Apple Hardware Test for Macbook Pro 3,1 - download?

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Level 1

16 points

Apple Hardware Test for Macbook Pro 3,1 - download?

I think I'm having a hardware issue with my 2007 MacBook Pro 3,1. It has a tendency to just "stop" at random. mouse pointer won't move, clock doens't update, etc. The display is still on, but nothing else. The only cure is to power down and reboot by holding the power button. When I do the fans usually come on high as the notebook is hot. i'd take this to the apple store guys but the computer may run for the next 12 hours or it may run for the next 20 minutes, so even if they start something they may not be able to find anything.

I wanted to load the hardware test, which I'm told is on the second disk that came with my computer but I can't find the stupid thing. IIRC this computer came with Panther (or maybe Leopard) but I've updated to Snow Leopard, Lion and now Mountain Lion so those discs are nowhere to be found.

I called Apple and they tell me that the discs are No Longer Available

Does anyone know if you can download from somewhere the hardware test disc? If not, would some kind person with the same computer be willing to make me a DMG of the second disc that came with the computer so that I can run the diagnostics.

MacBook Pro (15-inch 2.4/2.2 GHz), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Nov 12, 2013 2:17 PM

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Answer 1

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,526 points

Nov 12, 2013 5:27 PM in response to unclemiltie

The files can be downloaded from Apple's servers - i tried it with my own 3.1, even though I have the dvd's. See these links

https://github.com/upekkha/AppleHardwareTest

and

http://rivenbyfive.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/download-and-run-apple-hardware-test.h tml

I just copied the /System/library/coreservices/.diagnostics folder from the download, & it worked right away when holding D on startup.

Make sure you get the right download by using

ioreg -l | grep board-id

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Answer 2

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,349 points

Nov 12, 2013 3:47 PM in response to unclemiltie

Try SMC and PRAM resets:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

If there is no improvemnt, take the MBP to an Apple store genius bar for a free diagnosis. My suspicion is that your MBP may need a new PRAM battery.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Core+2+Duo+Models+A1226+and+A126 0+PRAM+Battery+Replacement/671

Ciao.

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Answer 3

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:02 PM in response to unclemiltie

But they are still available, right? What was the cost? $40? That is a small charge compared to the cost of a new Mac.

unclemiltie wrote:

I called Apple, they are no longer available for a small charge

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Answer 4

unclemiltie Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:04 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I did reset the SMC and the PRAM, one of the first things I tried. never thought about the battery

is there a way to test to see if the battery is bad without having to take the computer apart again. (although I'm getting good at it, I just upgraded the hard disks in two of these A1266's, one to a SSD) Can the Genius tell me that? (I have an appointment for Sunday)

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Answer 5

unclemiltie Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:06 PM in response to LowLuster

No, the apple folks told me that the discs are No longer available. i.e. they don't have any, they can't sell them to me at any cost.

he suggested that I go to the apple store and they could run the diagnostics but said that there was no way to get the discs.

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Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,349 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:12 PM in response to unclemiltie

unclemiltie wrote:

is there a way to test to see if the battery is bad without having to take the computer apart again.

Did you look at the iFixit instructions? 🙂 Get your #00 Phillips driver out or let the Apple store genius bar technicians do it.

Ciao.

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Answer 7

unclemiltie Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:18 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

yea, I looked at the instructions. The only question is can I do something without taking the palm rest off? (I suppose if I took the main battery out and let it sit for a while that the clock would go dead)

But it wouldn't surprise me if the battery was dead. The computer is 6 years old. Maybe I should just order two of them from ebay and replace the battery in both of the machines.

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Answer 8

unclemiltie Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 12, 2013 4:33 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

yea, I'm getting good at it too.

I think I'll just order two batteries and do both systems.

But I would still like to get my hands on a copy of the original disks so that I can run AHT if/when I need to. My discs are somewhere betwen here and three moves ago. Any suggestions?

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Answer 9

unclemiltie Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 21, 2013 8:36 PM in response to ViShVa

the download worked, thank you much Andy I've stored the AHT files for my Macbook Pro,Macbook Air and iMac away so taht if I need them again I can find them. Bad news is that AHT found nothing wrong with the Macbook. I did change the PRAM battery Ogelthorpe and the machine seems to be behaving better. But since the issue was intermittent i'll have to wait and see if the problem goes away.

ViShVa - the SL disc won't do any good. you have to have the original grey 2-disc set that came with the machine. the retail OS discs don't have AHT on them. (funny though, my first call to Apple they told me that they woudl send me a disc grattis. two days later I got a snow leopard install disc, which does not have the AHT on it. But now I have an extra)

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Answer 10

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Nov 12, 2013 2:41 PM in response to unclemiltie

There is none. It is included on the original system disc/s that came with your Mac. If you no longer have them you can order a replacement set from Apple for a small charge.

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