Mac Pro 2010 power on issue.

[thecraftyman]

Hi guys,

I have a 2010, refurbished Mac Pro tower, bought in 2012 and been using it for video editing ever since. In 2012, the PSU failed so I bought a new one from ebay and replaced it with the failed one, never had an issue, no problem working, no matter how much I pushed it to its limits. I also recently finished editing a video on it after taking it out from storage after almost 6 months. The edit went fine, didn't have any issues whatsoever.

So, just yesterday, I bought a new monitor, hooked it up to the Mac Pro and into the monitor's HDMI port, turned it on and I entered password and went away for a bit. I came back and found the PC shut down on its own. I pressed the power button and it just won't turn on. I got worried, it was working just fine and no matter what I do it just won't turn on.

I looked at a bunch of solutions online to see if anything was amiss. Tried all the troubleshooting tips, nothing worked. Then I took everything out, put it back in, waited for a bit, and plugged the power socket in without connecting anything else and it turned on. And as soon as I connected the monitor and the keyboard it shuts down again. Then it just didn't turn on. It turned on once when I removed the SSD startup disk and only had the original WD hard drive in it. Then after that it stopped turning on.

When it turned on the fans were working and everything was working inside, I opened the case to make sure, but after a few seconds it just shut down. Now it doesn't even turn on. Everytime I plug the socket back in, I see a red flash for a second next to the power button inside.

I just want to know if it is the power supply unit that needs replacing again or if there's another issue, if someone out there has experienced this, I'd appreciate your help in getting this machine to work again. If it's the power unit I'd be happy to just go ahead and buy a new one, I just want to make sure before I buy it.

Thanks a lot.
Bryan.

 

[pigoo3]

I have a 2010, refurbished Mac Pro tower, bought in 2012 and been using it for video editing ever since. In 2012, the PSU failed so I bought a new one from ebay and replaced it with the failed one...

Just wanted to comment on this. If this "refurbished" 2010 Mac Pro was purchased in 2012...and...the power supply went bad in less than 12 months (within 2012)...it must not have been an Apple refurbished unit. And if it was not "Apple refurbished"...other seller's use of the word "refurbished" in their sales pitch...I always find dubious. Anyway...just commenting on that.

So, just yesterday, I bought a new monitor...

Then I took everything out, put it back in, waited for a bit, and plugged the power socket in without connecting anything else and it turned on. And as soon as I connected the monitor and the keyboard it shuts down again. [/QUOTE]

- Why not try connecting the previous monitor..and see what happens?
- Also...are both the old monitor & new monitor connecting to the same port on the video card?
- And...are both monitors conecting via HDMI on the monitor end of the cable?

* Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

Hi Nick.

 

[thecraftyman]

Hi Nick,

Thanks for replying. I'm pretty sure it's the real stuff since I bought it straight from apple online store. Not sure what apple's definition of refurbished means though. Like you said the machines PSU went bust in less than 12 months having to buy a new one. But it's been working fine since, that is until now.

Also, tried what you suggested and it still doesn't work. Red light flashes but nothing would turn on whenever I plug the power cord back in.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm pretty sure it's the real stuff since I bought it straight from apple online store. Not sure what apple's definition of refurbished means though. Like you said the machines PSU went bust in less than 12 months having to buy a new one.

If this were an Apple refurbished computer. All Apple refurbished computers come with 12 months of Applecare. If it was an Apple refurbished computer...then Apple would have replaced that power supply for free.

Also, tried what you suggested and it still doesn't work. Red light flashes but nothing would turn on whenever I plug the power cord back in.

The reason why I suggested trying the old monitor is...this problem may not have anything to do with the new monitor...could be something else.

Was that replacement power supply you installed back in 2012 really brand new...or was it a used one? With what you're describing (computer turns on with no monitor attached...but does not with monitor attached)...sounds like a weak power supply. The extra load on the power supply with a monitor attached seems to be "crossing the line" in terms of what the power supply can provide.

