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About Apple Hardware Test

Apple Hardware Test is a diagnostic tool for detecting problems with your computer's internal hardware components such as the logic board, memory, modem, video RAM, and the Apple AirPort card. It does not check externally connected hardware components such as USB devices or FireWire devices.

Before using Apple Hardware Test, disconnect external devices (excluding Apple keyboard, mouse, display, and speakers). It is also recommended that you disconnect any Ethernet network cables.

Apple Hardware Test does not check your computer for problems with the Operating System (OS) or other software related problems such as application or extension conflicts.

To use the Apple Hardware Test CD, restart your computer while holding down the C key until the "Loading..." icon appears, then you may release the C key. Loading will take approximately 45 seconds. The Apple Hardware Test main screen will appear. Follow the on-screen instructions and recommendations.

Apple Hardware Test for iBook version 1.2.4 is distributed only with the Apple iBook, and will not work with any other computer.

If you suspect your computer has a hardware problem, the information provided by Apple Hardware Test can help identify the problem. If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, an error code will be displayed. Please make a note of the error code before pursuing support options. If no hardware failure is detected, the problem may be software related.

Additional information about what Mass Storage devices will be tested is available by clicking on the disclosure triangle shown in the Hardware Tests tab panel. Colors are used to indicate the different phases and results of testing.

Known issues

Apple Hardware Test cannot be used when a mouse is directly connected to the USB port on the iBook. Please connect the mouse to a USB keyboard if available, or use the trackpad instead.

It may take significantly more time than indicated (on the Apple Hardware Test screen) to run the Extended Test on an iBook with more than 512 MB of RAM installed; durations between 18 and 20 minutes have been observed.

Your iBook is capable of using memory modules (DIMMs) even when part of a module is detected as being bad by the Power On Self-Test, which is run when you turn the machine on. Apple Hardware Test will report such failed memory modules upon startup, in the Hardware Tests panel.

While testing the Video RAM, the screen display may appear blank or appear to be turned off, for extended periods of time, depending on how much Video RAM is installed; this is normal.

Recommendations for Mac OS 9 users

Apple Hardware Test is one of several tools and procedures you can use when your Macintosh is having trouble. Here are some steps you can follow to help resolve problems. Please back up your data before performing any of these steps.

1. Properly turn the computer off and on.
You can often eliminate problems by selecting the "Shut Down" option from the Special menu to fully shut down the CPU, then restarting your system.

2. Check cables, peripherals, and user controls.
Shut down your computer. Then disconnect and reconnect all cables. Disconnect all peripherals (such as printers, scanners, cameras and external mass storage devices) to see if they are causing conflicts with your system. Adjust user controls on your monitors and other peripherals to see if this helps.

3. Start up from the system CD that shipped with your computer.
Start your system from the system CD by holding down the C key until you see the smiling Mac face. If the system works properly when started (booted) from the system CD, you can generally assume that the problem relates to the software which is installed on your computer. 

4. Turn off system extensions.
Restart your system while holding down the Shift key until the following message appears: ÒExtensions disabled.Ó Then release the key. This turns off system extensions that often cause conflicts. If this solves your problem, use the Extensions Manager to turn off extensions that may be causing the problem.

5. Rebuild the desktop.
Restart your system while holding down the Option and Command keys. Click OK when asked if you want to rebuild the desktop.

6. Start up from the Apple Hardware Test CD, and run the Quick and Extended Tests.
If the system does not work properly when started (booted) from a known-good system CD (Step 3), you can generally assume that the problem relates to your computer's hardware components. The Apple Hardware Test CD can often be used to start up your computer even if it will not boot into the Mac OS. If Apple Hardware Test passes both the Quick Test and the Extended Test, the problem may be software related. If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, make a note of the error code and contact Apple (Step 9). 

7. Refer to Mac OS Help Center and the Internet for assistance.
The Mac OS help system under the Help menu in the Finder includes a wealth of technical information.  AppleÕs Knowledge Base, and other resources for technical help and support are available 24 hours a day at www.apple.com/support.

8. Re-install Mac OS.
In many cases, a clean installation of the Mac OS will fix recurring problems. Back up any data before reinstalling. Please follow the instructions in your user manual or on your Restore CD to reinstall the Mac OS.

9. Contact Apple Service and Support for assistance. 
If these steps donÕt help resolve the problem, please review the service and support material that accompanied your computer for information on how to contact AppleCare for further assistance.

Recommendations for Mac OS X users

Apple Hardware Test is one of several tools and procedures you can use when your Macintosh is having trouble. Here are some steps you can follow to help resolve problems. Please back up your data before performing any of these steps.

1. Properly turn the computer off and on.
You can often eliminate problems by selecting the "Shut Down" option from the Apple (ð) menu to fully shut down the CPU, then restarting your system.

2. Check cables, peripherals, and user controls.
Shut down your computer. Then disconnect and reconnect all cables. Disconnect all peripherals (such as printers, scanners, cameras and external mass storage devices) to see if they are causing conflicts with your system. Adjust user controls on your monitors and other peripherals to see if this helps.

3. Start up from the system CD that shipped with your computer.
Start your system from the system CD by holding down the C key until you see the smiling Mac face. If the system works properly when started (booted) from the system CD, you can generally assume that the problem relates to the software which is installed on your computer. 

4. Start up from the Apple Hardware Test CD, and run the Quick and Extended Tests.
If the system does not work properly when started (booted) from a known-good system CD (Step 3), you can generally assume that the problem relates to your computer's hardware components. The Apple Hardware Test CD can often be used to start up your computer even if it will not boot into the Mac OS. If Apple Hardware Test passes both the Quick Test and the Extended Test, the problem may be software related. If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, make a note of the error code and contact Apple (Step 7). 

5. Refer to Mac Help and the Internet for assistance.
The Mac help system under the Help menu in the Finder includes a wealth of technical information.  AppleÕs Knowledge Base, and other resources for technical help and support are available 24 hours a day at www.apple.com/support.

6. Re-install Mac OS.
In many cases, a clean installation of the Mac OS will fix recurring problems. Back up any data before reinstalling. Please follow the instructions in your user manual or on your Restore CD to reinstall the Mac OS.

7. Contact Apple Service and Support for assistance. 
If these steps donÕt help resolve the problem, please review the service and support material that accompanied your computer for information on how to contact AppleCare for further assistance.

Copyright 2000-2002 Apple Computer, Inc.  All rights reserved.
AirPort, Apple, the Apple logo, FireWire ,  iBook, Mac, and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

October, 2002