2009 Mac Pro won't power on

[emendoz13]

Hello. I have a 2009 Mac Pro tower with what might be a psu problem. Recently it started to behave weird by not turning on after I pressed the power button. There were times I had to press the power button twice in order for the machine to start up. Finally one day it didn't start at all. Could this be the power supply finally gone bad? I also have a red light on the motherboard when I connect the power cable but it shuts off quickly. If I press and hold the power button while I plug the power cable the red light stays on but nothing else happens. I then have to unplug the power cable for the red light to shut off.

I hope this is enough information for someone to chime in.

Thanks!

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

What you describe does sound like it could be the PSU that has failed or the on off switch is bad. We have several of our members who are familiar with the inner workings of a Mac Pro. Stay tuned and someone will offer a suggestion or where to purchase a new PSU if needed.

 

[emendoz13]

Welcome to our forums.

What you describe does sound like it could be the PSU that has failed or the on off switch is bad. We have several of our members who are familiar with the inner workings of a Mac Pro. Stay tuned and someone will offer a suggestion or where to purchase a new PSU if needed.

Thanks! Is there a way I can test the power supply? How about the on button?

 

[pigoo3]

Hello. I have a 2009 Mac Pro tower with what might be a psu problem. Recently it started to behave weird by not turning on after I pressed the power button.

I tend to mess around with older Apple computers when I can pick one up off Craig's List inexpensively. I would say the #1 problem I run into with older Mac Pro's (2006 thru 2012 models)...is worn out power supplies. As well built as Mac Pro's are...I guess all the hours & hours & hours of operation eventually take their toll on the power supply.

When I run into a Mac Pro with a suspected power supply issue (and possibly in this case with a 2009 Mac Pro that I'm assuming previously always worked fine)...one of the first things I do is strip the Mac Pro down to as little hardware as possible.

What I mean is...run the Mac Pro with the simplest configuration possible:

* Only run one video card.
* Only run minimum amount of RAM.
* Only run one internal storage device (HD or SSD).
* Remove any other PCI cards.
* Only run one external monitor.
* No external peripherals.
* etc.

This will allow the Mac Pro to demand as little power as possible from the power supply...and possibly get the Mac Pro working again (if the power supply is the issue).

As far as testing the power supply. Since Mac Pro power supplies are not super common (relative to the overall computing world as a whole)...and since the average Mac Pro user is not the sort of user that "tinker's" with the innards of their computers (like a lot of Windows users do)...there's not a whole lot of info on the internet regarding testing Mac Pro power supplies.

To complicate things further...Mac Pro's from 2006 thru 2012 used various different power supplies...which then reduces the info available for any single Mac Pro power supply model. I've searched the internet...and there is some info out there...but it's not easy to find.

End of the day from my experience...when this sort of issue pops up...it usually is the power supply (unless the Mac Pro power button is faulty). Since there is a very high likelihood the power supply is getting weak (if it was totally bad many times you will hear a loud POP...and smell lots of nasty smelling "electrical" smoke from the power supply).

If it's a "weak" power supply...this is where stripping the Mac Pro down to as minimum a hardware configuration as possible will be a great place to start.

HTH,

Nick

 

[emendoz13]

I tend to mess around with older Apple computers when I can pick one up off Craig's List inexpensively. I would say the #1 problem I run into with older Mac Pro's (2006 thru 2012 models)...is worn out power supplies. As well built as Mac Pro's are...I guess all the hours & hours & hours of operation eventually take their toll on the power supply.

When I run into a Mac Pro with a suspected power supply issue (and possibly in this case with a 2009 Mac Pro that I'm assuming previously always worked fine)...one of the first things I do is strip the Mac Pro down to as little hardware as possible.

What I mean is...run the Mac Pro with the simplest configuration possible:

* Only run one video card.
* Only run minimum amount of RAM.
* Only run one internal storage device (HD or SSD).
* Remove any other PCI cards.
* Only run one external monitor.
* No external peripherals.
* etc.

This will allow the Mac Pro to demand as little power as possible from the power supply...and possibly get the Mac Pro working again (if the power supply is the issue).

As far as testing the power supply. Since Mac Pro power supplies are not super common (relative to the overall computing world as a whole)...and since the average Mac Pro user is not the sort of user that "tinker's" with the innards of their computers (like a lot of Windows users do)...there's not a whole lot of info on the internet regarding testing Mac Pro power supplies.

