PowerBook G4 12-inch
Getting Started
Includes setup, expansion, and
troubleshooting information for
your PowerBook G4 computer
K
Apple Computer, Inc.
© 2004 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.
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1
Contents
Chapter 1 5 Getting Started
6
Basic Features of Your PowerBook
8
Additional Features of Your PowerBook
10
Setting Up
16
How Do I Turn My PowerBook Off?
17
Calibrating Your Battery
18
What’s Next?
Chapter 2 19 The Basics
19
Getting to Know Your New PowerBook
20
Adjusting Your Display
21
Using Your Power Adapter
22
Using the Trackpad
23
Using the Keyboard
23
Using a Mouse
24
Learning About Mac OS X
24
Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences
25
Connecting to a Printer
26
Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones
27
Keeping Your Software Up to Date
27
Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire or USB Device
28
Connecting to a Network
28
Using the Internet
28
Transferring Files to Another Computer
29
When an Application Freezes
Chapter 3 31 Using Your Computer
32
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
34
FireWire
36
Using Bluetooth Devices
37
AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking and Internet Access
38
Ethernet (10/100Base-T)
39
Using Your Modem
3
39
Connecting Speakers and Audio Devices
40
External Video Support (DVI, VGA, Composite, and S-Video)
43
Using Your Optical Drive
46
Battery
49
Security Slot
Chapter 4 51 Adding Memory to Your Computer
51
Installing Additional Memory
Chapter 5 57 Troubleshooting
58
Problems That Prevent You From Using Your Computer
59
Other Problems
61
Restoring Your Computer’s Software
62
Locating Your Product Serial Number
Appendix A 63 Specifications
Appendix B 65 Care, Use, and Safety Information
65
Cleaning Your PowerBook
65
Carrying Your PowerBook
65
Storing Your PowerBook
66
Safety Instructions for Setting Up and Using Your Computer
67
General Safety Instructions
68
Battery
68
Connectors and Ports
68
Avoid Hearing Damage
68
Apple and the Environment
69
Ergonomics
Appendix C 71 Connecting to the Internet
73
Gathering the Information You Need
74
Entering Your Information
75
Dial-Up Modem With Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) Connections
77
DSL, Cable Modem, or LAN Internet Connections
83
AirPort Extreme Wireless Connection
86
Troubleshooting Your Connection
Appendix D 89 Top Ten Questions
93
Communications Regulation Information
Index 99
4
Contents
1
Getting Started
Your PowerBook is a full-featured notebook computer.
Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter
AC plug
1
Phone cord
Important:
carefully before you plug your computer into a wall socket.
Read all the installation instructions and safety information (see page 65)
AC cordPower adapter
5
Basic Features of Your PowerBook
AirPort Extreme
antenna window
Built-in speaker
(located under
speaker grille)
AirPort Extreme
antenna window
Microphone
Function
key (Fn)
Sleep
indicator
light
Brightness
¤
controls
release button
— Mute
control
-
Volume
controls
Trackpad
button
TrackpadDisplay
Video Mode
Toggle key
Num Lock
key
®
Slot-loading
optical drive
Function keys
® Power button
Built-in speaker
Media
Eject key
6 Chapter 1
Getting Started
Brightness controls
¤
Increase or decrease the brightness of your PowerBook display.
Volume controls
-
Increase or decrease the volume of the sound coming from the built-in speakers and headphone
port.
Num Lock key
Activate the numeric keypad embedded in the PowerBook keyboard. When the numeric keypad is
activated, a green light glows on the key.
Video Mode Toggle key
Use this key to switch between dual-display mode and video-mirroring mode.
Media Eject key
Press and hold this key to eject a disc. You can also eject a disc by dragging its desktop icon to the
Trash.
Microphone
Record sounds directly on your PowerBook hard disk with this built-in microphone.
Built-in stereo speakers
Listen to music, movies, games, and multimedia.
