APPLE PowerBook G4 12 2005 User Manual
PowerBook G4 12-inch
User’s Guide
Includes setup, expansion, and
troubleshooting information for
your PowerBook G4 computer
K
Apple Computer, Inc.
© 2005 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?
18
Calibrating Your Battery
18
What’s Next?
Chapter 2 21 The Basics
21
Getting to Know Your New PowerBook
22
Adjusting Your Display
23
Using Your Power Adapter
24
Using the Trackpad
25
Using the Keyboard
25
Using a Mouse
26
Learning About Mac OS X
26
Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences
27
Using Applications
27
Connecting to a Printer
29
Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones
29
Keeping Your Software Up to Date
30
Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire or USB Device
30
Connecting to a Network
30
Using the Internet
30
Transferring Files to Another Computer
31
When an Application Freezes
Chapter 3 33 Using Your Computer
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
34
36
FireWire
38
Using Bluetooth Devices
40
AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking and Internet Access
41
Ethernet (10/100Base-T )
42
Using Your Modem
3
42
Connecting Speakers and Audio Devices
43
External Video Support (DVI, VGA, Composite, and S-Video)
45
Sudden Motion Sensor
46
Using Your Optical Drive
49
Battery
52
Security Slot
Chapter 4 55 Adding Memory to Your Computer
55
Installing Additional Memory
Chapter 5 61 Troubleshooting
61
Problems That Prevent You From Using Your Computer
63
Other Problems
65
Reinstalling the Software That Came With Your Computer
66
Using Apple Hardware Test
67
Installing Xcode Tools
67
Locating Your Product Serial Number
Appendix A 69 Specifications
Appendix B 71 Care, Use, and Safety Information
71
Cleaning Your PowerBook
71
Carrying Your PowerBook
71
Storing Your PowerBook
72
Safety Instructions for Setting Up and Using Your Computer
73
General Safety Instructions
74
Battery
74
Connectors and Ports
74
Avoid Hearing Damage
74
Apple and the Environment
75
Ergonomics
Appendix C 77 Connecting to the Internet
79
Gathering the Information You Need
80
Entering Your Information
80
Dial-Up Modem With Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) Connections
82
DSL, Cable Modem, or LAN Internet Connections
87
AirPort Extreme Wireless Connection
91
Troubleshooting Your Connection
Appendix D 93 Top Ten Questions
97
Communications Regulation Information
Index 10 3
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 71)
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
¤
controls
Brightness
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
i
Use this key to switch between dual-display mode and video-mirroring mode.
Media Eject key
C
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 with one finger on the trackpad; scroll with two fingers
on the trackpad. (Turn scrolling on or off in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.) See
“Using the Trackpad” on page 24 for more about moving the pointer and scrolling with the trackpad
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, DVD+R, DVDRW, and DVD+RW discs
Power button
®
Turn your PowerBook on and off or put it to sleep.
AirPort Extreme/Bluetooth antenna windows
With an optional AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express, or other wireless hub, connect to the
Internet wirelessly. You can also wirelessly connect to devices equipped with Bluetooth
technology, such as mice, keyboards, personal digital assistants, and cell phones.
. See “Using Your Optical Drive” on page 46 for details.
®
wireless
For additional information about AirPort Extreme or your optical drive, see Chapter 3, “Using Your
Computer,” on page 33.
Chapter 1
Getting Started
7
Additional Features of Your PowerBook
®
¯
Power
adapter port
G Ethernet port
(10/100Base-T)
W Internal
modem port
H FireWire 400
port
d USB 2.0 ports
Mini-DVI
£
port
Audio line in port
,
Security slot
f Headphone port
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)
H
Connect high-speed external devices, such as digital videocameras, and external storage devices. For
more information, see page 36.
Two USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus) ports
d
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 from theft by connecting a security cable.
For additional information about these features, see Chapter 3, “Using Your Computer,” on page 33.
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 23.
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 77 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.
10 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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.
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
Chapter 1 Getting Started 11
The information below is optional. Ask your ISP or system administrator if you need it.
 DNS servers
 Domain name
 Proxy server
Transferring Files From Another Mac?
If you already have a Mac, the Setup Assistant can help automatically transfer user
accounts, network settings, applications, and more from your previous Mac to your
new Mac.
To transfer information, you must have the following:
 A standard 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire cable.
 Your other Mac must have Mac OS X v10.1 or later installed.
 Your other Mac must have a built-in FireWire port and support
FireWire Target Disk Mode.
To transfer information from your previous Mac to your new Mac:
m Simply turn on your new Mac and follow the onscreen instructions. The Setup Assistant
takes you through the process of transferring your information.
Transferring information to your new Mac does not affect the information on your
other Mac. (If you have set up partitions on the new Mac, all information from the other
Mac will be transferred to one partition.)
Using the Setup Assistant, you can transfer:
 User accounts, including preferences and email
 Internet and network settings, so your new Mac is automatically set up to work with
the same settings as your other Mac
1
 Applications
so that all of the applications you used on your other Mac are now on
your new Mac
 Files and folders on your hard disk and partitions. This gives you easy access to the
files and folders you used on your old Mac.
