Mac Pro 2008 black screen problem?

[bwillwall]

I acquired a Mac Pro from somebody which I THINK was a 2008 model. I initially had a black screen, after unplugging it and leaving it for a while. I decided to try it again with a different monitor and it worked fine. I moved it once again and now I get no video again! It was working fine, I don't understand what could be wrong that just changing monitors would do this? I have continued to try it with different monitors and cords and nothing seems to fix the problem. I would buy a new graphics card but I have no way of knowing that that will actually fix the problem and they generally start at about $100.

 

[flowrider]

Try cleaning the contacts on the PCI slot and on the Video card. You could also try the card in slot 2.

Lou

 

[bwillwall]

Try cleaning the contacts on the PCI slot and on the Video card. You could also try the card in slot 2.

Lou

Thank you for the advice I will try it! How should I go about cleaning the contact pins? I'd rather not have to go but compressed air but if that's the best option I can.

 

[iriejedi]

new card - just check return policy

Mine did the same thing - an early 2008. Worked fine one evening and next morning DOA - Booted to blank screen (powered up, "bong", fan revs but that was it). Put in a Radeon 5870 and it is like a brand new machine - and by new I mean faster and playing modern games like Starcraft 2 and Diablo III with all settings maxed out.

But that was a bit more than $100 - I'd just verify return policy - Apple I think was 30 days.

But it was worth it since it took away all that burning need to get a new machine.. at least for now...

Keep us posted

 

[Macsonic]

Thank you for the advice I will try it! How should I go about cleaning the contact pins? I'd rather not have to go but compressed air but if that's the best option I can.

Aside from removing and re-seating the card, try using an eraser and gently rub it on the video card connector as this was what the Mac technician said to me. Also check if your cable connection is stable

 

[flowrider]

The eraser technique works and I would have suggested it. Just make sure all the residue is completely gone before reinsertion.

Lou

 

[bax2003]

If Radeon 2600XT is in that machine.....that card loves to give blank screen and it is dead.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Yep, Apple had a recall on the Radeon 2600XT card at one time.

Lou

 

[bwillwall]

Yup it's the 2600XT, which was pretty underpowered anyways. I tried the eraser trick but had no luck so I'm going to try to get a new card. What do you think about the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB? Is there a better one I could get for around this price?

http://goo.gl/GJ2HFT

 

[Macsonic]

Yup it's the 2600XT, which was pretty underpowered anyways. I tried the eraser trick but had no luck so I'm going to try to get a new card. What do you think about the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB? Is there a better one I could get for around this price?

http://goo.gl/GJ2HFT

The price seems good. The GForce 8800GT is fine though sometimes you need to bake it in the oven if it causes problems. I am still using my GForce 8800GT on my 2008 Mac Pro for almost 3 years and still working fine, though sometimes I swap the card to my Radeon 5770HD just so none of the cards are overworked. It's handy to have 2 card for easy isolation in case problems arise.

 

[666sheep]

Yup it's the 2600XT, which was pretty underpowered anyways. I tried the eraser trick but had no luck so I'm going to try to get a new card. What do you think about the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB? Is there a better one I could get for around this price?

http://goo.gl/GJ2HFT

Depends on whether you need a bootscreen and what OS you're running currently. You can get a PC 5770 for ~$75 and flash it. It's much more reliable and also faster card than 8800GT. I'd never pay $100 for 8800GT.

 

[bwillwall]

Depends on whether you need a bootscreen and what OS you're running currently. You can get a PC 5770 for ~$75 and flash it. It's much more reliable and also faster card than 8800GT. I'd never pay $100 for 8800GT.

The cheapest 5770 I've found is near $200 and that was the cheapest 8800 GT I could find that I could return, which only made it about $15 more. Where exactly can you get a 5770 for $75?

 

[bwillwall]

The cheapest 5770 I've found is near $200 and that was the cheapest 8800 GT I could find that I could return, which only made it about $15 more. Where exactly can you get a 5770 for $75?

Correction I was looking at the mac versions. I don't have any experience flashing a card and I don't think I have a computer I could use to do so.