Function (Fn) key
Press and hold this key to activate the function keys (F1 to F12).
Sleep indicator light
A white light pulsates when the PowerBook is in sleep.
Display release button
Push this button to release your display and open your PowerBook.
Trackpad
Move the pointer on the PowerBook display.
Slot-loading optical drive
Your optical drive can read CD-ROM discs, Photo CDs, standard audio discs, DVD-ROM and DVD-R
discs, DVD movies, and other kinds of media. It can also write music, documents, and other digital
files on CD-R and CD-RW discs. If you have a SuperDrive, you can also write to DVD-R discs.
Power button
®
Turn your PowerBook on and off or put it to sleep.
AirPort Extreme antenna windows
With an AirPort Extreme Base Station or other wireless hub, connect to the Internet wirelessly.
For additional information about AirPort Extreme or your optical drive, see Chapter 3, “Using Your
Computer,” on page 31.
Chapter 1
Getting Started
7
Additional Features of Your PowerBook
®
¯ Power
adapter port
Ethernet port
G
(10/100Base-T)
W
Internal
modem port
FireWire 400
port
USB 2.0 ports
Mini-DVI
port
Audio line in port
Security slot
Headphone port
f
8 Chapter 1
Getting Started
¯
Power adapter port
Plug in the included Apple Portable Power Adapter to recharge your PowerBook battery.
Internal modem port
W
Connect a standard phone line directly to the internal modem.
Ethernet port (10/100Base-T)
G
Connect to a high-speed 10/100Base-T Ethernet network or connect to another computer and transfer
files. The Ethernet port auto-sensing feature detects other Ethernet devices. You don’t need an
Ethernet crossover cable to connect to other Ethernet devices.
FireWire port (400)
Connect high-speed external devices, such as digital videocameras, and external storage devices. For
more information, see page 34.
Two USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports
Connect additional equipment to your PowerBook, such as printers, external storage devices, digital
cameras, modems, keyboards, and joysticks.
Mini-DVI (external monitor) port
Using the included Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter, connect your PowerBook to an Apple flat-panel display
or other display that has a DVI connector. Connect to an external monitor or projection device that
uses a VGA connector with the included Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter. You can also use a Mini-DVI to
Video Adapter (sold separately) for composite and S-video support to connect to a television, VCR, or
another video device.
Audio line in port
Connect your PowerBook to a line-level microphone or other audio equipment.
Headphone (audio line out) port
f
Connect external speakers, headphones, or other sound output devices.
Security slot
Protect your PowerBook by connecting a security cable.
For additional information about these features, see Chapter 3, “Using Your Computer,” on page 31.
Chapter 1
Getting Started
9
Setting Up
Your PowerBook is designed so that you can set it up quickly and start using it right
away.
Step 1: Plug In the Power Adapter
m
Plug the AC plug of your power adapter into an outlet and the power adapter plug into
the PowerBook power adapter port.
AC plug
Important:
Be sure to snap the electrical prongs on your AC plug into their completely
extended position before you plug the adapter into the outlet.
AC plug
Power adapter plug
AC cord
¯ Power adapter port
To extend the reach of your power adapter, you can attach the AC cord if desired.
See “Using Your Power Adapter” on page 21.
10 Chapter 1
Getting Started
Step 2: Prepare to Get Connected
The first time you start up your computer, a setup assistant welcomes you and takes
you through the registration process. It will also help you set up your computer and
Internet connection. Internet access usually requires an account with an Internet
service provider (ISP). Fees may apply.
Setting up your Internet connection usually requires you to supply information such as
the account name your ISP gives you. If you’re not ready to set up your connection yet,
you can skip that process and come back to it later. See Appendix C, “Connecting to the
Internet,” on page 71 for information about how to set it up later. If you are ready,
gather the information below for the type of connection you’ll be using.
You can write information from your ISP or network administrator on these pages, then
enter it in Setup Assistant.
