Apple G4 15 User Manual
Getting Sta r te d
With Your PowerBook G4
Includes setup, expansion, and troubleshooting
information for PowerBook G4 computers
K
Apple Computer, Inc.
©
2001 Apple Computer , Inc. All rights reserved.
Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Apple.
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printing or clerical errors.
Apple Computer, Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014-2084
408-996-1010
http://www.apple.com
Apple, the Apple logo, AppleTalk, FireWire, Mac, Macintosh, the Mac OS logo, PowerBook, QuickTime, and Sherlock
are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
AirPort, the Apple Store, and iMovie are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
ENERGY ST AR
®
is a U.S. registered trademark.
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Other company and product names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of
third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a
recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance or use of these products.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby,” “Pro Logic” and the double-D symbol are trademarks
of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works,
©
1992–1997 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.
The product described in this manual incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method
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rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation and is
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Simultaneously published in the United States and Canada.
Contents
1 Getting Started 5
Plugging In the Computer 6
Opening the Display 7
Turning the Computer On 8
Moving Items on the Screen 9
Adjusting the Internal Display 10
Where to Go From Here 12
What to Do When You Are Finished Working 13
2 Getting to Know Your Computer 15
Basic Features of Your PowerBook 16
Additional Features of Your PowerBook 18
Inside Your PowerBook 20
Sherlock 2—Your Internet Search Detective 22
iTools—Free Internet Services for Mac Users 24
Apple.com—Your Starting Place on the World Wide Web 26
QuickTime—Audio and Video on the Internet 28
iMovie 2—Create and Edit Your Own Digital Movies 30
Auto Updating—Automatically Keep Your Mac on the Cutting Edge 32
Multiple Users—Turn One Mac Into Many 34
Mac Help—Answers to All Your Macintosh Questions 36
3 Using Your Computer 37
Universal Serial Bus (USB) 38
FireWire 40
PC Cards 42
3
AirPort Wireless Internet and Networking 43
Ethernet (10/100Base-T) 44
Infrared (IrDA) 45
External Video Support (VGA and S-Video) 46
Battery 49
DVD Drive 52
Keyboard Controls and Programmable Function Keys 54
Security Slot and Keyboard Lock 56
4 Working Inside Your Computer 57
Installing Additional Memory 58
Installing an AirPort Card 65
Removing the Internal Hard Disk 70
5 Troubleshooting 77
Information in This Chapter 77
Problems That Prevent You From Using Your Computer 78
Other Problems 80
Locating Your Product Serial Number 80
Appendix A
Specifications 81
PowerBook Specifications 82
Appendix B
Care, Use, and Safety Information 85
Cleaning Your PowerBook 85
Storing Your PowerBook 85
Safety Instructions for Setting Up and Using Your Computer 86
General Safety Instructions 87
Ergonomics 88
Contents
4
CHAPTER
1
Getting Started
1
Your PowerBook has been designed so that you can set it up quickly and start using it right
away. If you have never used a PowerBook or are new to Macintosh computers, read this
section for instructions on getting started and where to get more information.
If you are an experienced user, you may already know enough to get started. Be sure to look
over the information in Chapter 2, “Getting to Know Your Computer,” to find out about the
new features of this PowerBook.
Phone cord
Composite-to-S-video cable
Important
carefully before you plug your computer into a wall socket.
Read all the installation instructions and safety information (see page 85)
Power cordPower adapter
5
Plugging In the Computer
Plugging in the power adapter recharges the computer’s battery. You should plug in the
power adapter in case the battery has been drained during shipping or storage.
Plug one end of the power cord into the power adapter and the other end into an outlet.
1
2
Plug the power adapter plug into the power adapter port (marked with the icon ¯) on the
back of the computer.
Power adapter plug
Power cord
¯ Power adapter port
G
™
Power adapter
Æ
W
W
Internal modem
Telephone
cord
Connecting the Internal Modem
If you want to connect to the Internet right away, connect one end of the phone cord to the
internal modem port (marked with the icon W) and the other end to an analog telephone
line (the type of telephone line found in most residences).
Warning
Do not connect a digital telephone line to the modem, because the wrong type
of line could damage the modem.
Chapter 1
6
Opening the Display
Push the display release button.
1
2
Open the display and position it at a comfortable viewing angle.