- Nick

 

[lclev]

I am not sure if this will help but you can download a pdf technician guide for your Mac Pro which may help you diagnose your issue.

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

Lisa

 

[thecraftyman]

If this were an Apple refurbished computer. All Apple refurbished computers come with 12 months of Applecare. If it was an Apple refurbished computer...then Apple would have replaced that power supply for free.



The reason why I suggested trying the old monitor is...this problem may not have anything to do with the new monitor...could be something else.

Was that replacement power supply you installed back in 2012 really brand new...or was it a used one? With what you're describing (computer turns on with no monitor attached...but does not with monitor attached)...sounds like a weak power supply. The extra load on the power supply with a monitor attached seems to be "crossing the line" in terms of what the power supply can provide.

- Nick

Hi Nick,

When I bought it in Hong Kong, I needed to pay for the apple care separately, I opted not to, my mistake, and I ended up paying for a PSU. The PSU I bought from eBay was from a reputed, certified seller, that sells Mac computer parts and I haven't had any issue since I replaced the PSU.

It was only when I used the new monitor that this issue began and I feel like it could be the new monitor that must've messed something up inside the machine. The machine did start twice with the new monitor, once when I only had the original WD hard drive that came with it but was not used as a start up drive (I had taken out the SSD) and the second time was when I entered the password and then after a few seconds it shut down. After that no matter what I tried, removing all the parts inside, the RAM, switching the RAM cards, trying different monitor, it would not start. Just the red light flashes for a second everytime I plug the socket back into the wall or any other wall socket.

Maybe it's the monitor that required extra power and as a result when I connected with the Mac Pro for the first time it caused something to fail inside or the PSU like you said. If based on what I've said so far indicates that it could be the PSU then please kindly let me know so that I can go ahead and buy a new one. Thanks very much.

@Lisa, thanks but I've already got that and went through it, to no avail.

 

[pigoo3]

Maybe it's the monitor that required extra power and as a result when I connected with the Mac Pro for the first time it caused something to fail inside or the PSU like you said. If based on what I've said so far indicates that it could be the PSU then please kindly let me know so that I can go ahead and buy a new one. Thanks very much.

Doing DIY repairs is not an exact science. Especially (via an internet forum) when we can't see, touch, or feel the computer in question. If the computer will turn on and boot properly with no monitor atttached...but has issues when the monitor is attached...to me this sounds like a power issue (the video card & monitor combination are drawing more power than the possibily worn or weak PSU can provide).

Not sure what video card this computer has & what monitors you have...it's very possible that with a less powerful video card...and with a smaller resolution monitor...the computer may boot up & operate normally (this combination drawing less power).

What I would suggest is...purchase a power supply that you can return in case the power supply isn't the issue. Or purchase a really inexpensive power supply (that may not be returnable)...and if it turns out not to be the power supply...then you're not out too much money.

As I mentioned. DIY repairing sometimes is not an exact science. We try to narrow things down to the part or parts most likely causing the issue. The start swapping known good parts for possible bad parts.

- Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

Doing DIY repairs is not an exact science. Especially (via an internet forum) when we can't see, touch, or feel the computer in question. If the computer will turn on and boot properly with no monitor atttached...but has issues when the monitor is attached...to me this sounds like a power issue (the video card & monitor combination are drawing more power than the possibily worn or weak PSU can provide).

Not sure what video card this computer has & what monitors you have...it's very possible that with a less powerful video card...and with a smaller resolution monitor...the computer may boot up & operate normally (this combination drawing less power).

What I would suggest is...purchase a power supply that you can return in case the power supply isn't the issue. Or purchase a really inexpensive power supply (that may not be returnable)...and if it turns out not to be the power supply...then you're not out too much money.

As I mentioned. DIY repairing sometimes is not an exact science. We try to narrow things down to the part or parts most likely causing the issue. The start swapping known good parts for possible bad parts.

