[HOWTO] Use Apple Hardware Test and other diagnostics to test for hardware - Page 2

Texas Mac Man · #9 August 8th, 2008, 08:36 PM

uxp, look at these links.

A dozen ways to eject or unmount a recalcitrant CD or DVD
http://www.osxfaq.com/dailytips/08-2002/08-12.ws

Ejecting media in Mac OS X: Removing 'stuck' CDs/DVDs
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?...41011075232575

PowerPC-based Macintosh: How to eject a disc when other options don't work
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106752

Cheers, Tom

uxp · #10 August 8th, 2008, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the link Tom, but it looks like my only option is to head into the Apple Store and get my drive replaced. I'm guessing that there is a catch mechanism inside the drive that isn't being properly released.

All those options result in the same exact thing: the drive ejects the Disc, but the disc doesn't come out.

Satcomer · #11 September 16th, 2008, 06:55 AM

Also for anyone the new single user program AppleJack that is now Leopard capable is out. It is really worth it.

eagledavid · #12 December 7th, 2008, 06:54 PM

The first time I ran the hardware test, I got this error message:4HDD/11/400000004, with an instruction to disconnect any peripherals and run the test again. I disconnected my external drive and ran it again. This time, no errors were found. Should I draw the obvious conclusion that there is a fault in the external drive? If so, is there any alternative to replacing it?
Thanks

DeltaMac · #13 December 7th, 2008, 09:34 PM

No, a failed test with an external device (that is not supported directly by the test) does not necessarily mean that device is bad. It simply means that test failed, but the test may not support that device anyway. The Apple Hardware test is only designed to test the Apple hardware....

Are you having problems with that drive?
Does that external drive pass a test through your Disk Utility/Repair Disk?

eagledavid · #14 December 7th, 2008, 10:54 PM

Yes, I am having trouble with the external drive -- it is clicking 3 or 4 times each minute or so, and I can't seem to get it to mount, so I can't run Disk Utility repair to test it.
My iMac G5 has been behaving very erratically recently -- frequent freezes, difficulty restarting --- but has passed Disk Utility, Applejack and Tech Tool tests. Is it possible that a defect on the external drive could be causing this?

DeltaMac · #15 December 7th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagledavid

... If so, is there any alternative to replacing it?
Thanks

Sounds like that external is having problems....
If Disk Utility won't do much, then you may want to try a more-capable repair utility. You said you tried Tech Tool Pro? IS that a recent version - maybe a version that came with your AppleCare with this Mac? What's the results with TechTool Pro?
If you don't get anywhere with that, and your drive is intermittently clicking, then it may be time to replace it. If you have important files on that drive, then you should find another utility to try, such as Disk Warrior.
If you can't borrow a copy from someone, you would need to purchase that. It's some good software to have for emergencies, but if it doesn't help you with this drive, then that's a hard choice, I suppose.
Replacement drives keep getting cheaper, however.....

eagledavid · #16 December 8th, 2008, 02:24 PM

I finally managed to mount the drive, Disk Drive repair indicated no problem, Tech Tools would not recognize the drive, so I have given up and will buy a new drive. The old one contains a Super Duper back-up and my Time Machine one-year back-up; if I have to lose the latter it's no big deal I guess.

I have ordered Disk Warrior.

I appreciate your help