Computer hardware diagnostics: what do repair shops do to find problems?

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Level 1

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Computer hardware diagnostics: what do repair shops do to find problems?

Hello

Simple question. If I take my imac to a repair shop to find out why it's not working correctly, is there a "machine" that they will hook it up to to run hardware diagnostics?

My imac had various problems and apple support told me it was probably a hardware issue. I asked if there were any tests they could run remotely to locate the problem. The guy said no, I had to bring it to a repair shop where it could be hooked up to some sort of machine which would enable diagnosis of the problem.

Now I'm trying to search and find out what this machine would be if it exists. Can't seem to find any info on such a thing.

Just wondering because I brought the computer to an authorized apple repair shop, and they're telling me they ran diagnostics and found no hardware issues. I'd like to ask them what method they used to run the diagnostics, and be knowledgeable enough to know what the answer would be if they had done things the right way.

If there is no "diagnostic machine", I'm not sure why I bothered bringing the computer in. I'm quite capable of running the apple diagnostic check (by starting the computer and holding down the d key, if I remember correctly...I did that and no issues were found).

So anyway, what should I expect a good repair shop to have done to rule out hardware issues?

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 22, 2020 8:23 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Apr 23, 2020 8:22 AM in response to Minkawf

How to use Apple Diagnostics on your Mac...

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202731

Not near as good a test as Apple or AASPs van do though.

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Answer 2

Minkawf Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2020 2:28 AM in response to Kappy

So there is, or should be, some sort of machine used to find hardware issues. Good to have that confirmed. I thought maybe I got that wrong somehow, because I was doing some Google searches, out of simple curiosity as to what sort of machine this would be, and nothing of the sort came up in any searches. It was all software.

So that's perplexing but anyway, there's a machine. Mystery solved.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 22, 2020 8:57 PM in response to Minkawf

Your's is far from a simple question. If it were simple, then you could have asked it in one sentence.

They have extensive diagnostic machines and debuggers that provide information the Apple Hardware Test does not provide. They run their tests for hours or days at a time to track down errors that are not likely to present themselves to simple tools like the AHT. Furthermore, experienced technicians often know what to look for as well as what to test.

You can ask them whatever questions you wish but they don't have the time to be your teacher. Of course, if you feel you are better qualified to diagnose your computer's hardware problem, then have at it. The equipment in the stores shop costs as much or more than your computer. Spend enough time in the library, and you can learn about what it done. You can even purchase the manual that the technicians have to learn in order to become Apple technicians. The cost per manual is around $50 each. I believe there are three or four manuals for the Apple desktop models. What you might have trouble finding is a copy of the service manual for your specific model because Apple only provides those to authorized Apple service providers.

I'm surprised that are so suspicious that the people at Apple are trying to scam you. Why would they do that?

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Computer hardware diagnostics: what do repair shops do to find problems?

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