MP 1,1-5,1 Mac Pro 5.1 Died

[MasterDragon]

I upgraded the Video card in my 2012 6 core Mac Pro to a Radeon RX580. It all appeared to go well but when I tried to start it up all I heard was a click and a hum, it will not startup. I just changed the power supply with a known good one and the same thing, a click and a humming sound. I put the original card back in and the same thing happened, no cigar! Not sure how to proceed, any help would be appreciated.

 

[nobullone1964]

I upgraded the Video card in my 2012 6 core Mac Pro to a Radeon RX580. It all appeared to go well but when I tried to start it up all I heard was a click and a hum, it will not startup. I just changed the power supply with a known good one and the same thing, a click and a humming sound. I put the original card back in and the same thing happened, no cigar! Not sure how to proceed, any help would be appreciated.

Try a PRAM reset 4 times and SMC reset.

 

[macguru9999]

I upgraded the Video card in my 2012 6 core Mac Pro to a Radeon RX580. It all appeared to go well but when I tried to start it up all I heard was a click and a hum, it will not startup. I just changed the power supply with a known good one and the same thing, a click and a humming sound. I put the original card back in and the same thing happened, no cigar! Not sure how to proceed, any help would be appreciated.

Put back the original video card, does it work ?
Does the rx580 work ?
have you got the single 8 pin connected to both mini 6 pin connectors with a y cable ? .....

 

[KeesMacPro]

Is the card properly seated ?

 

[MasterDragon]

Try a PRAM reset 4 times and SMC reset.

There is no startup at all so holding the keys to reset the PRAM has no effect. I left it unplugged overnight also. When I push the power button there is a clicking sound then a hum, nothing more, no light just the hum. The 5.1 has a Apple SSD.

 

[MasterDragon]

Is the card properly seated ?

Yes the card is seated properly. I had the Mac on a table and could easily see the tabs of the card fit into the slot.

 

[MasterDragon]

Put back the original video card, does it work ?
Does the rx580 work ?
have you got the single 8 pin connected to both mini 6 pin connectors with a y cable ? .....

I tried the original card to no avail. Yes on the Y connector, all went together well and connectors well seated. There is no startup just a clicking sound and then a hum, no lights or signs of life other than the hum.

 

[Macschrauber]

Pull everything what is not needed to get the box started.

I hope you had the Mac unplugged while replacing the GPU.

With luck something has gone south what is replaceable.

 

[uller6]

Try replacing the PRAM battery on the motherboard. It’s A CR2032 button cell battery located right behind the GPU slot. My old G5 had a similar booting issue - only a beep when turned on, spinning fans, then nothing. Replacing the motherboard battery solved the issue and it started booting every time.

 

[MasterDragon]

Try replacing the PRAM battery on the motherboard. It’s A CR2032 button cell battery located right behind the GPU slot. My old G5 had a similar booting issue - only a beep when turned on, spinning fans, then nothing. Replacing the motherboard battery solved the issue and it started booting every time.

Thank you I will try that.

 

[Macschrauber]

Mac Pros dont have a pram battery. Its a flash chip. The Battery is for holding time for RTC.

 

[Macschrauber]

You can press the little button near the battery to reset the RTC. Thats worth a try.

 

[yurc]

Try replacing the PRAM battery on the motherboard. It’s A CR2032 button cell battery located right behind the GPU slot. My old G5 had a similar booting issue - only a beep when turned on, spinning fans, then nothing. Replacing the motherboard battery solved the issue and it started booting every time.

Albeit compatible, stock and suitable battery for Mac Pro is BR2032 which designed with higher heat tolerance. With standard CR2032 doesn't last long. Mac Pro emitted intense amount of heat and CR2032 doesn't designed for such application.

 

[MIKX]

Try a PRAM reset 4 times and SMC reset.

For 4,1 & 5.1 Mac Pros there is no PRAM reset.

For 4,1 & 5,1 Mac ProS the term is

NVRAM reset​

The critical thing is that to do the NVRAM RESET . . it MUST be done like this.

1. Shut down the 4,1 or 5,1 Mac Pro.

2. Remove the Mac pro's power cable for about 5 minutes.

3. Re-attach the Mac Pro powercable

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

4. HOLD DOWN these keys . . .
The P key + the R key + the Apple Comand key + the Option key

5. Now press the Mac Pro's Power Button and very, very quickly . . press and hold down the the keys above
in #4.

5.1 Keep holding the above keys down until you hear
the " Happy Mac Chime" . . .
3 TIMES ( 4 times is OK too )​

( Save the graphic below somewherefor future use and give it to your Mac Pro owning friends who keep saying ( incorrectly "PRAM" )

 

[KeesMacPro]

This is a link for the Technician Guide Mac Pro 2010 (which is technically identical to the 2012).
There's lots of info about how to troubleshoot with minimum configuration etc.etc.

http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/macpro_mid2010.pdf

 

[macguru9999]

Put back the original video card, does it work ?
Does the rx580 work ?
have you got the single 8 pin connected to both mini 6 pin connectors with a y cable ? .....

Then its either the backplane or processor board.

 

[MasterDragon]

Then its either the backplane or processor board.

