COOL FEATURE-Apple Hardware Test built-in. No disc needed!

It's a MacBook Late 2007... it would be interesting to see what other models have this feature.
Start the Mac
hold the D key
do NOT put in your installer disc
it starts up Apple Hardware Test (AHT) in like 5 seconds. No disc needed. VERY COOL
(unfortunately, it seems to have been disabled after I did the Keyboard Firmware Update) -- 2 units, same issue.
Is there a way to get this feature working again?
What other models have (had) this feature?

Well, I've tried some experiments:
1) Removed the hard disk from the MacBook, and tried starting up while holding down the D key. Question mark icon. So apparently the AHT is not in ROM, but ensconced somewhere invisibly on the HD.
2) Put the HD back in, started the MacBook from a standard, late-2007 retail 10.5.1 Install DVD (not the Install/Restore DVD that came with it). No AHT of course. And when it started up, the backlight went dark. Shining a lamp on the screen and looking from an angle, I was able to see enough to erase the HD. And tried starting again with the D pressed. Question mark icon. So apparently the AHT is not in a special HD partition that persists even when the HD is erased.
3) Installed 10.5.1 on the MacBook HD using the standard 10.5 Install DVD (not the Install/Restore DVD that came with it); once again, running the MacBook from that DVD turned the display backlight off. Then started the MacBook with the D key pressed. Question mark icon. So the standard, retail 10.5 Installer doesn't install the AHT.
4) Started the MacBook from its own Install/Restore DVD, and restored the factory HD setup. When setup was finished, shut down and started again pressing the D key. Apple Hardware Test (v.3A143) appeared.
Conclusion: Apple Hardware Test is on the hard disk, not in ROM, installed as part of the software specific to this model. If the disk is erased and System software is installed from a generic 10.5 DVD - for instance, because the original Install/Restore DVDs have been lost - AHT will not be installed. So the instructions in the manual apply only so long as the original disk setup (or a restoration of same using the original DVDs) remains. Otherwise the original Install Disc #1 will be required to run Apple Hardware Test.

Similar Messages

  • COOL FEATURE - Apple Hardware Test (AHT) built-in. No disc needed!

    It's a MacBook Late 2007... it would be interesting to see what other models have this feature.
    Start the Mac
    hold the D key
    do NOT put in your installer disc
    it starts up Apple Hardware Test (AHT) in like 5 seconds. No disc needed. VERY COOL
    (unfortunately, it seems to have been disabled after I did the Keyboard Firmware Update)

    Some G5s had a firmware update that caused problems with the version of Apple Hardware Test that shipped with the G5. The Latest G5 Apple Hardware Test is 2.2.5
    Call Apple and see if you can get it.
    Another hardware test is TechTool Pro
    <http://www.micromat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=48>
    Meanwhile, try testing with some of the RAM removed. Try different combinations of RAM modules and slots. Always use them in pairs.

  • About the Apple Hardware Test in Replacement Application Disc...

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    Tell me what you think, Does a replacement Application disc sent by Apple include the Apple Hardware Test?
    Now, I must tell you that my current complementary phone support has expired and I am waiting to get AppleCare but that won't be after January 2011 (I am a college student, and I am saving money for the AppleCare extended warranty).
    Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

    rkaufmann87 wrote:
    AHT is on the original OS X Install disc that came with the computer! Had you read the Apple Advice Letter I posted earlier you would have seen that.
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  • Built-In Apple Hardware Test

    From my understanding, all new Macs have Apple Hardware Test built in directly to the EFI. Does this also apply to the Mid-2009 MacBook? I tried holding 'D' on startup but just ended up with a white screen. Is there a different keystroke?

    How to run hardware diagnostics for an Intel Mac
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  • How to run Apple Hardware Test on Mac Pro with ML preinstalled?

    I have Mac Pro 5.1 (2012) which came with Mountain Lion preinstalled. It didn't have install DVDs. How do I run AHD? Restarting with D, or command+D, or option+D didn't work. It would just restart the OS. And Mac Pro didn't support Internet AHD eather.