To set up a telephone dial-up connection, gather the following information:
• Service provider name
• User or account name
• Password
• ISP phone number
• Alternate phone number
• Dialing prefix to obtain an outside line
To set up a DSL, cable modem, LAN, or AirPort Extreme wireless connection:
m
First, choose your connection method (ask your system administrator or your ISP,
if you don’t know):
• Manually
• Using DHCP with a manual address
• Using DHCP
• Using BootP
• PPP
If you’re unsure which method to use, “Using DHCP” may be a good choice, because
the network supplies most of the required information for you automatically.
If you selected “Manually” or “Using DHCP with a manual address,” gather the following:
• IP address
• Subnet mask
• Router address
Note: If you selected “Using DHCP with a manual address,” you don’t need a subnet
mask or router address.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 11
If you selected “Using DHCP,” gather the following optional information (ask your ISP if
you need it):
• DHCP client ID
• DNS servers
If you selected “PPP” (for PPPoE connections), gather the following:
• Service provider
• Account name
• Password
• PPPoE service name
The information below is optional. Ask your ISP or system administrator if you need it.
• DNS servers
• Domain name
• Proxy server
Step 3: Connect Your Cables
Next, connect your PowerBook to a phone line, DSL modem, cable modem, or Ethernet
network. If you’re connecting to a wireless AirPort Extreme network, you don’t need
cables.
To connect to a phone line:
m
Connect the phone cord from a wall jack to the internal modem port for a dial-up
connection.
Telephone cord
W
Internal modem port
12 Chapter 1 Getting Started
®
Make sure you connect the internal modem to an analog phone line—the kind used
typically in homes. The modem will not work with a digital phone line.
Warning: Do not connect a digital telephone line to the modem; the wrong
type of line could damage the modem. Contact your telephone service provider if
you are unsure whether you have a digital telephone line.
For more information about your modem, see “Using Your Modem” on page 39. For
information on other types of connections, see Appendix C, “Connecting to the
Internet,” on page 71.
To connect to a DSL or cable modem or an Ethernet network:
m
Connect the cable to your DSL or cable modem as shown in the modem instructions,
or connect the Ethernet cord to the Ethernet hub or outlet. Then connect the other
end of the cord to the computer’s Ethernet port.
Ethernet cord
G
Ethernet port
(10/100Base-T)
®
Chapter 1 Getting Started 13
Step 4: Turn On Your PowerBook
With your setup information gathered, you’re ready to start up your computer. Once
you do, Setup Assistant opens automatically to help you.
1 To turn on the computer, press the Power button (®).
Note: When you press the Power button to start up your computer, press it only once
briefly (up to 1 second). Do not continue to hold down or press the Power button after
the startup tone or you may cause the computer to shut down again.
® Power button
®
You should hear a startup tone when you turn on the computer. It takes the computer
a few moments to start up.
Problems Turning the Computer On?
Nothing happens when you press the Power button.
• The battery may be drained. Make sure that you plugged the power adapter firmly
into both the computer and a power source. The plug should light when you plug
it into the computer.
• If the computer still doesn’t start up, see “Problems That Prevent You From Using
Your Computer” on page 58.
You see a picture of a disk or a folder with a blinking question mark.
• This icon usually means that the computer can’t find system software on the hard
disk or any disks attached to the computer. Try restarting. Hold down the Power
button for 4 to 5 seconds until the computer turns off. Then press the Power button
again. If the problem persists, you may need to reinstall system software. See
“Restoring Your Computer’s Software” on page 61.
14 Chapter 1 Getting Started
2 Use your PowerBook trackpad to select and move 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.
®
Trackpad
Trackpad button
For tips on using the trackpad, see “Tips for Using the Trackpad” on page 22.
Congratulations, you’re up and running!
Chapter 1 Getting Started 15
How Do I Turn My PowerBook Off?
