MacBook Air: Using Apple Hardware Test

  • Last Modified: July 08, 2009
  • Article: HT2644
  • Old Article: 307239

Summary

If you suspect an issue with the MacBook Air hardware, you can use the Apple Hardware Test application to help determine if there's an issue with one of the computer's components, such as the memory or processor.

Products Affected

MacBook Air, Windows

To use Apple Hardware Test on your MacBook Air:

  1. Disconnect all external devices from your computer except the power adapter.
  2. Restart your MacBook Air while holding down the D key.
  3. When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language for your location.
  4. Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
  5. When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.
  6. If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn't detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.

If the previous method doesn't work on your MacBook Air, you can use another computer and Remote Install Mac OS X to run Apple Hardware Test. Make sure to install Remote Install Mac OS X on the other computer.

To run Apple Hardware Test remotely from another computer:

  1. Insert the Mac OS X Disc into the optical disc drive of the other computer. 
    • For Intel-based Apple computers shipping with Mac OS X v10.5.4 or earlier, Apple Hardware Test is located on the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 and should be included with your computer.
    • For Intel-based Apple computers shipping with Mac OS X v10.5.5 or later, Apple Hardware Test is located on the Applications Install Disc 2 and should be included with your computer.
  2. If your other computer is a Mac, open /Applications/Utilities/Remote Install Mac OS X. On Windows, choose "Remote Install Mac OS X" from the Install Assistant.
  3. Read the introduction and hold down the Option key while you click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X to launch Apple Hardware Test.
  4. On your MacBook Air, when the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language for your location.
  5. Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
  6. When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow the onscreen instructions.
    If Apple Hardware Test detects an issue, it displays an error code. Make a note of the error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn’t detect a hardware issue, the issue may be software related.
  7. On the other computer, click Quit to exit Remote Install Mac OS X. If you see a message saying the MacBook Air will be disconnected, click Quit Anyway.

Additional Information

For more information about Apple Hardware Test, see the Apple Hardware Test Read Me file on the Mac OS X Install Disc (see above for specific disc). You can read it on your other computer, or on your MacBook Air by using Remote Disc.

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