HT2538 My Mac Pro was built in 2008 before beeps and flashes signaled the issue. Mine has a constant blink. Anyone have an idea?

I didn't add anything new, just restarted the computer and the light flashed. I can hold the on button down for 7 flashes to shut it down, otherwise there's nothing I see relevant about the flashing. There are no tones.

First-line Tech support folks get a screen with a list of articles, possible problems, and a statistical analysis of what problems have been seen in a large number of service visits for this model Mac. It would show that graphics card failure is a common failure, so that might cause them to blurt that out to you as a plausible diagnosis.
Technicians who actually put thier hands on these Macs get a service manual with flowcharts for each of a dozen or more symptoms. The flowchart says, follow theses steps, in this order, and then replace this module. Number one is always observe the CHIME, because nothing else is conclusive until it has passed its internal tests, and that is signalled by the chime.
Check the sizes of your modules. You may have four 1GB modules. If that is the case, you can try all pairings in hopes of getting a pair that works. There are only a few choices.
If you have modules A, B, C, D
A is currectly paired with B and that does not work. so try A + C, and A + D
B is currently paired with A and does not work, so try B + C and B + D
C is currently paired with D and does not work, but you have tried all other combos above.
D is currently paired with C and does not work, but you have tried all other combos above.
Run up to the correct four trials and you will have tried every combination, since A with C is the same as C with A.

Similar Messages

I have a mac pro i bought in 2008. I keep getting prompted my start up disk is full. I have delted many files, however I'm still getting the prompt

I have a mac pro i bought in 2008. I keep getting prompted my start up disk is full. I have delted many files, however I'm still getting the prompt

Then your hard drive is full. You need to move large libraries to another location (like an external drive). Libraries like iPhoto, iTunes, and even iMovie Events, are very big space hogs.
iPhoto
Moving iPhoto Library - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229. and http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2506.
iTunes
Moving iTunes Music from one computer to another or an external drive - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iTunesMac/8.2/en/15475.html and HT1449 - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
iMovie
Moving iMovie Events to an external drive to save space see the following 2 articles:
PH2302 - How to move "Events Only" to an external hard drive - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2302?viewlocale=en_US.
PH2289 - How to move "Projects" (and their associated events) to an external drive - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2289?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US.
Also note, you can save space on your hard drive by deleting "Excess" unused video in your event folder - see the iMovie 11 help menu, and select the "browse help" tab. Under Manage Events, select "Delete all excess video from an event"
NOTE - ensure you are "Moving" the data, and not just "Copying" the data as per - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2302?viewlocale=en_US. (hold down COMMAND while dragging to the external drive) for the best results and less chance of loosing data connection with the project

HT201364 I'm not certain if my Mac Pro was made in early 2008. How can I find out when it was made?

Like many video editors, I am eager to upgrade to the new FCP 10.1, but I'm not sure if my Mac Pro can run Mavericks (a requirement for the FCP 10.1 upgrade). The Apple page states that Mac Pro's made in "Early 2008" should be okay, but how can I tell before diving into the upgrade? I can't afford to buy a new Mac Pro right now.
Thanks in advance for any help!

Thanks for the assistance! Turns out my venerable Mac Pro was manufactured in 2007, so Mavericks (and FCP 10.1) will have to wait until I buy a newer system.
All the best,
Tony

Mac Pro 3,1 (Early 2008, 10.6) Slow startup, no chime

Hello all. Purchased this one from a friend of mine bc my own Mac Pro (we both bought them at the same time, back in Feb., 2008) had issues with video card and bad memory sticks.
So this Mac Pro was his, he barely used it and since i want to continue using this type of machines I bought it from him. The computer works just fine with only two things that have me worried:
1- It takes too long to startup. From a solid gray screen it goes to later show the apple logo and then the animation. Eventually all starts and no issues whatsoever...but all very lenghly and with no chime.
I tried the PRAM reset and it does chime twice and everything but not later on when I turn it back on.
Ah, it does chime at Re-start!
Since my friend played with the user accounts so he could sell it to me, I wonder if that somehow is causing the bug...
Thank you all!
Juan

No chime indicates the Mac has not passed it's startup diagnostics.
Remove all items from System Preferences > Accounts > Login Items
See if that makes a difference in startup time.
And check the startup disk.
Launch Disk Utility located in HD > Applications > Utilities
Select the startup disk on the left then select the First Aid tab.
Click: Verify Disk (not Verify Disk Permissions)
If Disk Utility reports errors, restart the Mac while inserting the install disc and holding down the C key simultaneously. From there you should be able to repair the startup disk.

