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Multiple dongs with no boot up

6

617arg

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 3, 2008
302
42
Suddenly today my 2008 Mac Pro won't boot up. Upon pressing the power button the led comes on and the fans start, but the machine just dongs repeatedly. It's actually something like 4 dongs, a long pause, then another 4 dongs, pause, repeat......

Any insight as to what this is would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Ravich said:
Maybe these will help in the meantime?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2445530?start=0&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1868431?threadID=1868431&tstart=3090&messageID=9733122
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links but neither helped.

The first one describes a few things that aren't working for me (single-user start-up and a few resets) and also using the install disk to diagnose the problem. I can't do that because I can't start the computer in order to get the disk in the drive.

The second one seems like the problem is more of a nuisance since their machines are still starting up. Nonetheless I tried disconnecting external hard drives like they suggest, but the problem persists.

Any other ideas/suggestions? :confused:
 
At first I read "Multiple dongs with no booty"

Have you tried removing *all* USB devices including KB and mouse?
Remove any extra PCIe card that you may have.
Try booting without video card to see if it still dongs
Try reseating the RAM or even taking some out to determine if one or some are faulty.

That should go some way to troubleshoot.

EDIT: Try this - http://www.gballard.net/macrant/ram.html
 
Last edited:
OK, not sure what a checksum is or how to solve it, but I tried the steps listed above (disconnecting everything, removing RAM, video card, etc.)

It seems like the video card is the problem as the computer sounds like it's starting up normally with everything connected besides the video card. I guess I'll now have to search to see whether this is as simple as swapping out the card for another or if there is something wrong with anything else......
 
617arg said:
OK, not sure what a checksum is or how to solve it, but I tried the steps listed above (disconnecting everything, removing RAM, video card, etc.)

It seems like the video card is the problem as the computer sounds like it's starting up normally with everything connected besides the video card. I guess I'll now have to search to see whether this is as simple as swapping out the card for another or if there is something wrong with anything else......
Click to expand...

I have seen this solution of video cardswap working. there was a recall on mac pro video cards maybe some one can post a link and you could get a replacement card for free.
 
This is an nvidia 8800gt on an early 2008 Mac Pro. I haven't found any info about a possible recall, so a link would be great if there is one.

Otherwise, what card (equal or better) will work on this machine?
 
while waiting for a local Apple store to open I decided to try baking the card, since I read that it could be a solution.

Took the card apart, cleaned the GPU and baked it at 385 degrees for 10 minutes. After letting it slowly cool I applied thermal paste to the GPU and put the fan back on. I then reinstalled the card and to my surprise it's working again :D .

Not sure how long it will last of course, but happy it is.
 
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