Mac Pro 2.8 FAn noise / video card

[basslik]

Hello everyone,

When I start up my Mac Pro the fan roars from the video card and doesn't boot up. (UNLESS)

Now if I unplug the power chord and plug it back in again, then press start button again it boots up fine, with no fan noise, ATI 2600XT

So I thought I would buy another video card, Nvidia 8800GT and stuck that card in the machine, same thing except now, if I unplug it, then plug it back in, the machine roars (fan noise from card) but as soon as it boots up the video card calms back down. Back to whisper quite

I'm stumped, perhaps something with the SMC ?

THANK YOU ALL, HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

 

[harryb2448]

There are two different modela of the 8800GT. The first release was for your machine and the second for Mac Pro 1.1 and 2.1. Double sure you got the correct card?

Thisn is the Model 1.1 and 2.1 card:-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-Gefo...mac-pro-1-1-2-1-PCIe-Video-Card-/162033269563

And this is the card for 3.1 and later Mac Pros:-


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Early-2...800GT-512MB-Video-Graphics-Card-/251119912659

 

[basslik]

Thank you so much for chiming in, here's the model below, 1st generation
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-NVIDI...222090254099?ssPageName=ADME:X:RRIRTB:US:3160


Apple NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (MB560Z/A) 512 MB GDDR3 SDRAM PCI Express x16...

Asuming it's the correct card, I'm still baffled why, with both cards ( original ATI 2600XT & the Nvidia 8800 ), I have to unplug the power chord then plug the power chord back in to get the computer to boot?, perhaps something with the SMC ?, thank you harryb2448

 

[harryb2448]

I hate to suggest this bassilk, but it sounds like a power supply getting ready to toss it in. Have you done any work inside the Mac Pro around the CPU or similar as if one leaves a heat sensor unplugged, or not fully connected, the roaring sounds like a Jumbo speeding down the tarmac.

 

[basslik]

Good day harryb2448,

I bought the Mac pro used, so I din't mess with anything inside.

Runs fine after I replugin the power chord, only when I shut it down it roars with the new (used 8800GT) o bought from ebay, I just got an email back from the seller and he states it always roared on boot up, then calms down afterwards ?

Although with the previous ATI 2600XT it would roar and not boot up unless I unplugged the chord and plugged it back in, I think your right on the power supply aspect of it, and maybe has nothing to do with the video cards ?

Can I reset the SMC?

 

[harryb2448]

You reset the SMC by powering down, remove the power cord from the Mac Pro and the power point and levve it unplugged for ten minutes or so, reconnect everything and see if any joy.

One question. Are you coneecting through a surge protector or an Uninterrupted Power Supply by chance?

In my Mac Pro 2.1 days used the 7300GT, the 8800GT, the ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB card and never experienced any roaring, apart from when I upgrade the processors to the X5500 series 8 core CPUs and forgot the heat sensor as mentioned.

Now I am an old fella found Mac Pros just too heavy to throw about so happy with an iMac.

 

[basslik]

You reset the SMC by powering down, remove the power cord from the Mac Pro and the power point and levve it unplugged for ten minutes or so, reconnect everything and see if any joy.

One question. Are you connecting through a surge protector or an Uninterrupted Power Supply by chance?

In my Mac Pro 2.1 days used the 7300GT, the 8800GT, the ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB card and never experienced any roaring, apart from when I upgrade the processors to the X5500 series 8 core CPUs and forgot the heat sensor as mentioned.

Now I am an old fella found Mac Pros just too heavy to throw about so happy with an iMac.

Yes I'm hooked up to a power strip. I researched and many state it's normal for the GT to roar until it boots up, so I guess I can live with that, but it's weird if I want to fire up the machine again I have to unplug the power chord then plug it back in, otherwise it will just roar with the fans and never boot?

thank so much, any other possibilities ?

 

[harryb2448]

Try it without the surge protector. Mac Pros have a pretty high wattage power supply and it may be grabbing too much for the protector to handle. I have never heard of this having to unplug and start over again.

 

[basslik]

Try it without the surge protector. Mac Pros have a pretty high wattage power supply and it may be grabbing too much for the protector to handle. I have never heard of this having to unplug and start over again.

Will give it a try harryb2448, thanks so much, interesting thing the video went black on me last night, lost video, but computer was still on?

That's what happens when you buy off of ebay sometimes I guess.

 

[Quinten]

Hello,
My MacPro also blows the videocards up to full speed for the first 2 seconds on starting up, You can really hear it with my Ati HD4870 with my GTX 760 not so much. I always thought this was normal? For me this machine has always made the noise before and after changing the cpu's, however mine always starts up and I never need to plug it back in and out. Have you tried using a different power outlet? Or a different power cable? I really think this has something to do with power, might be a failing psu.

