2009 Mac Pro Question

[buster84]

I have two 2009 Mac Pro's and one of my processors went out and apparently it took the processor board with it. I can boot the system off processor A but not processor B. When i took out the processor board the cpu was missing a few pads and smelt burnt. I'm not sure what happened, but long story short ive recently been looking up the CPU upgrades to 12 cores and picked up two Xenon 5670's.

Now the only issue im having is finding a replacement board. I found the part number 661-4998, but that didnt help much since i just found out apple wont sell me the part. I asked my local apple store how much it would cost for the board and they told me that they'd have to install it and it couldnt give me a price quote until i brought the machine in. I tried to explain that i live 40 mins away and i cant just go home and come back while lugging that heavy machine through the mall. All i wanted was a price quote and he told me that its apple's policy and there is nothing he could do. At this point iw as pretty angry and left. This experience has definitely made me rethink all future apple purchases considering i currently 2 macbook pro's, 2 mac pro's and a new top of the line 27" Imac.

The prices online for that board are upwords of $450 and since its 2014 i would have thought it to be a tad cheaper, but i guess not. I Just wish i knew apples price because that would at least give me an idea if i should pay them or buy it online. Has anyone here taken their computer in for a Processor board replacement? If so what was your final cost?

I figured that if i have to buy the board online i might as well pay more and get the 2010 version. I can move my working tray to my bad computer for the firmware hack, but will this actually allow me to use the 2010 board?

I've done alot of searching but i couldnt find the answer, the most i found was references to needing the 2010 firmware, but those threads were old and probably long before the firmware hack, but i wanted to confirm before i buy a 661-5708 tray on whether or not this would work. If id be happy to wait for one to show up on ebay with everything needed to slide it in, heat sinks and all.

Thanks

 

[brand]

All i wanted was a price quote and he told me that its apple's policy and there is nothing he could do. At this point iw as pretty angry and left. This experience has definitely made me rethink all future apple purchases considering i currently 2 macbook pro's, 2 mac pro's and a new top of the line 27" Imac.

Given that you admitted that the computer has faulty hardware, have been messing with nonuser serviceable parts, and are not qualified to diagnose what is wrong with it I can fully understand why Apple would require the computer to be present when they give a quote. There could also be a number of other things that are also going on that you are not aware of that could easily effect the quote.

I figured that if i have to buy the board online i might as well pay more and get the 2010 version. I can move my working tray to my bad computer for the firmware hack, but will this actually allow me to use the 2010 board?

It is widely believed that putting a processor board from a 5,1 in a 4,1 will cause all of the fans to run at full speed. The reason for this is believed to be because the SMC version between a 4,1 and 5,1 is different. I have not personally seen it so that is why I say it is widely believed. Also flashing a 4,1 with a hacked 5,1 EFI does not make the 4,1 a 5,1. All that it does is make the 4,1 think that it is a 5,1.

 

[Cancaro]

**** the mother of the MacPro 2009


: Mad:: Mad:

 

[buster84]

Given that you admitted that the computer has faulty hardware, have been messing with nonuser serviceable parts, and are not qualified to diagnose what is wrong with it I can fully understand why Apple would require the computer to be present when they give a quote. There could also be a number of other things that are also going on that you are not aware of that could easily effect the quote.

I'm more than qualified. I have not only taken computer engineering classes along side my other classes, but i also worked at computer repair shops for years before college. There is no reason he could not have quoted me for the exact repair i requested, I fully understand that if they found something else wrong with it could go up, but that wasn't going to happen since i know whats wrong.

I know exactly what I'm doing when it comes to diagnosing the computer. The only issue with the computer is the processor tray. I'm more qualified than the stupid tech that didn't even realize that the processor board slide out when i asked him about it at the apple counter, hence the reason i left and didn't bother arguing.

I don't get your reasoning at all for trying to claim nonuser serviceable parts. There is not such thing, anyone can be qualified to service a computer as long as they have the basic skills. Also If you want to work on something you have a right to do it and Apple is the only company that i know of that is restricting parts. You don't see car manufactures not selling car parts to the users? Other computer manufactures sell the Motherboards to there computers without requiring to pay for service. It's just another way for apple to make money and I never actuallly knew this till now and its definitely opened up my eyes about this and it will definitely affect all future apple purchases.

