osx - Run Apple Hardware Test on Mac without SuperDrive

07
2014-07
  • bkbeachlabs

    I suspect the hard disk in my Mid-2009 Macbook Pro is about to die. I am having unusual problems saving from Dreamweaver CS6 and Xcode 5 where it will simply not let me save, and then refuse to Quit Properly since it knows I have an unsaved file. After a Force Quit I am unable to use the Apple → Shut Down menu.

    I have rebooted into Disk Utility and repaired the disk and disk permissions, both successfully, but the problem still happens.

    I want to try the Hardware tests that came with my computer, and I DO have the disk, but the SuperDrive in my computer makes an odd clicking sound when I try to insert the disk and immediately ejects it. I've tried cleaning the drive with compressed air but if there's something physical inside I've been unable to clear it.

    I have access to a second identical computer which I could conceivably use as a remote disk drive, but I'm under the impression that this isn't possible with my model of MBP.

    How do I run the Hardware Tests if I can't use my SuperDrive?

    • Answers
  • Marc7654

    First get SMART Utility for OS X http://www.volitans-software.com/smart_utility.php and use that to check your drive to see if it's about to fail.

    Not sure if this will work but put the DVD (I think it's actually a CD) in the other identical Mac. Then Target Disk Boot that system and connect it to your problem Mac. Then see if you can do the hardware test boot. Your problem Mac may be able to see the CD in the other machine and boot to it.

    You might review http:// support.apple.com/kb/ht1509 and try the options there also. Some Macs have the hardware test on the internal drive. Which would be a problem if the drive is actually failing.

    If those don't work then you may be able to use disk utility to clone the DVD/CD to a USB stick and boot to that. See https:/ /www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh4iHJyL7AU When you boot the machine hold down the 'option' key to see if you can select the USB drive. The H key may also work.


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  • D. Wroblewski

    My hard disk crashed and I need to reinstall Mac OS X. I restart, insert the installation DVD, press c on the keyboard and the dvd ejects. I've tried different DVDs, even CDs. It's a Macbook Pro from march 2008.

    Is it broken? Or can it be something more severe like the firewire controller on the motherboard (since I noticed this after my hard drive started to act strangely)? I've ran Apple Hardware Test successfully.


    • Related Answers
  • Bruce McLeod

    I had the exact same fault. The drive is faulty and needs to be replaced.

  • Henry Kuo

    Just did something that worked for me. After trying to insert a Leopard install DVD several times with all results ending in it being ejected, I lay the laptop so the back of the display side was resting on the floor, resulting in the keyboard side being 90 degrees to the floor. I inserted the DVD downwards into the slot, and it was recognized!

    I can't assume that it would be this easy for anyone else, but it worked for me, so you may as well give it a try.

  • Matthew Schinckel

    You could try using a CD cleaning disc first. Some people have reported this cures it.

    Mine only ejects blank discs. And it's rather rare for me to burn anyway.

  • dbr

    It seems to be an issue with slot-loading disc drives - I have this problem with two separate machines (an original Macbook Pro, and an iMac G5) - both drives will work with most discs fine, but with others it constantly eject them, as you describe (it's happened with some writable CD/DVD's, the OS X install disc, a game installer DVD etc - no obvious reason or pattern..)

    They are both well outside any kind of warranty, and since the iMac is horrible to open up (it seems to be constructed with selotape and tinfoil..), and I rarely use the DVD drive on the laptop, I ended up buying an external USB DVD-burner - which you can buy them for about £30 now..

    PPC machines cannot boot of a USB device, but luckily the internal drive would take the OS X install disc fine.. If that fails, you can boot from a secondary harddrive partition, or disc-image, which could be setup from a different machine

  • Asmus

    First of all, are you sure you´re doing it with the right timing? This may sound silly, but if you try to insert the DVD to quickly (e.g. at the time your Mac chimes) it will throw it out in the instant - just keep on holding the "c"-key and after a few seconds feed it the DVD. Also, how exactly did you try different CDs? Are they all bootable? And lastly: do you have an external Hard Drive? Then you could try booting from it (for instance by cloning the Mac OS X disk onto it).