Apple Hardware Test Error Code

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Level 1

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Apple Hardware Test Error Code

I'm attempting to diagnose my parent's 12-year-old Mac. To start with, I can turn the computer on and it brings up the login screen pretty quick, I enter the password and hit enter, the status bar takes 20+ minutes to complete but it doesn't go beyond that page. I rebooted the computer into Apple Hardware Test, after the first quick test I got this error "4MOT/4/40000003: HDD- 1262", and after an extended test I got this error "4MOT/4/40000003: HDD- 1253" I know that the 4MOT means a problem with the fans but what do the HDD- #### codes mean, if not the Hard drive?

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Oct 16, 2023 2:44 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

68,444 points

Oct 18, 2023 11:22 AM in response to Brgipple

Agreed...it sounds like a failing hard drive. You can check out OWC for SSD upgrade options since you may need to get a 3.5" to 2.5" adapter to use with an SSD. At one time you also needed a special temperature sensor adapter so that the fans would not run at high speed with a non-Apple drive installed, but I think Apple may have modified the firmware so this is no longer necessary....check the OWC website for your exact model iMac to see whether they include a temperature sensor adapter with the SSD upgrade kit. Plus OWC has installation videos so you can see what is involved, just be very careful connecting & disconnecting the cables since they are easily damaged. It is a bit awkward to see & access those cables which is the worst part of the process.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc

An SSD will greatly improve the performance of the iMac ***.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

155,060 points

Oct 16, 2023 4:13 PM in response to Brgipple

20 minutes to finish the boot process is about 20 minutes too long.

There is a significant possibility the startup disk has failed — a likely consequence of it having been inadequately cooled for at least some period of time, if not the fact it's probably as old as that Mac. If you are willing to take that Mac on as a project, the good news is that 2011 era Macs are relatively easy to work on. 2012 and later iMacs... not so much.

A fundamental prerequisite will be a Time Machine backup or that Mac's original grey startup discs, either one of which can be used to populate a replacement hard disk drive or (preferably) aftermarket SSD. If you have the motivation to proceed, by all means write back.

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