Issues with Boot up on Mac Pro 3,1 (2008).

[Trojan90]

After updating to Maverick I was having issues with boot up where the screen would not turn on. The monitor shows no input signal and it would do it a few times after I manually turned the Mac Pro off by only holding down the power button. Then within the last few weeks it wouldn't come back on after a restart or if I shut down and then re-booted an hour later. Within the last week it seems to not boot up without pulling the power plug for at least 24 hours. I read somewhere on the Apple support that there was an issue with the Intel Mac Pros and not clearing the memory (or something like that) so I tried to check the video card and also pulled the power plug from the back of the Mac Pro. A day or so later I can plug it back in and then the screen would come up.

I tried to read on the forums to see if there were similar problems with other people and I got the feeling that the 2008's had problems with the video cards. Maybe I am just seeing the problem now because we would only use it at night or on the weekends.

Does anyone have any idea it is the video card or do I need to take it in to get checked? I don't want to have to get a new computer but it is getting frustrating. Then I tried to look for a replacement video card and apparently there are no new replacements for this model, but used cards or PC flashed cards that can work, but have limitations.

Any help on what could be the problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Macsonic]

After updating to Maverick I was having issues with boot up where the screen would not turn on. The monitor shows no input signal and it would do it a few times after I manually turned the Mac Pro off by only holding down the power button. Then within the last few weeks it wouldn't come back on after a restart or if I shut down and then re-booted an hour later. Within the last week it seems to not boot up without pulling the power plug for at least 24 hours. I read somewhere on the Apple support that there was an issue with the Intel Mac Pros and not clearing the memory (or something like that) so I tried to check the video card and also pulled the power plug from the back of the Mac Pro. A day or so later I can plug it back in and then the screen would come up.

I tried to read on the forums to see if there were similar problems with other people and I got the feeling that the 2008's had problems with the video cards. Maybe I am just seeing the problem now because we would only use it at night or on the weekends.

Does anyone have any idea it is the video card or do I need to take it in to get checked? I don't want to have to get a new computer but it is getting frustrating. Then I tried to look for a replacement video card and apparently there are no new replacements for this model, but used cards or PC flashed cards that can work, but have limitations.

Any help on what could be the problem would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to hear about your problem. Try removing the riser cards and removing the ram modules and gently clean up the dust and then re-seat the ram. Hope fixes things up.

 

[stjames70]

Try any nvidia card

Hmmm, this particular Mac can be upgraded with almost any existing card on the market and any card designed for any MacPro with the exception of the nMP. If you have the original card that came with your Mac, do yourself a favor and get a new one. As suggested, also check your memory. We have five of the 3,1 computers in our office, and they react as fast or faster than even our newest iMacs -- the only components I had ever fail in these computers were hard drives (expected), video card (gtx 285), and some issues with 3rd party memory. You have a great computer, and if it is one of the issues above, you should be able to resolve it easily. One last thing, your power supply might be having problems. That one might be a difficult one to fix.....

 

[Trojan90]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your help and input. The computer has been a great workhorse with video and photos for the last 6 years. Just frustrated that I cannot isolate/fix the problem. I didn't upgrade the video card so it is the original ATI Radeon card. Saw some people suggested in different posts to take it out and remove any large dust. I did it a few days ago and still had issues with video signal not coming on. Last night I turned it on after keeping it unplugged for 1.5 days and it again came on first try. I will try your suggestions to see if problem.

If it were the video card, would it be reset the card by keeping the power cord off for a day or would that eliminate the video card from being the problem? I just cannot figure out why the computer must be without any power for 24 hours before it will have video out again. The computer powers up and seems to turn on fine but no video signal if I turn on with it being without power for the 24 hours. I even tried just doing maybe 5 - 8 hours and there is still no signal.

Thanks for your help.

 

[flowrider]

I'm assuming the graphics card in your machine is the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT. If this is the case, that card really is junk. They are prone to failure, and Apple had a warranty extension program on that card which has expired:

http://www.itproportal.com/2011/02/21/apple-extends-warranty-mac-pro-video-cards/

If you're interested, I have a MVC Flashed Gigabyte Nvidia GTX 570 that I was using in a Mac Pro 3,1 with good results. The Card is listed in the For Sale Section of this forum. I could let it go very cheaply.

Lou

 

[Macsonic]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your help and input. The computer has been a great workhorse with video and photos for the last 6 years. Just frustrated that I cannot isolate/fix the problem. I didn't upgrade the video card so it is the original ATI Radeon card. Saw some people suggested in different posts to take it out and remove any large dust. I did it a few days ago and still had issues with video signal not coming on. Last night I turned it on after keeping it unplugged for 1.5 days and it again came on first try. I will try your suggestions to see if problem.

If it were the video card, would it be reset the card by keeping the power cord off for a day or would that eliminate the video card from being the problem? I just cannot figure out why the computer must be without any power for 24 hours before it will have video out again. The computer powers up and seems to turn on fine but no video signal if I turn on with it being without power for the 24 hours. I even tried just doing maybe 5 - 8 hours and there is still no signal.

Thanks for your help.

Welcome Trojan90. The 2008 3.1 Mac Pro is a good, reliable machine. As suggested by St James, try a different video card and keep it as back up for future troubleshooting. One time my Viewsonic monitor went black with no image on my 2008 Mac Pro. Normally you start to worry and wonder where the problem is. Fortunately I had an extra video card and extra monitor. After some testing, it was the Viewsonic monitor that got busted. If you're in the middle of an important project, it's a time saver.

 

[hfg]

I just cannot figure out why the computer must be without any power for 24 hours before it will have video out again.

That would be a form of "SMC Reset" I suppose. Have you tried unplugging the power, then press and hold briefly the power switch? It might do the same thing, but faster than waiting 24 hours.

 

[Trojan90]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I was able to get a 5770 used. So I will try it out and see if it solves the problems. I will also try the SMT reset. Do you think the battery on the PCB could be the problem. I have never changed it out since we purchased in 2008?

 

[jakesaunders27]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I was able to get a 5770 used. So I will try it out and see if it solves the problems. I will also try the SMT reset. Do you think the battery on the PCB could be the problem. I have never changed it out since we purchased in 2008?

I had this problem not long ago it was a dodgy graphics card, I also thought it could be the battery but I got a 5770 and it runs like a dream now.

 

[Trojan90]

Thank you for your input! It is reassuring to me that it should be the video card. Looks like everyone that helped me was correct. I will update once I install the card which is supposed to arrive later this week.

 

[Trojan90]

Just a final update on my problem. Received the 5770 card and after installation the Mac Pro boots up fine and the video signal comes up right away. Then doing a restart I crossed my fingers and no problem getting a video signal. I cannot believe the old video card was making that much a problem. Anyway just wanted to confirm everyone's suggestion was correct and my computer is back to working great! Thanks everyone! I knew that this forum would be able to help me. First time posting and immediate results is the best feeling.

 

[jakesaunders27]

Just a final update on my problem. Received the 5770 card and after installation the Mac Pro boots up fine and the video signal comes up right away. Then doing a restart I crossed my fingers and no problem getting a video signal. I cannot believe the old video card was making that much a problem. Anyway just wanted to confirm everyone's suggestion was correct and my computer is back to working great! Thanks everyone! I knew that this forum would be able to help me. First time posting and immediate results is the best feeling.

Great news!