- Nick

Hi Nick,

You're right, without being able to actually see the problem first hand it's hard to gauge what the actual cause might be. Just thought I'd bring this issue up here hoping someone would be able to help or might have gone through this issue, and certainly don't want Apple to rip me off with their expensive service.

I used one of those Philips LED monitors, 21.5 inch, with 2 HDMI ports on the back. The video card is an AMD card from those 2010 model Mac Pros. I tried to connect it to the 42 inch LG LCD HDTV, which I used previously without a problem to see if I can get it to turn on, it just wouldn't now.

If you think it's the PSU then I'll give that a try and swap it with a new one to see if it works. It might be the 4 years since I've been using the Mac Pro, it might've drained all the power from the PSU to take up any heavy duty.

Thanks for your help.

 

[pigoo3]

You're right, without being able to actually see the problem first hand it's hard to gauge what the actual cause might be. Just thought I'd bring this issue up here hoping someone would be able to help or might have gone through this issue...

We do this sort of thing all the time. So not saying we can't figure things out. Even technicians that can see & touch a computer...many times can only narrow things down just so far before the hands-on troubleshooting begins.

...and certainly don't want Apple to rip me off with their expensive service.

Are you saying you would have to have Apple do this power supply replacement? I guess I sort of thought that the way things were worded in the thread so far...that you were going to be doing the PSU replacement.

If you do need to have Apple do it. Then you should certainly have Apple test the computer first...to see if they can confirm that the PSU is faulty.

The video card is an AMD card from those 2010 model Mac Pros.

Depending how this 2010 Mac Pro was configured...it came with either a Radeon 5770 or Radeon 5870 video card. These are pretty energy demanding cards. If you had a smaller less power consuming video card like a Nvidia GT 120 (which came in some 2009 Mac Pro's)...the computer might boot up ok with a monitor attached.

Plus since this is a 12-core Mac Pro...I would imagine that 12-cores needs more power than Mac Pro's with fewer cores (4, 6, 8 cores). Some Mac Pro's with fewer cores may use the same exact power supply. Power supplies over time can get weaker & weaker. So the minimum power threshold for a 12 core Mac Pro may be higher than it is for a 6-core or 8 core Mac Pro. In other words...it's possible that if this Mac Pro had 6 or 8 cores...it might still be working ok (since these Mac Pro's would need less power).

But hey...the benefit of a 12 core Mac Pro is better performance!

- Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

We do this sort of thing all the time. So not saying we can't figure things out. Even technicians that can see & touch a computer...many times can only narrow things down just so far before the hands-on troubleshooting begins.



Are you saying you would have to have Apple do this power supply replacement? I guess I sort of thought that the way things were worded in the thread so far...that you were going to be doing the PSU replacement.

If you do need to have Apple do it. Then you should certainly have Apple test the computer first...to see if they can confirm that the PSU is faulty.



Depending how this 2010 Mac Pro was configured...it came with either a Radeon 5770 or Radeon 5870 video card. These are pretty energy demanding cards. If you had a smaller less power consuming video card like a Nvidia GT 120 (which came in some 2009 Mac Pro's)...the computer might boot up ok with a monitor attached.

Plus since this is a 12-core Mac Pro...I would imagine that 12-cores needs more power than Mac Pro's with fewer cores (4, 6, 8 cores). Some Mac Pro's with fewer cores may use the same exact power supply. Power supplies over time can get weaker & weaker. So the minimum power threshold for a 12 core Mac Pro may be higher than it is for a 6-core or 8 core Mac Pro. In other words...it's possible that if this Mac Pro had 6 or 8 cores...it might still be working ok (since these Mac Pro's would need less power).

But hey...the benefit of a 12 core Mac Pro is better performance!