®
Getting Started
7
Turning the Computer On
To turn on the computer, press the Power button (®). You should hear a tone when you
turn on the computer. It takes the computer a few moments to start up.
® Power button
®
Problems Turning the Computer On?
Nothing happens when you press the Power button.
m
The battery may be drained. Make sure that you plugged in the power adapter, and
that the adapter is firmly connected to both the computer and a power source.
m
If the computer still doesn’t start up when you press the Power button, use the tip
of a pen to press the reset button (see page 18) on the back of the computer. Wait a
few seconds and then press the Power button again.
m
If the computer still doesn’t start up, see page 79.
There is a slight delay before the computer starts up.
m
This is normal. When you press the Power button, the PowerBook checks its
memory before it starts up. The more memory installed, the longer the delay.
You see a picture of a disk or a folder with a blinking question mark.
m
This icon usually means that the computer can’t find system software on the hard
disk or any disks attached to the computer. You may need to reinstall system
software. See page 78.
Chapter 1
8
Moving Items on the Screen
You use your PowerBook trackpad to move items and select items on the screen, much as
you use a mouse with a desktop computer. To move the arrow pointer on the screen, slide
your finger across the trackpad. To select, click, or double-click an item on the screen, use
the trackpad button.
Note:
Instead of using the trackpad button, you can click and double-click directly on the
trackpad. You turn on this option in the Trackpad control panel.
®
Trackpad Trackpad button
The trackpad is sensitive to how quickly you move your finger. To move the pointer a short
distance across the screen, move your finger slowly across the trackpad. The faster you move
your finger, the farther the pointer moves on the screen.
Tips for Using the Trackpad
For best results when using the trackpad, keep in mind these tips:
m
Use only one finger. Do not use a pen or any other object.
m
Keep your finger and the trackpad dry. If the trackpad becomes moist from
humidity or condensation, gently wipe it with a clean cloth before you use it.
m
Never use any kind of cleaning solution on the trackpad.
For more information on using the trackpad, see Mac Help or Mac Tutorials, available
in the Help menu.
Getting Started
9
Adjusting the Internal Display
Before you begin working with your new PowerBook, you may need to adjust your display so
that items on the screen are easy to see.
Adjusting the Brightness and Display Resolution
Use the keys labeled with the ¤ icon to adjust screen brightness.
¤ Brightness controls
®
Chapter 1
10
Adjusting the Display Resolution
You can increase the size of images on your display by switching from the standard resolution
to a scaled resolution. Click the Resolution icon in the Control Strip.
Resolution icon
About the Resolutions Supported by the Built-In Display
.
Your PowerBook has a wide screen display with a native resolution of 1152 x 768 that also
supports standard resolutions such as 1024 x 768. When you use a standard resolution, a
black band appears on each side of the display.
Note:
Most applications automatically switch to the best resolution for the application.
You may want to use a standard resolution when mirroring your display on an external
monitor or when using certain applications (such as games or presentation software) that are
designed for a standard resolution.
Note:
If you use an application designed for a standard resolution and do not want to see
the black bands, you can choose the “stretched” version of the resolution to stretch the
image to cover the entire screen and eliminate the black bands. To access additional
stretched resolutions, hold down the Control key when you click the Resolution icon in the
Control Strip.
You can choose a resolution of 896 x 600 or smaller in the Control Strip and Monitors control
panel. These are known as “scaled resolutions.” When you switch to a scaled resolution,
items on the screen appear larger, making them easier to see. However, scaled resolutions
may not be as sharp as the display’s native resolution.
Getting Started
11
Where to Go From Here
You’ve done everything you need to get your PowerBook up and running. The first time that
you turn your computer on, the Macintosh Setup Assistant takes you through the process of
configuring your computer and setting up for the Internet.
If you would like additional information, see the following:
To learn about...
Shutting down your computer or putting it to
sleep
What you can do with the hardware and
software features of your PowerBook
The additional information available in the
onscreen help
Using a specific feature of your PowerBook Chapter 3, “Using Your Computer.”
Installing memory, installing an AirPort Card,
or removing the hard disk
What to do if you have a problem with your
PowerBook
Calibrating Your Battery for Best Performance
See...
“What to Do When You Are F inished Working”
on page 13.
Chapter 2, “Getting to Know Your Computer.”
“Mac Help—Answers to All Your Macintosh
Questions” on page 36.
