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

[EugW]

battery wont stop you booting

No, but I had thought the battery powered the PRAM (which it doesn't) so I wondered it was causing instability issues with the machine. However, I did not have any time problems (which is what that battery handles). Not surprisingly, the battery had nothing to do with my stability problems. It turns out it was related to the memory.

But now I have a 30¢ low end Sunbeam battery in the Mac Pro 1,1 (flashed to 2,1 and upgraded to 2 x quad core 2.33 GHz E5345) and it's a CR and not a BR, so I'm curious how long it will last. I may be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if it lasts well over a year unless I leave the machine off completely... which I might do since it's since become mostly an art piece that I don't actually use. The reason being I lucked out and was able to pick up a top-of-the-line Mac Pro 2,1 for about US$75 with 2 x quad core 3.0 GHz X5365) so I'm using that instead. However, that one also has a CR2032 battery in it albeit a Panasonic. I wouldn't be surprised if that one lasts a good while too.

 

[johnwillsey]

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.

I just saw something similar.. turned out two of the DIMMS went bad on the processor board. Try with just a pair of dimms (multiple combos) to see if that is it. after I rotated them I actually had all 8 in, and the tray has diagnostic lights that lit up for 2 of them. I pulled those two, rearranged ram in slots 1,2,3,5,6,7 and it fired up. before that I had not beep, no video and thought it was DEAD.

 

[MasterDragon]

OK All: it turned out to be a backplane board failure. I went ahead and upgraded to a 12 core 3.46 GHZ processor and 64 GB of memory, sweet. I now have some parts that I am willing to let go of at reasonable prices. I have a 6 core 3.33 GHZ processor tray with 48 GB of memory, a known good power supply and a bad backplane board. If anyone is interested in these parts make me an offer.
Thanks to all that gave advice, this is a wonderful Mac community.

 

[ryanmkincaid]

My issue turned out to be a bad power supply. Finally broke down and purchased a parted one and got it up and running.