iMac Support News

• How to clean Apple products

  Read recommendations and guidelines for cleaning your Apple computer, iPad, iPhone, iPod, display, or peripheral device. 

• Startup key combinations for Intel-based Macs

  Learn about the startup key combinations you can use with Intel-based Macs.

• About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters

  Learn about the Mini DisplayPort in the latest Mac models, which enables audio and video output for DisplayPort and HDMI.

• About the SD and SDXC card slot

  Some Mac computers feature an SD (Secure Digital) or SDXC (SD extended capacity) card slot that enables these computers to read and write data to SD media inserted in the slot. Learn more about the SD and SDXC card slot.

• Bluetooth: How to set up your Apple Wireless Keyboard

  The Apple Wireless Keyboard uses Bluetooth wireless technology to provide cable-free operation so you're free to type wherever you like. Learn how to set up, pair, and unpair your Apple Wireless Keyboard.

• Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume

  The Startup Manager allows you to choose the startup volume available to your Mac.

• iMac: Memory specifications and upgrades

  Learn about the types of random access memory (RAM) and video memory (VRAM) used in iMac computers. For specific instructions on installing memory, refer to the linked documents.

• About firmware updates for Intel-based Macs

  Learn how to locate, download, and apply a firmware update to an Intel-based Macintosh computer. Firmware updates can be found at Apple Downloads or by choosing Software Update from the Apple (?) menu.

• Using a 27-inch iMac (Late 2009 or Mid 2010) as an external display

  With Target Display mode, you can use your iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) or iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) with Mac OS X as an external display. Connect any computer or other device with a Mini DisplayPort to your 27-inch iMac using a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable or using a converter that converts other electrical, video, and audio protocols from another source device to Mini DisplayPort compliant signals.  (Cables and converters available separately.)

• About integrated video on Intel-based Macs

  Learn more about the integrated GPUs available with Intel-based Apple computers and the amount of system memory they share.

• iMac (Late 2009) and later: Installing or replacing memory

  Learn how to install additional memory or replace the memory in your iMac (Mid 2011), iMac (Mid 2010), or iMac (Late 2009) computer.

• Mac OS X v10.6: Macs that use the 64-bit kernel

  Learn which Macs can use the 64-bit kernel in Mac OS X v10.6 and which use it by default.

• Migration Assistant tips and tricks

  All Mac computers running Mac OS X v10.4.11 Tiger, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, or Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard can perform a system migration over the network. This gives you more choices and flexibility in migrating your applications and data.

• Desktop computers: Troubleshooting wireless keyboard and mouse issues in Mac OS X v10.5

  Some desktop computers with wireless keyboards or mice are shipped with the devices pre-paired and the batteries pre-installed. As long as the wireless devices are powered on when the computer starts up, no additional steps should be necessary to make them work. If one or both of the wireless devices do not function as expected, use the information below to identify and resolve the issue. Note: These instructions work with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard.  For troubleshooting wireless keyboard and mouse issues in Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard, see Desktop computers: Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues.

• Apple Hardware Test: iMac (Mid 2007) and later models

  Learn how to use the Apple Hardware Test (AHT) diagnostic software with the iMac (Mid 2007) and later computers. Note: The iMac (Mid 2007) and later model computers come with Apple Hardware Test installed on a separate hard drive partition. This partition is not visible in the Finder.

• Intel-based Mac: Startup sequence and error codes, symbols

  The following is an overview of the startup sequence, error conditions, and behaviors for all Intel-based Macintosh systems. Note that some newer Macintosh models only use tones to indicate error conditions. See this article for more information.

• About the SMC Firmware Updates

  SMC Firmware Updates refer to the System Management Controller (SMC) firmware update for Intel-based computers. The SMC is a micro-controller on the logic board that controls the power functions for your computer. The SMC controls various functions, including: Power and thermal management, the Sleep LED, and battery. Controlling the fans, supporting Sudden Motion Sensor, ALS, and the power switch. Tip: Print or write down these instructions before you begin installing the update.

• iMac (Early 2008): Memory specifications

  Learn what kinds of memory you can use with following iMac (Early 2008) computer.

