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e^2

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2020
17
4
Something has happened to my Mac Pro 5,1 and it has decided it will not boot. I have downloaded the technical service manual and am trying the minimum configuration testing. With the CPU tray installed (but no CPU) the system powers on and fans spin to 100%. The only diagnostic LEDs are PWR OK and 5V standby. When I hold down the power button to shut off the machine, the CPU A OVERTEMP LED is lit on the backplane.

Anyone know what it might be? I’m guessing it’s either the backplane, power supply, or CPU tray.
 

MIKX

macrumors 68000
Dec 16, 2004
1,815
691
Japan
Is it a SINGLE or DUAL CPU 5,1 ? - it;s always helpful if you tell us EXACTLY which cMP you have, which bootrom version, which Mac OS you currently have installed. etc. ?

Shut down, remove the CPU Tray .. . check to see if the Northbridge Heatsink spring rivets are unbroken.

Have you ever de-dusted CPU tray and the intake & Exhaust fans ? ?


After checking the above do this . .. .

NVRAM_PRAM_ResetMac.jpg
 

e^2

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2020
17
4
single. I’ve already stripped the machine down and cleaned everything. I put it back together and ran AHT. It came back perfect.

I shut it down for 24 hours then came back to install a new GPU and that’s when it stopped working.... First boot with the new GPU card, it never came up properly. Just fans at 100%.

Is it a SINGLE or DUAL CPU 5,1 ? - it;s always helpful if you tell us EXACTLY which cMP you have, which bootrom version, which Mac OS you currently have installed. etc. ?

Shut down, remove the CPU Tray .. . check to see if the Northbridge Heatsink spring rivets are unbroken.

Have you ever de-dusted CPU tray and the intake & Exhaust fans ? ?


After checking the above do this . .. .

View attachment 895354
 

MIKX

macrumors 68000
Dec 16, 2004
1,815
691
Japan
Do you always " hold down the power buton " TO SHUT IT DOWN . . or only since the fans have been ramping up ?

Alaso Can you takes a scrcreenshot of your Hardware list in "Mac hardware" in yout mac Pro's System Report ( blur out your cMP's serial number
[automerge]1582390794[/automerge]
 

e^2

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2020
17
4
Do you always " hold down the power buton " TO SHUT IT DOWN . . or only since the fans have been ramping up ?

Alaso Can you takes a scrcreenshot of your Hardware list in "Mac hardware" in yout mac Pro's System Report ( blur out your cMP's serial number
[automerge]1582390794[/automerge]

The machine will not boot, will not even play a boot chime. It is a brick. It is in minimum configuration testing so there is no disk or GPU in it currently.

Of course I do not hard power cycle it in the normal case.
 

e^2

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 2, 2020
17
4
The machine will not boot, will not even play a boot chime. It is a brick. It is in minimum configuration testing so there is no disk or GPU in it currently.

Of course I do not hard power cycle it in the normal case.

The backplane I ordered from eBay arrived a few days ago and I installed it tonight. It boots. I’m guessing the original backplane had some issues. Perhaps it’s was the SPI flash, or perhaps the power draw from the new GPU caused issues.
 
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