MP 1,1-5,1 Early 2008 Mac Pro won’t remain on

[Ashleekhb]

I am trying to upgrade my early 2008 Mac Pro into a day trading computer.
It’s running El Capitan OS.
It’s got 2 x 2.3 ghz quad core
I’ve upgraded it with Kingston Ram totally 68gb (8 x 8gb).
it currently has to SATA hard drives with 500 gb each.

If I turn it on and just look at the specs, etc it does fine. I was able to back up all data to an external hard drive with no shut downs. However if I try to do anything taxing (like the internet) the screen goes black, the fans start running loudly and the power light flashes.
Any ideas what could be happening here?

I’d rather just upgrade this tower as it will be cheaper than buying an entirely new computer system.

 

[joevt]

Do you have maxmem=63488 in boot-args? Otherwise the Mac Pro 2008 runs really slow with 64 GB of RAM.
There is a corresponding option required for Windows (can set max mem using bcdedit or EasyBCD.exe from Neosmart).
I think Linux handles 64GB properly without change.
[automerge]1598138546[/automerge]
What GPU are you using?

 

[EugW]

Is there such a thing as an early 2008 dual 2.3 GHz quad-core?

What does it say when you go to About This Mac --> System Report?

Is it MacPro1,1 or MacPro2,1 or MacPro3,1?

 

[joevt]

Is there such a thing as an early 2008 dual 2.3 GHz quad-core?

What does it say when you go to About This Mac --> System Report?

Is it MacPro1,1 or MacPro2,1 or MacPro3,1?

I think he meant 3.2 GHz? Like this:

 

[EugW]

I think he meant 3.2 GHz? Like this:
View attachment 946736

Maybe you're right but it would be good if she can confirm though.

 

[Ashleekhb]

Is there such a thing as an early 2008 dual 2.3 GHz quad-core?

What does it say when you go to About This Mac --> System Report?

Is it MacPro1,1 or MacPro2,1 or MacPro3,1?

My apologies you are correct I typed that incorrectly. It’s 2.8GHz.
I don’t know how to tell what it is. How would I look up if it’s a 1,1-3,1?

 

[Ashleekhb]

I think he meant 3.2 GHz? Like this:
View attachment 946736

 

[Ashleekhb]

Do you have maxmem=63488 in boot-args? Otherwise the Mac Pro 2008 runs really slow with 64 GB of RAM.
There is a corresponding option required for Windows (can set max mem using bcdedit or EasyBCD.exe from Neosmart).
I think Linux handles 64GB properly without change.
[automerge]1598138546[/automerge]
What GPU are you using?

Unfortunately while I’m fairly technologically savvy I can’t say I know what maxmem is or how to know if I have it. I can remove some of the RAM if necessary would 32gb be more appropriate?

 

[EugW]

View attachment 946764

Thx. You do have the 3,1 but if you want to confirm that you just have to press the System Report button at the bottom left of that screengrab above.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I am trying to upgrade my early 2008 Mac Pro into a day trading computer.
It’s running El Capitan OS.
It’s got 2 x 2.3 ghz quad core
I’ve upgraded it with Kingston Ram totally 68gb (8 x 8gb).
it currently has to SATA hard drives with 500 gb each.

If I turn it on and just look at the specs, etc it does fine. I was able to back up all data to an external hard drive with no shut downs. However if I try to do anything taxing (like the internet) the screen goes black, the fans start running loudly and the power light flashes.
Any ideas what could be happening here?

I’d rather just upgrade this tower as it will be cheaper than buying an entirely new computer system.

I think what you need right now is a thorough cleaning and re-applying of thermal grease for your cMP.
After that, if the problem still persists, you could think of upgrading.

 

[KeesMacPro]

The screenshot post #7 shows 4GB RAM...

So if you installed 8X8GB RAM ,it's incompatible or defective.
If possible install the RAM modules that were installed before ,test and post a screenshot.

BTW: make sure that the RAM boards and the modules are properly inserted.

