ACMT Fast Track

Individuals wishing to become an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) must complete one hardware and one software exam at a minimum. (This course covers all the necessary content included in the ACMT 8 day course but reduces the course length down to 4 days removing all Take-Apart Labs and some additional and historical theory.)

Apple Certified Desktop Technician Certification: The hardware exam allows an individual to focus on Apple desktop computers.

Apple Macintosh Hardware Exam (9L0-006)
The Mac OS requirement is to ensure that technicians have the knowledge to quickly and efficiently differentiate between software and hardware issues. The software exam is specific to the Mac Operating System (Mac OS X 10.5).

• Mac OS X v10.5 Service and Support Troubleshooting Exam (9L0-061)

Course Outline

Apple Ethics
This introductory chapter provides an overview of Apple's business policies regarding ethics, privacy, and proper business conduct as it relates to Apple.

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
• Optical drives
• DVI , ADC, VGA, Mini Display Port
• Modem
• Ethernet
• Airport
• Bluetooth
• FireWire
• USB
• SCSI, ATA, SAS
• Infrared
• Universal Motherboard Architecture
• Audio & Video in/out

Intel-Based Macintosh Foundations

• Explanation of the transition made by Apple from PowerPC to Intel Macintoshes.
• How the Hardware and Software differ and how to troubleshoot them.

Troubleshooting and Administrative Reference Tools and Materials
Looking at online tools, such as Global Service Exchange (GSX), Knowledge Base, Service Source and the Discussion Board.

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 OSX and third party troubleshooting tools and utilities

General Troubleshooting

• 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 Desktops 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) and CRT Safety and discharge, as well as how to safely clean a computer and monitor.

Accidental Damage

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

CRT Display Tools, Adjustments and Troubleshooting
Overview of CRT’s, differences between Aperture grill and Shadow mask and looking at how to adjust CRT’s.

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

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

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

Liquid Crystal Displays
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 – Wireless and Airport

• Looking at 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g as well as Apple's hardware range of Apple Base Stations.
• A separate section Introduces the new Wifi standard (802.11n) and Apple's new hardware and software solutions which support it.

Apple Desktops Product Range Introduction

Xserves
Introduction to Apple Servers. How to troubleshoot the hardware of Apple's High-End Servers.

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 indepth look into Power destribution including how Power Adaptors and Batteries work and how to troubleshoot them.

Mac OS X v10.5 Service and Support Troubleshooting Course

Installing Mac OS X v10.5

• Basic Usage
• OSX Boot Process, Startup and Login
• Preferences and troubleshooting
• Managing Users and Permissions
• File Systems
• Leopard Time Machine
• Leopard Parental Controls
• Leopard Applications and Troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting Tools and Tips
• OSX Networking, File Sharing and Internet Access
• Printing and Other Peripherals
• Additional OSX Troubleshooting