on the outer edge until it clicks into place. Repeat the process with the second module in the top slot.
Place the bottom cover back on and replace the screws into the holes, beginning with the hinge edge. Replace the remaining screws near the battery compartment.
Replace the battery and the battery cover. Close the latch on the back. Turn the computer over and turn it on.
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Monday, September 28, 2015

How to Turn Off a MacBook Fan


Shut down your MacBook and disconnect the power supply.
Remove the battery from the bottom of your MacBook.
Press the power button and hold it for five seconds. Reconnect the power supply.
Press the power button again to boot up the MacBook and see if the fan issue has resolved.
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Sunday, September 27, 2015

How to Fix MacBook Water Damage


Power off your MacBook as soon as it gets wet. If your MacBook was off when it got wet, do not power it back on. Powering the computer on can cause the water to short out some electrical components, and can cause permanent damage to the computer.
Remove the battery, and use a towel or other dry cloth to wipe off any water on the outside of your MacBook.
Fill an airtight container large enough to fit your laptop with dry, uncooked rice, then place your laptop in the container and seal it.
Leave your MacBook in the airtight container with rice for 24 hours. After 24 hours, if the computer still appears to have water in it, return the MacBook to the rice container for an additional 24 hours. If the computer appears to be dry, attempt to power it on.
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Thursday, September 17, 2015

How to Replace a Hard Drive in a Macbook Air


Place the MacBook Air on a clean work surface, so that the bottom of the computer is pointing up. Remove the screws around the perimeter of the hard drive using the Phillips-head screwdriver. Lift the bottom of the case off the computer.
Locate the black cable running from the large black battery to the logic board. Lift it off the logic board carefully. Unscrew the battery from the case, using the Phillips-head screwdriver, and then lift it out of the case.
Locate the hard drive in the upper-left corner of the case. Locate the orange ribbon cable that goes over the hard drive. Pull the black pull tab that secures the ribbon cable to the logic board and lift the cable off the logic board. Pry off the ribbon cable connection from the speaker to the logic board, using the spudger.
Unplug the audio-out cable socket from the logic board, using the spudger, then pry the hard drive cable connector off the board, using the spudger. Pull the black cable, located above the hard drive, in the seam between the case and the drive, out of the case using the spudger, then remove the screw cover from the hard drive bracket, using the Phillips-head screwdriver. Unscrew the hard drive from the case, using the Phillips-head screwdriver, then lift the hard drive out of the case.
Push the hard drive out of the case, then pull the rubber shock isolator off the hard drive. Remove the ribbon cable from the hard drive, using the spudger. Install the ribbon cable into the replacement hard drive and install the rubber shock isolator around the hard drive. Push the replacement hard drive into the case with both hands. Reinstall the drive in the case with the Phillips-head screwdriver, then reassemble the computer in the reverse order of the disassembly procedure.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

How to Calibrate Your MacBook Battery (4 Steps)


Plug in your MacBook and give it a full charge. You can tell if your MacBook is fully charged when the green LED light on your power adapter changes from amber to green. When the LED is Green, your battery is at full charge. Leave the MacBook plugged in and charging for an extra two hours past the point when the LED turns Green.
Run your battery down and discharge it completely. Disconnect the power adapter and use your Mac until the battery is fully discharged. You will see a low battery warning on your screen, but keep using your MacBook until the battery completely runs out and the machine puts itself to sleep.
Close the laptop lid and let your Mac sleep, without power connected, for at least 5 hours. Letting your MacBook rest overnight is a good rule of thumb.
After letting the computer rest for 5 hours or longer, plug in your MacBook to the power supply and leave it connected until the computer is fully charged. It’s OK to use your MacBook while the battery charges. When the charge is completed, you’ve successfully completed recalibration of your MacBook battery.
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Saturday, September 12, 2015

How to Hard Reset an Apple 3G (4 Steps)


Plug the dock connector cable into the iPhone or iPad and plug the opposite end of the cable into your computer's USB port or into the power adapter.
Plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet to charge the device's battery.
Press and hold the 'Power' button located on top of the Apple 3G device while holding down the 'Home' button.
Release the buttons once the Apple icon is displayed on the Apple device. Once the device has reset itself, it will boot up to the home screen.
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Thursday, September 10, 2015

How to Reset SMC (7 Steps)


Shut down the computer and unplug the computer's Magsafe adapter (or power cord, if it's a desktop unit).
Take the battery out if the unit is a laptop computer with a removable battery.
Press down the power button and hold it for 5 seconds, then release. Replace the battery if necessary and plug the computer back in. Turn on the computer and test functionality.
Take different steps for those laptops with a battery that should not be removed. This includes the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro units from 2009.
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Sunday, September 6, 2015

How to Restore a Power Mac G4


Back up any important files already on your G4's hard drive. A factory restore completely wipes the system of all files you've created so, if possible, make sure you have another copy of all your files, images, music, etc.
Connect your G4 to its charger. Restoring the computer is a delicate process that erases and reinstalls the most basic and important files of your system. If the computer runs out of battery before the restoration is complete, files may be damaged or left uninstalled. The result of this varies from having to restart the process completely to permanent dysfunction of your computer. Play it safe. Make sure you have plenty of battery left and the computer is plugged into the wall.
Locate your Mac OS X Install CD/DVD. If you have lost the original disc or never received one (a common problem when purchasing used computers), there are a few options to consider. The first is to ask around; if you have friends or family with a Mac computer they may still have their CD. It would be usable on your computer. If this option fails, look online for a download of the installation CD. Some sites offer installation CDs for all kinds of computers, including the G4.
Insert the install disc into your computer's disk drive. Once visible, click the 'Install Mac OS X' button. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your computer preferences and begin installation.
Select a destination disc for the installation. This is typically the 'Macintosh HD' icon. Next, click 'Options,' and follow the rest of the on-screen prompts/instructions. After this, the software is installed. The computer should reset itself or can be manually reset by holding down the power button twice.
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