nmp port lighting in the back doesn't work when moving computer...

[elien]

Hi everyone,

There's something strange going on with my nmp, the lights on the back that should light up when the computer is turned sometimes don't work...here's the thing: When the computer is up and running all works great, every time i turn or move the computer the lights turn on, however when i turn the computer "off" as in "shut down" and when i turn the computer the lights don't work, even turning the computer in either way won't turn on the lights....

here's the weird thing, if i remove the power cable and plug it back in and then move the computer the lights turn on.

If i start the machine back up, and turn it off again...same story, the lights don't work unless i remove the power cord and plug it back in.

From what i understand the port lighting should always light up when there is a power cable connection...even when the machine itself is turned off.

Is anyone here experiencing the same thing or does anyone have an idea on what it is that could be wrong.

 

[elien]

Guess i'm the only one?

Would a reset or complete new mavericks install make a difference in this case or doesn't this sound like a software problem?

How is the movement registered by the computer, is it with some kind of sensor on the bottom of the machine? Could this be a sensor problem/ defect....it does light up when the computer is working...

 

[ScottishCaptain]

Reset the SMC.

The lights are controlled by that chip. If something is wrong, resetting it should fix the problem, if in fact the problem is fixable.

-SC

 

[elien]

Reset the SMC.

The lights are controlled by that chip. If something is wrong, resetting it should fix the problem, if in fact the problem is fixable.

-SC

i did a reset but no change. Would you guys ship the computer in for repair on a fairly small defect like this or shouldn't i bother?

No idea in how much the sensor is related to other mechanics so could this become a bigger problem in the long run?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

i did a reset but no change. Would you guys ship the computer in for repair on a fairly small defect like this or shouldn't i bother?

No idea in how much the sensor is related to other mechanics so could this become a bigger problem in the long run?

This sounds like software, not hardware - the sensor works in specific conditions, does not work in others. That suggests an OS or firmware fix somewhere down the line, not hardware. Maybe it's a known issue to Apple, maybe not, but what is sure is that if Apple doesn't know, it'll never be fixed. It's under warranty, give 'em a call.

 

[elien]

This sounds like software, not hardware - the sensor works in specific conditions, does not work in others. That suggests an OS or firmware fix somewhere down the line, not hardware. Maybe it's a known issue to Apple, maybe not, but what is sure is that if Apple doesn't know, it'll never be fixed. It's under warranty, give 'em a call.

i'm kind of surprised that this sounds like a software related issue...i was thinking that for some reason as soon as the computer shuts down often the lighting doesn't work has more to do with a hardware component not reacting to the movement or simply not getting any power supplied to the component.

Also strange that on some rare occasions the lighting does work after the computer has been shut down...

I filmed it with my iphone in case anyone is interested i could upload it

 

[elien]

i received a replacement for this issue...the replacement has the "exact" same problem.

The machine did this straight out of the box...installed the updates, did a reset...even tried out different power sources...does this still sound like a software issue because i strongly doubt it...lights do light up when the the computer is moved whilst "on"

 

[elien]

**Update**

Contacted AppleCare and since this was the second nmp i got in a row to have the exact same problem the Apple care senior advisor contacted the MacPro engineering team...i emailed the senior advisor two video's that clearly show what the problem was...The senior advisor just got back to me and the MacPro engineering team confirmed this is a hardware defect...

I lost all my trust in Apple as a company that delivers quality products...we are talking about a 4000$ computer here...and two in a row Do they actually do quality control on these machines or what?

 

[thefredelement]

**Update**

Contacted AppleCare and since this was the second nmp i got in a row to have the exact same problem the Apple care senior advisor contacted the MacPro engineering team...i emailed the senior advisor two video's that clearly show what the problem was...The senior advisor just got back to me and the MacPro engineering team confirmed this is a hardware defect...

I lost all my trust in Apple as a company that delivers quality products...we are talking about a 4000$ computer here...and two in a row Do they actually do quality control on these machines or what?

Wow, does that mean another replacement?

Of all the things in the nMP, it's silly in a way that there is a problem with the lights, I wonder what the longevity is going to be like for them on a working unit since your first one seemed to work sometimes.

 

[elien]

Not sure if its going to be another replacement, he's going to get back to me on monday.

And yes, it is a silly thing that the lights don't work...i asked the senior advisor if the fact that the lights don't work interferes or could interfere with other hardware components in a negative way, but he couldn't say..he told me that when a hardware part is not working the way it should then its best to not leave it like that.

If i was to know for sure that this would not cause damage to other components, in all honesty than i couldn't care less if the light worked or not, but since nobody could give me a straight answer at Apple i'm not going to take that risk with a 4000$ computer.

Here's another question...since this is probably a problem with an entire batch of macpro's how can i know if i was to get another replacement that this computer is not from the same batch...do i look at the serial number or what?