MP 1,1-5,1 cMP 5,1 Monterey, USB3

[UKenGB]

Been running this Mac Pro on Monterey for some years now, with a USB3 PCIe expansion card that works. However, one port seems to not like USB3 devices. Not been a big problem, but decided to replace with a newer USB3 PCIe card that also has some USB-C ports and advertised as working in MacOS. It doesn't.

With that newer USB3 PCIe card installed, MP just won't boot. Powers on, but no further. Remove the card and it boots right up. Re-fit the earlier USB3 PCIe card and again it boots perfectly as it always has. Back to new card, but no boot. This is 100% repeatable.

Is it possible anything can be gained by resetting NVRAM and/or power control system (I forget the name, but need to disconnect from power for a few seconds). I can find the exact procedure, but is either reset going to have any effect on whether the Mac Pro can boot with a particular card installed?

 

[reader50]

SMC reset (System Management Controller). On a cMP, unplug for at least 10 seconds. Plug back in, wait at least 10 seconds before pressing the Power button.

It's worth a shot. Could you post the exact USB card models you're using, so we know which works, and which one is hanging a cMP from booting? It helps the next person to avoid the same mistake.

 

[joevt]

Check this thread (at least the first post):
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/usb-3-x-pcie-cards-for-classic-mac-pro.1501482/

 

[UKenGB]

This is the card (hope the URL is persistent):-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0DJ5ZRY3M

To be clear, I was not trying to boot from a drive attached to that card. The MP's boot drive is internal. However, it just would not boot when the above card was inserted although booted perfectly when that card was not installed and also when an older USB3 card is installed. I seem to recall though that it cannot boot from that otherwise functional older USB3 card.

I might try an NVRAM and SMC reset just to see if it makes a difference, but won't be for a while.

 

[tsialex]

Did you connect power to the card? This card requires that you connect a SATA power connector to it.

 

[UKenGB]

Well I don't see in the description/instructions any mention of it requiring that additional power, just a review comment about trying to power a 'larger' device, like printer or scanner. AFAICT it shouldn't need any extra power for basic USB usage and also I would be surprised if this was a requirement for the computer to even boot. Surely if additional power was required for the card to operate, without that it simply wouldn't work, rather than actually preventing the computer from booting at all?

I guess I could jury rig an additional power connector to the card, but it seems unlikely to me that this could be the cause of such a problem.

 

[tsialex]

Well I don't see in the description/instructions any mention of it requiring that additional power, just a review comment about trying to power a 'larger' device, like printer or scanner. AFAICT it shouldn't need any extra power for basic USB usage and also I would be surprised if this was a requirement for the computer to even boot. Surely if additional power was required for the card to operate, without that it simply wouldn't work, rather than actually preventing the computer from booting at all?

I guess I could jury rig an additional power connector to the card, but it seems unlikely to me that this could be the cause of such a problem.

Testet it, I have several USB cards that only work if you connect the power. Could also be a DOA card.

 

[UKenGB]

I'll certainly look into it some more. Reset NVRAM and SMC and try power to the card.

Won't be immediately, but will report back here when I do.