Video card or display problem?

[StephenCampbell]

I have the X1900XT card in my Mac Pro 1,1, and the 30" ACD. Starting a day or two ago, the screen doesn't light up upon startup. The little white light is on the display indicating power, but the screen stays black. I wait for the machine to boot up to the login screen, and then I can unplug the DVI from the video card and plug it back, and the screen lights up.

Which is dying, the card or the screen?

 

[ElderBrE]

I have the X1900XT card in my Mac Pro 1,1, and the 30" ACD. Starting a day or two ago, the screen doesn't light up upon startup. The little white light is on the display indicating power, but the screen stays black. I wait for the machine to boot up to the login screen, and then I can unplug the DVI from the video card and plug it back, and the screen lights up.

Which is dying, the card or the screen?

From previous experiences, my guess would be the card. In fact, I've had one of those die a few years ago and it showed similar behavior.

 

[Macsonic]

Hi Stephen. I read somewhere ( can't remember the URL) that the Radeon 1900XT accumulates dust inside or in the fan area ( not sure exactly ) that causes the blackout. Solution was to gently air blow the dust. If you have a second Mac Pro try isolating the problem if it's the display or the card.

 

[StephenCampbell]

Hi Stephen. I read somewhere ( can't remember the URL) that the Radeon 1900XT accumulates dust inside or in the fan area ( not sure exactly ) that causes the blackout. Solution was to gently air blow the dust. If you have a second Mac Pro try isolating the problem if it's the display or the card.

Over the years I've dusted out the card, particularly when the entire grate develops a complete blanket of dust over it. But I opened the machine yesterday and it didn't look very dusty at all compared to how it's been at times in the past. And there's never been an issue before even when I accidentally let it accumulate for a while.

I guess I'll actually take the card out and give it a blow out anyway and see what happens.

edit: The problem is gone for now. I took the card out, blew it out as best as I could, and put it back. I have a hunch that it was simply the removal of it from the machine and the reinsertion that fixed it. There wasn't much dust, and I didn't use any machines to blow it out or anything.

 

[StephenCampbell]

This morning it did it again upon start up.... ugh.

 

[ActionableMango]

It is almost certainly the video card. X1900XT cards in Mac Pro are prone to failure and were recalled by Apple. Unfortunately the recall campaign ended years ago, so you are too late to get a free replacement.

 

[StephenCampbell]

It is almost certainly the video card. X1900XT cards in Mac Pro are prone to failure and were recalled by Apple. Unfortunately the recall campaign ended years ago, so you are too late to get a free replacement.

I think I actually did get a replacement when they were doing that program. I can't remember for sure now though.