- Nick

Hi Nick,

Actually it's a Quad Core machine, didn't clarify that earlier. AMD Radeon 5770, and I was actually going to get a replacement from elsewhere instead of going to Apple store to get it. I'm just gonna chalk it up to a weak PSU that's had its final day. If not, then will try to return the unit and will have to send it for check up and pay up the hefty price haha.

 

[pigoo3]

Time to stop talking...and time to start fixing.

Please let us know how things progress.

Good luck,

- Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

Time to stop talking...and time to start fixing.

Please let us know how things progress.

Good luck,

- Nick

Thanks, will do.

Btw just one last thing. Is there any way to check if the power supply unit is working, by yourself I mean. If not it's ok will order a new one and update on the status.

 

[pigoo3]

Is there any way to check if the power supply unit is working, by yourself I mean.

What do you mean by working? I thought you said that if you do not connect the monitor...the computer starts ok.

- Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

What do you mean by working? I thought you said that if you do not connect the monitor...the computer starts ok.

- Nick

Must be a typo I made but it's not working at all now with or without the monitor. Won't turn on. That's why I wanted to test the PSU somehow to see it is really the cause.

 

[thecraftyman]

What do you mean by working? I thought you said that if you do not connect the monitor...the computer starts ok.

- Nick

Hi Nick, and anyone that is following this. Got a new power supply unit, replaced with the old one, tried to turn it on using an old monitor that draws little power and same problem. I plug the socket into the wall, a red light flashes for a second, I hit the power button and nothing.

Does this mean this Mac Pro is done, mainly it's going to cost me a lot to repair it or replace the motherboard? Any other solutions?

 

[pigoo3]

Sorry to hear that the replacement PSU did not help. Earlier in the thread because of the info shared about the new monitor (and how the computer would start without a monitor attached)...it seemed like the PSU could be the source of the issue (weak PSU).

Not powering up at all is a pretty serious issue. Bad hard drives, bad RAM, bad video cards, messed up OS...with any of these the computer would still power up...it just may not boot all the way to the desktop. But pushing the power button & getting nothing is more serious (and eliminating the PSU as the problem since a repalcement PSU was installed).

What red light are you referring to...and are you sure this red light isn't supposed to be on all the time when the Mac Pro is powered in? Maybe the red light is only flashing for a second...because it is only getting power for a second (before shutting down).

- Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

Hi Nick. Thanks for replying. The red light flash is the one right near the power button. Everytime I plug the cord into the socket or switch the power on the red light flashes it was always like that way before also.

I tried holding the power button, pressing it several times but it just won't turn on.

Surprisingly when I pulled out the cord or switched off the power I saw a flash of red light also. The wall is the same place I've always plugged the computer.

Also, could it be that I should try to buy another PSU to see if that'll work. Maybe try one with a higher core compatible one? For example instead of using a dual core compatible PSU use a quad or 6 core compatible PSU. Do you think that could make any difference?

 

[pigoo3]

Also, could it be that I should try to buy another PSU to see if that'll work. Maybe try one with a higher core compatible one? For example instead of using a dual core compatible PSU use a quad or 6 core compatible PSU. Do you think that could make any difference?

Hopefully the exact PSU that's recommended for this model Mac Pro is being used (and not something that's "close"..."looks like it should fit"...or a "good price"). Otherwise we may be spinning our wheels trying to figure things out.

Troubleshooting is about making a list of the possible problem areas...then crossing each item off the list as each item is tested and eliminated as a possibility. If there are questions about the PSU that was just tried...then we cannot cross the PSU off the list of possible problem areas.

- Nick

 

[thecraftyman]

Thanks Nick. I just contacted the seller and turns out he sent me the power supply compatible with single and dual processors while mine is a mid 2010 quad core. I've asked to return it and found another trusted seller whom I originally bought the PSU when it first stopped working. Will see how that fares. If it still doesn't work or the same symptoms show. Then I'm gonna have to conclude that it's the logic board and getting it repaired is gonna cost too much and I'm just better off getting an iMac instead.