When you have finished working with your PowerBook, you can put your computer to
sleep or shut it down.
Putting Your PowerBook to Sleep
If you will be away from your PowerBook for only a short time, put the computer to
sleep. When the computer is in sleep, you can quickly wake it and bypass the startup
process.
To put the computer to sleep, do one of the following:
• Close the display.
• Choose Apple (K) > Sleep from the menu bar.
• Press the Power button (®) and click Sleep in the dialog that appears.
Warning: Wait a few seconds until the white sleep light on the display latch 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 the hard disk, causing loss of data or the inability to start
up from the hard disk.
To wake the computer:
• If the display is closed, open it. Your PowerBook automatically wakes from sleep when
you open the display.
• If the display is already open, press the Power button (®) or any key on the keyboard.
16 Chapter 1 Getting Started
Shutting Down Your PowerBook
If you aren’t going to use your PowerBook for a day or two, shut it down.
To shut down your computer, do one of the following:
• Choose Apple (K) > Shut Down from the menu bar.
• Press the Power button (®) and click Shut Down in the dialog that appears.
If you plan to store your PowerBook for an extended period of time, see “Storing Your
PowerBook” on page 65 for information on how to prevent your battery from draining
completely.
Calibrating Your Battery
To get the longest running time from your PowerBook battery, complete the following
steps sometime during the first week you have your PowerBook.
To initially calibrate your battery, follow these steps:
1 Plug in the power adapter and fully charge your PowerBook battery until the light on
the power adapter plug changes to green and the onscreen meter in the menu bar
indicates that the battery is fully charged.
2 Disconnect the power adapter and use your PowerBook.
When your battery gets low, you will see the first low-battery warning dialog on the
screen. Continue to use your PowerBook until it automatically goes to sleep; at that
point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
3 Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged
again.
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.
If you purchased additional batteries, repeat the calibration procedure with the
additional batteries as well. For more information about your power adapter and
battery, see “Using Your Power Adapter” on page 21 and “Battery” on page 46.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 17
What’s Next?
• Learn the important basics about your PowerBook. Check out Chapter 2, “The Basics,”
on page 19.
• Have fun trying out your computer’s applications and Internet features. Browse the
Mac OS X booklet that came with your computer.
• If you’re unfamiliar with Mac OS X, open Mac OS Help and browse the information.
• Switching from another computer? Choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar and
see the “New to Mac OS X” section. It will help you use your previous computer
knowledge to get started on a Mac.
What If I Have More Questions?
Mac OS Help
Most of the information about using your Macintosh is available right on your
computer.
1 Click the Finder icon in the Dock (the bar of icons at the bottom of the screen).
2 Choose Help > Mac Help (click the Help menu in the menu bar and choose Mac Help).
3 Click the Search field, type a question, and press Return on your keyboard.
Other Support
• If you’re having a problem that prevents you from using your computer, see
Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting,” on page 57.
• Check out the top ten most commonly asked questions. See Appendix D, “Top Ten
Questions,” on page 89.
• For support information, user discussion boards, and the latest Apple software
downloads, go to www.apple.com/support.
• If you can’t find the answer to your problem in these places, see the AppleCare
materials that came with your computer for information on contacting Apple.
18 Chapter 1 Getting Started
2 The Basics
2
This chapter introduces important basics about your
PowerBook that you’ll want to know.
Getting to Know Your New PowerBook
Because your PowerBook is so thin and light, you can take it with you to the office,
library, class, or wherever you work or play.
Whenever you stop using your PowerBook, wait a few moments to let the hard disk
and any optical disc in your drive stop spinning before you transport the computer.
Avoid jostling or bumping your PowerBook while discs are spinning.
When using your PowerBook or when charging the battery, it is normal for the bottom
of the case to get warm. For prolonged use, place your PowerBook on a flat, stable
surface. The bottom of the case is raised slightly to allow airflow that keeps the unit
within normal operating temperatures.
