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Level 1

64 points

How can I start the Apple Hardware Test when holding D doesn't work and I don't have the installation disc?

How can I start the Apple Hardware Test when holding D doesn't work and I don't have the installation disc?

The directions say, "Press and hold the D key before the gray startup screen appears." This does not work.
The "Apple Hardware Test Read Me.rtf" file says, "If your computer does not restart to Apple Hardware Test: Restart your computer with the DVD containing Apple Hardware Test." I do not have such a DVD, and my installation disc -- assuming it is with the packaging from when I bought this laptop -- is about 11,000 km away.

I am preparing to send in my August 2010 Macbook Pro to be refurbished, because it is randomly ceasing to function (e.g. randomly taking minutes to complete a given task) but I was hoping to diagnose and solve any problems myself before it came to that. Apple Support recommends this diagnostic test as a first step, and so I am trying to do it. Please help me.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), 2.4GHzIntelCore2Duo;4GB 1067MHzDDR3

Posted on Jan 22, 2015 6:07 PM

37 replies

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Oct 3, 2016 9:53 AM in response to Fritz Lang1

I never got AHT to run on a Mac Pro 1,1 from the system disk.

You are already using an unsupported OS (10.9 is not compatible, you must be running a hacked EFI, maybe via SFOTT). I doubt you can get AHT to run with the hacked EFI, but it is not totally clear to me how these pieces interact.

I strongly suggest you try my USB AHT boot method that I have already tried to explained in this thread. There is a shell script that assembles it for you, it also tries to 'bless' the AHT to allow it to run on next boot (holding D doesn't always work either in my experience).

It would also help if you explained what your actual problem is - Apple Hardware Test never solves anything unless it actually reports an error. You may have issues that can be addressed by other troubleshooting.

It would help if you made your own topic explaining your problem and only asked about AHT in this thread.

Oct 3, 2016 2:16 PM in response to Drew Reece

I found my old Install discs, 10.4.7 I think.

AHT booted just fine from it, in spite of the EFI hack for Mavs.

There was no hw issue found with it, as I suspected.

nisalm

Level 1

22 points

Nov 20, 2016 6:20 AM in response to ethereality

Try the Internet based AHT : http://wp.me/p4kqiM-gV. Hope this helps 🙂

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Nov 20, 2016 8:24 AM in response to nisalm

This thread is solved, however you can probably learn something from it nisalm…

The OP has a 2010 Macbook Pro. The page you linked to says

If you have a Mac, which was shipped with OS X Lion,

Lion shipped in 2011, so the OP's Mac cannot use it.

Also be careful when linking to your own website, it may infringe the terms & conditions on this site. Apple already have more thorough information anyway…

Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support

nisalm

Level 1

22 points

Nov 20, 2016 8:55 AM in response to nisalm

Well, the information given by Apple is incomplete. In the link, the procedure for internet-based AHT is not given.

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Nov 20, 2016 9:02 AM in response to nisalm

If you have problems with Apples documentation use the 'is this helpful' form at the bottom to report the problem.

That way everyone benefits from one central & accurate set of documentation. Posting information to your own site only benefits you & the few people who stumble across it.

nisalm

Level 1

22 points

Nov 20, 2016 9:09 AM in response to Drew Reece

In that case, I have given some guidance for at least a few number of people. Cheers !

How can I start the Apple Hardware Test when holding D doesn't work and I don't have the installation disc?