Hello,
I have a 2012 27" iMac and recently run the Apple Hardware test after multiple repairs and more issues upon receiving my "fixed" computer.
The test confirmed a 4MOT/4/40000002: Main-0 error code.
My question is; Does the Hardware test, without any shadow of a doubt, confirm a hardware problem that is not software related?
Any advise would be appreciated.
Many Thanks!
Tom
My experience has been when AHT doesn't report an error it's not always right but when it does report an error it's always been right. Your specific error is for the hard drive fan motor, could be the fan or the hard drive itself.
Thanks for your reply Mike
Anyone else have the same experience?
I agree with Mike. A negative result (no errors) may not be accurate, especially when testing things like RAM. A positive result (errors) has always been correct in my experience.
In other words, It may not detect all hardware faults, but the faults it detects are always real.
Two questions;
1. I am asking again if others have the same experience or further information about if AHT confirms a hardware error, does this mean that without a doubt (100%) that there is a hardware issue?
2. If there is a hardware error detected via AHT, is there any way that this could be a software error?
The reason I ask; I live a long way (one day travel) from an Apple Service Centre and I have already had 3/4 repairs completed for an ongoing problem caused by a replacement hard drive programme (hard drive replacement, 2x new power supplies and a new logic board).
Apple wish me to travel to the service centre again to confirm another hardware issue before they can approve a replacement machine but I am currently unable to waste another two days travel (there and back) to drop off my iMac and another 2 days travel to collect my iMac, 4 days travel and 2 hotel rooms in total.
I have now been without a working computer for over 2 months and Apple engineers are taking forever to confirm this is a hardware issue. I have also been working with them to try and reinstall the OSX via recovery mode but the HD will not format in disk utility or via terminal, errors appear or the commands stall.
I don't know where you live but why don't you just ship the computer to them? No travel, no hotel, no lost time.......
There's no doubt your computer has a hardware issue.
I live in Thailand and shipping was not provided as an option.
I know there is no doubt about the hardware issue, but Apple still need this to be confirmed by an engineer. All the trouble shooting and screen shots I have provided don't seem to prove this to them...
I am just trying to find out if the AHT will confirm 100% so then they cannot suggest it is software related...
Is there another way to confirm a hardware error?
Install OS X to an external drive or different partition then test if the issue persists. If it does then the common denominator is the hardware.
Does Apple hardware test confirm hardware failure?