If you don’t intend to keep or use your other Mac, you may want to deauthorize your
old computer from playing music that you’ve purchased from the iTunes Music Store.
If you don’t use the Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first start up your
computer, you can do it later. Go to the Applications folder, open Utilities, and doubleclick “Setup Assistant.”
1.
You may have to reinstall some of the applications you transfer.
12 Chapter 1 Getting Started
Note: If you’ve used the Setup Assistant to transfer information from an older
Macintosh and you want to use Setup Assistant to transfer information from it again,
make sure FileVault is turned off on the older Macintosh. To turn off FileVault, open the
Accounts pane of System Preferences and click Security. Follow the onscreen
instructions.
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
®
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 42. For
information on other types of connections, see Appendix C, “Connecting to the
Internet,” on page 77.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 13
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)
®
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.
14 Chapter 1 Getting Started
® 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 61.
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
“Reinstalling the Software That Came With Your Computer” on page 65.
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.
Important: Use only one finger on the trackpad to move the pointer; the pointer
won’t move if you use two or more fingers on it. (The trackpad is designed to allow
scrolling when you use two adjoining fingers and the scrolling feature is turned on.
See “Using the Trackpad” on page 24 for more information.)
Chapter 1 Getting Started 15
 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 24.
Congratulations, you’re up and running!
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 () > Sleep from the menu bar.
16 Chapter 1 Getting Started
 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.
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 () > 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 71 for information on how to prevent your battery from draining
completely.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 17
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 23 and “Battery” on page 49.
What’s Next?
 Learn the important basics about your PowerBook. Check out Chapter 2, “The Basics,”
on page 21.
 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.
18 Chapter 1 Getting Started
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 61.
 Check out the top ten most commonly asked questions. See Appendix D, “Top Ten
Questions,” on page 93.
 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.
Chapter 1 Getting Started 19
2 The Basics
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.
Note: Your PowerBook uses Sudden Motion Sensor technology to help protect the
hard disk if the computer is dropped or experiences extreme vibration. See “Sudden
Motion Sensor” on page 45 for more information.
2
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 71.
21
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 () > 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.”
22 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 49).
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 72.
Chapter 2 The Basics 23
Using the Trackpad
The trackpad’s responsiveness for moving the pointer is based on 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 to move the pointer. The trackpad is designed to detect more
than one point of contact, and the pointer will not move if you have two or more
fingers on the trackpad.
 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 can turn on this feature and other trackpad options in the
Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.
Additionally, you have the option to scroll vertically and horizontally in a window that
has scroll bars by moving two adjoining fingers on the trackpad. This option can be
selected 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.
24 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 38.
Chapter 2 The Basics 25
Learning About Mac OS X
Your computer comes with Mac OS X, which includes an elegant user interface,
advanced graphics capabilities, and added system stability and performance. It also
features Classic, an environment for using Mac OS 9 applications while the computer is
running Mac OS X.
When you’re ready to learn more about Mac OS X and the award-winning iLife
applications that came with your computer, see the Mac OS X manual 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.
Note: If you want to use Mac OS 9 applications with your computer, you have to install
Mac OS 9. Mac OS 9 can’t be installed as the primary operating system on your
PowerBook, and you can’t start up your computer in Mac OS 9.
Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences
You can quickly make your desktop look the way you want using System Preferences.
Choose Apple () > System Preferences from the menu bar.
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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.
Using Applications
Your PowerBook comes with software applications, including the iLife suite of
applications, for doing things like sending email, surfing the Internet, chatting online,
organizing music and digital photos, making movies, and much more. For more
information on these applications, see the Mac OS X manual that came with your
computer.
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. Note that drivers for most
printers are built into Mac OS X, so you may find it unnecessary to install additional
software.
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 34. For more information about a network or wireless connection, see
“Ethernet (10/100Base-T )” on page 41 and “AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking and
Internet Access” on page 40.
Chapter 2 The Basics 27
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 or AirPort Express,
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.
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.”
28 Chapter 2 The Basics
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:
m Open iTunes and choose Help > iTunes and Music Store Help.
To learn more about your optical drive, see “Using Your Optical Drive” on page 46.
Warning: Listening to music at high volume over extended periods of time can
damage your hearing.
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.
Chapter 2 The Basics 29
Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire or USB Device
If you have an iPod, iSight camera, 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 36. For more information about USB, see
“Universal Serial Bus (USB)” on page 34.
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 41 and “AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking
and Internet Access” on page 40 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 77.
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.
 You can easily transfer files using the Setup Assistant and a FireWire cable (sold
separately). You can also connect to another Mac using a FireWire cable and start up
your PowerBook in FireWire Target Disk Mode. Your PowerBook appears as a hard
disk on the other computer and you can transfer files. For information about using
FireWire to transfer files, see “FireWire Target Disk Mode” on page 37.
 If you have an external hard disk drive, flash drive, Zip drive, or other data storage
device that connects via a USB or FireWire cable, you can use it to transfer files.
 If the other computer has a recordable optical drive, you can transfer files that you
have recorded on a CD or DVD disc.
 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.”
30 Chapter 2 The Basics
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