Mac Pro Won't Turn On

[JasonCK]

Okay, so I've scoured the forums and can't find an answer.

Months ago, my mac pro would boot and an error screen would come up. A big grey screen with a giant power button logo and tons of languages saying there was an error.
So, we backed it up onto a new Mac Pro. However, when we left it on, it would start roaring like a jet engine, even though it wasn't processing anything.

Now, when I try to plug it in, the little indicator light on the power button comes on before I even push the button. Then I push the power button and nothing happens. It won't turn on.

I just want to re-format it and use it as a desktop again. It's already backed up, so I'm okay with starting over. What can I do? I've taken the shell off and nothing is unseated, everything seems to be working and plugged in...

[trevor]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonCK Months ago, my mac pro would boot and an error screen would come up. A big grey screen with a giant power button logo and tons of languages saying there was an error.

The screen that you mention indicates that your Mac Pro is having a kernel panic. This is a very serious error condition. It can sometimes indicate serious problems with your software (i.e. operating system installation). It can also sometimes indicate serious problems with your hardware.

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonCK So, we backed it up onto a new Mac Pro. However, when we left it on, it would start roaring like a jet engine, even though it wasn't processing anything.

The 'roaring like a jet engine' is nothing to worry about in itself. That only means that the software that controls the fan speed based on how hot the computer is, is currently not working. When the software that controls the fan speed isn't working, the computer goes into a failsafe mode that puts the fans on full speed. This is because it is very bad if the computer overheats, and it's better for a computer to be noisy than for it to overheat.

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonCK Now, when I try to plug it in, the little indicator light on the power button comes on before I even push the button. Then I push the power button and nothing happens. It won't turn on.

This might indicate a hardware problem, or it might just mean that you need to reset your SMC.

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonCK I just want to re-format it and use it as a desktop again. It's already backed up, so I'm okay with starting over. What can I do? I've taken the shell off and nothing is unseated, everything seems to be working and plugged in...

Well, there have been a couple of hints that you might have a hardware problem, but let's eliminate software issues first. Your first step is to reset the SMC, following the directions I've linked to above. Assuming that that allows you to start up the computer, your next step is to put the operating system disc that came with the computer into it's optical drive, and boot it while holding down the 'C' key. Then install OS X.

Report to us how those steps went, whether they failed and if so, in great detail what DOES happen, and we can go on from there.

Trevor

[anthlover]

You did not mention which year/model Mac Pro, which OS you were running etc. Agree will all Trevor said.

There are a lot of variables with the Pro (and some I probably will forget to mention)
Video cards
Monitor/s sleeping (what kind)
Sata connections inside and to arrays
raid cards, raid card batteries
etc.

If you can get the system to post you might want to try booting of a DVD, USB Stick, or External Hard drive holding down the Option Key or C key.

[DeltaMac]

If the front power LED comes on as soon as you plug the power cord in, is that light flashing, or steady?
If flashing, does it repeat in a pattern?

The SMC reset is a great choice to attempt a "rescue"
If that doesn't change anything, you could also try removing and reseating all RAM chips inside.

[JasonCK]

I have had it unplugged for days, so the SMC should already be reset, right? Isn't the only way to do that, to unplug it, let it sit for a few seconds, then plug it back in?

To answer your other questions, I'm not sure the year and model, but I know it's running a G5. My guess would be about 2005.

When I plug it in, the LED comes on STEADY, no flashing, before I even touch the power button. Still nothing happens when I push the power button. I've tried taking out cards and re-seating them, no changes...

Thanks for your help guys, I'd much rather buy a new piece of hardware than junk this thing. It wasn't cheap.

[DeltaMac]

If it has a G5 processor, then it's not a Mac Pro at all, but is a PowerMac.
I guess you know that because of the big "G5" on the silver processor covers.
If you open the side door, look at the bottom edge. There should be a serial number label, with info about the processor and the original configuration of the PowerMac.
And, there's a reset button near the bottom of the logic board, under the RAM slots.
The fan assembly directly in front of the G5 processors can be slid out for easier access to the reset button, and other items.
There's also a battery near the top of the logic board, which should be at least 3.3 volts.

