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Video card problems on 2010 Mac Pros?
- Thread starter VideoFreek
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whats really funny about fan-boys is the fact that they keep looking for desperate excuses that should clear Apples responsibility in this mes.
"oooh but AMD is also to blame because they are the ones manufacturing the cards" "bulls***...if Apple was indeed this quality company they want to make everybody believe than they would make sure only the best goes in these computers, these dodgy cards shouldn't even be in a computer starting at 1000$...let again 3000$ .again lack of quality check AND lack of research. If they did some serious testing on these crap computers than they would have noticed it without a doubt...i mean serious, its not as if its 1 guy having the damn problem, the internet Mac forums are full of people complaining about this. Its clear to me Apple isn't even capable of bringing out something that actually works for the last 2-3 years.
Apple is a company lead by cocky cowards, they do not take responsibility what-so-ever and give people dodgy computers for hard earned money, next they want you to pay like 300$ extra for Apple care, what do you think that means, that they are well build systems lol?? Get of the high Horse Steve & Co, you no longer are taking all that serious when it comes to quality, the only thing y'all got going is that it looks good and even that's a mater of taste.
Good luck in getting mac rumors to post this on the front page, they are probably to busy with ipad, iphone and ipod stuff. seems as if everything that has the name Mac or Apple inside is one big joke these days and equals lousy research. here's an idea maybe change the name to CrapRumors
It's not the first time I have been wrong and sure wont be the last.
Don't worry, the people with the issues just need to blow off some steam. It's really tough to say what is the problem because nobody has really diagnosed the issue beyond "my monitor won't turn back on after it goes to sleep" which is exactly why I am telling people to contact Apple. They need to know about the problem, and they also know how to get the most information about the problem so that they can diagnose it and research a fix.
But of course yelling and screaming is a great way to solve the problem.
Just because one person, or even 20 people have the issue doesn't mean Apple would necessarily run into it in testing. You have no idea what their testing method involves and neither do I. That still doesn't mean they saw the issue and released the product anyway. Who knows what happened, but there is no real point in arguing about anyway because clearly some people are having the issue and it needs to be fixed.
Btw, I have been reading the boards and following this issue quite closely because I am planning on buying a 5870 when they become available from Apple. It concerns me that people have these issues, but it is also impossible to gauge how widespread it is, or even what the exact cause of the problem is (other than it's related to the new Radeon cards). It doesn't help that we have people screaming about the issue rather than doing anything to help diagnose it.
I am not an expert or anything, but I do know a thing or two about solving computer issues and the first thing you do is calm down and address it rationality instead of getting uptight and just blaming people.
MiniDisplay Port to Dual Link DVI adapter
I just got a new MP Quadcore and want to hook up 3 DVI displays to it. After reading this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4279 I really don't want to buy 2 $100/ea adapters to do this. Has anyone found a solution for 3 DVI displays using cheaper adapters? If so, which ones? Thanks a ton.
I just got a new MP Quadcore and want to hook up 3 DVI displays to it. After reading this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4279 I really don't want to buy 2 $100/ea adapters to do this. Has anyone found a solution for 3 DVI displays using cheaper adapters? If so, which ones? Thanks a ton.
I agree with what Ovrlrd said.
There is probably a number of things that may of contributed to what we have seen so far.
Is it possible to list the following for the folks who have experienced video problems?
1. System setup
2. SW version & build
3. Video cable & adaptor used
4. Number of monitors
5. Type of monitors
I think this will help us in the long run which combination to avoid.
There is probably a number of things that may of contributed to what we have seen so far.
Is it possible to list the following for the folks who have experienced video problems?
1. System setup
2. SW version & build
3. Video cable & adaptor used
4. Number of monitors
5. Type of monitors
I think this will help us in the long run which combination to avoid.
I have a 2010 mac pro 3.33/6c + 5870 + NEC PA271W + Eizo monitor.
When I connected the PA271W to the displayport using the ubiquitous miniDP-DP cable (mine from OWC) I could not boot the machine (got a chime but nothing else). With the mac OFF and the monitor ON, I could see the over-current LED on the logic board next to the CPU light up when I plugged the displayport cable to the video card. No issues when connecting the PA271W to the DVI connector.
