Apple mac pro early 2009 User Manual

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Intermittent Shutdown 41 2010-09-27
Intermittent Shutdown
Unlikely cause:  Optical drive(s), hard drive(s), fans, memory, processors, PCIe cards, speaker, 
AirPort card, Bluetooth card
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Intermittent Shutdown
• Computer intermittently shuts 
down, restarts, sleeps
• Fans run fast
• Slow computer performance 
prior to intermittent shutdown, 
restart, sleep
1. Confirm known good AC power source, and a 
known good power cord is fully...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Intermittent Shutdown 42 2010-09-27
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify shutdown/restart/
sleep issue does not occur 
with a known good AC 
Mains power source. Rule out  
customer environment such 
as defective uninterruptable 
power supplies. Rule out 
power generators which may 
produce noisy power, straining 
the computer’s internal power 
supply and causing issues. 
YesSuspect unstable AC Mains 
power source. Using an 
alternate AC Mains power 
source...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Intermittent Shutdown 43 2010-09-27
6. Disconnect all internal boot 
volumes. The computer 
should not discover any boot 
volumes, and start to flashing 
Folder? Verify if the computer 
continues to intermittently 
shutdown/restart/sleep 
YesComputer continues to 
shutdown/restart/sleep.  Refer 
to Minimum Configuration 
Testing troubleshooting: 
Remove all modules and 
peripherals not critical to 
operation. Verify computer 
functions correctly and does 
not...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 44 2010-09-27
Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes
Unlikely cause:  Power supply, fans, enclosure
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and 
Freezes
• Computer has kernel panic 
or freezes on startup or when 
operating
• Memory not recognized in 
System Profiler
• Fans run fast
1. Reseat all DIMMs. Refer to Memory Diagnostic 
LEDs. 
2.  Reset SMC
3. After power ON, verify front panel power/sleep 
LED...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 45 2010-09-27
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Remove and reseat all DIMM’s.  
 
If any memory diagnostic 
LEDs are illuminated on the 
processor board, refer to 
Troubleshooting Memory 
LEDs before proceeding.
 
Verify the computer starts 
without issue.
YesReseating the DIMMs 
appears to resolve issue. 
Verify computer continues to 
function without freezing or 
kernel panic.
NoComputer had kernel panic 
or freeze during...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 46 2010-09-27
6. Inspect if any memory error 
LED’s illuminated. Install 1 
only known good compatible 
memory DIMM in memory 
slot#1. Verify computer boots 
without kernel panic or freeze.
YesComputer boots without 
kernel panic or freeze with 
only 1 DIMM installed.  
Re-install the customer 
memory (using optimized 
recommend configurations) 
until the at fault memory is 
identified. Use extra known 
good memory to identify...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 47 2010-09-27
8. Disconnect the suspected 
module and any related cables 
from the Back Plane board. 
 
Attempt to boot with original 
install media or from an 
external hard drive with 
compatible OS X installed. 
Verify the computer is able to 
successfully boot to the Finder. 
 
YesComputer does not kernel 
panic or freeze when the 
suspect I/O module is 
removed. Replace the affected 
I/O module. 
 
If AirPort module,...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Memory Issues/Kernel Panic and Freezes 48 2010-09-27
9. Run ASD to test hardware 
function. Verify ASD does 
report errors.
YesASD reports errors detected.  
 
 
 
 
If processor, processor board, 
backplane board, front panel 
board, replace affected 
module and retest.  
M05 
(Hang/
freeze) 
or
M06 
(Kernel 
Panic/
Crash)
or
M24 
(Con- 
nectors 
broken, 
bent, or 
hurt)
NoASD does not report any 
errors, or is unable to run 
without experiencing 
kernel panic or...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — No Video 49 2010-09-27
No Video
Unlikely cause:  Power supply, fans, speaker, AirPort card, Bluetooth card
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
No Video
• No power perceived
• No video
• Dim video
1. Reseat all DIMMs. Refer to Memory Diagnostic 
LEDs. 
2.  Attach a known good and compatible DVI or 
Mini-DP monitor to computer’s video card. Verify 
video cables and connectors are free from defects 
(including bent pins). Verify the power booster 
cable is secure to the...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — No Video 50 2010-09-27
2. Verify the video quality 
observed is OK 
YesVideo quality OK. Go to step 5.
NoVideo has poor quality, e.g. 
dim, distorted, etc. Go to step 
4.
3. Reset SMC and PRAM. Reseat 
memory, processor tray, video 
card. Verify video is observed.
YesVideo observed. Go to step 2.
NoMove the video card into 
PCIe slot #2 to determine if 
backplane board PCIe slot #1 
is defective. Retest.  
If video observed in PCIe slot 
#2, replace backplane board....