MacPro resetting when nudged

[longmover]

I have a rather annoying problem with my 08 MP. If it gets the slightest nudge, even a bump to the desk in which it lives, it resets itself (or sometimes a KP). I've pulled out and reseated all the drives, the RAM and the front and rear fan assembly. I am starting to think it might be perhaps a loose CPU or something gone awry in the PSU. Has anyone else had a similar problem, did you fix it and if so how?

Cheers!

 

[nanofrog]

Have you checked the PSU cabling?

 

[longmover]

Have you checked the PSU cabling?

I couldn't see how to get to the PSU and it seemed to be self contained? Any tips?

 

[nanofrog]

I couldn't see how to get to the PSU and it seemed to be self contained? Any tips?

Start with the PSU connections that attach to the logic board (CPU power in particular).

To get to the main PSU connector, pull the Optical Drive carrier (aluminum bracket that holds the optical drive/s).

Past that, follow the cables backwards from where they connect to the logic board and other devices. IIRC, some are routed behind the front fan assembly and even under the logic board.

 

[longmover]

Start with the PSU connections that attach to the logic board (CPU power in particular).

To get to the main PSU connector, pull the Optical Drive carrier (aluminum bracket that holds the optical drive/s).

Past that, follow the cables backwards from where they connect to the logic board and other devices. IIRC, some are routed behind the front fan assembly and even under the logic board.

Thanks mate, will do.

 

[nanofrog]

Thanks mate, will do.

Hope this is the cause, and it's easily located and fixed.

Good luck.

 

[handheldgames]

A ground fault could be causing the same issue... Try disconnecting everything hooked up to your mac pro and hook up what you need to boot. keyboard, mouse, display & power.

Have you been inside the machine lately?

 

[pcmxa]

Can't help with what it might be, but one of the mac pros in our lab does this. We couldn't figure out the issue, so located it on the floor aways away from the desk. I hope you will let us know if you isolate the problem.

 

[Neodym]

I couldn't see how to get to the PSU and it seemed to be self contained? Any tips?

My apologies for thinking so trivial, but - you did check that the external power cabling (going to the wall power outlet) is sitting properly in the back of your MacPro, didn't you?! You may even be able to tell by the colour of the connection pins whether the plug may be the culprit...

 

[longmover]

A ground fault could be causing the same issue... Try disconnecting everything hooked up to your mac pro and hook up what you need to boot. keyboard, mouse, display & power.

Have you been inside the machine lately?

I stripped her down yesterday, took out all the drives, cards memory plus the front fan assembly, checked all the cables/connections (a couple were a bit loose) cleaned and re-assembled. Plugged just the power, keyboard mouse and display in, booted to the drive selection screen (held alt) but still, after a small bump on the desk/case it resets itself. It's truly frustrating, the power connector at the back is seated properly, I'm running out of ideas! Is there any kind of reset button on the motherboard which may have become overly sensitive?

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Can't help with what it might be, but one of the mac pros in our lab does this. We couldn't figure out the issue, so located it on the floor aways away from the desk. I hope you will let us know if you isolate the problem.

Will do!

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My apologies for thinking so trivial, but - you did check that the external power cabling (going to the wall power outlet) is sitting properly in the back of your MacPro, didn't you?! You may even be able to tell by the colour of the connection pins whether the plug may be the culprit...

I see what you're saying there, I'll power down now and check for any discolouration (although I have flicked the power connector as a test which didn't trigger the reboot...)

 

[G4er?]

Maybe Doc Brown built that Mac Pro out of used pinball machine parts.
TILT