It is widely believed that putting a processor board from a 5,1 in a 4,1 will cause all of the fans to run at full speed. The reason for this is believed to be because the SMC version between a 4,1 and 5,1 is different. I have not personally seen it so that is why I say it is widely believed. Also flashing a 4,1 with a hacked 5,1 EFI does not make the 4,1 a 5,1. All that it does is make the 4,1 think that it is a 5,1.

This makes sense, i guess it would work but the fans at full speed wouldn't be worth it. I'll probably stick to the 2009 board unless someone on here has done this swap and can explain how they got it to work, or how it didn't work ect...

 

[Zorn]

I'm more than qualified. I have not only taken computer engineering classes along side my other classes, but i also worked at computer repair shops for years before college. There is no reason he could not have quoted me for the exact repair i requested, I fully understand that if they found something else wrong with it could go up, but that wasn't going to happen since i know whats wrong.

I know exactly what I'm doing when it comes to diagnosing the computer. The only issue with the computer is the processor tray. I'm more qualified than the stupid tech that didn't even realize that the processor board slide out when i asked him about it at the apple counter, hence the reason i left and didn't bother arguing.

I don't get your reasoning at all for trying to claim nonuser serviceable parts. There is not such thing, anyone can be qualified to service a computer as long as they have the basic skills. Also If you want to work on something you have a right to do it and Apple is the only company that i know of that is restricting parts. You don't see car manufactures not selling car parts to the users? Other computer manufactures sell the Motherboards to there computers without requiring to pay for service. It's just another way for apple to make money and I never actuallly knew this till now and its definitely opened up my eyes about this and it will definitely affect all future apple purchases.



This makes sense, i guess it would work but the fans at full speed wouldn't be worth it. I'll probably stick to the 2009 board unless someone on here has done this swap and can explain how they got it to work, or how it didn't work ect...

Well, you came here for advice, and that's what he was attempting to give you. Just because you feel confident in your ability to diagnose the board, and you feel like there must not be anything else wrong, the fact remains that Apple considers this to be a non-user serviceable part. There's not much point in arguing about that designation with us - we didn't set Apple's rules on this.

Your best bet is either to do what they requested and take your Mac into the Apple store, or just order an entire processor tray online.

 

[goMac]

Removing the processor from the board is not, and has never been, considered user serviceable. That's why Apple is balking at selling the boards alone. Besides, you're likely to be paying the same amount of money. I'd bet the part cost for the board through Apple is $400 as well.

Just buy the 2009 board. I'm not sure having mismatched boards in there will lead to anything but trouble.

 

[ilikewhey]

Well, you came here for advice, and that's what he was attempting to give you. Just because you feel confident in your ability to diagnose the board, and you feel like there must not be anything else wrong, the fact remains that Apple considers this to be a non-user serviceable part. There's not much point in arguing about that designation with us - we didn't set Apple's rules on this.

Your best bet is either to do what they requested and take your Mac into the Apple store, or just order an entire processor tray online.

not very good advice if you ask me, so far every post here is about reassuring what apple said.

to OP, your better off not getting the board from apple, since there are significantly cheaper price else where.

http://www.macpalace.com/661-4998-processor-board-xeon-mac-pro-a1289.html

the apple store nears me is full of dumb smug *******, you wouldn't believe the things they do there, i guess the hiring requirement nowadays is if you can help a grandma sort through her photo album on her ipad youre good enough. i went in to ask about the spec of one of the mac pro and all this sales rep can do is tell me the price.

the fact that your guy didn't even know the tray is removable is a big no no. i wouldn't trust that guy with a ipod.

 

[Zorn]

the apple store nears me is full of dumb smug *******, you wouldn't believe the things they do there, i guess the hiring requirement nowadays is if you can help a grandma sort through her photo album on her ipad youre good enough. i went in to ask about the spec of one of the mac pro and all this sales rep can do is tell me the price.

the fact that your guy didn't even know the tray is removable is a big no no. i wouldn't trust that guy with a ipod.

The people in the front of house at the Apple Store are salespeople. They have technicians in the back that do most of the highly technical work and these people are very aware of the specs and parts and models. The person who schedules your genius bar appointment probably doesn't know that the CPU tray slides out, but the person who would be working on your machine definitely does.

 

[buster84]

not very good advice if you ask me, so far every post here is about reassuring what apple said.

to OP, your better off not getting the board from apple, since there are significantly cheaper price else where.

http://www.macpalace.com/661-4998-processor-board-xeon-mac-pro-a1289.html

the apple store nears me is full of dumb smug *******, you wouldn't believe the things they do there, i guess the hiring requirement nowadays is if you can help a grandma sort through her photo album on her ipad youre good enough. i went in to ask about the spec of one of the mac pro and all this sales rep can do is tell me the price.

the fact that your guy didn't even know the tray is removable is a big no no. i wouldn't trust that guy with a ipod.