I have installed a trial of Adobe illustrator on my macbook pro. I want to trace an image using the custom trace button but can't. Does anyone have any ideas how I could custom trace?

I have installed a trial of Adobe illustrator on my macbook pro. It is the 2014 release of adobe illustrator. I want to trace an image using the custom trace button.
I start a new document. Then I place my scanned pencil/colored pencil drawing, in to the document. I have tried scanning and then placing it as a jpeg, bitmap, and tiff file. I have tried scanning and then placing it, in color and in black and white. The scan mode I use is flatbed. Adobe illustrator allows me to select the default button and one of eleven preset buttons (e.g high fidelity photo), but it does not allow me to click the custom trace button. The custom trace button is grey while all the other buttons are white.
Does anyone have any ideas how I could custom trace?

It seems pointless to adjust it afterwards because it is then only a couple a pencil lines rather then a full drawing. And how do I adjust it afterwards? Would I do this using the different buttons under the window button?

Upgrading Mac Pro 3.1 (early 2008) worth it ?

Hi
I was wondering if it´s still worth to upgrade my mac pro 3.1 (early 2008) ..... or I should sell it and buy maybe the mac pro 2010 or anything like that...
my system is
2,8 Ghz 8-Core
8 gb 800 Mhz DDR2 ram
Ati radeon 2600 (i think it slows everything down.... )
system HD: WD Velocyraptor 10000kb/s (320 GB)
second HD: WD hd 7200kb/s (1 TB)
third HD: WD hd (it´s slow, the one that apple built in mac pro)
SNOW LEOPARD 10.6.8
to be honest I think my mac is too slow... especially loading from HD or something takes time and the beachball appears often... I mainly work with Logic and its not really nice.... bad performance... lags and so on...
I really need another video card.... in logic pro everything lags and I think its because of the slow video card...... also I think my RAM is too slow (800mhz)
and I thinking about getting a SSD Samsung HD and remove the slow third HD apple built in...
what do you think? this would be not cheap upgrade for me.... and I think about selling my mac pro 2008 and getting a newer one... from 2010 or anything like that...
thank you guys!

Open the side door.
If your software required PowerPC / Rosetta then Lion is not for you.
I would ask in Logic Community what they recommend.
I think you can improve your system, disk drives are something you need no matter what and you wouldn't be using disks from 2007. I would think 16GB RAM would make more sense as next step and then play safe with Apple ATI 5x70 for $249.
Hopefull you have backups but yes, rotate out and clone onto new drives.
Logic Pro User Manual Get to know the ins and outs of Logic Pro.
Support Communities Seek help from other Logic Pro users.
Software Update Get the latest updates to your Logic Pro software.

Wake up my Mac Pro 3.1 early 2008

The matter that when I wake up my Mac pro 3.1 (early 2008) from sleep the console keeps refering:
"10/1/15 11:55:53.000 AM kernel[0]: IOATAController device blocking bus."
hasn't be solved in Yosemite. Is it due to not APPLE approved Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD, or My Mac incompatibility?
I face that matter also on every OS I used since I installed an intel SSD in the past, so I keep disabled sleep time in preferences pane all these years!

Did you try the SSD in any other sata Bay?
About trim:
this what I said in another thread about it (Re: Slow Intel 530 SSD in Mac Pro 1.1 (only write is slow) ):
Trim is a OS command that tells the SSD which files are deleted in the system. So that Garbage Collection can work more efficiently, but is is still the SSD controller that actually makes the deleted blocks free to write on. That said, for GarbageCollection to work well you need to have enough free space on the SSD, for example 5GB free on a SSD is too low and will cause slow write speeds.
In addition, when there is not much overprovisiong the lifetime of a SSD is shorter that with much overprovisioning: so if you think that the SSD slow write speed is due to this, reformat and let a serious space unformatted, like 10%.
As said in another thread about Trim, for Trim to work in Yosemite you need the disrobe a layer of security, personally I was a proponent of Trim in the "Grant Pannel period", a few yrs ago, in the time that teenager Oskar Groth started to copy the GP commandline in an app, in the beginning there were a lot of issues with that app but later on it was issue free. Allessandro Boschini had the same approach but used C to program his tool. Nowadays, with the SSDs having much better controllers, I propose that the install of Trim in Yosemite is not worth the loss of security. All in all, installing trim is a serious hack in a Core kext. There are (sporadic) reports that the trim hack in a Mac can lead to issues. Until now nobody has revealed what Apple uses as special in the Apple built in SSDs in which case there is a trim command in the OS.
Lex

