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Dead battery
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Hardware ProblemsThe computer's hardware includes items such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and actual computer (or CPU). If you feel you are having trouble with your Mac's hardware and not the software, it's a good idea to try to isolate which piece of hardware might be causing the problem(s). For example, if your mouse and keyboard aren't working make sure that the keyboard cable is firmly plugged into the keyboard and the computer. If your printer isn't working, be sure that all the printer cables are plugged in tightly. Sometimes simply pulling out the cable and putting it back will help. Unless you are using USB cables, be sure your Mac is turned off when unplugging and plugging in cables. Dead internal batteryA common hardware problem is having the internal battery of your Macintosh fail. One symptom of a dead or failing battery is if your Macintosh's clock is always off. If the time shown in the upper right hand corner of your screen is incorrect, reset the time.
If your clock is wrong the next time you turn on your computer, most likely the internal battery needs to be replaced. Other symptoms of a failing battery are failure to retain Chooser (printer) settings or difficulty in turning on the computer (the monitor doesn't come on). "Chimes of death"A hardware problem can also be recognized by the "chimes of death" or a sad Mac on startup. According to the Apple, the "chimes of death" are a series of four to eight tones that are sometimes heard immediately after the normal startup chime, after which you get a disk with a blinking question mark. On a PowerMac, the sound will be a car crashing instead. If you have just installed RAM into your computer and hear the "chimes of death" double check that your RAM was installed properly, specifically that you have the right type of chip for your model, and that the chips are seated firmly. If not, try starting your Macintosh with extensions off (restart and hold down the shift key until you see "Extensions off" or "Extensions disabled"). If your Macintosh will start, then one of your extensions is causing the problem (see the section on Extension Conflicts). If it won't start, try starting your Macintosh from a diskette or CD. If your Macintosh will start from a diskette or CD, you should perform a clean install of your system software (see the section on Clean installs). For more information and troubleshooting, view the Apple article: You hear "breaking glass" or musical beeps" when you turn on your Mac. Authorized Apple Service ProvidersIf all else fails, you can take the computer to an Authorized Apple Service Provider if you think it needs to be repaired. If your computer is still under warranty, check what will be covered before you have any work done. If you are still able to see the hard drive it's a good idea to back up all important information onto disks (i.e. floppy, zip, jazz, CD) before taking the computer in to be repaired. If for some reason your hard disk is damaged or erased (accidents do happen) then you will still have your data. As of January 2005, here is a list of Apple Service Providers for Higher Education on Oahu. For up-to-date Service Provider information, please visit Apple's Authorized Apple Service Provider Locator web page.
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