Apple mac pro server mid 2010 User Manual

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 21 2010-12-06
• Quick power cycle causes Memory Processor Board Diagnostic LEDs and CPU Overtemp 
LEDs to illuminate solidly
Important: Since the SMC firmware is stored on both the backplane board and processor 
board, it is important that the version of SMC firmware is the same on both boards.
Please follow the steps outlined in KnowledgeBase article HT1557, “About Firmware Updates 
for Intel-based Macs,” to perform an EFI and/or SMC firmware update. Information about 
firmware versions for Intel Macs can be found in KnowledgeBase article HT1237, “EFI and SMC 
Firmware Updates for Intel-based Macs.”  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 22 2010-12-06
Memory Configuration
Mac Pro (Mid 2010) comes with a minimum of 3 GB of memory in single-processor 
configurations, or a minimum of 6 GB memory in dual-processor configurations, installed as  
1 GB unbuffered ECC dual inline memory modules (UDIMMs). 
DIMMs must fit these specifications:
• PC3-10600E,1333 MHz, DDR3 SDRAM UDIMMs
• Error-correcting code (ECC)
• 72-bit wide, 240-pin ECC modules
• 36 memory ICs maximum per ECC UDIMM
For proper operation of Mac Pro (Mid 2010) computers, Apple recommends using only Apple-
approved DIMMs. Refer to GSX for Apple DIMM service part numbers. Memory from older 
Macintosh computers is not compatible with Mac Pro (Mid 2010). 
Single-Processor Configuration
A quad-core or 6-core Mac Pro (Mid 2010) has one processor and four memory slots. You can 
install 1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB DIMMs for a total of up to 16 GB of memory. 
You can install different size DIMMs in Mac Pro (Mid 2010). However, for best performance, 
Apple recommends you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB, all 2 GB, or all 4 GB) filling the slots in 
the order listed in this table. Note that you cannot place a DIMM in slot 4, without first placing a 
DIMM in slot 3.
If you haveFill these slots
Two DIMMs1 and 2
Three DIMMs1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs1, 2, 3, and 4
See also “Memory Slot Utility” below.  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 23 2010-12-06
Dual-Processor Configuration
An 8-core or 12-core Mac Pro (Mid 2010) has one processor and eight memory slots. You can 
install 1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB DIMMs for a total of up to 32 GB of memory. 
You can install different size DIMMs in Mac Pro (Mid 2010). However, for best performance, 
Apple recommends you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB, all 2 GB, or all 4 GB) filling the slots in 
the order listed in this table. Note that you cannot place a DIMM in slot 4, without first placing a 
DIMM in slot 3; you also cannot place a DIMM in slot 8 without a DIMM in slot 7.
If you haveFill in these slots
Two DIMMs1 and 2
Three DIMMs1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs1, 2, and 5, 6
Six DIMMs1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7
Eight DIMMs1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8
See also “Memory Slot Utility” below.
Memory Slot Utility
If you install different-size DIMMs in single-processor or dual-processor Mac Pro (Mid 2010) 
computers, follow the order in the tables above. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn’t 
provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility appears on screen and recommends 
an improved configuration. 
To use the Memory Slot Utility again, go to /System/Library/Core Services.  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 24 2010-12-06
Memory Diagnostic LEDs
The single-processor and dual-processor boards include a set of diagnostic memory LEDs. The 
following illustrations show the location of each LED and its associated DIMM slot.
Single-Processor Board
Dual-Processor Board
To diagnose memory issues, start up the computer and check the diagnostic memory LEDs. An 
illuminated, red LED indicates its associated DIMM may be poorly seated or failed. 
Note that Apple System Profiler does not report unseated or failed memory. You must use the 
memory LEDs to locate DIMM issues.  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 25 2010-12-06
Troubleshooting Memory LEDs
Follow this procedure when troubleshooting each DIMM identified by a red LED:
1. Remove and reseat DIMM.
2.  Restart computer. If associated LED is no longer illuminated, issue is resolved. 
3. If associated LED remains illuminated, replace DIMM with new DIMM.
4.  Restart computer and verify LED is no longer illuminated.
There is one exception. If two LEDs illuminate at the same time for the 3 DIMM and 4 DIMM 
slots or for the 7 DIMM and 8 DIMM slots, check both DIMMs using this process:
CheckResultAction
1. Remove both DIMMs identified by 
illuminated LEDs. Set DIMM 4 (or 
DIMM 8) aside, and reseat DIMM 3 (or 
DIMM 7). Restart computer. Is DIMM 3 
(or DIMM 7) LED illuminated?
YesReplace DIMM 3 (or DIMM 7) with 
new DIMM. Go to step 2.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Reinstall DIMM 4 (or DIMM 8). Restart 
computer. Is one or both LEDs 
illuminated?
YesReplace DIMM 4 (or DIMM 8) with 
new DIMM. 
