ACMT Certification

USB 2.0

(Universal Serial Bus) is the standard method of connecting electronic devices and peripherals. Nearly every device and peripheral has standardized on using USB connectivity, as it is suited to both transmit a data signal and power in the same port. A new, high-speed version of USB that offers fast transfer rates of 480 megabits per second.

Terabyte

1 trillion bytes or 1024 gb = 1TB

Apple Service Toolkit (AST)

A collection of diagnostics for Apple Authorized Service Providers, Apple Retail Stores, and AppleCare Repair Centers.

Apple Diagnostics (AD)

A customer-facing utility for computers introduced in June 2013.

Output Device

A device that gives off information like speakers or the display of a machine.

Input Device

A device that receives data like a microphone or a scanner.

Optical Drive

A hardware device that uses lasers or light to read from, and maybe even write to, CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.

Kernel Panic

A kernel panic is an error that occurs when the core of an OS recieves instructions in a format that it cannot handle properly. It can also occur when the OS is unable to recover from a different type of error. It can also be caused by damaged software or hardware.

SD Card slot

A lot like an ExpressCard 34 slot, but it reads SD cards from things like digital cameras.

Logic Board

A mother board for a Mac computer. This holds all of the parts of the computer and helps handle the communication and transfer of data between different hardware such as RAM and the hard drive.

Software Updates

A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance.

Bluetooth

A standard for wireless communication and data synchronization between devices, developed by a group of electronics manufacturers and overseen by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Bluetooth uses the same frequency range as 802.11b, but does not have as wide a range.

Fusion Drive

A storage device that combines the capacity of a hard disk drive with the speed of flash memory.

SDRAM

A type of RAM which stands for Synchronized Dynamic RAM.

Application Software

A type of Software that processes data for the user. Relies on OS for compatibility with hardware and is released in packages.

Customer Satisfaction

A type of coverage for specific atypical customers.

Flash Memory

A type of nonvolatile computer memory that can be electrically erased and rewritten repeatedly.

Apple Server Diagnostic (AXD)

A unique test suite for Mac mini Server (Late 2009, Mid 2010, and Late 2012), Mac Pro (Mid 2010), Xserve (Late 2006, Early 2008, and Early 2009) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012) with Mac OS X Server.

Universal Binarie

A universal binary application is created by a developer who modifies and recompiles an application so it runs natively on either a PowerPC-based or Intel-based Mac.

Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD)

A verification diagnostic with multiple test options. It can perform tests without the need for an OS or do tests that incorporate the OS. Each version of ASD is designed to work on a limited number of Mac models and is downloadable from GSX. ASD can take hours to finish its tests but generally does more extensive testing than components of Apple Service Toolkit.

Ambient Light Sensor

ALS governs the illumination of the backlit keyboards and the brightness of the screen. Two light sensors provide input to the ALS system. Most recent PowerBook and MacBook Pro models include this feature.

Boot Camp

Allows you to install and run Microsoft Windows 7 on intel based Mac

Operating System

Also known as an "OS," this is the software that communicates with computer hardware on the most basic level. Without an operating system, no software programs can run.

Multimeter

An electronic measuring instrument that combines several functions in one unit. The most basic instruments include an ammeter, voltmeter, and ohmmeter. Analog multimeters are sometimes referred to as "volt-ohm-meters", abbreviated VOM.

USB

An interconnect technology used to connect peripherals; normally intended for slower/less demanding peripherals, such as keyboards or mice.

iOS Diagnostics

An online tool that gives Apple technicians and service providers the ability to retrieve diagnostic information from iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices.

AASP

Apple Authorized Service Provider

ACMT

Apple Certified Macintosh Technician

ALAC

Apple Latin America and Carribean

Genius

Apple employee at local apple locations that is there for Applecare services.

APP

Applecare protection plan.

Firewire

Apples trademarked name for IEEE 1394. USB 2.0 and Firewire have the same speed.

CUPS

CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) is a cross-platform, portable printing software layer for UNIX-based operating systems. It is owned and maintained by Apple to promote a standard printing solution. It is the standard printing system used in Mac OS X v10.2 and later.

RJ 45 connector

Connector that ends a CAT 5 ethernet cable. Only ends T-10 and T-100 cables.