Mac Pro 3.1 (early 2008) and nVIDIA Quadro FX5600

Hi all,
I am triying to install nVIDIA Quadro FX5600 on a Mac Pro 3.1 (early 2008).
Well, indeed I have been using this graphics card in this computer already, however, a few hours after installing the card, I updated the Mac OS, and there began the problems.
Characteristics:
-Mac Pro 3.1 (early 2008)
-2 x 2,8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
-12GB 800 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM
Graphics cards:
-slot 1: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
-slot 2: nVIDIA Quadro FX5600
The story is a little bit long, however I think it is important to give the maximum information:
1-I purchased the nVIDIA Quadro FX5600, and took the computer and the card to an apple reseller to install it.
2-They installedit, physically, in slot 2, and left in slot 1 the ATI Radeon, the card included in the computer when I purchased it.
3-They told me that after installing the drivers in Mac OS 10.10.2, when restarting the computer after installing, they had kernel panic problems.
4-They installed the card in another Mac computer with Mac OS 10.9.5 to check if the card was compatible with Mac, and it worked perfectly.
5-And finally, "they say", that they repeated the same operation than in point 2 and 3, also in my computer, and this time they didn't have kernel panic problems. So I took the computer at home, ready to use my new graphics card
6-When I arrived at home, I worked about 4/5 hours with the computer, and before ending the day and closing the computer, I installed two Mac updates. One of them was a security update and the other one an iMovie update. The first one worked, however the iMovie one didn't, it gave an error. I decided to give no importance and close the app store.
7-Just after closing the app store, it appeared a message from nVidia controller, saying that there was a new update. So I install it, and once installed, it recommended to restart the computer, so I restarted.
8-When the computer restarted, before loading the Mac OS desktop, they appeared the kernel panic problems, and seconds after the computer restarted automatically again. The same thing continuosly, all the time.
9-The computer's disk is divided into two parts, Mac OS and Windows 7 professional. So I decided to erase all the content in the Mac OS part and install the OS 10.10.2 again from zero (I have a copy in time machine of all my documents).
10-Once Mac OS 10.10.2 (14C1510) installed again, I have installed the Quadro & Geforce Mac OS X driver release 343.02.02 again which is the driver compatible with the operative system.
11-The same problem has occured, when restarting the computer after installing the drivers, the same problem as in point 3 occurs again.
12-I repeated the same operation as in point 9 and 10, however, this time, before restarting the computer after installing the nVIDIA drivers, I installed the CUDA 6.5.46 driver, and the same problem has occured.
The key is that the computer has been working with this graphics card, however, the story has turned crazy...
Anyone has experienced the same problems? Any clue about it?
Many thanks in advanced!

You probably read how that 10.10.2 security update changed the build number of the OS, how Apple is still using really old Nvidia driver from 10.8.2.
So called "Security Update 2015-002" from today will purposely break nVidia drivers! ( 1 2 3)
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1853748
Mixing ATI and Nvidia in older versions of Windows was a no-no.
With 10.10 I would ditch the 2600XT, it is doing nothing for you except taking up a slot.
you really just could ask and no need to drag 60 lbs and have someone else put a GPU in and attach the 6-pin aux power.
Another site along with MacIntouch to check daily and keep your eye on:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/
Nvidia Graphics Driver Update for OS X 10.10.2 w/Security Update 2015-002
Nvidia download page for Graphics driver 343.02.02f03 for OS X 10.10.2 (build 14C1510). Here's a clip from the main D/L page tab (other than version info typical boilerplate).
"New in Release 343.02.02f03
Graphics driver updated for OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 (14C1510) Contains performance improvements and bug fixes for a wide range of applications.
Includes NVIDIA Driver Manager preference pane."
See linked page for more info. (As of March 12th post date still links to Cuda 6.5.46 from January 28th but that could change.)