Chapter 4, “Working Inside Your Computer.”
Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting.”
To get the longest running time from your PowerBook battery, let the battery run down and
then fully charge it one time. Follow these steps:
Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook battery until the battery
1
indicator lights and the onscreen meter (see page 50) indicate that the battery is fully
charged.
Disconnect the power adapter and use your PowerBook until you see the first low
2
battery warning.
Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.
3
Important
You only have to fully discharge and then charge your battery once to calibrate
it. After that, you can connect and disconnect the power adapter when the battery is at any
charge level.
Chapter 1
12
What to Do When You Are Finished Working
When you have finished working with your PowerBook, you have two options.
Put Your PowerBook to Sleep
If you are only going to be away from your PowerBook for a short time, put the computer to
sleep. When the computer is in sleep, you can quickly wake it and bypass the startup process.
When the computer is in sleep, its screen is dark and a small white light below the display
pulsates.
To put the computer to sleep quickly, do one of the following:
m
Close the display.
m
Choose Sleep from the Special menu.
Warning
Wait a few seconds until the sleep light starts pulsating (indicating that the
computer is in sleep and the hard disk has stopped spinning) before you move your
PowerBook. Moving your computer while the hard disk is spinning can damage your
computer.
To wake the computer:
m
If the display is closed, open it. Your PowerBook automatically wakes from sleep when
you open the display. (You can turn off this option in the Energy Saver control panel.)
m
If the display is already open, press the Power button (®) or any key on the keyboard.
Shut Down Your PowerBook
If you are not going to use your PowerBook for a day or two, shut it down. To shut down the
PowerBook, do one of the following:
m
Choose Shut Down from the Special menu.
m
Press the Power button and click Shut Down in the dialog box that appears on the screen:
Note:
If you plan to store your PowerBook for an extended period of time, see “Storing Your
PowerBook” on page 85 for additional steps to prevent your battery from completely draining.
Getting Started
13
CHAPTER
2
Getting to Know Your Computer
2
If you’re eager to get started and want to try out a few things on your PowerBook, this
chapter is for you. It provides an overview of your computer’s hardware and software
features along with the unique Internet services available to Mac owners.
Out of the box, your PowerBook is a full-featured notebook computer. It includes the latest
in computer technology such as a PowerPC™ G4 processor, FireWire, USB, and support for
AirPort wireless Internet and networking. On top of this hardware runs the Mac OS operating
system. Included with the Mac OS are powerful features that allow you to use the Internet to
watch video, research information, shop, and even update your software automatically.
With your PowerBook you also get iMovie, an easy-to-use digital video editing application
that lets you use your PowerBook to create desktop movies. Simply connect a digital video
camera to the FireWire port on your PowerBook, open iMovie, and you’re ready to create
your own movies.
On top of all this, Apple provides you with free Internet services that give you storage space
on the Internet, a personal Mac.com email address, tools to easily create your own Web site
or iMovie theater, and more.
If You Are New to the Mac
If this is your first Macintosh computer, start with the Mac Tutorials (see page 36) to learn
how to use the trackpad to move items on the screen, go to a site on the World Wide Web,
and more. To access the tutorials, choose Mac Tutorials from the Help menu.
In This Chapter
Here you’ll find a great selection of your computer’s features presented and briefly
explained. Take a test drive and see what your PowerBook can do.
Note:
Because Apple frequently releases new versions and updates to its system software,
applications, and Internet site, images shown in this manual may be slightly different from
what you see on your screen.
15
Basic Features of Your PowerBook
Sleep indicator light
Built-in speaker/
microphone
Function
key
Keyboard
release tab
¤
controls
-
Volume
controls
Display
release button
Keyboard
lock
Trackpad Slot-loading
Brightness
Num Lock
key
Trackpad
button
— Mute
control
DVD-ROM drive
Programmable
function keys
Keyboard
release tab
® Power button
®
Security slot
Built-in speaker
AirPort antenna
window
Media
Eject key
Chapter 2
16
Brightness controls
¤
Increase or decrease the brightness of your PowerBook display using these keys on your
PowerBook keyboard.
Volume controls
-
Increase or decrease the volume of the sound coming from the built-in speakers and sound
output port.
Mute control
—
Turn the sound from the PowerBook built-in speakers and sound output port off and on.