DDR-SDRAM

Double Data Rate- Synchronous Dynamic RAM: This RAM is used in video cards in newer Macs. This is because the DDR means it works faster and more efficiently than previous RAM modules.

EMEIA

Europe, The Middle East, India and Africa. This term is used when talking about sending parts to those regions.

ExpressCard 34

Expansion card that is used for things like tv tuners and broadband connectors.

Gbps

Giga bits per second

Clockspeed

Given in megahertz or gigahertz, determines how many millions or billions of instructions per second the processor can execute.

GSX

Global Service Exchange. GSX is the service providers' online portal to all service-related business online. System functions include Repair and Sales Orders, Inquiry, Account Management, Dispatch Management, and Information Access.

Thunderbolt

Has a transfer rate of 1250 Mb/second. 10 Gbits/second. It can connect up to 6 devices at once and can be daisy chained. Uses PCI express and uses a display port protocol.

Nut Drivers

Hexagonal shaped tip that is used for working with six sided bolts.

Firewire 400

IEEE 1394a Standard, Up to 400 Megabits per second, supports 4-pin and six-pin connectors.

Firewire 800

IEEE 1394b Standard, Up to 800 Megabits per second, 9-pin connector.

Apple Service Provider

In house service provider for schools and offices.

64 bit

Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Quad Core Xeon, Dual-Core Intel Xeon, Quad-Core Intel Xeon

32 bit

Intel Core Solo, Intel Core Duo

KGB

Known good board or a part that is known to be good or new.

Hard Disk Drive

Large capacity permanent storage device that stores data magnetically on disks that rotate inside of the drive.

Mbps

Mega bits per second

Black Stick

Mutli-tool used by technicians for multiple different reasons including prying out chips as well as pushing small cables into their sockets.

Open Firmware

Open Firmware is a small program contained on a chip within a PowerPC Mac that controls its boot process.

Peripheral Device

Peripheral devices can be external -- such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor, external Zip drive or scanner -- or internal, such as a CD-ROM drive, CD-R drive or internal modem. Internal peripheral devices are often referred to as integrated peripherals. Also see I/O.

Startup Key Combinations

Press "C" During Startup - Starts up from a bootable CD, like operating Cd, Mac OSX Install disk. Press "D" during startup - starts up in AHT ( Apple hardware test ). Press "N" during startup - Netboot, Attemps to start up from a compatible network server. Press "T" during startup - Starts up the computer in Target disk mode. Press "Shift" during startup - Starts up in Safe Boot Mode,and Temporarily disable all login items. Press "Command-V" during startup - Boots up in "Verbose mode." Press "Command-S" during startup - Boots up in Single User mode Press "Option-Command-P-R" - Hold until you hear two beeps. - This will Reset the NVRAM. Press "Eject", "F12", or "hold the mouse or trackpad button". - Ejects any removable data, disks etc.

Shutdown Process

Process in which loginwindow shuts down all processes, and hardware is reset or shutdown if needed.

Quicktime Player

QuickTime Player is a free multimedia player used to play and view video, audio, still images, graphics, and virtual reality (VR) movies.

Polarity Tester

S, A device used to insure that an electrical receptacle is wired properly. We have both an Edison Tester and a pin connector tester.

Philips Screwdriver

Screwdriver with a star or x shaped slot

SATA

Serial ATA Technology that was faster and more efficient than PATA technologies. 1.5 Gb/s

DIY

Simple repairs that customers can do themselves with parts supplied by apple.

System Software

Software that is used to manage the hardware of the computer. Also provides a graphical user interphase, or GUI, to display items. The system software includes the operating system, drivers, and software to interact with the user. System software and operating system can be used interchangeably.

SSD

Solid state drive, a storage device that typically uses flash memory to store data, instructions, and info

SSD

Solid-state drives are a form of hard drive that utilize flash memory. They contain no moving parts, which makes them more quiet, offer faster read/write speeds in most cases, and also makes them less susceptible to physical shock when dropped when compared to traditional magnetic hard drive disks.

Sudden Motion Sensor

Sudden Motion Sensor technology is built-in protection for the hard disk, designed to help prevent disk failures if the computer is dropped or undergoes unusually strong vibration.

Evaluate

Systematic determination of merit, worth and significance of something or someone using criteria against a set of standards.

