MP 1,1-5,1 Mid 2010 Mac Pro 5,1 No chime or display

[HiImWeird]

Hi
I got given a 5,1 Mac Pro by a family member's workplace that hadn't been used in years and they wanted it gone. It didn't have any ram in it so they couldn't test it before sending it. Luckily I had some. But the mac pro powers on but doesn't chime or have any LEDs lit.

Specs:
2.8 GHz quad core single processor tray
16GB (4x4GB) 10600E RAM
Stock 5770

I found the diagnostics LEDs and the system cycles through but ultmiatly ends with EFI DONE not being lit. (Video Below)

I have tried reseting the PRAM and SMC but nothing changed. I pulled out the gpu but the behaviour didn't change. I also replaced the BR2032 to be safe. I tried using a firmware restore CD as the mac pro seems to enter programming mode as the power led flashes and beeps, DVD tray doens' t open itself though. when the power button is held but it also didn't help. I also tried one stick of RAM but nothing changed

No pins are bent on the CPU tray connector, I repasted the north bridge as the heatsink clips look ok. With the CPU removed the EFI DONE LED does stay lit.

At this point I don't know if the processor tray is bad or if the backplane board is bad so any advice would be appricated.
Thanks in advanced!

 

[Pat Hughes]

Are you sure you are using the proper ram type ? The white led over the power button, does it keep flashing? if so what is the flashing sequence ? is there an OS in it ? What shows up on the monitor ? Try disconnecting the mouse, keyboard and take out the hard drive too. What comes up on the screen ?

 

[HiImWeird]

Are you sure you are using the proper ram type ? The white led over the power button, does it keep flashing? if so what is the flashing sequence ? is there an OS in it ? What shows up on the monitor ? Try disconnecting the mouse, keyboard and take out the hard drive too. What comes up on the screen ?

led over the power button is solid white with ram installed, no flashing. nothing shows up on the monitor at the moment

 

[Pat Hughes]

There is a small switch ( push type ) right near the button battery ( BR2032 ). With computer plugged in, not turned on, push that switch in for a second. Then try turning it on.

 

[Pat Hughes]

did you try changing the GPU graphics card with another known good one ? When yo removed the CPU processor and put it back in, did you tighten properly all 6 hex screws on the heat sink ? Also try removing the DVD/CD drive. I had a rare case of that resolving a startup issue.

 

[HiImWeird]

did you try changing the GPU graphics card with another known good one ? When yo removed the CPU processor and put it back in, did you tighten properly all 6 hex screws on the heat sink ? Also try removing the DVD/CD drive. I had a rare case of that resolving a startup issue.

Unfortunately I don't have a spare GPU to try at the moment. I also tried the button near the BR2032 but no change.

I do have a friend who is going to let me borrow their mac pro to swap CPU tray and see if that helps as I think I'm out of options without parts.

Thank you for the advice though!