MP 4.1: No startup chime (complicated CPU/tray issue)
Recently (2 weeks ago) purchased a 2009 Mac Pro 4.1 (MB535LL/A, "Eight Core" 2.26 ghz) from an old coworker for $500 as an "upgrade" from my MP 1.1. He himself wasn't the original owner and bought it from someone 2 years ago. Came with upgraded eight core 2.66 ghz Xeon X5550 (firmware updated to 5.1), 48 gbs RAM, and an unflashed Geforce GT 630 2gb PC video card (in addition to the stock NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512mb card).
He wanted to upgrade because he didn't want to deal with getting Mojave to work on it. Being in IT, a longtime Mac user, and having upgraded my 2006 Mac Pro and 2008 Macbook Pro to their maxes for hardware and over their max for their OS (using macOS Patcher) I knew I could do it.
Got a clean install of Mojave on there no problem with everything working properly. Then because the inside of the machine was never really cleaned, I disassembled the components basically down to the case and logic board and then used compressed air to thoroughly clean everything, components included. I've had a lot of experience done this before with other computers including my MP 1.1 so I knew what I was doing and practiced proper care.
I started putting the machine back together, but ran into troubles with the CPUs and the heatsinks not properly fitting snuggly/properly. I also was confused as all the tightening screws for the heatsinks were mostly worn and difficult to get rescrewed. I finally managed to get it secured and started up: No startup chime. I tried all the various adjustments, resets and troubleshooting steps using the diagnostic lights and the Apple technician guide. Lights all came back ok although once or twice while testing the 5V led would be flashing green instead of steady green.
Did the component strip down and put in a single CPU and memory stick. I still felt there was something going on with the CPUs and heatsinks as they weren't matching up properly and sitting all the way down on the board. I also noticed that the CPU fan wasn't going. Due to the height strangeness, the CPU/heatsink connector cable wasn't going in all the way. Once I manually secured that, I finally got the system to chime and boot properly and the OS was working. I was happy, until the fans then came on full force. Tried resets and reseating/reconnecting the heatsink a number of times but to no avail. It would chime and boot and I could use OS, but fans full force.
(NOTE: Only later did I read that the fans coming on full was because CPU B & heatsink were not installed, which was normal, and potentially everything was actually fine at that point).
Having looked up a bunch of similar topics on MacRumors, I also came to a realization: Whoever did the processor upgrade didn't delid the processors; the IHS was left on, and then using brute force, somehow physically pushed and screwed down the heatsinks. That's why the heatsink tightening screws are all worn. Someone must have put immense pressure on them trying to get it to secure not knowing about the delidding. I don't know how the system was able to operate like that when my friend had it; it was making contact with the processor but the heatsink itself and the thermal strip was not making the proper contact. But for the 2 years he had it, he ran with zero thermal issues. and maxed them out on numerous occasions.
So after a crap ton of more research here and youtube videos on delidding, I went with the vice method and removed the tops. I then used a blade to clean off the remaining sodder on the processor and edge of a plastic card to remove the black stuff, taking great care to not damage any of the circuits. I then applied new thermal paste and installed CPU A and tried to boot. No chime, diag leds ok except GPU OK light was flashing green again. Did resets and no flashing light but no chime. Tried reseating a few times but same result. Thinking I might have killed one of my processors in the delidding process, I then tried the second one in CPU A. Same result. All fans run all diag leds are lit proper, but no chimes. As careful as I was I can't believe I would have destroyed both CPUs. Here are pictures of them and the slots on the tray (https://imgur.com/a/Qe46cJJ):
I've troubleshot extensively, and because of the no chime at this point, there's something that's going on at POST. Using the various threads and especially JedNZ and his meticulous post here (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cmp-2009-cpu-tray-issue.2111481/) I feel it's either the CPUs or the CPU tray. I don't have or know anyone who has a similar Mac Pro where I could test hardware components. Live in a smallish city where the only Mac place around here is an Apple authorized local dealer/repair shop (https://happymac.org/).
If I could confirm it's a certain component instead of being something I didn't do right, I could at least know what paths I have. If it's the CPUs and the tray is still good, then I might consider getting replacements. But if it's the CPU tray, I'm SOL as they are going for $400-$500 on eBay. So I'm kinda stuck and don't know what to do. Making matters worse is that I lost my job last year and due to serious heath issues haven't been able to get a new one, and been without income for almost a year. I had hoped making this purchase would let me keep going on this one for at least 3-4 years when the new Mac Pros drop in price enough to afford a used one. Unfortunately at the moment, I'm out $500.
I'm desperately looking for any and all help (anyone have a 2009 dual tray or spare CPU chips they'd be willing to ship so I could test?). *sigh*, any assistance is appreciated guys.
