MP 6,1 MacPro 2013 does not boot

[vddobrev]

After attempt to install Catalina Security Update, my Mac does not boot anymore from any media. It started rebooting itself in the middle of the update. It just keeps on rebooting, showing some progress, then rebooting again in a loop. I tried:

- Boot from macOS partition
- Boot from Time Machine
- Boot from USB install media, both Catalina and Big Sur
- Recovery Mode and Internet Recovery Mode
- Bootcamp
- CMD+ALT+P+R
- Safe mode

The result is always the same, reboot loop.

Any help and advise is appreciated.

 

[krakman]

have you tried NVRAM reset - press CMD+ALT+P+R as soon as you hear the chime

 

[vddobrev]

have you tried NVRAM reset - press CMD+ALT+P+R as soon as you hear the chime

Yes, I have tried it. I updated my post with this.

 

[vddobrev]

Trying to boot in verbose mode:

 

[WayneStewart]

You could put the Mac Mini in target disk mode, use a thunderbolt cable to boot off it's hard drive then take a look at the Mac Pros hard drive

 

[vddobrev]

Thanks, I will have to get a thunderbolt cable and try.

What I don’t get is why it will not boot from an USB install media…

 

[vddobrev]

It turned out to be the CPU Riser card, that is what they said from the service center. It needs to be replaced. Oh well, I guess I will have to pay...

 

[mikas]

Very sorry to read that. The cost of it is gonna be in hundreds I'm afraid.

I have to ask, did they tell you anything more specific about it? If it's the CPU socket, the riser connector, RAM slots, or anything else than just; it's the CPU riser card, and it needs to be replaced?

 

[vddobrev]

Very sorry to read that. The cost of it is gonna be in hundreds I'm afraid.

I have to ask, did they tell you anything more specific about it? If it's the CPU socket, the riser connector, RAM slots, or anything else than just; it's the CPU riser card, and it needs to be replaced?

No details, they just said that it was the CPU riser card. They mentioned that they already tried a new CPU riser card and it is working fine with it. I just need to authorize the repair. I was quoted $680 USD (converted to USD from my local currency).

Well, I am not sure how the CPU riser card goes bad during an update, the Catalina Security update...

 

[mikas]

^Yes that's really weird.
The CPU risers cost about 400€+, so the work part would make the rest of that price. Not that bad actually for work, but still quite much in total I'd say.

 

[Soba]

This is entirely your decision, but for that cost of repair, I would seriously consider replacing the machine. Perhaps buying a newer system (Mac mini?) would be a better choice for you, and you could sell the 2013 Mac Pro, even in damaged condition.

Or if you're feeling ambitious, you can get help to repair it on your own.

 

[vddobrev]

^Well, I quickly checked prices for the CPU riser card, all refurbished and approximately same price. I live in Bulgaria, and there is only one Apple service provider, so not many options. I have not had a single issue with the computer, I’ve had it for 3 years and 8 months, and I am pleased with its performance. I cannot get a new one for the price of the repair…

 

[vddobrev]

BTW, the part number quoted is 661-7545. My Google search returned higher prices…

 

[mikas]

I got one from mac-factory (germany) for 437€ shipped to my country. It was probably the cheapest one at that time.
They still seem to have one for sale at 500 € + shipping.

A good thought above from Soba.
I bought my last Mac Pro for 850€, a working 6,1 unit (6c D500 32GB). So that 500€ seems relatively high price for one part only. And so was 437€. I can see there are even more pricey parts for sale, like 850€+shipping+tax (that's from us). This includes the processor too on the other hand. Still, that would be even more than the whole machine, a used 6,1 for me. Absurd.

I guess that's how it is today with these parts unfortunately, with all the Macs it seems.

btw. Locally I can get much cheaper Mac Pros, under 1k€, than what they list at eBay (located in europe). I wonder who's buying these at those prices.

 

[vddobrev]

Thank you @mikas and @Soba for the advise. I bought my Mac Pro from UK Refurbished store, and I am opting to repair it for $680, the replaced part is 661-7545: Card, CPU Riser, 3.5 GHz, 6 C.

A new Mac mini in Bulgaria will be a lot more expensive, and it does not come with 32GB RAM:

Mac mini M1 Chip, 8-Core CPU, 8-Core GPU, 16GB, 1TB SSD --> $1886 USD.