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Please help me read this hardware error code?

I do hear one of the SATA disks in my machine acting up. Strange behavior lately. I've been through this HD failure scenario before...the

Apple hardware test issue confirms an issue...


4hdd/11/40000000:SATA(2,0)


Does this error tell me which disk is potentially failing? Which SATA slot?

Mac Pro

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 8:48 AM

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25 replies

Apr 12, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Rich Hall

troubleshooting is trouble, it is trial and error and rule out one thing, move on to the next, and try to eliminate variables - like rerun with no hard drive in #4


If it is a WD drive, download and use their Lifeguard either CD or Windows


Don't use a drive you suspect


TechTool Pro 6 and other programs can do to check for media errors


have two backup sets for any drive or volume: clone and TimeMachine


Apple does not publish those codes, so once in awhile Google helps and some are (not this one) a thermal sensor; Riser; cpu

Apr 12, 2012 10:07 AM in response to Rich Hall

Well I did say: use their Lifeguard either CD or Windows


And Windows is useful, and Windows 8 is even free. The CD you burn and runs a small linux kernel + utility.


When you got some 'sounds' is when to head to Disk Warrior for instance, to rebuild the directory and it also will write SMART status of how many spare blocks there were/are/used - gets written to the system log when you click on hardware test button.


If it is a WD drive, while SMART is a standard, WD may read the data and write to drive's log, different and know better (and does much better job) the one person that could not run Lifeguard, that is actually common with drives used by Mac OS X and have to do Zero ALL first, then go back to quck test, and run Extended test if you want. Apple GPT structure seems to be different and can't access some areas and parameters until it is zeroed out.


Shame that 1TB drives are no longer $89 they were. 'Egg has WD Black for $124 (Amazon gave up matching price). But you do need a new system drive and maybe FW800 case to get on your feet.

Apr 12, 2012 10:09 AM in response to Rich Hall

The side door is not interlocked, and there are no hazardous Voltages accessible to your unaided fingers, although some components may be hot.


Some have recommended using an automotive-type "stethoscope" (it has a solid rod attached instead of just the diaphragm used in medical stethoscopes). I got one from Sears.


It is vitally important that you NOT let your spouse see you using such a device on your computer. Readers have reported spouses who refuse to stop asking, "Does your poor computer need some chicken soup?"

Apr 12, 2012 11:33 AM in response to Rich Hall

The best drives have five year warranties from the manufacturer.


There are only about three manufactures left standing, so every drive comes off the assembly line of one of those three major manufacturers. OEMs, including Apple, buy batches of drives with different model numbers and no manufacturer warranty at a reduced price. Since they are different model numbers, you cannot claim against the actual manufacturer for warranty coverage. (In the case of Apple, you make your claim to Apple, on Apple's terms.)


The great unanswered questions are, "Are these 'off-brand' or 'OEM' drives as good as the ones with five year warranty? Are inferior components or inferior designs used? Are costs reduced by throwing out the best features, like fluid bearings, quiet motors, and state-of-the-art error recovery?"


A long warranty is supposed to ensure a long-lasting product. YOU do not want to be the guy who has to collect on the warranty -- you want to be one of many who benefit from buying a long-lasting product. We know that staying with the main-line Brands gives you a five year warranty. It may be that these designs are still new enough that the warranty is still important.


Drives are certainly cheap enough now that I am not moved to buy off-brand to save a few bucks.

Apr 13, 2012 9:36 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Although Disk Utility isn't finding issues I still have strange symptoms and I'm beginning to wonder if it's more motherboard related or something of that nature.


I often get colored squares and pixels that dance around the screen. This seems to happen more when using intense applications.


Sometimes things just freeze up. When I am able to try and force quit that app, all apps stop responding. It's also not uncommon to relaunch the finder.


Everytime I restart the machine it feels the need to tell me that I've successfully installed ram. I click okay. Restart and it's back again.


I don't have Applecare. Can I see an Apple Genius to get more info on this error code? Do they need $$$ to release infomation about error codes? Or do they just hoarde the error codes in a big vault where no one will ever know what they mean??? 😟

Apr 13, 2012 9:48 AM in response to Rich Hall

Depending where you are there are repair shops that have ASD and will bench test a computer and that know Mac hardware, that often have a $75 or so charge but waive depending what they find or if they can even help. Or offer hands on advice and experience.


DVWarehouse carries parts but there you are in the $600-700 for mobo, which for workstation board is only slightly higher.


And if you run off a external FW800 drive, only, no other drives present... and AHT with the system stripped and still get errors.... time to get out candles and incense RIP ceremony and salvage parts or find a used model of same...

Please help me read this hardware error code?

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