    Thank you for your reply, Carolyn.
    I read this article. None of those applied to my case:
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  • I can"t open the apple hardware test from the applecare support website

    i received the applecare training program for my birthday and while exploring the applecare service source website i found a image file of the apple hardware test (AHT) for each model along with a pdf of the service manual and a pdf of the AHT service codes. The problem i'm having is, i cant open the image of the AHT.

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  • Is there a download for the Apple Hardware test 3A126?

    Is there a download for the Apple Hardware test 3A126? I get a gray screen for several minutes until start up, Tried holding down the "D" key but no test, there is a disc stuck in the superdrive so I can't use the install DVD.

    You can only run the Apple Hardware Test from the correct Disc that came with your system. see > Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test
    Have you tried the following > The ultimate guide to ejecting a stuck disc
    or > Eject a stuck disk from your Mac DVD super drive to get the stuck disc out?

  • Wireless Network issue while using Apple Hardware Test remotely

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    Hi,
    Hmm.... I'm not sure I get what you mean or not but hardware test is a "in house" application for MBA and you don't need the installation disk to run the application. Unlike MBPro, you need the disk to run hardware test.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2644
    cheers.

  • Apple Hardware Test DISABLED by update?

    Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. Is there a way to get this feature working again?
    MacBook (Late 2007) has a cool undocumented feature... hold the D key at startup, and Apple Hardware Test (AHT) launches--WITHOUT THE DVD. Yes, it's built-in.
    Sadly, this feature seems to have been disabled by a recent update... possibly the Keyboard Firmware Update
    Sigh. Now I have to drag out my clunky old DISC just to quick check TBOT
    see other posts here regarding 4SNS/1/40000001:TBOT error in AHT

    Try starting the AHT with the OPTION + D keys.
    You should be able to use the #2 install disk.  It has the AHT instructions on it.
    Ciao.

  • Cannot access Apple Hardware Test

    I recently learned about the Apple Hardware Test, and decided to run it, just to see if it reported anything wrong.
    I have a MBP from early 2008, 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo, 15.4".
    The built-in optical drive no longer reads DVD-type media. It will read CDs, but not DVDs of any kind. This has been verified by an Apple Genius; it needs to be replaced.
    I have a Snow Leopard disc in an external drive, connected via USB. When the Mac is running, I see the Snow Leopard disc; I can access normally.
    However, when I restart (or turn off, then on) the computer, and press and hold 'D' right away, nothing different happens; it boots into OS X just as it normally does. I have tried this a few times, both restarting and turning off then on, holding down the 'D' key right away.
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    Hi again Justin,
    Justin J. Rebbert wrote:
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    eww has suggested a link for you where they can be purchased for $33. However, with an internal optical drive that cannot read CDs/DVDs, your only options are:
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    2. Purchase an external optical drive.
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    Justin J. Rebbert wrote:
    I have no idea what you're talking about when you "like you did with Snow Leopard". I didn't have to make bootable images or use different partitions or anything like that at all, and I don't know what made you think that.
    My apologies. In your original post you said:
    I have a Snow Leopard disc in an external drive, connected via USB. When the Mac is running, I see the Snow Leopard disc; I can access normally.
    The above made me conclude that the "external drive" was an external hard disk drive. Reading it again, I can see that you mean it's an external optical drive.
    Now, I know that eww, in his reply to you stated the following:
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    eww is very knowledgeable and well respected in these forums so I'm hesitant to disagree with him. I believe that one can carry out a AHT from an external optical drive but will test later today or tomorrow to make sure.
    Justin J. Rebbert wrote:
    Also, just FYI, from what I've read about accessing the AHT in other posts on these discussion forums, apparently all Macs (of a certain unknown vintage and later) have the AHT accessible from the hard drive, but this is only true if it's the original hard drive, which furthermore has never been reformatted. My MBP's hard drive is an upgraded (bigger and faster) replacement, so unfortunately, that's no longer an option.
    No, it's not only true if it's the original hard drive.
    It is, however, true if the OS on the replacement hard drive was installed using the original disks that came with that model Mac. The OS can the be upgraded to a later version but the fact that the original OS DVDs were used then, assuming the Mac model is of the vintage that allows it, a hidden small partition is created thus allowing the user to boot into AHT without needing the original discs to start from.
    Da Vinci

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    I'm trying to find the answer to a similiar question.  Here's my thread.
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