MP 1,1-5,1 Mac Pro freezes regularly

[ToborMP51]

I bought the Mac Pro 2010 back in 2021 and at first it worked great. However, in the last year or so, it's been constantly freezing up. Usually it would happen once every 20-30 days or so but lately, I've noticed it only lasts about 2 weeks since the last restart until it freezes up again.
At first, I was told it could be my hard drive since I mentioned it had about 60GB free. So, I replaced it with a fresh HD. But, that did not fix it.
Then, it was suggested to me that I look into reconstructing the BootROM. So, I did but, I must admit, the whole procedure looks way beyond anything I've had experience with. And, to be honest, I don't quite feel comfortable tinkering with something so sensitive.

I've been wondering if it's perhaps related to the GPU I bought and installed late 2024 to replace the stock GPU (ATI Radeon HD 5770). Though, I was assured that there should be no issues with the new GPU.

I hope someone could shed some light on what's causing this issue and if indeed I need to get my BootROM reconstructed.

OS is High Sierra 10.13.06

GPU is a Raedon Pro WX 7100

Fan Temps seem normal (between 37-48ºC/95-122ºF), though this is 2h after having rebooted the MP.
Obviously, it's hard to get a read on Temps before it freezes as it's difficult to predict what causes it or when.

There are no red lights on the MP

 

[tsialex]

Did you run AHT or ASD?

Mac Pro 5,1 powers ON for a second, but quickly shuts off.

AHT/ASD: You need an Apple OEM GPU (HD 2600XT, 8800GT, Quadro FX 5600, GT120, HD 4870/5770/5870) to run AHT/ASD. AHT/ASD can be used with PC flashed GPUs, but will fail mid test with a sensor error when the GPU sensors are tested. Non flashed PC GPUs won't work at all. You need to boot...

forums.macrumors.com

Did you measured the voltage/replaced the RTC battery?

 

[ToborMP51]

I have not run AHT or ASD. Wasn't even aware that existed. I found a link to a mac repository in the thread you pointed to. However, there seems to be three links to different versions of the ASD software for the 2010 Mac Pro:

Apple Service Diagnostics 3S149
Version: 3S149
20 December 2011
Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.001.dmg
ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.002.dmg
ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.003.dmg

I suppose I can just use the latest version (003)? Or should I just go with the link to loremipsum you posted in that same thread: https://www.loremipsum.info/ia-tools-blog/ ?

Also, no, I haven't measured the voltage nor replaced the RTC battery since I received the MP. I'll be sure to do that before running the ASD/AHT. Although, as I understand it, the RTC battery basically keeps the internal clock and I've had no issues with the MP displaying the wrong time.

 

[tsialex]

I have not run AHT or ASD. Wasn't even aware that existed. I found a link to a mac repository in the thread you pointed to. However, there seems to be three links to different versions of the ASD software for the 2010 Mac Pro:

Apple Service Diagnostics 3S149
Version: 3S149
20 December 2011
Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.001.dmg
ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.002.dmg
ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.003.dmg

I suppose I can just use the latest version (003)?

These are multi-part DMGs, not 3 versions, you need all 3.

Or should I just go with the link to loremipsum you posted in that same thread: https://www.loremipsum.info/ia-tools-blog/ ?

Files from loremipsum works, thats why I've linked it.

Btw, the same 3 multi-part DMGs are inside a zip there.

Also, no, I haven't measured the voltage nor replaced the RTC battery since I received the MP. I'll be sure to do that before running the ASD/AHT.

The BR2032 RTC battery is of utmost importance for a desktop Mac, if is below 2,95V in a MacPro5,1, your Mac Pro goes completely crazy - the SMC stops working correctly and all sort of weird things happen.

Below 2,75V you have bootability issues and the NVRAM stops working.

Although, as I understand it, the RTC battery basically keeps the internal clock and I've had no issues with the MP displaying the wrong time.

You are mistaken here.

The time being correct every boot is not the issue, but the several other functions of the RTC that are needed for the Darwin kernel, like timesinceboot counter. Sleep is the first thing that stops working with a spent RTC battery.

There are several high precision time related hardware counters for all sorts of needs inside the RTC and these are powered by the battery.

 

[adib]

The BR2032 RTC battery is of utmost importance for a desktop Mac, if is below 2,95V in a MacPro5,1, your Mac Pro goes completely crazy - the SMC stops working correctly and all sort of weird things happen.

I've recently replaced my Mac Mini M1 BR1632 battery with a CR1632, as I couldn't find the BR variant. It works quite well thus far. The BR variant has a longer shelf life and better tolerance for low temperatures, but I'm in the tropics, so the latter won't matter.

 

[tsialex]

I'm in the tropics, so the latter won't matter.

Matters even more since CR batteries only work up to 65ºC while BR chemistry is up to 85ºC. With Intel Mac minis CR batteries would work weeks instead of half decade for a BR.

 

[ToborMP51]

Btw, the same 3 multi-part DMGs are inside a zip there.

Ok, so please excuse my stupidity but, I'm having trouble installing ASD to my USB drive. I followed the instructions in the PDF telling me to mount the ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.001 disk image from the zip file. Then, I restored both the OS and EFI disk images stored within that ~001.dmg to the USB's OS and EFI partitions.