I got a miniDP-DP adapter from monoprice that I have been using with the DP-DP cable that came with the monitor. No issues at all (so far, it's been a week). I have the PA271W connected to the miniDP and the Eizo to the DVI port.
How can I explain this? Firstly, this is all speculation, so take it with a grain of salt... I think that the cable might not be of the highest quality, and the result is that some signal lines are either missing or too resistive, and make the video card think there's too much of a load on the lines.
The 2010 mac pro's SMC controller seems particularly finnicky with current, that is, it is very careful about preventing overloads. IIRC, this is b/c the Xeon processors are sensitive to being driven at a voltage lower than specified (they will basically burn if they are). I've experienced this sensitivity when connecting a USB hub I have: on my mac mini and macbook pro I would get a message that the port is drawing too much current and will be disabled. On the mac pro, the machine would instantly shut down, no questions asked.
So I am guessing this is a combination of cables that are not of very high quality + a really sensitive SMC + a really power hungry video card. I gather this would explain why people see varying degrees of problems, as the resistivity of the cables (if this is the explanation) would sometimes cross a threshold sometimes not. FWIW, my cable was 10ft long.
I have a hard time not blaming a $10 cable for these problems, especially with the numbers of issues reported.
I would encourage anyone willing to experiment to try the monoprice adapter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042803&p_id=5714&seq=1&format=2
It's a pretty cheap experiment!
If anyone has had problems with this route, I would really like to know.
Miguel
When I connected the PA271W to the displayport using the ubiquitous miniDP-DP cable (mine from OWC) I could not boot the machine (got a chime but nothing else). With the mac OFF and the monitor ON, I could see the over-current LED on the logic board next to the CPU light up when I plugged the displayport cable to the video card. No issues when connecting the PA271W to the DVI connector.
I got a miniDP-DP adapter from monoprice that I have been using with the DP-DP cable that came with the monitor. No issues at all (so far, it's been a week). I have the PA271W connected to the miniDP and the Eizo to the DVI port.
How can I explain this? Firstly, this is all speculation, so take it with a grain of salt... I think that the cable might not be of the highest quality, and the result is that some signal lines are either missing or too resistive, and make the video card think there's too much of a load on the lines.
The 2010 mac pro's SMC controller seems particularly finnicky with current, that is, it is very careful about preventing overloads. IIRC, this is b/c the Xeon processors are sensitive to being driven at a voltage lower than specified (they will basically burn if they are). I've experienced this sensitivity when connecting a USB hub I have: on my mac mini and macbook pro I would get a message that the port is drawing too much current and will be disabled. On the mac pro, the machine would instantly shut down, no questions asked.
So I am guessing this is a combination of cables that are not of very high quality + a really sensitive SMC + a really power hungry video card. I gather this would explain why people see varying degrees of problems, as the resistivity of the cables (if this is the explanation) would sometimes cross a threshold sometimes not. FWIW, my cable was 10ft long.
I have a hard time not blaming a $10 cable for these problems, especially with the numbers of issues reported.
I would encourage anyone willing to experiment to try the monoprice adapter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10428&cs_id=1042803&p_id=5714&seq=1&format=2
It's a pretty cheap experiment!
If anyone has had problems with this route, I would really like to know.
Miguel
I just found this thread and it sounds similar to my experience. I have a Dell 240WFP connected via DVI to a new 2010 3.2 Quad with the ATI Radeon HD 5770. The first or second boot after I got this Mac the monitor would only display a black screen with a cycling message that it was not receiving any input signal (can't remember the exact language). This is a standard message frm the monitor when it does not have a video signal. But it would cycle the message on, then go off then back on repeatedly.
It has done this about 4 or 5 times randomly upon boot over the last month that I have owned the machine. Several times removing and reattaching the monitor cord brought it back to normal. This morning that did not work. I put the computer to sleep for 5 min than upon wake I had a good video signal. This only happens upon the first boot of the day and only every so many days randomly.
I don't seem to have any problems with waking from sleep except once when it woke the monitor displayed multicolored stripes but a sleep/wake cycle got rid of that. Very strange. I swapped video cables from a similar setup at work to rule out the cord. Still happens.
My conclusion is that it is not limited to wake from seep issues a mine is predominately a boot issue. It has never gone black while using the computer. I may try swapping monitors to see if that has anything to do with it.
