How to fix an Apple Hardware Test (AHT) configuration

apple-hardware-testsnow leopard

I have two MacBookPros on which I run 10.6.8. One has a Core i5 (MacBookPro6,1), the other a Core i7 (MacBookPro8,3). I move the SSD from one to other as occasion or whim demands. On the Core i5, AHT runs successfully. On the Core i7, AHT fails to launch. Before the machine shuts down, it briefly displays a window with the error: “Apple Hardware Test had trouble reading env file Configs\AHT_default.env”.

Where is this file located? (note the "\" in the file name). How do I repair it?

Best Answer

For Apple Hardware Test to work, you need to ensure you're using the correct version for the model of Mac you're testing.

Assuming you have the model identifiers correct:

  • the MacBookPro6,1 is a Mid 2010 17" MacBook Pro which uses AHT 3A175
  • the MacBookPro8,3 is a Early 2011 17" MacBook Pro which used AHT 3A211

My guess is that you're trying to run the same version of Apple Hardware Test (AHT) on both machines, and this is where you're running into problems.

[UPDATE]

Below are direct links to download each of the above versions of AHT directly from Apple:

You can run AHT from a bootable USB drive, but first you will need to copy the AHT onto your USB drive and bless it so it can boot your MBP.