Apple Certified Macintosh Technician
Individuals wishing to become an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) must complete one hardware and one software exam at a minimum.
This eight day course encompases both aspects. Four days are spent preparing for the hardware exam and 3 days for the software exam, with one day set aside for the exams. The course is a mixture of leader led thoery and extenisive hands on practicals including take apart sessions on the latest Apple desktop hardware.
Please note that ACMT certification by itself does not authorise a technician to perform repairs on Apple products or have access to parts or GSX.
Pre Requisites:
Some basic knowledge of using a computer.
Certification:
Individuals wishing to become an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) must complete one hardware and one software exam at a minimum.
- Apple Certified Macintosh Service Exam (9L0-008) The hardware exam allows an individual to focus on how Apple Desktop and Portable computers function and how to troubleshoot them.
- Mac OS X v10.6 Troubleshooting Exam (9L0-062)
The Mac OS requirement is to ensure that technicians have the knowledge to quickly and efficiently differentiate between software and hardware issues.
The software exam is specific to the Mac Operating System (Mac OS X v10.6).
Course Overview
Day 1
Apple Ethics
This introductory chapter provides an overview of Apple's business policies regarding ethics, privacy, and proper business conduct as it relates to Apple.
Basic Computer Theory & Terminology
Overview of the main components that make up a Macintosh Computer.
Understanding their roles and how they communicate with one another to make your computer work.
Underlying Technologies
This course introduces you to some key technologies implemented in Apple computers, including:
- Processors
- Memory
- Hard Drives and their connectors including SCSI, ATA, SAS, SSD
- Optical drives
- Expansion slots including PCI, ExpressCard/34, SD Card Slot
- Audio & Video in/out
- Modem
- Ethernet
- Airport
- Bluetooth
- FireWire
- USB
- Infrared
- Universal Motherboard Architecture
- Firmware Architecture
- Power Management Technologies including PMU, SMU, SMC
- Circuit Sensors including Sudden Motion Sensor, ALS (Ambient Light Sensor)
Intel-Based Macintosh Foundations
Explanation of the transition made by Apple from PowerPC to Intel Macintoshes. How the Hardware and Software differ and how to troubleshoot them.
Troubleshooting and Administrative Reference Tools and Materials
Looking at online tools, such as Global Service Exchange (GSX), Apple Support Articles (Knowledge Base), Service Source and the Discussion Boards.
Day 2
Hardware Service Issues
Describe how to locate the AppleCare name for a Mac. Identify the locations, physical or otherwise, of a Mac's serial number. Identify any hardware or software requirements to use or upgrade a Mac, using the Apple Support Site. Identify special precautions when working inside an Apple portable computer.
Troubleshooting Tools, Diagnostics and Utilities
Introduction to OSX and third party troubleshooting tools and utilities
General Troubleshooting Theory
Troubleshooting Goals - an explanation of what professional troubleshooting should accomplish. Troubleshooting Steps - a comprehensive review of the components of Apple's recommended troubleshooting process.
Apple Professional Hardware Troubleshooting (Component Isolation)
Reducing machine’s to minimal configuration for troubleshooting purposes.
Job Aids - a general troubleshooting flowchart and notes you can use as a reference.
Technician Safety
Safe Working Procedures and General Maintenance. - Includes Electrostatic Discharge Prevention (ESD) and CRT Safety and discharge, Technician Safety as well as how to safely clean a computer and display.
Accidental Damage
- How to identify Accidental Damage on an Apple Computer, how to deal with informing the customer and how to process the repair.
CRT Display Tools, Adjustments and Troubleshooting
Overview of CRT’s, differences between Aperture grill and Shadow mask and looking at how to adjust CRT’s.
Internal Components Identify slot and connector types, major modules common to Macintosh desktops and list common malfunctioning symptoms.
Power Management Understanding of how the computer receives and distributes power to all the components along with how to troubleshoot power problems.
Day 3
Apple Recommended Hardware Tools A look at the recommended hardware tools required to repair Apple Computers.
Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD's) Describe how sub-pixels make up colours, general maintenance and cause and symptom of pixel defects.
Basic Networking Theory & Troubleshooting Looking at how networking is implemented on the Macintosh. Covering how the hardware and software combine and how to troubleshoot any issues.
Networking – Wireless and Airport ~ Looking at 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g as well as Apple's hardware range of Apple Base Stations. A separate section Introduces the new Wifi standard (802.11n) and Apple's new hardware and software solutions which support it.
Apple Professional Desktops Overview and Take Apart Hardware features, specifications and service issues. Features of ADC and Apple Pro mice and keyboards.
Apple iMac/eMac Overview Differentiate between iMac models and eMac, key features, firmware updates and proper take-apart skills
Xserves Introduction to Apple Servers. How to troubleshoot the hardware of Apple's High-End Servers.
Apple iMac (Slot Load/Flat Panel) Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Apple iMac G5 Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Apple eMac Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
PowerMac G5 Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Day 4
Mac Pro Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Intel iMac Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Mac Mini Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Apple Portable Specific Theory~ Explanation of the additional components found in a portable computer, including troubleshooting tips and procedures.
The Take Apart Process How repairing Portable computers differ and things to look out for.
Power Management More in-depth look into Power distribution including how Power Adaptors and Batteries work and how to troubleshoot them.
iBook Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Day 5
PowerBook Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
MacBook Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
MacBook Air Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
MacBook Pro Take Apart and Troubleshooting Component isolation and take apart
Open Q&A and Exam Preparation (Including Review Quiz)
Apple ACMT Service Certification Examination
Day 6
Mac OS X v10.6 Troubleshooting Course
Installing Mac OS X v10.6 Including Installation requirements, differences between HFS+, Fat32, upgrade paths.
Basic Usage and new features Describing features of Finder, Dock, Spaces, QuickLook etc. Locating OS version, build number using about this Mac.
OSX Boot Process, Startup and Login Defining boot errors for the Power On Self-Test, describing what happens during the Kernel load stage. Processes involved in loading up the system and logging in to a User Account.
Preferences and troubleshooting Locating, configuring and reconfiguring System Preferences.
Managing Users and Permissions Distinguish between the types of users, file and folder access and resetting passwords.
Day 7
File Systems. File systems supported by Mac OS X, file and folder locations, search paths, Disk Utility and file repair.
Time Machine Introduction to Apple's built-in Backup software utility.
Parental Controls How to configure and troubleshoot User Accounts using Parental Controls.
Applications and troubleshooting Applications supported in Mac OS X v10.6, Applications created with different developer APIs, the UNIX concept of a process, the relationship of processes and applications, tools to monitoring and managing processes, application preferences, troubleshooting, Boot Camp
Day 8
Troubleshooting Tools and Tips Identifying OSX Utilities, repairing permissions using Disk Utility and ID a Kernel Panic.
OSX Networking, File Sharing and Internet Access Defining common network technologies, setting rules for mail accounts, sharing volumes and modifying the permissions on a file.
Printing and Other Peripherals Defining peripherals, configuring printing in OSX.
Additional OSX Troubleshooting Describing the purpose of hidden files, troubleshoot iApps, use Apple System Profiler to detect an external device.
Open Q&A and Exam Preparation (Including Review Quiz)
Apple Mac OS X v10.6 Troubleshooting Certification Examination
