Hardware test won't launch

Hi all!
here’s my problem, telegram style for reading pleasure ;-)
iMac 8,1 (early 2008)
at startup, Ethernet suddenly isn’t recognised (“no cable connected”)
tried different Ethernet cables, and two different locations (took my imac home from work)
tried zapping PRAM
tried resetting SMC as described in http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
tried hardware test startup with cmnd-opt-D, didn’t work
then, as advised in https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2525557?start=0&tstart=0 , tried resetting Firmware Protection Password, as described in http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php
I have a USB keyboard attached, but all this don’t work.
What can I try next?
any help will be welcomed with cheers and applause
thank you,
Daniel

If you have a firmware password set, you have to disable it. I don't know what you meant by "tried resetting Firmware Protection." Does resetting mean disable? Also, the D key will only work by simply restarting if your Mac came with the AHT pre-installed. It may not have. Otherwise, you will need to run it (using the D Key alone) from one of the discs that came with the computer.
To disable firmware password.
1. Launch the Open Firmware Password application (This is on the Install DVD; you will need to know the current pword to boot from the DVD.)
2. Click the icon ( authentication ) and provide your admin login details (includes the admin password)
3. Click on the change button
4. An Open Firmware Password window will appear on your screen.
5. Un-check (deselect) the “Require password to change Open Firmware settings” option from that window
6. Click “OK” to submit your changes
7. Select the lock icon again and you are all set
AHT
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509
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