Where I'm stuck at is how I'm supposed to restore the DMGs within ~002.dmg and ~003.dmg without overwriting what's already been written by ~001.dmg

My concern is that when I mount ASD_ssps_004-0499-A.002.dmg and restore the OS.dmg within it to the USB's OS partition, it'll overwrite what I restored from the ~001.dmg

Also, looking at the contents of the ASD OS and ASD EFI disk images in ~002.dmg and ~003.dmg, they all seem to contain the same four pdfs:
ASD Read Me Service.pdf
ASD Test Results Guide.pdf
ASD User Guide.pdf
Installing ASD on a USB hard drive.pdf

You are mistaken here.

The time being correct every boot is not the issue, but the several other functions of the RTC that are needed for the Darwin kernel, like timesinceboot counter. Sleep is the first thing that stops working with a spent RTC battery.

Apologies for my ignorance. I did not know that the RTC was responsible for all of those functions. Thank you for clearing that up.

 

[tsialex]

Again, this is a multi-part DMG and not three different files.

The DMG was split into three parts for easy transfer/safe download back in 2011 - you just need to open/attach the first one, the other two parts are automatically loaded in sequence since is a multi-part.

 

[ToborMP51]

Again, this is a multi-part DMG and not three different files.

The DMG was split into three parts for easy transfer/safe download back in 2011 - you just need to open/attach the first one, the other two parts are automatically loaded in sequence since is a multi-part.

Alright, maybe I misunderstood the instructions from the PDF. I'll go over them once more and try again.


Meanwhile, I tested the BR2032 battery with the multimeter and it gave a reading of 3.18V, which I guess is good news on that front.

I also tried doing the AHT but could not get it to execute:
I tried pressing D right after pushing the Power button and it would just load the standard boot screen after about a minute.
I tried holding D while pushing the Power button. Same thing.
I tried holding Option+D to start up AHT over the internet. Again, same thing. Just boots up as normal.

To be clear, I was using the instructions given in Apple's Support page: https://support.apple.com/en-us/101378

 

[tsialex]

Apple Hardware Test is not part of macOS or MacPro5,1 firmware and is not automatically downloadable via Internet with the older Macs without Internet Recovery.

Apple Hardware Test was installed by the factory to the hard drive. If you ever formated or changed your factory installed hard disk, AHT is gone and needs to be installed again or you can run it from the 2nd factory restore DVD.

The first Mac Pro to support Apple Diagnostics automatic Internet download is the late-2013 Mac Pro.

Since you bought your mid-2010 second hand, you probably don't have access to the MacPro5,1 factory restore DVDs, but if you have, you can run AHT booting it from the 2nd DVD:

MacPro5,1 Mac OS X Install DVD (10.6.4):

691 6744 A,2Z,Mac Pro. Mac OS X Install. Mac OS v10.6.4. Disc v2.0 2010 (DVD DL) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

691 6744 A,2Z,Mac Pro. Mac OS X Install. Mac OS v10.6.4. Disc v2.0 2010 (DVD DL)

archive.org

MacPro5,1 Applications Install DVD (also have AHT):

Mac Pro 2010 Applications Install DVD : Apple Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Mac ProApplications Install DVDAHT version 3A2072Z691-6716-AAdd trackers from this list for faster...

archive.org

If you don't own the factory restore DVDs or can't burn the DVDs, the easiest way to run AHT is to manually download the installer from Apple servers and create a bootable USB stick following the instructions here:

GitHub - upekkha/AppleHardwareTest: Apple Hardware Test Download Links

Apple Hardware Test Download Links. Contribute to upekkha/AppleHardwareTest development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[ToborMP51]

Thank you for the link to the Applications Install DVD disk image.
So, I was able to run the AHT off a USB and it seems to have detected an error:

4SNS/1/40000000: TNOD-127.739

Which, according to another thread, it has something to do with the temperature diode on the IOH controller?

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-1-40000000-tn0d-127-739-mcp-digital.1745163/

Could this perhaps be the cause of my MP5,1 freezing up? If I am able to fix this problem, would that resolve the issue?

Also, should I still bother trying to do the ASD?

 

[tsialex]

Alright, so I was able to run the AHT and it seems to have detected an error:

4SNS/1/40000000: TNOD-127.739

Which, according to another thread, it has something to do with the temperature diode on the IOH controller?

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-1-40000000-tn0d-127-739-mcp-digital.1745163/

Inspect the CPU tray northbridge heatsink, usually is a broken push pin:

clip (snap rivet) for Northbridge heat-sink on 2009 Mac Pro 2X2.26

Just my 46 cents, here. I have just finished completely refurbishing 2 Mac Pro (5,1 - 2010-2012) CPU trays (and am about to do a third) and have had to deal with this problem. In both cases, the original plastic rivets and springs were intact but, after reading numerous reports of failure over...

forums.macrumors.com

Clean the CPU tray:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-mid-2012-no-video-and-a-very-weird-mainboard-processor-board-issue.2315610/page-2?post=30510502#post-30510502

Could this perhaps be the cause of my MP5,1 freezing up?

Most probably.

Dying PSUs also could cause erroneous sensor values, but is very rare.

If I am able to fix this problem, would that resolve the issue?

Proper maintenance will probably get your Mac Pro stable again, but these continuous crashes damage the BootROM, expect that you gonna need to service it too.

Also, should I still bother trying to do the ASD?

Right now is more important to save the CPU tray.