TIPS & TRICKS: Testing RAM on a Mac

For years, I've used memtest86 to test RAM on PC's. On Macs, I've used TechTools. However, Apple stopped including TechTools Deluxe with AppleCare. Luckily, the open source community comes through again. A tool called memtest, which is a port to Macs from the PC version, does the job.

http://www.command-tab.com/2008/01/11/how-to-test-ram-under-mac-os-x/

This write-up was more thorough and how I came across this tool in the first place:

http://www.littleprojects.org/blog/2011/02/03/testing-ram-on-a-macbook-pro/

RAVES: Apple to Replace HD in some MacBooks

Though not an official recall, this is the primary reason why Apple Support has rated so high in recent years. Don't get me wrong. Apple is far from perfect, but I think they are closer than some other manufacturers.

Here's the NY Times article:

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/19/apple-to-replace-bad-hard-drives/?em

Hope this helps you. Happy Computing.

TIPS & TRICKS: MacBook Pro, 3-Time Blinking Sleep Light on Startup

Symptom: Sleep light on MacBook Pro blinks 3 times quickly, pauses, blinks 3 times quickly again, and repeats.

Reason: Startup process is finding a RAM problem.

Not confirmed, but I'm betting that this also applies to other Apple notebooks that have the sleep light.

TIPS & TRICKS: Lost Sound on a MacBook

Had a student bring her MacBook to me and said that the sound just stopped working. I checked the OS X System Preferences for Sound > Output and found only the Digital Out option available. The built-in audio was missing, which also doesn't allow headphones to work. She was carrying a set of headphones on her.

Here's a list of symptoms I found:

- no sound
- audio controls on keyboard would bring up icon on screen but could not change audio levels
- missing built-in audio in System Preferences > Sound > Output
- red light coming out of the sound jack on the side of the MacBook

Macs have become more advanced. They used to only have analog output and many low-end Windows notebooks only have analog output (you get what you pay for). But, all the Macs now have the ability to convert to accept digital output connections.

In order to move between digital and analog output on the same port, there's a tiny switch in the port that recognizes the plug that is inserted. However, that switch will sometimes get confused and get stuck, which is what happened in this case.

THE FIX:

Something must be inserted into the port to make the switch move back to the desired position, in this case, analog. One way to do it is put the headphones' jack into the port and wiggle it around. This doesn't always work. I've found that a smaller tool in there would work better. I'm not too fond of sticking metal things (i.e. paper clips) into ports, so I used the straw from a can of compressed air. I inserted the straw into sound port and wiggled it around a little as I watched the window in System Preferences > Sound > Output. You should see it change Digital Out to Internal Speakers (Built-in Audio) and the red light, which indicates a digital connection, go off.

Hope this helps someone. Good luck.

By the way, I found this macrumors.com forum posting that had some other folks who experienced the same problem.

http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-237405.html

RAVES: Fixit Guide Series - DIY Mac & iPod Repair

Great site for do-it-yourself repairs for Macs. I've used this site quite a few times. The guides they offer are full color, quite descriptive, and easy to follow. Highly recommended.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/