imac late 2009 won't run hardware test

Question

imac late 2009 won't run hardware test

I have a late 2009 iMac that originally came with Snow Leopard but has since been updated to Yosemite.

I've been having a lot of trouble keeping my display from going to sleep when it shouldn't, and as part of my problem-solving I wanted to run the Apple Hardware Test (AHT). Following the instructions, I first tried to get it to run by restarting and pressing the D key - no luck. Then I tried running it off the original installation disc, but the computer ejects the discs every time I try to reboot. Finally I tried running it off the internet after attaching an ethernet cable to my router. Stll nothing. I am looking for any and all solutions to this problem, so I can proceed with my original problem: why my display won't stay on. I'd like to determine the cost to fix before I buy a new iMac.

VIN,iMac (21.5-inch Late 2009), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Aug 6, 2017 11:08 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

148,507 points

Aug 6, 2017 11:25 AM in response to Iowa Fossil 2

If AHT does not run, chances are the AHT files are either missing or corrupted. I believe that in order to use the Internet version of AHT would require booting up your Mac in Internet Recovery Mode, which unfortunately, your 2009 iMac does not support.

What I would suggest at this point would be to:

Reset the SMC.
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
Reset the NVRAM.
How to reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 9

77,230 points

Aug 6, 2017 12:32 PM in response to Iowa Fossil 2

1. Look at the original gray 2 disc set that came with the Mac. I'm pretty sure that the hardware test for that iMac is on disc #2. If it does not work, try cleaning both the disc and your Superdrive.

2. To get an accurate repair estimate, you will need to make an appointment at your local AASP.

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Answer 3

Aug 7, 2017 8:35 AM in response to Tesserax

Sorry, no soap. But thanks for responding. Actually I had done both these procedures before, when trying to fix my display problem, but did them again anyway. They did not solve my inability to get AHT to run either.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,658 points

Aug 7, 2017 8:54 AM in response to Iowa Fossil 2

Iowa Fossil 2 wrote:

As I stated in my first post, I have tried that but my computer will run run the discs - they keep ejecting before they load.

Your problem may simply be a dirty or damage SuperDrive. Go to your local Office Supply store and get a CD/DVD cleaning kit and clean the lasers. Then re-attempt using the original media.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,658 points

Aug 6, 2017 11:45 AM in response to Iowa Fossil 2

AHT on a 2009 requires that you have original DVDs, that is where. you will find AHT.

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Answer 6

Aug 7, 2017 8:37 AM in response to rkaufmann87

As I stated in my first post, I have tried that but my computer will run run the discs - they keep ejecting before they load.

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