That site is a bate and switch site. I actually placed and order with them back in September for the tray since it was at a good price and they told me they no longer sold them (refurbished) but they could sell me a new one for $150 more. I said, "no thanks and told them to update there price" to this day it still the same price. They have that price low to bait you into a order then sell you something different. Look at there reviews and bbb reviews. It's bad. After that experience I decided against buying it online. I'm just getting around wanting to fix this this again and Now that I've found more disturbing news about apple unwilling to sell it to people makes me cringe.

I don't care if apple made the design difficult we have a right to be able to fix out own computers and I hope one day apple gets sued for this monopoly. At the very least they should allow us to take a test to become qualified to repair Your own computer and buy your own parts knowing that there is no warranty on them. We don't even have that as an option.

The people in the front of house at the Apple Store are salespeople. They have technicians in the back that do most of the highly technical work and these people are very aware of the specs and parts and models. The person who schedules your genius bar appointment probably doesn't know that the CPU tray slides out, but the person who would be working on your machine definitely does.

I made an appt to talk to the tech not the sales person, I thought that's who I talked too, maybe it was so busy they had me talk to the wrong person. Another thought is that maybe the guy was thinking about the new mac pros and somehow tuned me out when I said 2009... I can't really say other than they lack of knowledge that I seen made me not even want to trust them.

 

[ilikewhey]

i did not know about that site, thanks for the headsup. and here i thought i found a reliable backup option should my mac pro ever failed

 

[goMac]

I made an appt to talk to the tech not the sales person, I thought that's who I talked too, maybe it was so busy they had me talk to the wrong person. Another thought is that maybe the guy was thinking about the new mac pros and somehow tuned me out when I said 2009... I can't really say other than they lack of knowledge that I seen made me not even want to trust them.

It was a tech person, it's just not at all a part Apple will sell you from the store. That's not how smart the tech person is, that's Apple policy, plain and simple.

AppleCare isn't a giant parts depot. Parts can't be sold by AppleCare techs, and most of the time it requires the return of the old part.

The Apple Store will not just sell you a lot of parts that are not considered user serviceable. It's policy. The computer will literally prevent the tech from ordering them for direct sale to a customer.

If it's not something that can be found on the Apple Store web site (besides small things like feet), it is not sold by the Apple Store. Period.

 

[brand]

I don't get your reasoning at all for trying to claim nonuser serviceable parts. There is not such thing, anyone can be qualified to service a computer as long as they have the basic skills.

Can you please show me where it is documented that Apple considers the processor or processor board a user serviceable part?

It is interesting that you think it only takes basic skills to be qualified to service computers. It is pretty standard that when one is qualified it is backed up with certifications.

not very good advice if you ask me, so far every post here is about reassuring what apple said.

What part about what I said is not accurate for why Apple requires the computer to be present to give an accurate diagnostic?

What part about where I said what can happen when putting a 5,1 processor board into a 4,1 was not accurate?

Point out any advise that I provided. Obviously the word advice does not mean what you think it means.

 

[ilikewhey]

Can you please show me where it is documented that Apple considers the processor or processor board a user serviceable part?

It is interesting that you think it only takes basic skills to be qualified to service computers. It is pretty standard that when one is qualified it is backed up with certifications.




What part about what I said is not accurate for why Apple requires the computer to be present to give an accurate diagnostic?

What part about where I said what can happen when putting a 5,1 processor board into a 4,1 was not accurate?

Point out any advise that I provided. Obviously the word advice does not mean what you think it means.

does your comment help him solve his issues of trying to find a board? no you just stated how uptight apple's policies are.

obviously helping does not mean what you think it means

 

[brand]

2009 Mac Pro Question

does your comment help him solve his issues of trying to find a board? no you just stated how uptight apple's policies are.



obviously helping does not mean what you think it means

If by helping you mean trying to help someone to understand why a policy might be why it is then it means exactly what I think it means. Having the device present to perform a thorough diagnosis and an accurate quote is pretty standard across all industries.

I'm still waiting for you to answer the questions I asked.