Hate to take it in to an Apple store (a real pain) but I sure want this fixed. I have not called Apple abt it yet as I was wanting to rule out other causes but now I see I am not alone. What is the recommended action I should take?
It has done this about 4 or 5 times randomly upon boot over the last month that I have owned the machine. Several times removing and reattaching the monitor cord brought it back to normal. This morning that did not work. I put the computer to sleep for 5 min than upon wake I had a good video signal. This only happens upon the first boot of the day and only every so many days randomly.
I don't seem to have any problems with waking from sleep except once when it woke the monitor displayed multicolored stripes but a sleep/wake cycle got rid of that. Very strange. I swapped video cables from a similar setup at work to rule out the cord. Still happens.
My conclusion is that it is not limited to wake from seep issues a mine is predominately a boot issue. It has never gone black while using the computer. I may try swapping monitors to see if that has anything to do with it.
Hate to take it in to an Apple store (a real pain) but I sure want this fixed. I have not called Apple abt it yet as I was wanting to rule out other causes but now I see I am not alone. What is the recommended action I should take?
My mac pro quad with the 5770 works perfect. No video problems (wakes from sleep fine) and no audio pops. Hooked up to a Dell u2311h. If you look through my post history you will see I am quite critical of Apple products, so I am not pulling any punches. So far, mine is a very solid machine.
I got a base quad with the 5770 on Friday and have migrated all my files from my MBP (the one with the 8600m GT video card). This morning I woke the MP from sleep and I got snow on my monitor (NEC 23"). I pushed the power button and it went back to sleep; then when I pushed the power button again the screen was back to normal.
Does this have anything to do with the video card or maybe the motherboard? Should I do a clean install and return the machine? Owning this Mac for three days and already having problems is not what I expect from a "pro" machine.
Does this have anything to do with the video card or maybe the motherboard? Should I do a clean install and return the machine? Owning this Mac for three days and already having problems is not what I expect from a "pro" machine.
I have a new 6-core and a 23" Samsung monitor hooked up via DVI. I get white snow/static when the MP goes to sleep. If I turn the monitor on and off again the screen comes back.
My question is, does this happen with the 27" ACD? I have one on order and plan on taking back this Samsung. Has anyone got in touch with Apple regarding this issue? What have they said? Will a solution be a firmware update?
Also, what is the audio pop that some people experience?
My question is, does this happen with the 27" ACD? I have one on order and plan on taking back this Samsung. Has anyone got in touch with Apple regarding this issue? What have they said? Will a solution be a firmware update?
Also, what is the audio pop that some people experience?
I know it shouldnt happen but it is happening. I was curious if it was happening with Apple's own monitors. It seems to be more on an issue with third party monitors. BUt reading through the thread I noticed ACD's are having an issue as well.
I'll have to wait and get mine hooked up to see if its an issue. My samsung is easily fixed by hitting the power button real quick
Which NEC do you have? I got a MultiSync EA231WMi and was experiencing the same issue when using the Mini DisplayPort. I switched back to DVI since my MDP to DP cable did not work well (very sensitive to any motion, causing signal loss).
BTW, if your NEC is having a 1080 resolution, is it recognized as TV? Mine is, causing WoW to start in 1080i instead of keeping 1080p.
I have the same NEC monitor and use the DVI cable to connect to the MP (I also used this cable to connect to my MBP and didn't have any issues with it until my GPU died).
For the TV question, I don't know since I don't use it as a TV or play any games on it.
My guess is that it's not the monitor but the computer creating the snowy screen.
Its absolutely an issue with the mac, although I dont think its a hardware issue with the graphics card like some people think. If it was a hardware issue then I dont think the monitors would work so well 99% of the time, for me its only an issue when I put the computer to sleep.
I'm sure it can be fixed with a firmware update, I just hope its soon. My 27"ACD will hopefully be here this week. My hope is I wont have the issue with the ACD that I have with my Samsung.
I'm sure it can be fixed with a firmware update, I just hope its soon. My 27"ACD will hopefully be here this week. My hope is I wont have the issue with the ACD that I have with my Samsung.
I'm hoping the same too. If the snowy screen only happens when waking from sleep and doesn't indicate a more serious issue, then I don't have to take it back to the store and instead can start adding in a hard drive and RAM...
