Running apple hardware test, and taking over 15 minutes, normal?

Question

My MacBook pro won't start up, gerble wheel keeps going around for over 20 minutes, using "hardware test" disk now and it's been over 20 minutes again, with no completion... The progress bar is 7/8's done, but it's been in that spot way too long? What do I do now??

Answer 1

If you want it replaced for free, you need to have Apple do it. However, there may be reasons to consider replacing the disk yourself, at your own expense, instead of doing that.
1. If Apple does it, they'll keep the disk they remove — and whatever data is on it. So if your data isn't backed up and you don't want to lose it, don't have Apple replace the disk unless you can make special (and probably expensive) arrangements to have the store or service provider back your data up and transfer it to the new disk for you. If the old drive is badly hosed, that may not even be possible.
2. If you replace the drive yourself, you'll get to keep the old drive and you can try to salvage any un-backed-up data from it at your leisure, using data recovery software that you can buy and use just as easily as Apple can.
3. Ask how long it would take for the store or Service Provider to get the machine back to you, being sure their time estimate includes transferring your data if necessary. If you don't want to be without the machine for as long as they say you will, that's a good reason to do it yourself.
4. If Apple replaces the drive, they'll put in one with the same specs as the original. If you'd like a larger or faster drive as a replacement, you'll have to buy and install one yourself.
5. Installing a hard drive in any unibody MBP is almost ridiculously easy. The instructions for doing so are printed right in the little user manual that came with your computer.
6. Almost any replacement hard drive you might choose will cost less, and some of them much less, than $100. So particularly if the store or AASP wants a week or more for the job and your time is worth money, doing it yourself is probably going to be a bargain even though it will cost you a bit.