NoIssue resolved.  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 26 2010-12-06
PCIe/Graphics Cards
The Mac Pro (Mid 2010) backplane board includes one double-wide PCI Express (PCIe) 
graphics slot and three PCIe expansion slots, for a total of four slots. The computer comes with 
a graphics card installed in slot 1. You can install additional PCIe graphics and expansion cards 
in the remaining three expansion slots. 
All four slots support 16-lane cards. 
Slot electrical specifications:
• Slots 1 and 2: x16 PCIe 2.0
• Slots 3 and 4: x4 PCIe 2.0
For more information on Mac Pro (Mid 2010) graphics cards, refer to  
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4279.
Important:  Graphics cards from previous Power Mac G5 and Mac Pro models are not software-
compatible with Mac Pro (Mid 2010) models. 
Important: Combined maximum power consumption for all four PCIe slots must not exceed 
300 W.  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 27 2010-12-06
Functional Overview
Processor Board
CPU A Heatsink Fan and Ther ma\f Sensor* Inter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s
* Noisy or \fast \fans\y
* Slo w or r edu\bed per \for man\b e
CPU A* Pow er & F ans, no bo ot/video
* Fr eeze s
* K ernel pani\b
Nor th\br idge , Hea tsink and 
Ther ma\f Sensor
* Inter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s or unstable sy stem
* Noisy or \fast \fans\y
* Slo w or r edu\bed per \for man\b e
Back p\fane In ter connec t* No pow er
* No bo ot
* In ter mitt ent \fr eeze s
* Ker nel p ani\b
Memor y S\fots 5-8 
(D ua\f CPU c onfguration on\fy)
* K ernel pani\b
* R edu\b ed or slo w system p er\for man\b e
* Ther mal issue s
* Fr equen t appli\ba tion \brashes
CPU B
(Dua\f CPU c onfguration on\fy)
* Only 1 CPU det e\bted b y system
* Fr eeze s
* K ernel pani\bCPU B Hea tsink Fan and Ther ma\f Sensor
(D ua\f CPU c onfguration on\fy)
* In ter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s
* Noisy or \fast \fans\y
* Slo w or r edu\bed per\for man\b e
Memor y S\fots 4-1 * Pow er and \fans , no bo ot/video
* K ernel pani\b
* R edu\b ed or slo w system p er\for man\b e
* Ther mal issue s
* Fr equen t appli\ba tion \brashes  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 28 2010-12-06
Backplane Board
Hard Dr ive Ther mal Sensors
(1 per dr ive)
* In ter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s or unstable sy stem
* Noisy or fast fans
* Slo w or r educed perfor manc e
* Dr ive s pin-do wn
Back plane In ter connec t* No Pow er
* No bo ot
* In ter mitt ent fr eeze s
* Ker nel Panic
AirPor t* A irPor t not det ected in
  Sy stem Pr ofiler
* K ernel panic on bo ot
   or wi-fi da ta transfer
Inter nal Sp eaker* No bo ot chime
* N o or dist orted sound
Processor  Cage Fan - Fr ont* In ter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s
* Fast or noisy fans
* Sy stem runs hot
Processor  Cage Fan - R ear* In ter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s
* Fast or noisy fans
B luet ooth* Bluet ooth not det ected in
  Sy stem Pr ofiler
* In ter mitt ent B luet ooth
  a vailabilit y
* Da ta transfer or 
   pair ing issue s
Fron t Panel B oard
(including fr ont USB , F ireWir e
and headphone por ts)
* No p ow er
* C onnec tivity issue s with
   fr ont p orts 
* No a udio
* In ter mitt ent po wer off
Optic al Drive 
P o w er and SA TA
* Optical dr ive(s) not 
   det ected in Sy stem 
   Pr ofiler
* No star tup from D VD
Optic al Drive and 
P o w er S upply Fan
* In ter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s
* Fast or noisy fans
* Sy stem runs hot
SA TA Ha rd Dr ive 1* Har d drive not det ected 
   in Sy stem Pr ofiler
* No star tup from har d drive
* B oot t o flashing ?