To complicate things further...Mac Pro's from 2006 thru 2012 used various different power supplies...which then reduces the info available for any single Mac Pro power supply model. I've searched the internet...and there is some info out there...but it's not easy to find.

End of the day from my experience...when this sort of issue pops up...it usually is the power supply (unless the Mac Pro power button is faulty). Since there is a very high likelihood the power supply is getting weak (if it was totally bad many times you will hear a loud POP...and smell lots of nasty smelling "electrical" smoke from the power supply).

If it's a "weak" power supply...this is where stripping the Mac Pro down to as minimum a hardware configuration as possible will be a great place to start.

HTH,

Nick

Thanks, Nick.

Unfortunately I've already done all you suggested and the only thing that happens when I press the power button is get a little surge from the lamp sitting next to me which indicates that the power supply is trying but weak. I've ordered a new PSU and can only hope I got it right.

Thanks again for your help.

Ed

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks, Nick.

Unfortunately I've already done all you suggested and the only thing that happens when I press the power button is get a little surge from the lamp sitting next to me which indicates that the power supply is trying but weak. I've ordered a new PSU and can only hope I got it right.

Hey there Ed,

If you've already stripped things down to minimum hardware configuration...then maybe the old power supply has gotten so weak it doesn't have enough "juice" to start it up.

I'm assuming if you're like me that you would usually put your Mac Pro to sleep when you're done with it for the day...and then you tap your keyboard or mouse to wake it up. If this is true...then this would greatly reduce the possibility of a worn out power button.

Have you owned this 2009 Mac Pro since new...or did you purchase it used & don't really know much about its history?

Also...if you don't mind...can you share where you purchased the replacement power supply from?

Usually replacement Mac Pro power supplies (brand new) can be pretty darn pricey (couple hundred $$$ at least). Even used Mac Pro power supplies can fetch $75-$125 on eBay (with no guarantee they will be much better than what you have). But sometimes worth a try if you know you can return it if it doesn't work properly.

Thanks,

Nick

p.s. Welcome to Mac-Forums!

 

[emendoz13]

Hey there Ed,

If you've already stripped things down to minimum hardware configuration...then maybe the old power supply has gotten so weak it doesn't have enough "juice" to start it up.

I'm assuming if you're like me that you would usually put your Mac Pro to sleep when you're done with it for the day...and then you tap your keyboard or mouse to wake it up. If this is true...then this would greatly reduce the possibility of a worn out power button.

Have you owned this 2009 Mac Pro since new...or did you purchase it used & don't really know much about its history before that?

Also...if you don't mind...where did you purchase the replacement power supply from?

Usually replacement Mac Pro power supplies (brand new) can be pretty darn pricey (couple hundred $$$ at least). Even used Mac Pro power supplies can fetch $75-$125 on eBay (with no guarantee they will be much better than what you have). But sometimes worth a try if you know you can return it if it doesn't work properly.

Thanks,

Nick

p.s. Welcome to Mac-Forums!

Hi, Nick.

I got the Mac Pro a year ago maybe even longer from a reputable ebay seller. I upgraded the video card after a month because I needed more horsepower to drive Photoshop and Lightroom, I am a photographer. The machine began to show signs of PSU failure just a few months ago doing weird stuff like not wanting to start when I pressed the power button. I had to press it twice to get it to power up. The machine always goes to sleep and it did so perfectly then wakes up at the touch of the keyboard. I turn it off once a week so it can rest but then it goes back to work like a champ. The part that has me thinking it is having to press the power button twice to start. I don't think it's the power button but I could be wrong. It ran fine with the new viedeo card for almost a year so I don't think that is the problem. I also upgraded the memory to 32gigs and that worked fine for a year as well. When I took the video card out I replaced it with the old one and it still showed nothing. I also took all the memory out and installed 8 gigs to test, nothing.

Let me know if you think of anything else?

Thanks

Ed

 

[lclev]

As Nick said you seem to have done all the trouble shooting steps. I did find a link to a technical manual for your Mac Pro: macpro early2009 apple Mac Pro Mac Pro (Early 2009) macpro_early2009.pdf - Service Manual Free Download

It should at least provide you with what all the internal lights indicate. IMO - I think your power supply is dying. Be careful replacing it as they are specific to models. I have a 2009 Mac Pro that has it's firmware flashed to a 2010. So far the PS works great and I keep my fingers crossed!