 

[Zorn]

does your comment help him solve his issues of trying to find a board? no you just stated how uptight apple's policies are.

obviously helping does not mean what you think it means

I get that OP is unhappy that Apple won't allow him to order the board as a retail part, but the other options have already been given. Either go through Apple and follow their steps, or find the board somewhere online, whether that be eBay or elsewhere.

The only question that hasn't been answered yet is what price others have paid to have the Apple Store replace the board.

 

[Macsonic]

Just spoke to a Mac technician from an Apple Reseller to clarify. He said that for major components like CPU trays, GPUs or HDs they have to require the user to bring the Mac Pro for MRI. This is to also check other parts that may need repair.

 

[SamPotts]

I bought a cheap used 2009 8 core a few years back and the PSU had gone which seemingly took the backplane with it. I replaced the PSU and looked for a backplane but was getting quotes of $500-600 USD just to supply it. Took it into Apple and surprisingly they supplied and fitted it for $500 AUD (I think fitting was free) and in Australia we generally get ripped off (I think it's some form of nice weather tax). Suffice to say I was pretty happy. You might be surprised.

 

[buster84]

I bought a cheap used 2009 8 core a few years back and the PSU had gone which seemingly took the backplane with it. I replaced the PSU and looked for a backplane but was getting quotes of $500-600 USD just to supply it. Took it into Apple and surprisingly they supplied and fitted it for $500 AUD (I think fitting was free) and in Australia we generally get ripped off (I think it's some form of nice weather tax). Suffice to say I was pretty happy. You might be surprised.

I've been thinking about lugging that 50lb monster down there but I just don't have effort to fight for parking and walk 15-20 mins carrying the big heavy desktop into the mall. If I didn't live in a big tourist town then maybe it wouldn't be as bad but I'd be really mad if I drove 50mins spent 20mins lugging it into the mall just to find out it's going to be overpriced and have to lug it all the way home.

I wish apple would open some stores outside of the crowded malls

Just spoke to a Mac technician from an Apple Reseller to clarify. He said that for major components like CPU trays, GPUs or HDs they have to require the user to bring the Mac Pro for MRI. This is to also check other parts that may need repair.

Thanks for the info

 

[MacVidCards]

Apple stores here in LA will loan you a cart to haul cMP from parking garage.

Getting mad at people who give you correct advice isn't going to help you, BTW.

Apple has made it quite clear that they believe their customers are a fleet of morons who would clean their computers in a saltwater bath if left to their own choices, so they remove as much choice as possible.

When I had a buggered CPU tray I got a new one from DVWarehouse for $400 or so. Was brand new in Apple packaging.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Apple stores here in LA will loan you a cart to haul cMP from parking garage.

Getting mad at people who give you correct advice isn't going to help you, BTW.

Apple has made it quite clear that they believe their customers are a fleet of morons who would clean their computers in a saltwater bath if left to their own choices, so they remove as much choice as possible.

When I had a buggered CPU tray I got a new one from DVWarehouse for $400 or so. Was brand new in Apple packaging.

Funny, my local store didn't do anything for me. I was expected to lug it in and out of the store (which of course is in a busy mall) which was fine with me. I had to take it in for a video card replacment since the card was still under AppleCare (bought in upgrade kit). I had to remove all my upgrades in one day and downgrade the firmware. PITA to the say the least.

Anywho, OP this is normal Apple practice. Your best luck would be to contact a local AASP and see if they will sell you the part. They might want the old one back but quite a few I found in my area had no problem selling me genuine parts (at extremely high prices though).

Like MacVidCards said, Apple pretty much believes we are morons who can't service or upgrade their own machine. My personal take on it is, if it's under AppleCare don't tinker with it. The day it leaves AppleCare, tear it apart and replace their crappy thermal paste. (It still seems Apple still hasn't learned the value of a tube of Artic Silver 5)

Just my 2 cents.

 

[jonathartur]

This is the first time I've been on my 2009 mac pro since I replaced the backplane board.
There are two places that offer parts for reasonable prices.
http://www.dvwarehouse.com/661-4999...ors-for-Mac-Pro-Early-2009---NEW-p-38257.html
and Macpalace.
Mac palace was a fan of bait and switch marketing and I wasn't, but their prices are better than Ebay.

Which board do you need? When mine went I found a X3550 at a local computer store for $50 and popped it in. I think $50 is a reasonable price to see if it's your mother board or just the processor.

I took it to my local apple retailer and for $60 they recommended throwing a new GT 120 at it for $500.
In the service manual it says if you suspect the graphics card, to pull it and boot the computer, wait for a chime and boot noises. There were still none.