Individuals wishing to become an Apple Certified Desktop Technician (ACDT) must complete one hardware and one software exam at a minimum.

The hardware exam allows an individual to focus on Apple desktop computers.

• Apple Desktop Service Exam (9L0-004)

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).

• Mac OS X 10.4 Service and Support (9L0-060)

Course Contents

Day 1

Underlying Technologies
This course introduces you to some key technologies implemented in Apple computers, including:
• ColorSync
• DVI
• Ethernet
• FireWire
• Infrared
• Modem
• Optical drives
• QuickTime
• SCSI
• Universal Motherboard Architecture
• USB
• Velocity Engine/AltiVec
• Video in/out

Troubleshooting
Reference Tools
Looking at online tools, such as Knowledge Base, Service Source and the Discussion Board.

General Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Goals - an explanation of what professional troubleshooting should accomplish.
Troubleshooting Steps - a comprehensive review of the components of Apple's recommended troubleshooting process.
Job Aids - a general troubleshooting flowchart and notes you can use as a reference.

Troubleshooting
Tools, Diagnostics and Utilities
Introduction to OS9, OSX and third party troubleshooting tools.

Networking
Looking at TCP/IP, Filesharing, Appletalk, Remote Access, Internet Connect.

Day 2

Electrostatic Discharge
Overview of ESD procedures, how to avoid component damage.

Networking – Airport
Looking at 802.11b, 802.11g, 3 types of Base Station

General Maintenance
Safely clean a monitor, optimise a hard disk and resolve memory fragmentation.

CRT Safety
Discharging a CRT, Troubleshooting.

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.

Liquid Crystal Displays
Describe how sub-pixels make up colours, general maintenance and cause and symptom of pixel defects.

Internal Components
ID slot and connector types, major modules common to Macintosh desktops and list common malfunctioning symptoms.

Day 3

Apple Professional Desktops Overview and Take Apart
Hardware features, specifications and service issues. Features of ADC and Apple Pro mice and keyboards.

Apple Professional Desktops Troubleshooting (Component Isolation)
Reducing machine’s to minimal configuration for troubleshooting purposes.

Apple iMac/eMac Overview
Differentiate between iMac models and eMac, key features, firmware updates and proper take-apart skills

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

Day 4

PowerMac G5 Take Apart and Troubleshooting
Component isolation and take apart

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

Day 5

Installing OSX
Differences between HFS+ and UFS. Installation of 10.3.

Basic Usage
Describing features of Finder, Dock etc. Locating OS version, build number using about this Mac.

Preferences
Locating, configuring and reconfiguring System Preferences.

Classic Environment
Launching classic, setting classic preferences and installing classic App’s.

Managing Users and Permissions
Distinguish between the 3 types of users and reset passwords.

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.

Day 6

Printing and Other Peripherals
Defining peripherals, differences between printing in OS9 and OSX.

Troubleshooting Tools
Identifying OSX Utilities, repairing permissions using Disk Utility and ID a Kernel Panic.

Command Line
Looking at the 4 ways to get to a command line and using fsck –y in place of Disk Utility to verify/repair a hard disk.

OSX Boot Process
Defining error boots for the power on self-test, describing what happens during the Kernel load stage.

OSX Troubleshooting
Describing the purpose of hidden files, troubleshoot iApps, use Apple System Profiler to detect an external device.

Day 7

Exam Review Quiz

Open Questions

Certification Examination