MP 6,1 Mac Pro 2013 Problems

[jigger2u]

Hi everyone, I have a 2013 Mac Pro Trash Can where the problem is that it keeps shutting down. This can happen halfway through startup or shortly after I have logged into the Finder (and move the mouse, for example), but it regularly shuts down immediately after turning it on.
I've tried everything, disconnected everything, turned off all apps, nothing seems to help.
Does anyone have experience with this problem or have any idea here as to what this could be?
Thanks in advance
Peter

 

[Sweetfeld28]

Have you completed a SMC and PRAM\NVRAM reset?

If not I would try those first... and see if it improves. [ifixit instructions]

SMC Reset ​

Follow these steps for iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, and Xserve.

1. Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
2. After your Mac shuts down, unplug the power cord.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back in.
5. Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
6. For Intel-based Xserve computers that aren't responding, you can shut down locally or by using remote commands. You can also press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.

PRAM/NVRAM Reset​

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R.
3. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.
4. You will need a wired keyboard to perform this reset, and the keyboard must be an Apple keyboard.


If this doesn't fix the issue, you may want to take to an Apple Store. I had similar issues, and paid +/-$320 for them to diagnose, and replace every bad part. They replace the logic board on my machine, and faulty cables, and video cards. So i basically have a new machine again.

 

[jigger2u]

Thank you for your quick response. Resetting the SMC and PRAM has been done a number of times, but has not been successful. I will make an appointment with Apple as soon as this is possible in connection with covid-19. Hopefully they can trace the problem.

 

[John Boydon]

May be you can try with Apple Service Diagnostics?

Fortunately I never had the need to use it, but it is the tool used by Apple Store to diagnose problems on MacPro6,1.
Send me a private message for the link where to download it.

 

[CptSky]

I have similar random reboots/crashes (without a kernel panic). It happens more often just after the Mac has started. Like you, I tried to identify the source of the problem, without much success.

At some point, I decided to run the ASD. My past experiences on older Mac was that it wouldn't catch anything even if clearly something was wrong. But I still gave it a shot. It's not 100% clear, but a few tests are failing with errors that are likely related to the logic board (communications through PCIe). Some tests like BT/Wi-Fi. But, I've never seen any issue using these components, nor any major instability on the system outside of the random shutdowns.

My other guess was related to the power management circuit (maybe some failing chips or capacitors?). I saw Macbook Pro had similar issues when the CPU would enter some low power states. As I don't want to replace the logic board on a 7 years old computer, I tried to "fix" this with NoCrashMBP. So far, no random shutdowns since I started running the app a few months ago (my Mac is on 24/24). The app does nothing fancy, it just keeps the CPU busy enough to never enter a low power state, but I preferred to pay instead of loosing time writing a small script/app myself.

I don't think at this point it is a placebo effect, but I'm not 100% certain that it is the actual issue. Anyway, if I can get a few more years out of it using this hack, it is good enough for me.

Please let us know if you find anything else on your side!

 

[Nicole1980]

Thank you for your quick response. Resetting the SMC and PRAM has been done a number of times, but has not been successful. I will make an appointment with Apple as soon as this is possible in connection with covid-19. Hopefully they can trace the problem.

I dont think I've ever once heard that PRAM or SMC reset did a damn thing. Yet thats the first thing everyone suggests.

I suppose its one of those "why not give it a shot?" kind of things, but seriously, is there anyone out there who had some serious symptoms where an SMC or PRAM reset did the trick? I read these forums a fair bit and cant recall ever seeing that.

 

[th0masp]

I dont think I've ever once heard that PRAM or SMC reset did a damn thing. Yet thats the first thing everyone suggests.

I suppose its one of those "why not give it a shot?" kind of things, but seriously, is there anyone out there who had some serious symptoms where an SMC or PRAM reset did the trick? I read these forums a fair bit and cant recall ever seeing that.

I had an issue on my Trashcan when it was still very much new and unused where it would sometimes fail to recognize the presence of a display when woken up from sleep. Resetting the SMC fixed that for good. So there's one instance at least where it did 'something'.

Now repairing folder permissions on the other hand....

 

[Koka016]

I think something is overheating! ( Maybe you should clean the Trashcan ?)

 

[Killerbob]

During one of the many iterations of the Big Sur Beta, I also had a rebooting Mac Pro 2013. It went on for a while, and I did exactly like you, disconnected everything, reset all I could, all but reinstall MacOS. I ruled out hardware by booting into Windows 10 (BootCamp), and there I had no problems. Two weeks later it went away, as a new version of the Beta was introduced, with a new FW for the Mac Pro...

 

[krakman]

I dont think I've ever once heard that PRAM or SMC reset did a damn thing. Yet thats the first thing everyone suggests.

I suppose its one of those "why not give it a shot?" kind of things, but seriously, is there anyone out there who had some serious symptoms where an SMC or PRAM reset did the trick? I read these forums a fair bit and cant recall ever seeing that.

4 years ago I bought a dual processor 2010 Mac Pro for next to nothing, from a design agency, because it wouldn't start up...... I did PRAM reset and its been working ever since!

 

[krakman]

Hi everyone, I have a 2013 Mac Pro Trash Can where the problem is that it keeps shutting down. This can happen halfway through startup or shortly after I have logged into the Finder (and move the mouse, for example), but it regularly shuts down immediately after turning it on.
I've tried everything, disconnected everything, turned off all apps, nothing seems to help.
Does anyone have experience with this problem or have any idea here as to what this could be?
Thanks in advance
Peter

Could be:

• dust build up inside shorting out something
• corrosion on PCB caused by excess humidity
• Thermal paste could have "dried up" on CPU or GPU
• Failing RAM Module - remove all but one RAM module and restart - repeat for each module to identify if this is the cause
• Button battery might have run out and need replacing - its a cheap part that requires you take apart the whole computer to replace it

I have a trashcan that suffered corrosion from humidity ( I live by the sea) it cost £700 to get it repaired and 3 years later its just died again.

In my opinion there is little point in getting the Mac Pro repaired, better save up and get a new Apple silicon computer.

 

[wmosx]

New MP6.1 owner here.. 12 Core D700 6GB 1TB

I came across this solution when looking for a Cooling option for it.

SPEED Pro Cooling Base | SPEED Designs

Mac Accessory. Introducing the Pro Cooling Base by SPEED Designs. The only solution to bring power back to the cylindrical Mac Pro. An external air pressure system made to seamlessly integrate with the chassis to form one complete and secure structure. Designed to fully unlock the potential for...

www.speed-designs.com

you can also try a cheaper route

Notepal X-Slim | Cooler Master

www.coolermaster.com

 

[iAssimilated]

New MP6.1 owner here.. 12 Core D700 6GB 1TB

I came across this solution when looking for a Cooling option for it.

SPEED Pro Cooling Base | SPEED Designs

Mac Accessory. Introducing the Pro Cooling Base by SPEED Designs. The only solution to bring power back to the cylindrical Mac Pro. An external air pressure system made to seamlessly integrate with the chassis to form one complete and secure structure. Designed to fully unlock the potential for...

www.speed-designs.com

you can also try a cheaper route

Notepal X-Slim | Cooler Master

www.coolermaster.com

Did the SPEED Designs Mac Pro cooler give you better thermals? How are you liking it?