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User profile for user: andrew_clark
andrew_clark Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Apple Hardware Test or Diagnostics not working?

I have a Mac mini that I'm trying to boot up to Apple Diagnostics or Apple Hardware Test (holding down D or holding down Option-D while starting up). It will not work with either. I can get to the Apple Hardware Test screen, but it tells me my Mac is not compatible.


The only peripherals connected are:

  1. Apple wired keyboard (USB port on Mac mini).
  2. Apple wired mouse (USB port on keyboard).
  3. Apple Display non-Thunderbolt (mini-display port on Mac mini).
  4. Ethernet cable (ethernet port on Mac mini).


Mac mini details:

  • Mid 2010 - Macmini4,1
  • macOS 10.13.6
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
  • NVIDIA GeForce 320M


Any relevant thoughts or suggestions?

Mac mini, Mid 2010, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Sep 13, 2018 5:52 AM

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User profile for user: macjack
macjack
User level: Level 10
111,204 points

Posted on Sep 13, 2018 5:56 AM

How to use Apple Hardware Test on your Mac - Apple Support

  • Some Mac computers that shipped with OS X Lion v10.7 or later will start up from AHT over the Internet if your startup disk doesn't contain AHT, or if you hold down Option-D at startup. This requires an Internet connection over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
  • If you're using OS X Lion v10.7 or earlier and you can't get AHT to start, see if you have an OS X installation disc named “Applications Install Disc 2.” Insert the disc in your internal optical drive or external Apple SuperDrive before following the steps above. Or, if you're using a MacBook Air (Late 2010), plug the MacBook Air Software Reinstall thumb drive into your USB port instead.
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User profile for user: macjack
macjack
User level: Level 10
111,204 points

Sep 13, 2018 5:56 AM in response to andrew_clark

How to use Apple Hardware Test on your Mac - Apple Support

  • Some Mac computers that shipped with OS X Lion v10.7 or later will start up from AHT over the Internet if your startup disk doesn't contain AHT, or if you hold down Option-D at startup. This requires an Internet connection over Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
  • If you're using OS X Lion v10.7 or earlier and you can't get AHT to start, see if you have an OS X installation disc named “Applications Install Disc 2.” Insert the disc in your internal optical drive or external Apple SuperDrive before following the steps above. Or, if you're using a MacBook Air (Late 2010), plug the MacBook Air Software Reinstall thumb drive into your USB port instead.
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User profile for user: andrew_clark
andrew_clark Author
User level: Level 1
19 points

Sep 13, 2018 4:38 PM in response to macjack

Thank you for the info macjack. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the Apple install discs and I’ve already read that info and did not find it relevant. As stated in my original post, neither holding down the D key or Option+D during startup works. Both options get me to the AHT, but then displays a message telling me this Mac is not compatible with AHT.

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Apple Hardware Test or Diagnostics not working?

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