I think so, it has to be. I've added my SSD and RAM already, I'm not sending mine back. I've learned that you're better off waiting fora fix or getting it fixed then sending it back. Too much time is involved in sending it back and most likely you will get a new one that has the same issue or a new issue. Keep your MP, especially if its working as it should.
I've already got mine all installed and have been using it for weeks. I'm waiting it out a bit. I am going to call Apple, though, to start a case. It's just hard to coordinate a time to actually be at home (where my Mac Pro is) during the day.
I don't get any of the sleep issues, just random hits of snow/static.
Add me to this crazy situation... And what happen to me was even stranger. I was trying to choose between 2 x 27" or 2 x 30" Apple Cinema Displays. I already had 1 x 30" Cinema Display.
With the 1 x 30" display, I had no problems. I decided to return the 1 x 30" display for 2 x 27" display. When I got home, I connected the 2 x 27" displays using the mini-display port. One display into each ATI 5770, since I have 2 x 5770. One display did not work on the 5770 that I originally had the 30" display plugged into, but the other 27" worked on my 2nd 5770. So I removed the 27" display that was not working and plugged into the 2nd mini-display port that the other ....
As I am typing this my other 30" display is going crazy, all kind of vertical lines appearing and disappearing.
back to what I was saying. So now I have 2 x 27" plugged into 1 x 5770 using MDP and everything is fine. However, I decided against the 27" monitors and returned them for the 2 x 30" Apple Cinema displays. Last night I got them home, plugged them in, both using DVi, so I had 1 x 30" on one 5770 and the other 30" on the other 5770.
This morning I wake up come to my Mac Pro and trying to activate the screen from sleep and they would not wake. Here is what I have in system preferences under energy:
Computer Sleep: Never
Display Sleep: 15 minutes
I have a Mac Pero 6-core with 2 x 5770.
With the 1 x 30" display, I had no problems. I decided to return the 1 x 30" display for 2 x 27" display. When I got home, I connected the 2 x 27" displays using the mini-display port. One display into each ATI 5770, since I have 2 x 5770. One display did not work on the 5770 that I originally had the 30" display plugged into, but the other 27" worked on my 2nd 5770. So I removed the 27" display that was not working and plugged into the 2nd mini-display port that the other ....
As I am typing this my other 30" display is going crazy, all kind of vertical lines appearing and disappearing.
back to what I was saying. So now I have 2 x 27" plugged into 1 x 5770 using MDP and everything is fine. However, I decided against the 27" monitors and returned them for the 2 x 30" Apple Cinema displays. Last night I got them home, plugged them in, both using DVi, so I had 1 x 30" on one 5770 and the other 30" on the other 5770.
This morning I wake up come to my Mac Pro and trying to activate the screen from sleep and they would not wake. Here is what I have in system preferences under energy:
Computer Sleep: Never
Display Sleep: 15 minutes
I have a Mac Pero 6-core with 2 x 5770.
I continue to experience no video issues with my 5770 and two 24" LED Cinema Displays.
But I do get a static "pop" through the primary display's speakers once in a while. It's soft and I can't hear it when music is playing through my 2.1 Altec Lansings, and the line out does not pop at all.
I have my System Alerts playing through the primary display's speakers, and if I switch alerts to the secondary display, I get the pops on that display instead. But I only notice it once or twice a week.
But I do get a static "pop" through the primary display's speakers once in a while. It's soft and I can't hear it when music is playing through my 2.1 Altec Lansings, and the line out does not pop at all.
I have my System Alerts playing through the primary display's speakers, and if I switch alerts to the secondary display, I get the pops on that display instead. But I only notice it once or twice a week.
Just wanted to post an update. I was using a 23" Samsung monitor and everytime my MP went to sleep I would get snow/static. I'd also get random black screens.
I've been using a 27" ACD since Monday and have not had one issue. its strange, I thought it was the graphics card but since the ACD is working perfectly it may not be.
I've been using a 27" ACD since Monday and have not had one issue. its strange, I thought it was the graphics card but since the ACD is working perfectly it may not be.
I was only having the problem with my 30" Dell, though, and not my Samsung 24". I don't think it's your Monitor.