Enable Hardware Virtualization On Mac Pro 8 Core (Early 2008)

Hi,
Has anyone has any success enabling the Intel VT-X feature on the Xeons on the Mac Pro (Early 2008, 8 core Xeon)? The VMWare ISO indicates that its turned off on all cores, and NOT locked. VMWare confirms that its not enabled, by not allowing me to boot a 64bit guest OS.
Has anyone had any success? ive got the latest EFI BIOS, hoping that it would fix it (like a BIOS upgrade did aparently for the Mac Mini).
As the feature bit is not locked, maybe there is a way of doing it in software (normally the BIOS turns the feature on or off, then locks it, the lock holding until the next cold boot). We would need ring0 access to the processor.
Alternatively, there is a EFI exe floating around that aparently enabled it for the Mac Mini (on old firmware with the bug).
Whats the best way to report this to Apple? do they have a history of fixing user-reported issues?
Thanks
George

Interestng about firmware. Sounds odd to have cpu from different batches.
link to the thread w/o the session ID.
http://communities.vmware.com/thread/221087
One security expert uses a Mac Pro and runs multiple VMs was interviewed and up on Tom's Hardware - there have been changes since 2006 (1st gen Mac Pro) compared to even 2008. Probably nothing to help but VT -d and other stuff was news to me.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/joanna-rutkowska-rootkit,2356-4.html

Mac pro 8 core early 2008 problem is you have to unplug

Mac pro 8 core early 2008 problem is you have to unplug for 2-3hrs before using again.

Overheating? Install a temperature monitor like iStat Pro, iStat Menus, Temperature Monitor, Hardware Monitor, etc. and see if you are overheating.
When was the last time you blew out the dust from inside your machine?
I don't understant the "unplug" statement. Do yo mean just turn off?

HT3964 Mac pro 8 core early 2008 problem is you have to unplug it for 2-3hrs when you finish work so it will turn on effortlessly again

Mac pro 8 core early 2008 problem is you have to unplug it for 2-3hrs when you finish work so it will turn on effortlessly again. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Thanks,
Lou

Overheating? Install a temperature monitor like iStat Pro, iStat Menus, Temperature Monitor, Hardware Monitor, etc. and see if you are overheating.
When was the last time you blew out the dust from inside your machine?
I don't understant the "unplug" statement. Do yo mean just turn off?

I own a MAC Pro 3,1 (early 2008) and am running Mavericks 10.9.3 with no problems. I would like to add an I/O card to add USB 3 functionality or ESATA functionality but am unable to find a compatible card. As such my question...can I do this and if so wha

I own a MAC Pro 3,1 (early 2008) and am running Mavericks 10.9.3 with no problems. I would like to add an I/O card to add USB 3 functionality or ESATA functionality but am unable to find a compatible card. As such my question...can I do this and if so what is the best card?
Thank you

Have you looked at the previous discussions listed on the right side of this page under the heading "More Like This"?
Also see:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6282459?tstart=0

667 MHz v 800 MHz RAM in a Mac Pro 3,1 (Early 2008), will it make much difference?

I know that the Mac Pro 3,1 (Early 2008) are supposed to run the 800MHz ram, but I’m aware that they also happily run the slightly less expensive 667MHz ram as well?
In the real world would you actually notice much difference between the two? Just that I have 24GB of 667MHz that I could swap over from a 2,1 model into this, or would I be better off in the long run biting the bullet and buying some 800MHz ram?
Interesting to see that OWC seem to ave some kind of exclusive deal on some 8GB 800MHz ram modules that could take the 2008 Macs up to 64GB in total!

In this case and Early 2008, 667MHz FBDIMMs have never shown to be an issue, work fine (4% hit at most, which can also be offset by using all 8 DIMM slots with four sets which improves memory bandwidth to it s best).
There have been a few 'enterprising' individuals that have had access to and used 8GB DIMMs for 32 and 64GB total memory w/o trouble but in that case you would want 800MHz DIMMs.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#800-memory
FBDIMMs like many memory modules are not locked to a specific timing and frequency and can be backward compatible.
These from Amazon are only 2GB DIMMs but known to work in 2006-2008. When you get into 4GB the price has jumped up. And 8GB prices have been in the stratosphere, or had free access to server memory source.
2x2GB FBDIMM DDR2 667MHz @ $25
http://www.amazon.com/BUFFERED-PC2-5300-FB-DIMM-APPLE-Memory/dp/B002ORUUAC/
Komputerbay 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR2 667MHz ECC FB-DIMM (240 PIN)
http://www.amazon.com/Komputerbay-PC2-5300F-Buffered-FB-DIMM-Heatspreaders/dp/B0 05HIWD5U/
OWC 8GB FB-DIMM Memory Upgrade Kits for Apple Mac Pro 2008 Released 64GB $320
http://benchmarkreviews.com/7366/owc-8gb-fb-dimm-memory-upgrade-kits-apple-mac-p ro-2008-released/
Ideal RAM config is 8 DIMMs - offers 15% improvement memory bandwidth performance
667MHz FBDIMMs are cheap, excellent and 4% 'hit' you would never know about.
http://www.barefeats.com/harper5.html

Will my Mac Pro 3.1 early 2008 work with Nvidia Geforce GTX460 768 graphix card?

will my Mac Pro 3.1 early 2008 work with Nvidia Geforce GTX460 768 graphix card?