• Graphics Firmware Update 1.0: iMac and Mac Pro compatibility with Windows 7

  Download and install the Graphics Firmware Update 1.0 if you run Microsoft Windows 7 using Boot Camp on your iMac (with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 or 7600 GT) or Mac Pro (with NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT or Quadro FX 4500) computer. Important: Install this update before you install Windows 7 on your computer.

• iMac (Mid 2007): Memory Specifications

  Learn what kinds of memory you can use with iMac (Mid 2007) computers: iMac (20-inch Mid 2007) iMac (24-inch Mid 2007)

• About EFI firmware updates

  Learn how to identify if your Intel-based Macintosh computer needs an EFI firmware update and how to apply EFI firmware updates to Intel-based Macintosh computers.

• Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI) has 1280 x 800 as the maximum available resolution

  When you connect an Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI) to one of the products noted below, you may find that the highest available resolution is 1280 x 800, even though the optimum resolution for the display is 2560 x 1600. The maximum resolution available when this display is connected to a single-link DVI port is 1280 x 800; you must connect the display to a dual-link DVI port to access the higher resolutions available to the display.

• Mac OS: Versions, builds included with PowerPC Macs (since 1998)

  Learn the version(s) of Mac OS included with PowerPC-based Macs produced since 01 Jan 1998. If you're looking for information about Intel-based Macs (produced since 2006), see this article. Important: You cannot normally use a Mac OS version earlier than the one that was included with the computer.

• iMac (Mid 2010): Memory specifications

  Learn which kinds of memory to use with your iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) and iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010).

• Magic Trackpad: Using Trackpad Handwriting with Simplified or Traditional Chinese

  Learn how to use Magic Trackpad or a portable Mac trackpad that supports Trackpad Handwriting to enter Chinese characters into a Mac OS X application.

• About the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7 and iMac EFI Firmware 1.4 Updates

  MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7 addresses an issue using drives based on the SATA 3Gbps specification with the MacBook Pro introduced in June 2009.  This update allows drives to use transfer rates greater than 1.5Gbps, however Apple has not qualified or offered these drives for Mac portable computers, and their use remains unsupported.  All previous and current Apple portables with a SATA drive interface include a SATA 1.5Gbps hard drive. iMac EFI Firmware 1.4 Update addresses issues where iMac computers with ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics intermittently stop responding and addresses wake-from-sleep issues in Boot Camp.

• iMac (Mid 2011): Target Display Mode does not work with Mini DisplayPort cable

  When you attempt to connect an iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) computer to another computer with a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable, the screen of the target iMac will not become an external display when you press Command-F2 to activate Target Display Mode.

• Intel-based Mac: Startup issues after using unsupported version of Windows installer via Boot Camp

  An Intel-based Mac may not be able to start up after attempting to install an unsupported version of Microsoft Windows XP via Boot Camp. In this situation, your Intel-based Mac may not be able to start from Mac OS X even if you hold the Option key during startup, and the hard disk may not be accessible in FireWire Target Disk Mode.

• iMac (Mid 2011): Memory specifications

  Learn which kinds of memory to use with your iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) and iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011).

• Intel-based Mac: Some migrated applications may need to be updated

  After using Migration Assistant or Setup Assistant to migrate applications from a PowerPC-based Mac to an Intel-based Mac, some of the migrated applications may not launch or function correctly.

• About the Snow Leopard Graphics Update

  The Snow Leopard Graphics Update contains stability and performance fixes for graphics applications and games in Mac OS X v10.6.4.

• About Performance Update 1.0

  This update addresses intermittent hard drive related pauses reported by a small number of customers. Learn how to apply the Performance Update 1.0 to an Intel-based Macintosh computer.

• Software License Agreement for Firmware Restoration CD 1.7

  Your rights to use this update are subject to the terms of the software license agreement that follows and accompanies the update. Please read through this document and scroll down. At the bottom is an "Accept and Download" button. By downloading or using this update, you accept the terms of the software license agreement.

• Software License Agreement for Firmware Restoration CD 1.6

  Your rights to use this update are subject to the terms of the software license agreement that follows and accompanies the update. Please read through this document and scroll down. At the bottom is an "Accept and Download" button. By downloading or using this update, you accept the terms of the software license agreement.

• iMac: Power consumption and thermal output (BTU) information

  Learn about the power consumption and thermal output of iMac computers.