 

[harryb2448]

Or PC and/or flashed PC video cards.

 

[basslik]

Or PC and/or flashed PC video cards.

Okay guys I really need to know if I got the first generation upgrade kit ?, I don't know the difference between the two except the first pot reply Harry showed in the first reply. I bought this off of ebay and it stated first generation upgrade kit?, the one harry showed looks different . My card shows on the board 630-9368

 

[harryb2448]

The number you have quoted is the correct part number for the Mac Pro 3.1, the 2.8GHz and later. It is called first generation as it was released for your Mac Pro. Demand for a better card than the 7300GT in models 1.1 and 2.1, result in nVidia releasing a card later for them, known as the second generation. Here is an ad on eBay showing the part number for your Pro:-


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GeF...MB-PCI-e-Video-Card-Mac-Pro-3-1-/381132804879


PS. How did you go with the surge protector removed?

 

[basslik]

The number you have quoted is the correct part number for the Mac Pro 3.1, the 2.8GHz and later. It is called first generation as it was released for your Mac Pro. Demand for a better card than the 7300GT in models 1.1 and 2.1, result in nVidia releasing a card later for them, known as the second generation. Here is an ad on eBay showing the part number for your Pro:-


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GeF...MB-PCI-e-Video-Card-Mac-Pro-3-1-/381132804879


PS. How did you go with the surge protector removed?

Good day Harryb2448,

I seen that ad, no pic (RATS), I'm in the process of cleaning the card really good, and putting new thermal paste, and thermal tape. The card was kind of dirty, but not too bad. Can anyone recommend a goof thermal tape?

 

[basslik]

The number you have quoted is the correct part number for the Mac Pro 3.1, the 2.8GHz and later. It is called first generation as it was released for your Mac Pro. Demand for a better card than the 7300GT in models 1.1 and 2.1, result in nVidia releasing a card later for them, known as the second generation. Here is an ad on eBay showing the part number for your Pro:-


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GeF...MB-PCI-e-Video-Card-Mac-Pro-3-1-/381132804879


PS. How did you go with the surge protector removed?

Thanks again harryb2448

Still waiting on the thermal tape to finish the job, then I already removed the power from the Mac pro and is plugged it the wall socket, will give it a whirl.

I'm really confused a bit, Mac site says my early 2008 Mac Pro, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (part number 630-9191 or 630-9897)

The you look at this ealt 2008 Mac Pro card, and looks totally different for the one I have. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Early-2...800GT-512MB-Video-Graphics-Card-/251119912659

Your awesome folks, and thank you for your valuable time.

 

[harryb2448]

That may come about as some folk flash PC version cards to run in the Mac Pro. Why? PC cards are very much cheaper because of the huge number manufactured compared to Mac cards. Maybe you could Google the 8800GT PC card and see if looks like yours.

 

[basslik]

That may come about as some folk flash PC version cards to run in the Mac Pro. Why? PC cards are very much cheaper because of the huge number manufactured compared to Mac cards. Maybe you could Google the 8800GT PC card and see if looks like yours.

Gets convoluted for sure, but this is a Mac version, but doesn't look like the original card for the early 2008 Mac Pro, but this one is the first generation upgrade.

 

[basslik]

Good day everyone,

harryb2448,

Okay tried straight to the power outlet, and with both cards (which I cleaned up re-thermaled greased both, my original ATI 2600, and the correct 8800GT which is for my computer)

Can't figure it out?, I have to unplug from wall outlet the plug back in so it will boot ?

I also had both cards just go blank screen (black) out of nowhere a couple of times, on each card ( I'M STUMPED ), of course not with both cards installed, each on it's own.

Is there a way to test my system after a graphics failure?. When I bought it I took it to the apple store and they ran a hardware test on my Mac and everything checked out excellent, is it possible that I have to memory sticks that don' match the original Mac memory that could have caused it ?

Is there a combo update, or a Nvidia update that might fix this issue?, thank so much

 

[harryb2448]

Sorry can't help other than to advise if theMac Pro runs the memory sounds okay. macs being very fussy about the correct memory, would either give the bips on startup, or simply run the correct memory and only show that amount in Apple System Profiler.

 

[basslik]

Sorry can't help other than to advise if theMac Pro runs the memory sounds okay. macs being very fussy about the correct memory, would either give the bips on startup, or simply run the correct memory and only show that amount in Apple System Profiler.

Thanks, I'll take out the two odd sticks to see what happens, you guys are so cool to take the time out to lend a hand, thanks again, and will get back and hopefully something I might catch might help someone.