This can be helpful for installing parts,maintenance, de-dusting , troubleshooting etc:

http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/macpro_early2008.pdf

 

[Ashleekhb]

Thx. You do have the 3,1 but if you want to confirm that you just have to press the System Report button at the bottom left of that screengrab above.

I will try and see if I can get the computer to turn on again. After it self sleeps it usually takes about 24 hrs before I can get it to turn back on.

 

[Ashleekhb]

The screenshot post #7 shows 4GB RAM...

So if you installed 8X8GB RAM ,it's incompatible or defective.
If possible install the RAM modules that were installed before ,test and post a screenshot.

BTW: make sure that the RAM boards and the modules are properly inserted.

This can be helpful for installing parts,maintenance, de-dusting , troubleshooting etc:

http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/macpro_early2008.pdf

The screenshot was taken prior to my installing the new RAM. It was doing the self sleep issue prior to the ram install so I don’t believe it to be a RAM issue. Also it did turn in and I could see all sticks were working properly I just didn’t grab a screen shot unfortunately.

 

[EugW]

I will try and see if I can get the computer to turn on again. After it self sleeps it usually takes about 24 hrs before I can get it to turn back on.

Take out that new RAM, and put your old ram back in.

Is it cheap RAM from eBay with no proper heat sinks? Does it have heat sensors? (If it is Kingston it probably has heat sensors but Apple-approved heat sinks are another matter.)

If if you must use than RAM and it is overheating you can take off the side panel of the Mac Pro and point a desk fan on low at it if you need to try to boot into the OS for whatever reason.

 

[KeesMacPro]

This can be helpful for installing parts,maintenance, de-dusting , troubleshooting etc:
http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/macpro_early2008.pdf

 

[Ashleekhb]

Take out that new RAM, and put your old ram back in.

Is it cheap RAM from eBay with no proper heat sinks? Does it have heat sensors? (If it is Kingston it probably has heat sensors but Apple-approved heat sinks are another matter.)

If if you must use than RAM and it is overheating you can take off the side panel of the Mac Pro and point a desk fan on low at it if you need to try to boot into the OS for whatever reason.

It is certified compatible with Apple, however it looks completely different than the original ram in the computer, (the heat sinks, not the pins). The biggest reason I don’t think it’s RAN related is because it was doing this prior to the ram install. I had hoped giving it more ram would allow it to run better.
I am thinking it may have to do with the layer of dust inside. As well as an issue with heat as it’s almost as if the computer is concerned it’s going to overheat and that’s why it goes to sleep and the fans begin running loudly.

 

[EugW]

It may be something else as you say, but I wonder if there may be something going on with the RAM too, since your screengrab says only 4 GB is detected. Post a picture of your RAM and how it's installed in your risers.

BTW, low amounts of RAM should not cause system instability. El Capitan boots perfectly and runs just fine with 4 GB RAM (if all you want to do is boot the OS and run one or two simple applications at a time). It even boots fine with 2 GB (but speed with 2 GB will suck).

If you have the side panel off, when the machine is on, do you see the red RAM error lights come on, on the RAM risers?

As for "certified", I don't know what that means. There is Kingston RAM that is certified to run specifically with the Mac Pro 3,1 (800 MHz) but there is also RAM that might be certified for older models (667 MHz) that isn't supposed to be used in the Mac Pro 3,1, at least in a mixed RAM configuration. Furthermore, there is Kingston RAM with different heatsinks that is "certified" just by the seller to work in the Mac Pro 3,1 and which will work if installed in a proper configuration, but which can cause all sorts of problems if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

 

[Ashleekhb]

It may be something else as you say, but I wonder if there may be something going on with the RAM too, since your screengrab says only 4 GB is detected. Post a picture of your RAM and how it's installed in your risers.

BTW, low amounts of RAM should not cause system instability. El Capitan boots perfectly and runs just fine with 4 GB RAM (if all you want to do is boot the OS and run one or two simple applications at a time). It even boots fine with 2 GB (but speed with 2 GB will suck).

If you have the side panel off, when the machine is on, do you see the red RAM error lights come on, on the RAM risers?