As you get to know your new computer, you may hear small noises during startup and
when using your hard disk and optical drives. For example, your hard disk and optical
drives may whir and click as they access information or load and eject discs. After the
PowerBook runs for some time, a small fan may turn on to cool it, producing a faint
sound. Small noises are part of the PowerBook’s normal functioning.
For more safety instructions about handling and using your PowerBook in different
locations, be sure to see Appendix B, “Care, Use, and Safety Information,” on page 65.
19
Adjusting Your Display
Once you begin working with your new PowerBook, you may need to adjust your
display so that the screen is easier to see. Use the keys labeled with the ¤ icon to
adjust screen brightness.
¤ Brightness controls
®
You can increase or decrease the size of images on your display by switching from the
standard resolution to a scaled resolution. Your PowerBook has a 12.1-inch TFT XGA
display with a default resolution of 1024 x 768.
You can choose a resolution of 800 x 600 or lower (called “scaled” resolutions) in the
Displays pane of System Preferences. 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 they are at the display’s default resolution.
To adjust the resolution on your display:
m
Choose Apple (K) > System Preferences from the menu bar. Open the Displays pane of
System Preferences.
To control your display settings using the Displays icon in the menu bar, click “Show
displays in menu bar.”
20 Chapter 2 The Basics
Using Your Power Adapter
Plugging in the power adapter provides AC power to the computer and recharges the
computer’s battery.
Important: For optimal performance, use only the power adapter that came with your
computer.
When you first connect your power adapter to your computer, the adapter light glows
green for a second to indicate power is available. An amber light indicates that the
battery is being charged. A green light indicates that the battery is fully charged. You
can monitor the battery level using the Battery icon in the menu bar or by checking
the battery level indicator lights on the bottom of the battery (see page 46).
To extend the reach of your power adapter, remove the AC plug from the adapter.
Attach the included AC cord to the adapter and insert the other end into a wall outlet.
AC cord AC plug
Warning: Make sure the power adapter is fully assembled before plugging it into an
electrical outlet. If you’re using the AC plug with your power adapter, make sure the
two prongs are snapped into their completely extended position before plugging in
the adapter.
Use only the AC cord that came with your power adapter. Make sure to push the power
plug snugly into the power adapter port on the computer to ensure it is engaged and
power is flowing to the computer.
When disconnecting the power adapter from an outlet or from the computer, pull the
plug, not the cord.
For safety instructions about using your power adapter, see “Plugging In the Power
Adapter” on page 66.
Chapter 2 The Basics 21
Using the Trackpad
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:
• Use only one finger. Using more than one finger may cause erratic pointer
behavior.
• Do not use a pen or any other object.
• 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.
• Never use any kind of cleaning solution on the trackpad.
For more information on using the trackpad, choose Help > Mac Help from the menu
bar at the top of the screen.
Instead of using the trackpad button, you can use your finger to click and double-click
directly on the trackpad. You turn on this and other trackpad options in the Keyboard &
Mouse pane of System Preferences.
Note: If you find that the pointer moves as you type because you accidentally brush
the trackpad, you can avoid this problem by selecting the “Ignore accidental trackpad
input” option (in the Trackpad pane) in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System
Preferences.
22 Chapter 2 The Basics
Using the Keyboard
Your PowerBook keyboard has a numeric keypad incorporated in the standard
keyboard keys. Keys used for the numeric keypad have a smaller secondary label.
Num Lock key
Numeric keypad
®
®
To use the numeric keypad, press the Num Lock key. The Num Lock key glows green,
indicating that the keypad is active. When you’re finished, press the Num Lock key
again to turn it off.
Important: If your keyboard doesn’t seem to be working correctly, check the Num Lock
key. When the numeric keypad is active, other keys and keyboard equivalents for menu
commands (such as x-Q to quit) are deactivated.