Audio Input and Output Test

Test determines whether a series of tones created by the computer's speakers can be detected via the built-in microphone.

Superdrive

The Apple Superdrive is the CD/DVD reader and writer that is located inside the computer. Apple refers to it as an "optical drive". The optical drive has been phased out of the new Apple computers.

Apple Support Articles

The Apple Support articles (Knowledge Base) provide useful information on product troubleshooting but you have to be careful in how you conduct your searches. It is relatively easy to get far too many results from too general search terms.

Apple Hardware Test (AHT)

The customer-facing utility shipped with computers introduced prior to June 2013. As of June 10, 2013, Apple Diagnostics replaces Apple Hardware Test for new computers

Bandwidth

The number of bits processed in an instruction. Also known as the transfer rate of data in a network.

Trouble shoot

The process of analyzing a design problem and finding a way to fix it.

Apple Diagnostics for Customers None

This is the current array of Apple diagnostics as of Fall, 2013. Please note that new diagnostic tools are constantly under development.

Magnetizer

This tool allows you to magnetize your screwdrivers and other tools. It also allows you to demagnetize them in situations where a magnetized tool may harm components.

Troubleshooting

To isolate the source of a problem and fix it.

Isolate

To select from others, specifically to separate from others to fin truth.

Template Matching

Troubleshooting based only on past experiences.

In Warranty

Unit whose repair costs are covered by Apple's warranty or Apple Care

Hex Drivers

Used for opening and closing cases and securing and removing cards and motherboards; nonmagnetic preferred

KBB

Used to refer to any part that is dysfunctional and needs repair.

Static Bags

Used to store components taken out of a machine during a repair. These bags are ESD safe.

Partition

When formatting a drive one creates partitions or separate places where different OS can be put as well as other data.

Connecting Peripherals

You can attach peripherals to most Mac computers through either of two buses, USB and FireWire. USB is generally used for slower devices like keyboards, mice, etc. FireWire is used for high-speed devices such as hard drives, digital camcorders, and the like. While USB is standard, only select Mac computers come equipped with FireWire.

Chipset

a collection of integrated circuits that form the set needed to make an electronic device such as a computer motherboard or portable telephone.

Ports

a hardware port or peripheral port is a hole or connection found on the front or back of a computer that allows computers to access external devices such as computer printers and displays.

OOW

a unit whose repair costs are not covered by Applecare.

Daisychaining

connecting multiple devices together which is a way to control multiple MIDI synths from one synth or a computer

Cooling System Diagnostic (CSD)

evaluates thermal sensors, fans, and heat sinks in 2011 MacBook Pro, iMac, and MacBook Air computers. It will both confirm correct operation and help diagnose a service issue. CSD is useful for assisting users with questions about fan noise.

ideo System Test (VST)

for iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) tests iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) computers for intermittent display issues.

TORX screwdrivers

hand tool for gripping Screws that has splines on its tip to snugly hold the screw's head, which are used in a wide variety of assembly applications such as automobile assemblies and cutting tool mounting applications

Test Patterns Tool (TPT)

helps to identify pixel anomalies in LCD panels with LED backlighting in Apple Display, iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air computers.

Disk Utility

improves system performance and increases storage space by removing files that you no longer need

Mini Display Port

is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort digital audio-visual interface. Apple, Inc

Slotted Screwdriver

is used to drive or fasten negative slotted screwdrivers

OSX

latest Mac operating system

Server Bit Setter (SBS)

makes sure Mac mini and Mac Pro with OS X Server continue to be identified as servers after a logic board or backplane board replacement.

Trackpad Diagnostic Test

provides interactive testing of trackpads. It tests the left, center, and right click on the trackpad and then does a full trace test. The technician needs to touch every "pixel" of the trackpad to complete the test.

Mac Resource Inspector (MRI)

quick triage tool that checks for the presence of hardware and reports sensor readings. Sensors are located on a variety of parts, including cables, fans, storage devices, power supply, display panel, and logic board. Use MRI to help isolate failures and avoid unnecessary part replacements.

Notebook Adapter Diagnostic (NAD)

reports the condition of Intel-based Mac notebook power adapters.

Video System Test (VST) for MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2010)

tests MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2010) computers for intermittent display freeze issues in situations where the computer has completed all MRI tests.

Protocol

the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.