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Mac Pro power supply testing

dintymoore

dintymoore

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 27, 2008
36
3
A friend of mine has a music studio and his Mac Pro (dual 2.66 GHz Intel) won't start in the morning. Completely dead. If you take the cover off and use a hair dryer for 30 seconds it will start, and will start normally once warm. We've reinstalled Leopard a few times as well as swapped hard drives, done Disk Utility repairs many times and the hardware test says all is good. I'm thinking power supply or logic board.

Is there a pin out voltage test you can perform on the power supply?

Is it possible to test the power supply that way?

Also, has anyone tried using electronic freeze spray to try and diagnose intermittent problems like this?

Thanx
 
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If that is an older model you should be able to test the +5 and +12 rails on the 4 pin molex connector that should be unattached in the second optical drive bay.
 
Thanks cutterman.

I know the Molex connector you are talking about so I'm guessing it's an older model. I will check those voltages. It will be a few days before I'll be in his studio to do that.

Could there be juice at that connector and the power supply still be bad, or is that unlikely?
 
dintymoore said:
Could there be juice at that connector and the power supply still be bad?
Click to expand...

Yes. First off you can't check the 3.3V rail from that connector. Second bad PSU's can cause reboots and other random problems when the voltages drop under load, like at startup. So a normal reading when the machine is on and stable wouldn't rule out a bad PSU. Hook up the meter while the machine is off and see what happens at power on.

BTW, what do you have to heat up with the hair dryer to get it to work?
 
cutterman said:
... BTW, what do you have to heat up with the hair dryer to get it to work?
Click to expand...

I took the cover off and held a hair dryer about 8" away from the open area around the empty PCI-E slots, under the power supply. I didn't aim it at anything in particular and I didn't do it very long, more of a gentle warming up. It powered up right after and the owner said that's worked pretty much every time. I had tried the power switch for about 20 min to no avail while we were making coffee before that.
 
I have a 2010 quad core and I have had a few instances of the Mac Pro just cutting off. Not shutting down, but like the power was pulled. And I have to wait at least 30 seconds to turn back on. A red light blinks from inside. It's connected to an APC BE350R battery back up. But I have had same issue when running to wall. All plugs are secure and not loose.
 
dintymoore said:
I took the cover off and held a hair dryer about 8" away from the open area around the empty PCI-E slots, under the power supply. I didn't aim it at anything in particular and I didn't do it very long, more of a gentle warming up. It powered up right after and the owner said that's worked pretty much every time. I had tried the power switch for about 20 min to no avail while we were making coffee before that.
Click to expand...
From what you describe, the PSU is shot and needs replaced. If you still have Apple Care, take it in before it expires. I presume you don't however, so be prepared for a bit of sticker shock, as the last time I saw the cost of a replacement unit, was ~$300USD.

BTW, bad electrolytic capacitors can cause this (likely suspect).

bmorris said:
I have a 2010 quad core and I have had a few instances of the Mac Pro just cutting off. Not shutting down, but like the power was pulled. And I have to wait at least 30 seconds to turn back on. A red light blinks from inside. It's connected to an APC BE350R battery back up. But I have had same issue when running to wall. All plugs are secure and not loose.
Click to expand...
The red LED's indicate a hardware fault, so running the Apple Hardware Diagnostics program may help (assuming you have it or can get a copy). It could be something simple, like need to swap memory around (i.e. needs to be reseated, or actually have a bad stick).

I presume you do still have Apple Care, so schedule an appointment if you can't sort it via the diagnostic program/don't have access to it (the repair personnel do have this particular piece of software if you don't have it, or can get access to a copy - it would need to be recent enough it covers your system, so make sure if it's an older/borrowed copy).
 
I ran the Apple Hardware test (version 3A207) and the normal test was okay. I ran an extended test and got an error. 4MEM

4MEM/62/40000000: 0x79ac7698

Pass Number:2,
Total Time Testing: 34m 21s

I Googled the error and similar codes meant DOA memory.
I contacted Newegg about the G.skill sticks and they said to contact G.skill for replacement sticks.
Waiting to hear back now.
 
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bmorris said:
I ran the Apple Hardware test (version 3A207) and the normal test was okay. I ran an extended test and got an error. 4MEM

4MEM/62/40000000: 0x79ac7698

Pass Number:2,
Total Time Testing: 34m 21s

I Googled the error and similar codes meant DOA memory.
I contacted Newegg about the G.skill sticks and they said to contact G.skill for replacement sticks.
Waiting to hear back now.
Click to expand...

Just use Apple Service Diagnostic and you would see the exact same error, but in SIMPLE ENGLISH.. those cryptic codes just confuse anyone.. if you don't have ASD 3S132, Let me know.
 
Joshuarocks said:
Just use Apple Service Diagnostic and you would see the exact same error, but in SIMPLE ENGLISH.. those cryptic codes just confuse anyone.. if you don't have ASD 3S132, Let me know.
Click to expand...

Where would I get this? I don't think I do.

G.skill said
"Unfortunately it is because the Mac Pro needs fully buffered, ECC memory.That system is like a server or workstation, so special memory is required. Unfortunately G.Skill only produces end user PC memory."

I asked to still send new memory and they said okay.
 
bmorris said:
Where would I get this? I don't think I do.

