Mac Pro 2009 Can't Boot, no Chime, DIAG Light

[brookzin]

Hello~ Help~~~



My Mac Pro 2009 dual CPU, upgraded firmware from 4.1 to 5.1 two years ago. From the original 2.26Ghz E5520 to 3.06Ghz X5675.

One day, the X5675 can't boot anymore, then I install the E5520 back to my Mac Pro. And it works again for another year.



For some reasons, I re-install the E5520 again yesterday. When I re-installed the E5520, it can boot into MacOS Sierra but only shows one memory. Even I have six 8GB memories. Therefore, I re-install and switch the CPU. Then It can't boot anymore.

Before it can't boot anymore, I'd try to switch the different memory one at once. All memories tested and worked. So, I think memory is ok.




Now, Power light on, No chime, No Screen, No Red light beside the memory tray.

Here is the picture that the diag lights on the upper. When I pressed the test button, the OVTMP CPUA and OVTMP CPUB light were off. PSU PWRON lighted in green. 5V STBY lighted in orange.


The Lower diag lights are green. Only the third green light keeps flashing.

Here is the video that the diag light flashes.

Is that means the CPU broken?



Thanks!

 

[yuzgen]

I've seen it before. I had a friend who bent his CPU socket pins. If that's the situation, you need a skilled repair man to fix it, if it's fixable at all. Otherwise, start looking for a tray.

 

[h9826790]

I agree with yuzgen.

Both logic board or CPU tray fail can cause this exact situation. It's very hard to diagnosis without spare parts to run swap test.

However, since you mentioned about some DIMM slot not working, and swap CPU can bring it back to life etc. The chance of having CPU tray (or socket) issue is much higher than anything else.

 

[brookzin]

Thanks for your reply!!

Here are some close-up pictures of the CPU socket pins. They looks were bend in two directions. 45 degree in X-axis and Y-axis.


Is that damaged?


BTW, can I get a 2010 Mac Pro tray to replace?

 

[h9826790]

Thanks for your reply!!

Here is a close-up picture of the CPU socket pins. They looks were bend in two directions. Is that wrong?

BTW, can I get a 2010 Mac Pro tray to replace?

Damaged pins looks like this.

And NO, you CANNOT use 2010 (or 2012) tray on a 2009 Mac Pro regardless the firmware version.

 

[yuzgen]

Your pins look good from the pictures. First, use a magnifying glass to examine with good lighting.

If you can't see any bent pins, try to borrow a tray. 2009 tray is better, but 2010 will do for testing. All fans will go mad, but it will work.

If your cMP works with the borrowed tray, for a permanent solution, you need a 2009 tray. Sorry.

Thanks for your reply!!

Here is a close-up picture of the CPU socket pins. They looks were bend in two directions. Is that wrong?

BTW, can I get a 2010 Mac Pro tray to replace?

 

[MIKX]

I just went through a similar predicament and I am still interested in finding the exact cause of this.

processor tray " socket damage " or motherboard damage.

==============================================
In the short term I bought a new processor tray with 32 gb of heatsinked ECC memory = instant fix.
===================================================

I recommend that you try booting from CPU "A" first with only the first 4 "CPU A memory slots populated with ram.

( remove CPU "B " for the test ) ( NOTE : CPU "A" socket can usually be booted from )

If your cMP boots up to CPU "A" and shows the correct amount of RAM then .. ."CPU A" is OK.

I think that you can understand what to do next. ( put the "B" CPU into "A"

=============================

I'll be testing my OLD processor tray with two NEW cpus next week. I'll follow up in this thread.

Note : here in Japan we have recently had really extreme weather . .39 - 40¨°C everyday. Socket expansion !

Also .. . VERY IMPORTANT check your NorthBridge heatsink rivets they age and break over time.

EDIT : It could be just that you need to " re-seat " your CPUs in both CPU "A" & "B" sockets and of course .. 1if you decide to re-seat . . wear gloves and use an extremely fine-pointed needle to re-align any bent pins.

More next week.

 

[brookzin]

Ok!

I'll try to borrow a 2009 tray to test.

Thanks!!

Your pins look good from the pictures. First, use a magnifying glass to examine with good lighting.

If you can't see any bent pins, try to borrow a tray. 2009 tray is better, but 2010 will do for testing. All fans will go mad, but it will work.

If your cMP works with the borrowed tray, for a permanent solution, you need a 2009 tray. Sorry.

[doublepost=1533648668][/doublepost]Actually, my Mac Pro brought from Japan


I noticed that you are running 10.13 on an upgraded CPU, dual X5670.

When I installed two X5675 CPUs in my MP and boot 10.12. A terrible panic happened. XD

But it's ok to boot 10.10 with X5675. However, my GTX 10 series graphic cards need 10.12. Therefore I gave up the X5675. Did you suffered and fixed the same problem before?

I just went through a similar predicament and I am still interested in finding the exact cause of this.

processor tray " socket damage " or motherboard damage.

==============================================
In the short term I bought a new processor tray with 32 gb of heatsinked ECC memory = instant fix.
===================================================

I recommend that you try booting from CPU "A" first with only the first 4 "CPU A memory slots populated with ram.

( remove CPU "B " for the test ) ( NOTE : CPU "A" socket can usually be booted from )

If your cMP boots up to CPU "A" and shows the correct amount of RAM then .. ."CPU A" is OK.

I think that you can understand what to do next. ( put the "B" CPU into "A"

=============================

I'll be testing my OLD processor tray with two NEW cpus next week. I'll follow up in this thread.

Note : here in Japan we have recently had really extreme weather . .39 - 40¨°C everyday. Socket expansion !

Also .. . VERY IMPORTANT check your NorthBridge heatsink rivets they age and break over time.

 

[MIKX]

1.
Were you " gentle" in tightening the Processor Tray CPU heatsink bolts ? You counted the turns etc ?

2.
Have you checked the processor Tray NorthBridge heatsink "spring-loaded RIVETS = common cause of failure.

3.
Make sure that you do not " PANIC".
( these are just machines ,made by human monkeys's robots ! )

 

[brookzin]

1. I think I were very careful and gentle about the tightening the heatsink bolt. I count to about 4 turns at every single bolt. And being very careful about the tightness of the bolts. Avoid tightening them too tight.


2. I didn't check the Northbridge heatsink spring-loaded RIVETS.

Here are pictures they are right now. I'm not sure if that is normal or not?

3. I'm ok. I'm very calm now. This is not my first surgery for my Mac Pro. HAHA. The PSU, CPU and the backplate were dead and replaced once. I believe there's always has a solution that can cure it.

Thanks!

1.
Were you " gentle" in tightening the Processor Tray CPU heatsink bolts ? You counted the turns etc ?

2.
Have you checked the processor Tray NorthBridge heatsink "spring-loaded RIVETS = common cause of failure.

3.
Make sure that you do not " PANIC".
( these are just machines ,made by human monkeys's robots ! )

 

[yuzgen]

Rivets are doing fine and if they fail, northbridge will overheat and your computer will shut down, but it takes time.

 

[brookzin]

Thanks for your reply!


It's so wired that everything about the tray looks fine, the pins and the rivets. So, I'm wondering that if the problem occurs on CPU.

Just ordered two pairs of CPUs from eBay, E5520 and X5550.

Rivets are doing fine and if they fail, northbridge will overheat and your computer will shut down, but it takes time.