mac pro blue screen problem

[Macpropro80]

Hey everyone recently my mac pro has been randomly freezing then all 3 of my screens go blue for 5 seconds, then everything is back to normal. This happened 2 months ago, and eventually my graphic card died. I dont know whats causing this, I have tried different cards so i no its not hardware. Anyone have this happen? Any fixes?

[Macpropro80]

guys I really need your help! any suggestions!

[wpc33]

Perhaps your monitor's connection wiggles loose, either with power or DVI?

[Trip.Tucker]

What's your power supply like? Clean and constant or sags? (no... not the psu in the Mac).

[Macpropro80]

they are all DVI, but one is connect with a VGA to DVI adapter. The 2 that are connected to the same card go blue first then the main one does it. The cards are super snug. The power supplies are constant. One thing to note, it started doing this after I thought it would be cool to open 200 pictures are once.

[nanofrog]

they are all DVI, but one is connect with a VGA to DVI adapter. The 2 that are connected to the same card go blue first then the main one does it. The cards are super snug. The power supplies are constant. One thing to note, it started doing this after I thought it would be cool to open 200 pictures are once.
He meant the A/C quality off the wall.

Do you have a DMM to test it with?
You could be experiencing frequent brown outs (undervolt). This can damage (as in Kill), computers and other electronic devices. A power strip does not protect you from this.

[Macpropro80]

Also the computer freezes for a good 5-10 seconds before the blue screens. It never happens in Full Screen games. I have 1 30 inch ACD, 19inch gateway, 15inch dell, 2 mybooks External HD, bose companion 5 speakers, 1 G-tech hard drive w/raid, and 1 logitech mouse charger, and my mac pro all hooked up to the same surge protecter, but it does it even when i used different outlets and when i unplug stuff.

[nanofrog]

Also the computer freezes for a good 5-10 seconds before the blue screens. It never happens in Full Screen games. I have 1 30 inch ACD, 19inch gateway, 15inch dell, 2 mybooks External HD, bose companion 5 speakers, 1 G-tech hard drive w/raid, and 1 logitech mouse charger, and my mac pro all hooked up to the same surge protecter, but it does it even when i used different outlets and when i unplug stuff.
This can't really help determine if it's the wall power though, as it's the same throughout your home/apt./...

At this point, there's not enough information. :confused:
It could be power, drivers, overheating,....

[Macpropro80]

Its not over heating or power I no that for a fact.

Also my house is divided into 2 power zones i guess would be the term, i plug it into an outlet on the other zone and it still did it.

[nanofrog]

Its not over heating or power I no that for a fact.

Also my house is divided into 2 power zones i guess would be the term, i plug it into an outlet on the other zone and it still did it.
What do you mean with "2 power zones"?

I mean the power delivered to your home by the Utility Co. It may be undervolting. (What comes off the transformer attached to your house). It can also be caused by too long a run from the electrical panel (circuit breakers) to the outlet being used. (I'm assuming this isn't the case, if the other outlets you used are on different circuits, and preferably in a different room).

If you've been able to test it with a DMM (at intervals, or continually with a data recorder attached would be ideal), this would tell you for sure. Most products are designed to operate within a certain range, but too low or too high will cause you problems, including DOA equipment. The wall output is never constant over a 24 hr period.

Here's a hint: Do the lights dim when you turn something on, particularly lower load (power draw) devices?

[Macpropro80]

my lights dim for a split second sometimes when i boot the rig up but not normally. Do you really think that a lack of power would cause the machine to freeze for a few seconds? I have never heard of that.

[nanofrog]

my lights dim for a split second sometimes when i boot the rig up but not normally. Do you really think that a lack of power would cause the machine to freeze for a few seconds? I have never heard of that.
It can.

If the load is near the limit of the circuit, it might be within tolerances, but without an actual idea of the voltage, it's hard to say. The PSU has a minimum and maximum input voltage (wall AC).

I'm just trying to find out if you understand what I'm talking about, and whether it's actually able to be ruled out.

The same would apply to any of it really. Overheating for example. How did you determine if it's not actually too hot?

Simple questions, but not necessarily as easily answered as you might think. Sensors (thermal) can give a false reading. It might be worth it to you to go ahead and clean out the internals really well. (Can't hurt at any rate). Just don't break anything. :D :p

Better to make sure than just assume. It can save you a lot of headache. ;)

[rylin]

Overheating for example. How did you determine if it's not actually too hot?

I usually use ice.
If the computer melts the ice faster than a glass of vodka does, it's overheating.

(For the humor impaired; No, I'm not actually serious ;) )

[nanofrog]

I usually use ice.
If the computer melts the ice faster than a glass of vodka does, it's overheating.

(For the humor impaired; No, I'm not actually serious ;) )

I got a laugh out of it. :D

But why water down the vodka? :eek:

[rylin]

But why water down the vodka? :eek:

It was either the vodka or the whiskey, and I'll be damned if I dilute that!

[nanofrog]

It was either the vodka or the whiskey, and I'll be damned if I dilute that!
Ahh... Now I understand you're logic. ;) :D

Definitely leave the whiskey alone. Especially a good single malt. Yum. :D

[Macpropro80]

thanks..... so laughing at a joke is the answer. I really need help.