Depends upon the OSX version you have.. You need 10.8.3 or later for a non- Mac flashed card. For more detail:
User Tip: Mac Pro silver tower (2006-2012) Replacement Graphics cards

Mac pro / Laserjet 4 / Os 10.6 - how do I make the printer work?

Hi,
I have a 2008 Mac Pro running 10.6.8 and an ancient yet still thriving HP Laserjet 4 that I was using over an ethernet/Jetdirect connection with my G5 for years - how do I get them to talk to each other?
I'm running the printer connection through a router, but the Mac Pro has 2 ethernet ports so I guess I can plug the printer in directly if that's simpler. The IP of the printer is 192.168.5.40 and I've tried setting it up with the "Add a printer" dialogue but can't get it to work.
I've read through a lot of posts and looked at a lot of Websites but I can't find step by step instructions for getting the computer to see the printer. I have Gutenprint drivers installed if that helps.
And - just to keep the discussiion concise:
- I know that there are better newer printers that I could buy for cheap, but that isn't going to happen right now.
- I know that 10.6 isn't the most recent OS
I'm hopipng for truly step-by-step instructions that even I can understand.
Thanks!

So maybe it's a problem with the printer's IP?
Yes. As far as your network is concerned, the printer is just not there.
You will not be able to progress until you assign it an IP address accessible to your LAN. Apparently it needs to be 192.168.1.x (a 1 in the place that is now a 5), where x = a large enough number that is not likely for router to assign to other equipment.
Your challenge is to assign the printer that IP address. Let's use the address 192.168.1.150.
HP's support pages for that printer and its Jetdirect card say, rather unhelpfully:
Using the front panel of printer
The IP address may also be changed using the front panel of the HP Jetdirect device. This method of front panel configuration varies greatly depending on the model of HP printer that is being used (consult the User's Guide for the front panel instructions for a particular printer). Click here to go to the HP Web site. Use the Search and search for Front Control Panel TCP/IP Configuration .
I did that and it didn't really get me anywhere, since there seem to be few if any references to the non- "MP" or "V" etc. variants of the original LaserJet 4. So, try to find a setting in the printer's front panel that bears any resemblance to "network settings" or "IP address".
If you are able to navigate its front panel to a place where you can enter the IP address 192.168.1.150 be sure to press GO or ENTER or ONLINE or whatever you think might make the setting "stick" after you enter those digits. Print the same test page you did before, and ensure its IP address has really been changed. Then, then try the ping command again, with its new IP address:
ping 192.168.1.150
If you are unable to determine a way to use the printer's front panel to change its IP address, you should be able to use Terminal to set it. This will get a bit cumbersome so use it only if you are unable to change the printer's IP address some other way:
Terminal is a program in your Mac's Utilities folder.
Locate Terminal and open it. At the command prompt, type the following exactly as written (copy and paste the following to avoid errors):
sudo arp -s 192.168.1.150 00:60:b0:91:21:e7
... and press Return. You will get a warning of impending disaster should you make a mistake, and requesting your Mac's Administrator password to proceed. Type your password (which will not appear as you type it) and press Return. Unless something went wrong the command prompt should immediately reappear as if nothing happened.
Next try the ping command again:
ping 192.168.1.150
You should receive ping responses from the printer as in my earlier example.
If you do, then congratulations because you have made it all the way to Step 1
You still have to add the printer in System Preferences > Print & Fax, using this new IP address, and make sure the Gutenprint driver works.
Edit: The reason your printer works with your old G5 running Tiger is that it is using AppleTalk for communication. AppleTalk doesn't exist in Snow Leopard. This is the reason you must use IP for communication on your Mac Pro. Your old G5 should continue to work with the printer as it always has.
another Edit: HP's support page alleges that the Terminal command arp above will only work with JetDirect firmware versions x.08.03 and later only. Yours appears to be A.05.05, so the front panel option may be all there is. If that does not work I have one more idea but it's an even bigger pain.

HT2538 My Mac Pro was built in 2008 before beeps and flashes signaled the issue. Mine has a constant blink. Anyone have an idea?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for