If you like to use keyboard shortcuts to work efficiently, choose Help > Mac Help from
the menu bar and search for “shortcuts.” You’ll find quite a list of keyboard shortcuts for
many common procedures and applications.
Using a Mouse
If you have an Apple mouse with a USB connection, you can insert the USB connector
into the USB 2.0 port and use your mouse right away. You can purchase a USB mouse
from an Apple Authorized Reseller or from the Apple Store website:
www.apple.com/store. You can also use a wireless mouse that uses Bluetooth wireless
technology. For more information about Bluetooth wireless technology, see “Using
Bluetooth Devices” on page 36.
Chapter 2 The Basics 23
Learning About Mac OS X
Your computer comes with Mac OS X and features Classic, an environment for using
Mac OS 9 applications while the computer is running Mac OS X.
Note: Mac OS 9 cannot be installed as the primary operating system on your
PowerBook.
When you’re ready to learn more about Mac OS X and your Apple applications, see the
Mac OS X booklet that came with your PowerBook. Also open Mac OS Help and browse
the information there. You’ll find plenty of information for new users, experienced
users, and people switching to the Mac.
For information about the compatibility of software applications with Mac OS X, or to
read more about Mac OS X, check the Apple website: www.apple.com/macosx.
Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences
You can quickly make your desktop look the way you want using System Preferences.
Choose Apple (K) > System Preferences from the menu bar.
24 Chapter 2 The Basics
Feel free to make changes and experiment with the following:
• Appearance: Select this preference pane to change the colors of buttons, menus,
windows, and highlight colors, among other options.
• Desktop & Screen Saver: Select this preference pane to change the background color
or pattern of your desktop, or change it to a photo or image you like. You can also
choose an eye-catching screen effect that will appear on your screen when the
computer is left idle.
• Dock: Select this preference pane to change the look, location, and behavior of
your Dock.
As you get to know your computer, explore the other System Preferences. It is your
command center for most settings on your PowerBook. For more information, choose
Help > Mac Help from the menu bar and search for “System Preferences” or for the
specific preference pane you want to change.
Note: Because Apple frequently releases new versions and updates to its system
software, applications, and Internet sites, images shown in this book may be slightly
different from what you see on your screen.
Connecting to a Printer
To use a printer with your PowerBook, follow the instructions that came with the
printer to install required software and connect the printer. Many printers connect via a
USB cable; others are accessed via a network connection, such as Ethernet.
For more information about your USB ports, see “Universal Serial Bus (USB)” on
page 32. For more information about a network or wireless connection, see
“Ethernet (10/100Base-T)” on page 38 and “AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking and
Internet Access” on page 37.
After connecting and setting up your printer, use the Print & Fax pane of System
Preferences to select your printer for use. If you’re connecting to a printer via a network,
you may need to know the network name or address of the printer to select it. If you
have a USB printer connected to an AirPort Extreme Base Station, and you have an
AirPort Extreme Card installed in your PowerBook, you can connect to the printer and
print wirelessly.
To set up a printer:
1 Open System Preferences and click the Print & Fax icon.
2 Click the Set Up Printers button.
3 Click the Add button.
Chapter 2 The Basics 25
4 Choose the type of connection for your printer (for example, USB, AppleTalk, and so on)
from the pop-up menu.
To add a USB printer connected to an AirPort Extreme Base Station, choose Rendezvous
from the pop-up menu.
5 Select or enter your printer information and click Add.
Monitoring Printing
Once you’ve sent a document to a printer, you can monitor printing and halt or put it
temporarily on hold.
To monitor printing:
m
Click the Printer icon in the Dock to open the Printer window.
You can now see the print jobs in the print queue and work with them. For more
information, choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar and search for “printing.”
Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones
If you’d like to listen to music while you work, insert a music CD in your optical drive.
iTunes, an easy-to-use music player, appears automatically on the screen. You can also
connect headphones with a minijack to the headphone port of your PowerBook for
private listening. To learn more about iTunes, open iTunes and see the iTunes onscreen
help. To learn more about your optical drive, see “Using Your Optical Drive” on page 43.