As for "certified", I don't know what that means. There is Kingston RAM that is certified to run specifically with the Mac Pro 3,1 (800 MHz) but there is also RAM that might be certified for older models (667 MHz) that aren't supposed to be used in the Mac Pro 3,1, at least in a mixed RAM configuration. Furthermore, there is Kingston RAM that is "certified" just by the seller to work in the Mac Pro 3,1 but which can cause all sorts of problems if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

you are correct. I turned the computer on with the side off and one of the error lights did come on. The RAM are 667 MHz.

The computer turned on long enough to show me the red light but after I shut it down to take the above picture it won’t turn back on again. The fan just runs and runs.

 

[EugW]

you are correct. I turned the computer on with the side off and one of the error lights did come on. The RAM are 667 MHz.
View attachment 946820 The computer turned on long enough to show me the red light but after I shut it down to take the above picture it won’t turn back on again. The fan just runs and runs.

That RAM could be the culprit. It’s not quite the right RAM for your machine. If all is working perfectly it usually should work (at 667 MHZ), but often it isn’t all working properly. And you said you get the red error light. If it’s a persistent red light then there is something wrong.

If you have at least 2 GB RAM with the proper heat sinks then take out ALL of that new RAM and put back the proper RAM. As little as 2 GB of proper RAM will be sufficient for testing purposes. And make sure everything is seated properly before starting up the machine again.

EDIT:

What size DIMMs of old proper RAM do you have? If it's say 4 x 1 GB, you might want to start with installing just 2 x 1 GB. If that doesn't work then try installing the other two sticks of RAM.

 

[Ashleekhb]

That RAM could be the culprit. It’s not quite the right RAM for your machine. If all is working perfectly it usually should work (at 667 MHZ), but often it isn’t all working properly. And you said you get the red error light. If it’s a persistent red light then there is something wrong.

If you have at least 2 GB RAM with the proper heat sinks then take out ALL of that new RAM and put back the proper RAM. As little as 2 GB of proper RAM will be sufficient for testing purposes. And make sure everything is seated properly before starting up the machine again.

EDIT:

What size DIMMs of old proper RAM do you have? If it's say 4 x 1 GB, you might want to start with installing just 2 x 1 GB. If that doesn't work then try installing the other two sticks of RAM.

I took out all of the new RAM and installed just the original which I believe to be this

The screen still won’t turn on. The power light is on and the fan is running loud but no start up screen.

 

[EugW]

I took out all of the new RAM and installed just the original which I believe to be this
View attachment 946844
The screen still won’t turn on. The power light is on and the fan is running loud but no start up screen.

Yes that is the proper RAM for you, and you have 2 GB so that should be OK. Hopefully the RAM is still good.

Hmmm... What is your GPU?

 

[Ashleekhb]

Yes that is the proper RAM for you, and you have 2 GB so that should be OK. Hopefully the RAM is still good.

Hmmm... What is your GPU?

It’s the original that came with the unit but it may have been an upgraded version. It’s the NVIDIA GEForce. Most likely the 8800 GT?

 

[EugW]

It’s the original that came with the unit but it may have been an upgraded version. It’s the NVIDIA GEForce. Most likely the 8800 GT?

I wonder if it’s still good. It’s one possible cause (but by no means the only possibility).

 

[Ashleekhb]

I wonder if it’s still good. It’s one possible cause (but by no means the only possibility).

Any suggestions as to what I could replace it with that won’t cost the same as a new tower?

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Any suggestions as to what I could replace it with that won’t cost the same as a new tower?

A cheap Radeon HD5xxx or 6xxx will do, I guess.
I have 1 Radeon HD6670 (PC card, not Mac) which works fine in my MP1,1.
I bought another GTX680 (PC card, flashed with Mac compatible BIOS rom), also works fine.

More cards are described in this thread. MP 3,1 can take almost any not-so-new PC VGA cards.

If you are the nostagic type who prefer Mac VGA card, 2nd hand GT120 or HD5770 are available as well.