[djjclark]

thanks..... so laughing at a joke is the answer. I really need help.

Unfortunately with this being a user staffed support board we can only tell you solutions if we have experienced the same problem and even then it is not guaranteed to work. It's possible that your previous bad video card caused issues with your logic board and if running the hardware diagnostic tests show no problems you will need to talk to Apple.

Sorry

[nanofrog]

thanks..... so laughing at a joke is the answer. I really need help.
Granted, it got a little sidetracked, but you never answered my questions. :eek: (Last couple of posts we were communicating).

Those answers can help myself and other members direct you to a solution. (Prevent skipping things, and covering the same ground).

More information is really needed. Just not enough to go on ATM. It could be power, but where? Wall? PSU?

Overheating? ........

[Macpropro80]

Grrr....

I have always liked apple computers, but my current mac pro has been the worst Computer I have ever had. I have talked to tech support atleast 20 times in the past 2 months, replaced a video card, and They NEVER have solutions. Its not overheating, the power is fine, and apple couldn't figure out what is wrong.

[Macpropro80]

One more thing. If i can't fix it by the end of this month, I will be taking offers from anyone who wants to buy it.

4gig apple ram, 2.8ghz 8 core, 320g HD. 2x ati 2600 hd. Airport card. I don't know what Computer I will buy next because I edit videos for a living but I cant stand this computer.

I will throw in a G-Raid2 1TB external HD if I get a REALLY good offer.

I will keep it if I find a fix.

BTW i called apple so many times They know my name, and even comment on how many problems I have had.

Last night they guy said, Holy S##T You have had a lot of problems

[nanofrog]

One more thing. If i can't fix it by the end of this month, I will be taking offers from anyone who wants to buy it.

4gig apple ram, 2.8ghz 8 core, 320g HD. 2x ati 2600 hd. Airport card. I don't know what Computer I will buy next because I edit videos for a living but I cant stand this computer.

I will throw in a G-Raid2 1TB external HD if I get a REALLY good offer.

I will keep it if I find a fix.

BTW i called apple so many times They know my name, and even comment on how many problems I have had.

Last night they guy said, Holy S##T You have had a lot of problems
What threw me was the lights dimming on turn on. A base MP only draws ~300W. So say 600 with 3 screens. That's less than 1/3 of the load on a 15A circuit.

Can you return the system to Apple for a replacement? Assuming the Apple Care is still active, they should do this, given the number of tickets opened on this one.

The only other things I can think of, without a proper diagosis, is getting a good UPS (~1500VA=~865W; they can be had for ~$200). Not a bad idea to have one anyway.

The other would be a clean install.

Think of it as a shotgun approach if there's nothing actually wrong with the hardware. (Leaves OS, drivers, and wall power). Both of recommendations should help with these, assuming that's the case.

Good Luck. :)

[Macpropro80]

I psu is a possibility, This only happens when 2 graphic cards are installed. But why would the system freeze for 5 seconds, go blue on 2 screens, followed by the 3rd going blue, then being fine again? I have apple care but they are useless, all they know is reset Pram, SMC, Hardware test, hold, product specialist, reset pram, SMC, Hardware test, call you tomorrow with an update. For a system this expensive, I expected them to be way more helpful. Also If I have to replace 1 more part, I would rather have my money back.

[11800506]

If it's had so many problems which you haven't been able to figure out why don't you ask for a replacement?

[Macpropro80]

I would but don't they have a policy that if your system is custom configured they dont replace it?

[11800506]

I would but don't they have a policy that if your system is custom configured they dont replace it?

Hmm? I haven't heard of this policy, but even still, can't you take out all of the upgrades you made and put in the stock parts and then ask for a replacement? I'm not quite sure what you're asking. Regardless, it's worth a shot.

[Macpropro80]

I probably should ask for a replacement, but I would rather find a fix. I don't want to have to replace my system for 2 reasons, I love my mac pro, and its going to be a pain to back up 750 gigs of data.

[11800506]

I know what you mean, but sometimes it just comes to a point where it's worth it more to ask for a replacement. You probably could work something out with Apple where you don't have to return the drive with all your data, but then again I wouldn't know.

[nanofrog]

I psu is a possibility, This only happens when 2 graphic cards are installed. But why would the system freeze for 5 seconds, go blue on 2 screens, followed by the 3rd going blue, then being fine again? I have apple care but they are useless, all they know is reset Pram, SMC, Hardware test, hold, product specialist, reset pram, SMC, Hardware test, call you tomorrow with an update. For a system this expensive, I expected them to be way more helpful. Also If I have to replace 1 more part, I would rather have my money back.
It could be the PSU isn't stable under load. (12V rails drooping too much, and not delivering the required power).
I know what you mean, but sometimes it just comes to a point where it's worth it more to ask for a replacement. You probably could work something out with Apple where you don't have to return the drive with all your data, but then again I wouldn't know.
I would also recommend going for a replacement. It's just not worth keeping with this many problems. Even if they won't just let the OP swap out the 750GB drive, and it has to be backed up & reloaded.