• Mac OS X 10.4.8: AirPort does not auto-connect to existing networks after restart or wake from sleep

  After upgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.8, some Intel-based computers may not auto-connect to remembered networks that use WPA2 or WEP security. This article explains how to correct this behavior.

• Intel-based Macs: Forcing a Universal application to run with Rosetta

  Mac OS X applications that can run natively on both Intel processor- and PowerPC processor-based Macs are called Universal applications. Even if you don't have a Universal version of an application, you can still use it on an Intel processor-based Mac by means of Rosetta, which comes with every Intel-based Mac. Rosetta works behind the scenes to translate an existing, native, non-Universal application (one that was designed to run natively a PowerPC-based Mac, not a Classic application) so that it can run on an Intel-based Mac—all you have to do is double-click the application! Sometimes, you might have a Universal version of a graphics or Internet application on your Intel processor-based Mac that you want to run via Rosetta instead of running natively. Because some Universal applications may continue to rely on existing plug-ins, you may sometimes need to force a Universal application to run in Rosetta to accommodate the plug-in. Check with your plug-in manufacturer(s) to see if Universal versions are available, too.

• iMac (Late 2009): Memory specifications

  Learn which kinds of memory to use with your iMac (Late 2009).

• Mac OS X 10.5, Boot Camp: Black screen when booting from Windows XP install CD on iMac (Late 2006 24-inch)

  Some iMac (Late 2006 24-inch) computers may display a black screen when booting from the Windows XP installer CD, instead of the standard blue installation screen. The computer will respond to the correct setup key presses and continue the installation even though the built-in display has no video.

• iMac (27-inch, Late 2009): Display flickers and the 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0

  The 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update applies to the graphics firmware on ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 graphics cards to address issues that may cause image corruption or the display to flicker.

• Software License Agreement for Firmware Restoration CD 1.9

  Your rights to use this update are subject to the terms of the software license agreement that follows and accompanies the update. Please read through this document and scroll down. At the bottom is an "Accept and Download" button. By downloading or using this update, you accept the terms of the software license agreement.

• Software License Agreement for Firmware Restoration CD 1.4

  Your rights to use this update are subject to the terms of the software license agreement that follows and accompanies the update. Please read through this document and scroll down. At the bottom is an "Accept and Download" button. By downloading or using this update, you accept the terms of the software license agreement.

• About the SMC Firmware Updates

  SMC Firmware Updates refer to the System Management Controller (SMC) firmware update for Intel-based computers. The SMC is a micro-controller on the logic board that controls the power functions for your computer. The SMC controls various functions, including: Power and thermal management, the Sleep LED, and battery. Controlling the fans, supporting Sudden Motion Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor (ALS), and the power switch. Tip: Print or write down these instructions before you begin installing the update.

• iMac: Evaluating normal noises

  The iMac, like most computers, has components that may generate small amounts of noise during use. In most cases these noises are normal and do not require repair or further evaluation.

• Sound may not automatically switch to headphones using Microsoft Windows Vista on some Mac computers

  When inserting headphones into the 3.5 mm headphone jack on the following Mac computers with Microsoft Windows Vista, the sound may not automatically switch to the headphones. MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009) MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) iMac (Late 2009)

• How to tell if 802.11n-enabling software is installed

  How to tell if 802.11n-enabling software is installed.

• iMac with built-in iSight camera: Positioning the display when using the built-in iSight

  If you want to showcase your smiling face in the best way possible, here's how to position your iMac with a built-in iSight camera for optimal video conferencing with iChat.

• Software License Agreement for Firmware Restoration CD 1.8

  Your rights to use this update are subject to the terms of the software license agreement that follows and accompanies the update. Please read through this document and scroll down. At the bottom is an "Accept and Download" button. By downloading or using this update, you accept the terms of the software license agreement.

• iMac G5, iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor): Benefit of using matching memory modules (RAM)

  If your iMac G5 or iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor) has matching memory modules, which are known as "DIMMs," it will operate with a 128-bit data path. If the DIMMs aren't matched, then it uses a 64-bit data path. So why does this matter to you?

• iMac (Early 2009): Memory specifications

  Learn which kinds of memory you can use with your iMac (Early 2009) computer.