Mac Pro (#7): Problems running Apple Hardware test; Power supply failures

Problems running Apple Hardware test Some users are reporting inexplicable issues with access to the Apple Hardware Test function offered on the Mac OS X Install disc included with Mac Pros.

MacFixIt reader Graham Jones writes:

"The manual that comes with the Mac Pro says that in order to access the 'Hardware Test' you insert the Install Disc #1, and reboot holding down the 'D' key.  It says a list of volumes will present itself, and you can choose the Hardware Test."

"Booting with 'D' held down does absolutely nothing, and booting with the 'Option' key down shows a list of startup volumes but no Hardware Test."

We've received notes from readers indicating no issues running Hardware Test on the Mac Pro, so we're not sure what is causing Graham's issue. If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

Power supply failures In what may well prove to be a rare occurrence, MacFixIt reader Fred Greaves reports a power supply failure resulting in a burning smell and loss of ability to turn the system on.

Fred writes:

"I have a two week old Mac Pro 2.66 (ordered it the day they were announced, got it the following day, Aug 8) which appears to have blown out the power supply this morning. I leave it in sleep overnight and got up this morning and found it off. I hit the power button and it made a loud 'pop' and immediately smelled a burning/electrical smell. I unplugged it from the UPS and called Apple.

"They want me to ship it directly to them (the whole machine) but aren't real clear as to when I will see a replacement, and don't seem to understand why I would want to hold onto the drive it shipped with, since it has most of my stuff on it and I have no way at this point to read an external SATA drive."

If you have experienced a similar problem, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• Mac Pro (#6): More on startup issues, random freezes caused by external devices
• Mac Pro (#5): Hangs with external FireWire drives; Blu-ray drive support; Poor Aperture performance; more
• Mac Pro (#4): Boot Camp support; AirPort and Bluetooth must be installed by service provider; more
• Mac Pro (#3): RAM specifications and clarifications; Noise levels; RAM shipment delays; Take-apart pictures
• Mac Pro technical notes: Processors are upgradeable, model string identifier, more
• Mac Pro introduced (notes from Keynote): Ships today, Up to Dual dual-core 3 GHz, more

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