Keyboard lock
Protect the internal components of your PowerBook by preventing the keyboard from
being easily opened.
Num Lock key
Activate the numeric keypad embedded in the PowerBook keyboard.
Media Eject key
Press this key to eject a CD or DVD disc.
Power button
®
Turn your PowerBook on and off or put it to sleep.
Slot-loading DVD-ROM drive
Use the DVD-ROM drive to install and run programs, play music CDs, play DVD-Video
discs, or reinstall system software. To eject a disc, drag the disc’s icon to the Trash or use
the Media Eject key on the keyboard.
Function (Fn) key
Press and hold this key to activate the function keys (F1–F12).
Keyboard release tabs
When you need to access the internal memory slots, pull these tabs down to release the
PowerBook keyboard.
Microphone
Record sounds directly on your PowerBook hard disk with this built-in microphone
(located under the speaker cover). You can also connect an external microphone to one of
the USB ports or use a professional microphone that connects to a PCMCIA Card.
Security slot
Ç
Protect your PowerBook by connecting a security cable.
Sleep indicator
A white light pulsates when the PowerBook is in sleep.
Trackpad
Move the pointer on the PowerBook display. With the Trackpad control panel, you can set
the trackpad to double-click and select items directly instead of using the trackpad button.
Getting to Know Your Computer
17
Additional Features of Your PowerBook
G
™
¯ Power
adapter port
FireWire
port
Ethernet port
G
(10/100Base-T)
Sleep indicator light
™ External
monitor port
2
1
G
USB ports (2)
™
Æ
Æ
W
TV out port
W
Internal
modem port
W
Reset button
AirPort
antenna
window
PC Card
eject button
PC Card slot
Headphone
f
port
Infrared
window
18 Chapter 2
FireWire port
Connect high-speed external devices, such as digital video cameras, printers, and external
storage devices.
Ethernet port (10/100 Base-T)
G
Connect to a high-speed 10/100Base-T Ethernet network or connect to another computer
and transfer files.
Two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports
Connect additional equipment to your PowerBook, such as printers, external storage
devices, modems, keyboards, and joysticks.
External monitor (VGA) port
™
Connect to an external monitor or projection device that uses a VGA-style connector.
TV out (S-video out) port
Æ
Connect your PowerBook to a television, VCR, or other video device. You can use TV out
for presentations or to play a DVD-Video on your television.
PowerBook reset button
Reset the computer with this button when you cannot shut it down using the Power
button.
Internal modem port
W
Connect a standard phone line directly to the internal modem.
Infrared window
Use infrared (IR) communication to send files to another IR-equipped computer, print on
an IR-equipped printer, or connect to an IR network that uses the IrDA standard. You can
also use IR to synchronize with certain handheld personal assistants or use a cellular
telephone (where applicable) to connect to your Internet service provider.
Headphone port
f
Connect external speakers, headphones, or other sound output device.
PC Card slot
Expand the capabilities of your PowerBook using this Type II PC Card slot that supports
both PCMCIA and CardBus formats.
Getting to Know Your Computer 19
Inside Your PowerBook
PowerBook with the keyboard flipped over and internal RAM slot visible
Upper
memory
slot
Lower
memory
slot (filled)
PowerBook turned over with the bottom case removed
Battery
Bottom case
®
Keyboard
flipped over
AirPort Card slot
AirPort antenna
Hard disk
Serial number Ethernet ID
20 Chapter 2
Memory slots
Your PowerBook comes with two memory slots, one above the other. The lower slot
contains the memory module that came with your PowerBook. You can install an additional
memory module in the upper slot. (If you ordered your PowerBook with additional
memory, the upper slot may already be filled.) The maximum amount of RAM you can
install in your PowerBook is 1 gigabyte (GB), using a 512 megabyte (MB) memory module
in each slot. For instructions, see “Installing Additional Memory” on page 58.
Optional AirPort Card
Installing an AirPort Card in your computer allows access to a wireless network. For
instructions, see “Installing an AirPort Card” on page 65.
AirPort antenna cable
The end of the built-in AirPort antenna attaches to the end of the optional AirPort Card.
Removable hard disk
You can remove the internal hard disk for service or security. For instructions, see
“Removing the Internal Hard Disk” on page 70.
Getting to Know Your Computer 21
Sherlock 2—Your Internet Search Detective
Sherlock channels
Search the Internet for
people, shopping, news,
Apple info, and more.