DC P ow er S upply
c onnec tion
* No p ow er
* In ter mitt ent p ow er-off
* P ow er-off dur ing heavy
   CPU/GPU/P CI load
PCIe Fan* Inter mitt ent shut down
* Fr eeze s, gr aphics glit ches
* Fast or noisy fans
* Sy stem runs hot
SA TA Ha rd Dr ive 2* Har d drive not det ected 
   in Sy stem Pr ofiler
* Har dw ar e R AID issue s
SATA Ha rd Dr ive 3* Har d drive not det ected 
   in Sy stem Pr ofiler
* Har dw ar e R AID issue s
SATA Ha rd Dr ive 4* Har d drive not det ected 
   in Sy stem Pr ofiler
* Har dw ar e R AID issue s
PCI Aux Pow er* N o video (wher e requir ed
   P CIe video car ds)
* P CI car ds not det ected
PCIe S lots 1-4* No video
* Fr eeze s or unstable sy stem
* Fr eeze s dur ing bo ot
* K ernel panic
* N o har dware R AID (N o boot)USB 2.0
F ir ewir e 800 
Dig ital A \fdio
A nalog\fe A \fdio
\bigabit E thernet  
						

							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 29 2010-12-06
Block Diagram
Optical D riv e
T op
P CIe G en1 2.5GT/s
1 Lane s Each D irec tion
0.3GB/s B andwidthPCIe G en1 2.5GT/s
1 Lane E ach Direc tion
0.3GB/s B andwidth
Gb E net A 1
x16 G en2 P CIe Slot
2
x16 G en2 P CIe Slot
PCIe G en2 5GT/s
1 6 Lane s Each D irec tion
1 0GB/s B andwidth
Mac P ro (M id 2010) S yst em B lock D iagram
CPU A
X eon
PCIe G en2 5GT/s
1 6 Lane s Each D irec tion
1 0GB/s B andwidth
4
x4 G en2 P CIe Slot / R AID
PCIe G en2 5GT/s
4 Lane s Each D irec tion
2.5GB/s B andwidth
CPU B
X eon
DDR3 1 333 MHz
3 C hannels
1 or 2 DIMM S lot/Channel
DDR3 1 333 MHz
3 C hannels
1 or 2 DIMM S lot/Channel
Nor th B ridge
QPI20 Lane s Each 
D irec tion6.4GT/s
QPI20 Lane s Each D irec tion6.4GT/s
QPI20 Lane s Each D irec tion6.4GT/s
PCIe G en1 2.5GT/s
4 Lane s Each D irec tion
1 .2 5GB/s B andwidth
Voltage 
M onit orTemp 
S ensors
P rimar y Syst em
M anagemen t
C on trollerPo w er 
butt on/SIL
Po w er Supply80A @ 1 2V (S0)
5A @ 5V (S5)
FW800
Optical  D riv e
B ott om
P
CIe G en1 2.5GT/s
1 Lane E ach Direc tion
0.3GB/s B andwidth
HD
A udio
C odec
In ter nal 
Sp eak er
Rea r I/O P anel
Line In
Digital 
In
D igital Out
Headphone / 
M ic / i Phone 
headset
S outh B ridge
Ether net
1 0/1 00/1 000 Mbit
x1 G en1 M iniPCIe S lot 
Fron t I/O on 
enclosur e
Line Out
Main C lock 
G ener ator
PCIe
S wit ch
3
x4 G en2 P CIe Slot
PCIe G en2 5GT/s
4 Lane s Each D irec tion
2.5GB/s B andwidth
PCIe G en2 5GT/s
4 Lane s Each D irec tion
FW800 FW800PCIe C lock
B uff er
Fans
Gb E net B 
4MB
Voltage 
M onit orTemp 
S ensorsFans
FW
C ur ren t 
M onit or
Sec ondar y 
S yst em
M anagemen t
C on troller
To 
P rimar y 
SMC
C ur ren t 
M onit or
1 2
3
4
DIMM
S lots
5 68
7
DIMM
S lots
To 
S ec ondar y 
SMC
USB 2.0 USB 2.0
4 channels @ 0.3 GB/s B
andwidth each
1x 0.3 GB/s channel t
o each drive
SA TA/
SAS M ux
4 channels @ 0.3 GB/s B andwidth each
1 2 34
FW800 FW800
P
o w er 
B utt on/
SIL
1 2
Airp or t
Bluet ooth 2. 1
PROCESSOR BO ARD
BACKPL ANE
Dual-CPU P ro ce ssor B oard Only
1x 0.3 GB/s channel
to each dr ive 
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							Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 30 2010-12-06
Common Reset Procedures
The following reset procedures are often helpful in troubleshooting Mac Pro issues.
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
The System Management Controller (SMC) controls all power functions for the computer. If the 
computer is experiencing any power issue, resetting the SMC may resolve it. The SMC controls 
several functions, including:
• Telling the computer when to turn on, turn off, sleep, wake, idle, and so forth
• Handling system resets from various commands
• Controlling the fans
It is also recommended that the SMC be reset after a backplane board or processor board is 
replaced as part of a repair.
Note that resetting the SMC does not reset the PRAM. Resetting the SMC will not resolve issues 
in which the computer is unresponsive—in these situations, restarting the computer generally 
works. If the computer isn’t responding, perform these steps one at a time, in the following 
order, until the issue has been resolved:
1. Force Quit (Option-Command-Escape)
2.  Restart (Control-Command-Power)
3. Force Shut Down (press the power button for 10 seconds)
Resetting the SMC can resolve some computer issues such as not starting up, not displaying 
video, sleep issues, fan noise issues, and so forth. If the computer still exhibits these types of 
issues after you’ve restarted the computer, try resetting the SMC by removing AC power:
1. From the Apple menu, choose Shut Down (or if the computer is not responding, hold the 
power button until it turns off ).
2.  Unplug the AC power cord.
3. Wait at least 15 seconds.
4.  Plug the power cord back in, making sure the power button is not being pressed at the 
time. 
5. Press the power button to start up the computer.
For more information:
http://www.apple.com/support
HT1411—Mac Pro: How to reset the System Management Controller (SMC)