Recently (2 weeks ago) purchased a 2009 Mac Pro 4.1 (MB535LL/A, "Eight Core" 2.26 ghz) from an old coworker for $500 as an "upgrade" from my MP 1.1. He himself wasn't the original owner and bought it from someone 2 years ago. Came with upgraded eight core 2.66 ghz Xeon X5550 (firmware updated to 5.1), 48 gbs RAM, and an unflashed Geforce GT 630 2gb PC video card (in addition to the stock NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512mb card).
He wanted to upgrade because he didn't want to deal with getting Mojave to work on it. Being in IT, a longtime Mac user, and having upgraded my 2006 Mac Pro and 2008 Macbook Pro to their maxes for hardware and over their max for their OS (using macOS Patcher) I knew I could do it.
Got a clean install of Mojave on there no problem with everything working properly. Then because the inside of the machine was never really cleaned, I disassembled the components basically down to the case and logic board and then used compressed air to thoroughly clean everything, components included. I've had a lot of experience done this before with other computers including my MP 1.1 so I knew what I was doing and practiced proper care.
I started putting the machine back together, but ran into troubles with the CPUs and the heatsinks not properly fitting snuggly/properly. I also was confused as all the tightening screws for the heatsinks were mostly worn and difficult to get rescrewed. I finally managed to get it secured and started up: No startup chime. I tried all the various adjustments, resets and troubleshooting steps using the diagnostic lights and the Apple technician guide. Lights all came back ok although once or twice while testing the 5V led would be flashing green instead of steady green.
Did the component strip down and put in a single CPU and memory stick. I still felt there was something going on with the CPUs and heatsinks as they weren't matching up properly and sitting all the way down on the board. I also noticed that the CPU fan wasn't going. Due to the height strangeness, the CPU/heatsink connector cable wasn't going in all the way. Once I manually secured that, I finally got the system to chime and boot properly and the OS was working. I was happy, until the fans then came on full force. Tried resets and reseating/reconnecting the heatsink a number of times but to no avail. It would chime and boot and I could use OS, but fans full force.
(NOTE: Only later did I read that the fans coming on full was because CPU B & heatsink were not installed, which was normal, and potentially everything was actually fine at that point).
Having looked up a bunch of similar topics on MacRumors, I also came to a realization: Whoever did the processor upgrade didn't delid the processors; the IHS was left on, and then using brute force, somehow physically pushed and screwed down the heatsinks. That's why the heatsink tightening screws are all worn. Someone must have put immense pressure on them trying to get it to secure not knowing about the delidding. I don't know how the system was able to operate like that when my friend had it; it was making contact with the processor but the heatsink itself and the thermal strip was not making the proper contact. But for the 2 years he had it, he ran with zero thermal issues. and maxed them out on numerous occasions.
So after a crap ton of more research here and youtube videos on delidding, I went with the vice method and removed the tops. I then used a blade to clean off the remaining sodder on the processor and edge of a plastic card to remove the black stuff, taking great care to not damage any of the circuits. I then applied new thermal paste and installed CPU A and tried to boot. No chime, diag leds ok except GPU OK light was flashing green again. Did resets and no flashing light but no chime. Tried reseating a few times but same result. Thinking I might have killed one of my processors in the delidding process, I then tried the second one in CPU A. Same result. All fans run all diag leds are lit proper, but no chimes. As careful as I was I can't believe I would have destroyed both CPUs. Here are pictures of them and the slots on the tray (https://imgur.com/a/Qe46cJJ):
I've troubleshot extensively, and because of the no chime at this point, there's something that's going on at POST. Using the various threads and especially JedNZ and his meticulous post here (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cmp-2009-cpu-tray-issue.2111481/) I feel it's either the CPUs or the CPU tray. I don't have or know anyone who has a similar Mac Pro where I could test hardware components. Live in a smallish city where the only Mac place around here is an Apple authorized local dealer/repair shop (https://happymac.org/).
If I could confirm it's a certain component instead of being something I didn't do right, I could at least know what paths I have. If it's the CPUs and the tray is still good, then I might consider getting replacements. But if it's the CPU tray, I'm SOL as they are going for $400-$500 on eBay. So I'm kinda stuck and don't know what to do. Making matters worse is that I lost my job last year and due to serious heath issues haven't been able to get a new one, and been without income for almost a year. I had hoped making this purchase would let me keep going on this one for at least 3-4 years when the new Mac Pros drop in price enough to afford a used one. Unfortunately at the moment, I'm out $500.
I'm desperately looking for any and all help (anyone have a 2009 dual tray or spare CPU chips they'd be willing to ship so I could test?). *sigh*, any assistance is appreciated guys.
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