--- Trevor Cordes wrote:
 In theory an Intel Mac should be able to boot normal x86 boot 
 CDs for disk diags.  Unless the Mac BIOS does something 
 stupid to make that impossible (wouldn't surprise me).  
 You'll have to ask/google Mac people.

I've never been able to get it to work. When I insert Memtest86+ v4.10,
it does work. However, keyboard does not respond. Since this program
starts right into its diagnostic, that isn't a problem. But the eject
button on they keyboard does eject the CD.

For hard drive diagnostics, I use Hiren. But that has never worked on an
Intel Mac. Hiren has multiple tools, and I tried Hiren version 9.9,
13.1, and 15.2; each time the iMac just ejects the disk. I also burnt a
CD of SeaTools for DOS v2.23, and a disk for SeaTools for DOS
v1.10PH,
and one for Hitachi Drive Fitness Test, but the iMac ejects those too.

 My fave utility for 
 this is UBCD which has all the mfr's diags on one disc that 
 manages to boot on more systems than the originals!

I have a copy of UBCD v4.1.1 and tried it on my iMac as I type this.
(24-inch mid 2007) It was able to start, and did respond to the
keyboard. Until I started SeaTools for DOS v1.09. It showed the legal
disclaimer, but when I tried to type "Y" to accept, it froze. Salvation
HDD Scan & Repair V3.0 froze on "Loading". Western Digital Data
Lifeguard Diagnostic V4.15, V5.04f, and V11.2 all froze on "Loading".

 Can you do this
 through USB?

 No.  Diags don't run through USB.

Perhaps this is part of the problem. Intel iMacs do not have PS/2. I
checked Wikipedia, every model of iMac back to the first G3 in 1999 has
been USB only. Power Mac built in year 2000 was the last to use
mini-DIN-8 for keyboard. They never used PS/2 (mini-DIN-6).

Rob Dyck

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