Where is Mountain Lion's Apple Hardware Test?

Question

Level 1

128 points

Where is Mountain Lion's Apple Hardware Test?

Hi. My Snow Leopard DVDs which are in good condition won't read anymore after installing Lion and now Mountain Lion (the Superdrives' working properly as I can burn CDs and DVDs. The DVD does see it as blank with Untitled DVD but .iso Linux images for example boot when you restart it). Apple may have intentionally made the Superdrive not be able to read original disks to favor USB Flash drives and the Cloud I'm guessing which is fine by me coz' those can never be damaged physically or are less prone to physical damage.

But the Apple Hardware Test is in the Applications DVD of the Snow Leopard. How do I run Apple Hardware Test then on Mountain Lion? Any third-party app that goes beyond what Apple Hardware Test can do that you could recommend?

Thank you in advance.

God bless.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3), iMac Late 2009

Posted on Aug 18, 2012 6:06 PM

Reply

Answer 1

mr.k99

Level 3

640 points

Aug 18, 2012 6:14 PM in response to Alvin777

Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, display, and speakers. If you have an Ethernet cable or external DVD drive, disconnect them.
Restart your computer, holding down the D key while the computer restarts.After your computer restarts, you should see the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen. If you don’t, Apple Hardware Test may not be available on your computer. You may be able to start Apple Hardware Test from the Internet. Reconnect your computer to the network, and then restart your computer while holding down both the Option and D keys.
When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language you want to use, and then press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.

(P.S. Be cautious, As Apple Hardware Test is often wrong.)

(P.P.S. I would use a usb keyboard for this, because it doesn't connect until startup, and is therefore less likely to pick up the fact that you are holding the "D" key)

Reply

Answer 2

Alvin777 Author

Level 1

128 points

Aug 18, 2012 6:13 PM in response to mr.k99

Thanks for the reply. Is there a way to know if it is installed? Also, would the option - D shortcut work with this late-2009 iMac or it only works for the models that have recovery in their firmware?

Reply

Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Aug 18, 2012 6:17 PM in response to Alvin777

Here is the help article from Apple:

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11342

Reply

Answer 4

Alvin777 Author

Level 1

128 points

Aug 18, 2012 7:06 PM in response to babowa

I restarted and even did shut down then reboot method but pressing D or option-D for more than 50 seconds both didn't get to the Apple Hardware Test like it has when I was using Snow Leopard's DVD (which Lion or Mountain Lion wouldn't recognize now, it ejects the original Snow Leopard DVDs that are in in good condition. Superdrives' in good condition too, it burns DVDs successfully).

If I made a Mountain Lion USB bootable installer ( and a DVD version of that for good measure) or booted to MT's Recovery parition while pressing D or option-D would that take me to the Apple Hardware Test?

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Aug 18, 2012 7:31 PM in response to Alvin777

I don't understand why your system is not recognizing the SL install disk - it should. The timing of any key combo with a restart is difficult with a wireless keyboard - unless the timing is perfect, it won't work. As suggested, try /borrow a USB keyboard.

Another thing to try is to insert the SL install disk; then go to Startup Disk Pane in System Preferences and see if your SL disk is listed in the choices. If it is, then select it and hit restart.

As for the question re. the bootable USB stick/DVD, I have not tried that, so I cannot say if that would work or not. Does your Mac have internet recovery or did you install the firmware for it as outlined here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4904

Having read all I could find about recovery, there is no mention of any Apple Hardware Test; not even here (which is quite comprehensive):

http://pondini.org/OSX/RecoveryHD.html

The only things mentioned are the options in Disk Utility. So, unless you can boot from your SL install disk and get to the test that way, I am stumped. My suggestion would be to book an appointment at your nearest Genius Bar (if you are past the warranty) or call Apple support if you're still covered.

Reply

Answer 6

ptheyser

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2012 3:43 AM in response to Alvin777

I'm having the same problem. My macbook pro (mid-2009) doesn't recognise Snow Leopard nor Leopard DVD. The superdrive is fine, I can watch normal DVD and I burned a DVD a couple of days ago. I've upgraded to Mountain Lion. I'm not sure if either DVD worked when I had Lion.

I want to install Snow Leopard in a virtual machine to run a PowerPC game. I've been feeling a bit nostalgic.

I'm going to try running the hardware test and see if anything comes up.

Reply