Lisa

 

[emendoz13]

As Nick said you seem to have done all the trouble shooting steps. I did find a link to a technical manual for your Mac Pro: macpro early2009 apple Mac Pro Mac Pro (Early 2009) macpro_early2009.pdf - Service Manual Free Download

It should at least provide you with what all the internal lights indicate. IMO - I think your power supply is dying. Be careful replacing it as they are specific to models. I have a 2009 Mac Pro that has it's firmware flashed to a 2010. So far the PS works great and I keep my fingers crossed!

Lisa

Hello, Lisa.

Thanks for chiming in. My Mac Pro is also a flashed version and I've never had any problems with it even after the ram upgrade or video card upgrade. This problem of not starting just started to happen a month ago and slowly got to this point. I think I've done everything I could to isolate the problem so I purchased a used PSU from ebay to see if that's the problem. No sense in buying an expensive PSU if that isn't the problem.

Thanks again for your help.

Ed

 

[pigoo3]

I got the Mac Pro a year ago maybe even longer from a reputable ebay seller.

Good deal. This is a pretty common way of getting an older Mac Pro these days...rather than someone owning a 2009 Mac Pro since new (and knowing 100% of its history).

I've been messing around with a couple 2008 Mac Pro's lately...with various "power problems" (all probably related to a weak/old power supply. Strange as it sounds...one of them would never to to sleep. When you tell it to go to sleep...it would do everything normally in preparation to go to sleep...then it would just shut off.
From what I've learned...there's a different circuit in the power supply that supplies the small voltage necessary for the Mac Pro to sleep. I think this is a bit more of an uncommon problem...but seems to exist.

Saw you mentioned getting a used power supply from eBay. Hopefully it's better than what you have (never know with used stuff...since you don't know how many hours the used power supply may have on it). Hopefully all goes well!

With the cost of used Mac Pro power supplies via eBay ($75-$125...sometimes more/less)...it can sometimes make more sense to just purchase a whole used Mac Pro. I just checked eBay...and I'm seeing some used 2009 Mac Pro's (quad & 8-core)...selling for between $230 & $300. Some with free shipping & some with lower cost shipping (~$30).

Of course some eBay sellers charge a ton to ship a Mac Pro ($75-$100)....which is way more than it actually costs if they pack it themselves...which really means they're "padding" the selling price with overcharged shipping. Lol

Unless I can get a used Mac Pro power supply for $75 or less...I prefer to go the "buy a whole computer route".

Nick

 

[emendoz13]

Good deal. This is a pretty common way of getting an older Mac Pro these days...rather than someone owning a 2009 Mac Pro since new (and knowing 100% of its history).

I've been messing around with a couple 2008 Mac Pro's lately...with various "power problems" (all probably related to a weak/old power supply. Strange as it sounds...one of them would never to to sleep. When you tell it to go to sleep...it would do everything normally in preparation to go to sleep...then it would just shut off.
From what I've learned...there's a different circuit in the power supply that supplies the small voltage necessary for the Mac Pro to sleep. I think this is a bit more of an uncommon problem...but seems to exist.

Saw you mentioned getting a used power supply from eBay. Hopefully it's better than what you have (never know with used stuff...since you don't know how many hours the used power supply may have on it). Hopefully all goes well!

With the cost of used Mac Pro power supplies via eBay ($75-$125...sometimes more/less)...it can sometimes make more sense to just purchase a whole used Mac Pro. I just checked eBay...and I'm seeing some used 2009 Mac Pro's (quad & 8-core)...selling for between $230 & $300. Some with free shipping & some with lower cost shipping (~$30).

Of course some eBay sellers charge a ton to ship a Mac Pro ($75-$100)....which is way more than it actually costs if they pack it themselves...which really means they're "padding" the selling price with overcharged shipping. Lol

Unless I can get a used Mac Pro power supply for $75 or less...I prefer to go the "buy a whole computer route".

Nick

I thought about that too! If the PSU I purchased doesn't do the job I may end up buying another used system anyways. These things are powerful and cheap compared to the new ones. It does what I need effortlessly and I don't have to spend a ton of money.

Thanks for the advice! I'll keep you posted on what happens.