Warning: Listening to music at high volume over extended periods of time can
damage your hearing.
26 Chapter 2 The Basics
Keeping Your Software Up to Date
You can connect to the Internet and automatically download and install the latest free
software versions, drivers, and other enhancements from Apple.
When you are connected to the Internet, Software Update checks Apple’s Internet
servers to see if any updates are available for your computer. You can set your Mac to
check the Apple server periodically and download and install updated software.
To check for updated software:
1 Open System Preferences.
2 Click the Software Update icon and follow the directions on the screen.
• For more information, search for “Software Update” in Mac OS Help.
• For the latest information on the Mac OS, go to the Mac OS website at
www.apple.com/macos.
Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire or USB Device
If you have a digital camera, videocamera, scanner, or other device that has a FireWire
or USB connector, you can connect it to your PowerBook. Follow the installation
instructions that came with your device. For more information about FireWire, see
“FireWire” on page 34. For more information about USB, see “Universal Serial Bus (USB)”
on page 32.
Chapter 2 The Basics 27
Connecting to a Network
If you want to connect your PowerBook to an Ethernet network or a wireless network,
see “Ethernet (10/100Base-T)” on page 38 and “AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking
and Internet Access” on page 37 for more information about setting up an Ethernet or
AirPort connection. Also choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar and search for
“Ethernet” or open the AirPort Admin Utility and choose Help > AirPort Help.
Using the Internet
During the initial setup, you were instructed on how to connect to the Internet. If you
need to change to a different type of connection, such as DSL, cable modem, Ethernet
local area network (LAN), or AirPort Extreme network, you can find more information in
Appendix C, “Connecting to the Internet,” on page 71.
Transferring Files to Another Computer
If you want to transfer files or documents to or from your PowerBook, there are several
ways of doing it.
• If you have a USB or FireWire external hard disk or other drive, you can use it to
transfer files from one computer to another.
• You can transfer files via the Internet using .Mac or another Internet account.
• You can transfer files to another computer on a network. You can access another
server or computer by clicking Network in the Finder Sidebar, or by choosing Go >
Connect to Server from the Finder menu bar.
• You can create a small Ethernet network by connecting an Ethernet cable from your
PowerBook to another computer’s Ethernet port. For more information, choose
Help > Mac Help from the menu bar and search for “connecting two computers.”
• You can also connect to another Mac using a FireWire cable. Your PowerBook appears
as a disk drive on the other computer and you can transfer files. For information
about using FireWire to transfer files, see “FireWire Target Disk Mode” on page 35.
• If your computer has an AirPort Extreme Card, you can connect to an AirPort Extreme
wireless network to transfer files. For more information, see “AirPort Extreme Wireless
Networking and Internet Access” on page 37.
• If you have access to devices that communicate via Bluetooth wireless technology,
you can transfer files using Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information, see
“Using Bluetooth Devices” on page 36.
For general information about transferring files and documents, see “Switching to the
Mac,” located in the “Learn More About Your Mac” folder in the Documents folder on
your hard disk. Also open Mac OS Help and search for the type of connection you need.
28 Chapter 2 The Basics
When an Application Freezes
On rare occasions, an application may freeze on the screen. Mac OS X provides a way to
quit a frozen application without restarting your computer. Quitting a frozen
application may allow you to save your work in other open applications.
To force an application to quit:
1 Press Command (x)-Option-Esc or choose Force Quit from the Apple (K) menu.
The Force Quit Applications dialog appears with the application selected.
2 Click Force Quit.
The application quits, leaving all other applications open.
If needed, you can also force the Classic environment to quit, which closes all Classic
applications. You can also restart the Finder from this dialog.
If you’re experiencing other problems, see Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting,” on page 57.
Chapter 2 The Basics 29
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