MP 1,1-5,1 Replaced CPU, suddenly 3 RAM stick out of 4 don't get read (red leds)

[Jegriva]

Hi everyone. Since I see so many Intel Xeon at 30-40€, I finally decided to replace my w3565 with a x5690.
Replaced the CPU, turned the mac on and it booted correctly, the x5690 get recognized by Mojave, with the CPU led off.

BUT suddenly I have 3 RAM stick unread. Here's the situation, in order from the dissipator to the edge of the board:

1. 1066 MHz 4GB ECC (red led)
2. 1066 MHz 4GB ECC (red led)
3. 1066 MHz 4GB ECC
4. 1066 MHz 4GB ECC (red led)

The RAM was just tested a few months ago with Rember and everything was ok. Now the mac says that the RAM slots with the red leds on are "void", not with bad RAM.

Did I touch something while replacing CPU? Did 3 stick just gone bad? Is a known recurrence among Mac Pro 2010 to break RAM slots?

 

[Jegriva]

Another critical info: I've tried to switch the sticks among themselves (put the 4 into slot 1 and making everyone go the next slot), but the leds stays turned on in the same places.

 

[KeesMacPro]

I assume the X5690 is faulty.
You could reinstall the W3565 to doublecheck...

 

[MacUser2525]

I came here thinking dual tray machine with not properly tighten cpu causing the problem. But seeing it is a single cpu I will go with the above comment the x5690 has a dead memory controller as there is no way to not tighten that chip properly, you just go until it is firmly seated and you are done with it, as it has a proper mount for the chip there.

 

[Jegriva]

It was my first time replacing a Mac Pro CPU, I may have not done a good job. I'll try remove the dissipator, removing thermal paste, put back the w3565, re-apply thermal paste and rescrew the dissipator. Maybe this time I'll look if in the technical manual there is a proper order for the screws.

 

[MacUser2525]

It was my first time replacing a Mac Pro CPU, I may have not done a good job. I'll try remove the dissipator, removing thermal paste, put back the w3565, re-apply thermal paste and rescrew the dissipator. Maybe this time I'll look if in the technical manual there is a proper order for the screws.

I just pick one start a few turns, then go diagonal do a few turns and do the single at the end once the diagonals are complete. Repeat for a couple of times until you feel the snug up on all of them and you are done.

Edit: and I would add there is not much to do wrong replacing these things. The socket holds the chip down at the correct force and position. The heat sink could be messed up by not tight enough or really over tight but if you go until you just feel it stop you have done it correctly.

 

[minifridge1138]

+1 to a defective CPU.

 

[KeesMacPro]

This is a link for the technician guide, apart from loads of helpful info, on page 177 starts a chapter about how to install the heatsink /CPU .

http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/macpro_mid2010.pdf

 

[Jegriva]

I'll ask for a replacement from the vendor, thanks everyone. Long live the cheesegrater.

PS. Man, Mojave with only 4GB of RAM is a pain... and that was the amount of RAM they put in my system in Cupertino

 

[minifridge1138]

That’s the blessing and the curse of these old Xeons getting cheap. You pay pennies on the dollar (or the equivalent in your currency) compared to what they were new, but they’re all salvage pulls from old servers and you have no idea their condition.

 

[MacUser2525]

I'll ask for a replacement from the vendor, thanks everyone. Long live the cheesegrater.

PS. Man, Mojave with only 4GB of RAM is a pain... and that was the amount of RAM they put in my system in Cupertino

No it was worse, they put in three the stingy weasels. Configured as 3x1gb sticks from the factory in the base configuration.

 

[Macschrauber]

Have you cleaned the "new" xeon's contact pads with alcohol? I had defective ones but never such a bad one.

 

[Jegriva]

Have you cleaned the "new" xeon's contact pads with alcohol? I had defective ones but never such a bad one.

No, I actually didn't. I was afraid of damaging the chip so I didn't manipulate it much. But you are right, the chip went thru shipping and god knows what he could have on it.

 

[Jegriva]

I have througholy cleaned the contact under the x5690 with alcohol and the darned thing still doesn't read the 3 RAM slots.

Installed again the good old w3565 and, voilà, all 16GB of RAM are present. The seller on EBay hasn't answered at my replacement request, and I have directly contacted EBay for a refund.