Search sites
Search engines that
Sherlock uses to search
the Internet.
Search button
After you type what
you are looking for,
click this button to
start the search.
22 Chapter 2
What You Can Do
Sherlock 2 is your search detective and personal shopper on the Internet. It provides an easy
way to find people, news, and just about anything. Shop for books and music and search
auction sites, find the best prices—even check product availability.
To Get Started
1
Connect to the Internet.
2 Choose Search Internet from the File menu or double-click the Sherlock icon on the
desktop.
3 Select a Sherlock channel.
4 Type what you are looking for and click the Search button.
Tips and Tricks
Create your own customized Sherlock search channel
1 Choose New Channel from the Channels menu.
2 Select a name, channel type, and icon.
3 Download Sherlock plug-ins and drag them into the search site list. Or hold down the
Option key and drag plug-ins from the other search lists to the icon of your new channel.
To Learn More
To learn more about what you can do with Sherlock, open Mac Help and search for
“Sherlock.” To download additional search plug-ins and find out how you can create your
own Sherlock plug-in, go to the Sherlock Web site at www.apple.com/sherlock
Getting to Know Your Computer 23
iTools—Free Internet Services for Mac Users
Email
Get your own Mac.com email address.
It’s easy and free, and it works with your
favorite email clients.
iDisk
With your very own 20 megabyte storage
space on Apple’s Internet server, iDisk is
the easy way to share files over the
Internet. Using iDisk, you can easily share
photos and movies, as well as import
them into your own Web site.
KidSafe
KidSafe makes the Internet a safer place
for your kids. KidSafe gives them access
to more than 75,000 educator-approved
Web sites and blocks all the rest.
HomePage
Build your own personal Web site in three
easy steps. Create a birth announcement,
résumé, or photo album, or set up your
own iMovie theater. Apple will even host
your Web site on its Internet server, so it’s
always there for the world to see.
24 Chapter 2
What You Can Do
iTools is a new class of Internet services from Apple created exclusively for Mac users. With
iTools, you can get your own Mac.com email address, make the Internet safer for your
children, and share photos and movies. You can even create your own Web site.
To Get Started
1
Connect to the Internet.
2 Go to www.apple.com
3 Click the iTools tab and then click the Free Sign Up button.
Tips and Tricks
Upload pictures to your iDisk to create custom iCards
You can send iCards with your own custom pictures. Save your images as GIF or JPEG files
and then copy them to the Pictures folder on your iDisk. Your images will appear as picture
choices when you create an iCard in the Create Your Own section.
Start with a HomePage template to create your own Web page in minutes
HomePage has Web page templates that you can modify with your own text and images. For
example, teachers can use the HomePage education templates to post recent class news,
homework assignments, and other information for parents. You can also use the HomePage
photo album and iMovie templates to share your pictures and movies easily with your friends
and family.
Create an alias of your iDisk for easy access
Instead of connecting to the Web manually to open your iDisk, you can select the icon of
your iDisk and choose Make Alias from the File menu. Whenever you want to access your
iDisk, double-click the alias and enter your password.
Use KidSafe in conjunction with the Multiple Users control panel
Use the Multiple Users control panel to set up your computer for your entire family to share.
Then set up KidSafe for each of your children’s accounts.
Getting to Know Your Computer 25
Apple.com—Your Starting Place on the World Wide Web
iReview
www.apple.com/ireview
Your personal guide to the
Internet, with in-depth reviews
and recommendations of sites
ranging from news to travel,
music, and sports.
iCards
www.apple.com/icards
Use the Internet to send greeting
cards to your friends and family.
Macintosh
Products Guide
www.apple.com/guide
For great hardware and software
products for your Mac, check
this Web site or look for
the Mac symbol.
26 Chapter 2
Apple Support
www.apple.com/support
Find the latest troubleshooting
information, download software
updates, find information on
product protection plans,
and more.
Apple Hot News
www.apple.com/hotnews
Want the latest Apple news straight
from the source? Check out Apple
Hot News. You can find information
on software updates for your Mac
and third-party software, QuickTime
hot picks, and information on the
next big Apple event.
The Apple Store
www.apple.com/store
Your one-stop shop for
the latest Apple hardware and
software products, including
select software and accessories
from third-party developers.
Getting to Know Your Computer 27
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