Here's what I did: Took the Mac Pro down to Minimum Configuration using the General Troubleshooting Guide. As instructed I connected the AC power, the CPUA and CPUB led's flashed red momentarily, I then pressed the DIAG button and the 5V STBY LED (amber) illuminated. These tests confirm backplane board and Power supply are working. The next step is removing the Processor and memory cards, reinstalling the processor cage with fans and processor boards, reconnecting the AC power and pressing the DIAG button to see if amber LED illuminates. I am reluctant to remove the CPU. It appears that the CPU or the CPU board is suspect, if that's the case I could replace those parts with a faster processor and upgrade my Mac.
Pro help needed on this question. You folks are awesome with your suggestions, thank you everyone that replied.

 

[TrevorR90]

Same deal with my Mac Pro 5.1 ended up being the CPU board. As my CPU tested good and my mac with a different processor tray booted right up. New CPU board and it was good to go. But then I sold it like 3 weeks later and got the 7,1.


Do it.

 

[ryanmkincaid]

I have the similar problem. I believe it's the relay in the power supply but you have 2 different power supplys so I'm watching hoping for an answer myself.

 

[macguru9999]

If you know someone with another 5,1 you can swap cpu trays and see what happens. The you will know if its the tray or the backplane. Sorry but thats how i would do it, I am not sure if there is a definitive test for the backplane but as you said the power supply is NOT the problem. When I had 3x 5,1s I lost one backplane but it was easy to diagnose because you could see (and smell) the burn on the backplane, so i just ordered another and replaced it. The first symptom though was that it would start and shut itself down....But you need to try another tray first....

 

[EugW]

Albeit compatible, stock and suitable battery for Mac Pro is BR2032 which designed with higher heat tolerance. With standard CR2032 doesn't last long. Mac Pro emitted intense amount of heat and CR2032 doesn't designed for such application.

Both of my Mac Pros, one 1,1 and one 2,1 had Panasonic CR2032 batteries in them. However, I got both Mac Pros second hand. Would those be aftermarket batteries then?

Even if the CR2032 batteries don't last as long, they would still likely last a few years.

 

[MasterDragon]

If you know someone with another 5,1 you can swap cpu trays and see what happens. The you will know if its the tray or the backplane. Sorry but thats how i would do it, I am not sure if there is a definitive test for the backplane but as you said the power supply is NOT the problem. When I had 3x 5,1s I lost one backplane but it was easy to diagnose because you could see (and smell) the burn on the backplane, so i just ordered another and replaced it. The first symptom though was that it would start and shut itself down....But you need to try another tray first....

First of all thank you for your thoughtful reply. When your trusty 5.1 goes down it's very disconcerting.
I have a new tray coming, I am confident that there lies the problem. I inspected the backplane board and there are no signs of burnt or otherwise compromised components. Once I get this solved I will let everyone know what solved the problem. Thank you again.

 

[KeesMacPro]

Even if the CR2032 batteries don't last as long, they would still likely last a few years.

I've never owned a MP1,1/2,1 but in case of the MP4,1/5,1 the battery is located directly behind /above the GPU.
The BR2032 is much more resistant to higher Temps.

 

[EugW]

I've never owned a MP1,1/2,1 but in case of the MP4,1/5,1 the battery is located directly behind /above the GPU.
The BR2032 is much more resistant to higher Temps.

FWIW, Amazon Canada sellers have the BR2032 from Panasonic at CAD$17 each, or else 3 for $35, and it's not sold by Amazon itself. In contrast, you can get a pack of two CR2032 Energizers for $8 from Amazon directly. So, unless you're worried about cracking the battery retaining clip or something, I suppose it could be worth using the CR2032 even if lasts only half as long.

And then there's me: I stuck an el crapola Sunbeam CR2032 in my Mac Pro 1,1, and the battery is also right beside the GPU. They're actually less than US$1 for a pack of three. ? We'll see how long it lasts.

Normally I wouldn't have used such a low end brand, but I just happened to have one on-hand since I had bought some for my car key fobs, and I was doing some emergency troubleshooting since the machine was crashing in El Capitan. It turns out it wasn't the battery, but the RAM. However, I just left the Sunbeam battery there and it's been fine for the couple months it's been in there so far.

 

[macguru9999]

FWIW, Amazon Canada sellers have the BR2032 from Panasonic at CAD$17 each, or else 3 for $35, and it's not sold by Amazon itself. In contrast, you can get a pack of two CR2032 Energizers for $8 from Amazon directly. So, unless you're worried about cracking the battery retaining clip or something, I suppose it could be worth using the CR2032 even if lasts only half as long.

And then there's me: I stuck an el crapola Sunbeam CR2032 in my Mac Pro 1,1, and the battery is also right beside the GPU. They're actually less than US$1 for a pack of three. ? We'll see how long it lasts.

Normally I wouldn't have used such a low end brand, but I just happened to have one on-hand since I had bought some for my car key fobs, and I was doing some emergency troubleshooting since the machine was crashing in El Capitan. It turns out it wasn't the battery, but the RAM. However, I just left the Sunbeam battery there and it's been fine for the couple months it's been in there so far.

battery wont stop you booting