G.skill said
"Unfortunately it is because the Mac Pro needs fully buffered, ECC memory.That system is like a server or workstation, so special memory is required. Unfortunately G.Skill only produces end user PC memory."

I asked to still send new memory and they said okay.
Click to expand...

Yours truly :)

Let me know if you want it. Its still good to have in case you ever have other problems later on with your Mac Pro, as it takes the errors and gives you them in simple english sentences and words, and not cryptic mumbo-jumbo. Consider it a nice tool to have..
 
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Joshuarocks said:
Yours truly :)

Let me know if you want it. Its still good to have in case you ever have other problems later on with your Mac Pro, as it takes the errors and gives you them in simple english sentences and words, and not cryptic mumbo-jumbo. Consider it a nice tool to have..
Click to expand...

Where would I normally get it?
I'll take it though, how can you send it?
 
bmorris said:
Where would I normally get it?
I'll take it though, how can you send it?
Click to expand...

You can't get it anywhere accept from those who have it.. Its the most comprehensive of testing for any mac machine known to man.. and only service providers have it.. however, I have all of them for every machine.. Let me know if you need the one for your Mac Pro...

I have helped 1000's of people in your situation.. I am also on Apple forums and help lots of people diagnose their machines and help them anyway I can.
 
Joshuarocks said:
You can't get it anywhere accept from those who have it.. Its the most comprehensive of testing for any mac machine known to man.. and only service providers have it.. however, I have all of them for every machine.. Let me know if you need the one for your Mac Pro...

I have helped 1000's of people in your situation.. I am also on Apple forums and help lots of people diagnose their machines and help them anyway I can.
Click to expand...

I'd like to have it for a 09 Mac Pro if you can please. I currently dont have any problem with my mac but like u said, it's good to have AHD just in case.
 
Joshuarocks said:
You can't get it anywhere accept from those who have it.. Its the most comprehensive of testing for any mac machine known to man.. and only service providers have it.. however, I have all of them for every machine.. Let me know if you need the one for your Mac Pro...

I have helped 1000's of people in your situation.. I am also on Apple forums and help lots of people diagnose their machines and help them anyway I can.
Click to expand...

I have a 2010 Mac pro, early 2009 13" MacBook Pro, unibody 13" MacBook, and late 2009 Mac Mini.
Would I need one for each model? I would def want one for Mac Pro. The others would be nice.
 
You might be just the man I need......

Joshuarocks said:
You can't get it anywhere accept from those who have it.. Its the most comprehensive of testing for any mac machine known to man.. and only service providers have it.. however, I have all of them for every machine.. Let me know if you need the one for your Mac Pro...

I have helped 1000's of people in your situation.. I am also on Apple forums and help lots of people diagnose their machines and help them anyway I can.
Click to expand...

Joshua Rocks, can I ask you to take a look here...........?
 
bmorris said:
I have a 2010 Mac pro, early 2009 13" MacBook Pro, unibody 13" MacBook, and late 2009 Mac Mini.
Would I need one for each model? I would def want one for Mac Pro. The others would be nice.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1535112381][/doublepost]Hi "BMorris"

I have an old but good MacPro 2009 2.66Ghz Quad Core and I was wondering if I could get the ASD 3S132 for it if that is still possible

Philip
 
Joshuarocks said:
You can't get it anywhere accept from those who have it.. Its the most comprehensive of testing for any mac machine known to man.. and only service providers have it.. however, I have all of them for every machine.. Let me know if you need the one for your Mac Pro...

I have helped 1000's of people in your situation.. I am also on Apple forums and help lots of people diagnose their machines and help them anyway I can.
Click to expand...
Hi Joshua
I have a PSU or logicboard issue with an old macpro 3,1 early 2008 - if you are still about I'd REALLY like to talk to you about this and also get the test tool you mention - it seems just mad that the diag button can show power rails issues (by being off on test) but you cannot rule out the logic board ?
I have tried everything incl purchasing a replacement allegedly good PSU ... pulling out the logic board is a bit too far for me to go so I just need to know definitively if it is time to let go ;-)
many thanks
Andy
 
Andy Osira said:
Hi Joshua
I have a PSU or logicboard issue with an old macpro 3,1 early 2008 - if you are still about I'd REALLY like to talk to you about this and also get the test tool you mention - it seems just mad that the diag button can show power rails issues (by being off on test) but you cannot rule out the logic board ?
I have tried everything incl purchasing a replacement allegedly good PSU ... pulling out the logic board is a bit too far for me to go so I just need to know definitively if it is time to let go ;-)
many thanks
Andy
Click to expand...
I have just created a torrent from the dmg image. I will seed it for a while.
 

Attachments

  • Apple Service Diagnostic 3S123.dmg.torrent.zip
    59.4 KB · Views: 232
startergo said:
I have just created a torrent from the dmg image. I will seed it for a while.
Click to expand...
aaargh the ASD file I previously had seems bad - cannot easily extract the zip (have to use terminal !?) and once I have the dmg it won't mount - thanks for seeding this here, I am going to need it !
 
Andy Osira said:
am unfamiliar with realdebrid - looks like it wants payment to join
Click to expand...
yes it does. But you will download it fast. Otherwise use qbittorent, but I am not sure what the download speed will be. Anyway I am seeding now.
 
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