Execute self Test (Press D at Boot time) without the internal DVD-ROM

Question

It's possible to execute the Apple Hardware test (using the Application's DVD pressing letter D at boot) without the internal DVD-ROM, by using an external USB DVD-ROM unit ?, thanks

Answer 1

Not so — I've done it on my UMBP.
Quoting from the UMBP user guide, pages 57-8:
+To use Apple Hardware Test:+
+1 Disconnect all external devices from your computer except the power adapter.+
+If you have an Ethernet cable connected, disconnect it.+
+2 Restart your computer and hold down the D key as it starts up.+
+3 When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language for your location.+
+4 Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.+
+5 When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.+
+6 If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, it displays an error code. Make a note of the error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn’t detect a hardware failure, the problem might be software related.+
+*If this procedure doesn’t work, you can insert the Applications Install DVD to use Apple Hardware Test.* For more information, see the Apple Hardware Test Read Me file on the Applications Install DVD that came with your computer.+
So Apple does acknowledge that this may not always work, but it is certainly possible on my own 2.4GHz UMBP — which is, of course, running Leopard.