Ed

 

[pigoo3]

I thought about that too! If the PSU I purchased doesn't do the job I may end up buying another used system anyways. These things are powerful and cheap compared to the new ones. It does what I need effortlessly and I don't have to spend a ton of money.

Sounds like a good plan (try used PSU first...they maybe whole new used unit)...probably what I would do as well (if I could find a reasonable priced used Mac Pro PSU).

Prices for older Mac Pro's would probably be much less if it wasn't for Covid & lots of folks working from home. I've seen a definite increase in used computer prices over the last 18+ months. I'm seeing sellers trying to sell used Apple computers for the same prices I paid for the exact same used computer 5+ years ago.

I agree with you that the old Mac Pro's have enough horsepower do most things most users need to do.

Biggest Pro's I like about older Mac Pro's (in order of benefit for me):

#1: Very easy to run lots of monitors!
#2: 4 internal drive bays.

Biggest Con's:

* Take up a lot of space (not a super big deal...depends on how much space someone has).
* Use quite a bit of electricity compared to other computers.
* Generates a LOT of heat...(especially if using multiple video cards).

I'm in a small home office...and in the Summertime (like now) the room really heats up & keeps the air conditioner running. Of course in the Winter it's actually nice...warms up the room real nice.

I think one of the biggest issues with older Mac Pro's (4,1 Mac Pro's and older)...is the official macOS limitation of 10.11 El Capitan (or older). I think you said your 2009 4,1 Mac Pro was flashed to 2010 5,1 Mac Pro.

What macOS version are you running?

Nick

 

[emendoz13]

Sounds like a good plan (try used PSU first...they maybe whole new used unit)...probably what I would do as well (if I could find a reasonable priced used Mac Pro PSU).

Prices for older Mac Pro's would probably be much less if it wasn't for Covid & lots of folks working from home. I've seen a definite increase in used computer prices over the last 18+ months. I'm seeing sellers trying to sell used Apple computers for the same prices I paid for the exact same used computer 5+ years ago.

I agree with you that the old Mac Pro's have enough horsepower do most things most users need to do.

Biggest Pro's I like about older Mac Pro's (in order of benefit for me):

#1: Very easy to run lots of monitors!
#2: 4 internal drive bays.

Biggest Con's:

* Take up a lot of space (not a super big deal...depends on how much space someone has).
* Use quite a bit of electricity compared to other computers.
* Generates a LOT of heat...(especially if using multiple video cards).

I'm in a small home office...and in the Summertime (like now) the room really heats up & keeps the air conditioner running. Of course in the Winter it's actually nice...warms up the room real nice.

I think one of the biggest issues with older Mac Pro's (4,1 Mac Pro's and older)...is the official macOS limitation of 10.11 El Capitan (or older). I think you said your 2009 4,1 Mac Pro was flashed to 2010 5,1 Mac Pro.

What macOS version are you running?

Nick

I live in Florida so we don't really have a winter here! I used to keep my Mac Pro in my photo studio until Covid forced me to close it down, now it sits in my home office. I think prices for just about everything have gone up lately! We pay more for milk now than for gasoline!

I upgraded the 1 gig video card it came with to an 8gig and was able to get OSX 10.13 which I think is Sierra but not sure. I run Mojave on my MacBook Pro and other than few bells and whistles it isn't all that better.

I keep my fingers crossed that the new (used) PSU works well and doesn't mess with the flash upgrade. If it does I'm buying a 2012 with native 5,1 already.

Ed

 

[pigoo3]

I keep my fingers crossed that the new (used) PSU works well and doesn't mess with the flash upgrade. If it does I'm buying a 2012 with native 5,1 already.

Crossing my fingers too that the "new to you" used PSU solves the issue. Definitely interested in how it turns out!

If you do pursue purchasing a slightly newer Mac Pro...and the main goal is to get a genuine 5,1 Mac Pro. If it makes a price difference in your search...2010 & 2012 Mac Pro's are both 5,1.

Nick

 

[lclev]

I am running Mojave on my 2009/2010 Mac Pro. I am running a Nvidia GTX 780 8GB card that has been flashed to show the boot screen. Mojave needs a metal compliant card which the GTX 780 is.

Lisa

 

[needtoknowtheend]

Hi @emendoz13 , I miss the end of the story.. I guess it was the PSU. Thanks in advance.