Are you unlucky enough to have a PowerMac G5 with liquid cooling? There is a long history of problems when the cooling system leaks. Those models have an absorbent pad laying inside, directly underneath the processors, and leaks mean that you will see rust inside, and likely on the bottom of the case, too.

If the inside has nothing more than dust, then try removing ALL the memory, and try the power again. If the power LED still stays on, will it go out if you press and hold that power button for 5 seconds?
Do the fans inside ever turn, even briefly as you plug the power cord in? Most PowerMac G5 will cause a "click" when a live power cord is plugged in, from the area of the power supply.
Do you hear that click when you plug in the power cord?

[JasonCK]

AH! Thank you! Well, I had no idea that "reset button" was there, under the RAM, it was so tiny.

I held it down for 5 seconds and the lights turned off. Then the Mac finally turned on.

HOWEVER, it still gives me the kernel panic screen. So, I'm going to try re-formatting it completely. Apparently somebody deleted a "system" folder before, and that's what caused the crash.

Thanks for your help. Any other hints or tips would be greatly appreciated as well, though.

[JasonCK]

Okay, so now it turns on but still goes into Kernel Panic. (BTW, it is a G5, thanks for that clarification, Delta Mac)
The fan on top (Not the main G5 fans) now is starting up and slowing down repeatedly.

I tried booting into safe mode or recovery mode (holding shift or Cmmd+R or Option, etc) and no chance, still goes to Kernel Panic.

Do I need to re-install the OS? Or are there any other problems/options?

[NovaScotian]

You haven't yet mentioned that you had removed the memory and reseated it. I have an old PM G5 and it would panic if a memory fault occurred. If you don't know how to do that, watch this youTube video by OWC

Mine came with two grey install disks (CDs), for installing OS X 10.4.2 (Tiger), but the last OS it would run is 10.5.8 (Leopard) which came on a black DVD.

[DeltaMac]

There's nothing like a "Recovery system" with OS X systems older than Lion.

Yes, absolutely try reseating all the RAM chips.
If you continue to get kernel panics, then you should try reinstalling OS X.
Do you have the OS X installer DVD? Is it a black DVD? Boot to that DVD, and run the Dis Utility, from the Utilities menu. Choose the hard drive, then click the Repair Disk button (not Repair Disk Permissions - won't help you!) If that passes, Quit Disk Utility, and continue with the OS X installer. On the screen where you can choose the destination drive, click the Options button, and choose the Archive & Install option, including the sub-option to keep your settings.
When the install completes, run Software Update to get your system back up-to-date.
Of course, you could also choose to do an Erase and Install, which will erase your hard drive first, then install the full system.

[JasonCK]

@Delta Mac, Thanks so much for all your help. Can you be more specific on the steps you listed?

I don't have the install disc yet, we are currently looking for it. If I can't find it, I was told I can get a copy of Leopard from the Apple Store. So, once I have the disc, how do I re-install?

Thanks!

[DeltaMac]

When you have the installer DVD, insert the disk, and restart while holding the letter C.
As it boots to the installer, you will go through a couple of screens, along with accepting the terms of the software. You will get to a screen where you can choose the destination for the install. You'll see an Options button to click. Choose the option that you want. I think an Erase & Install will be great, but you could also choose the option to Archive & Install - which does not erase the drive, and installs a new OS X system on top of what you already have. It's a good method to reinstall when you either don't need to erase - or don't want to erase.

If you DO want to fully erase your hard drive, then at that same "choose the destination" screen, open Disk Utility from the Utilities menu, and click on your hard drive (the line that shows the manufacturer's info) and then click the Partition tab, and change to 1 partition, and Apply that - which will reset your partition table. I prefer to do that, as I think it gives a better opportunity to find out that the hard drive is not working too well - the re-partition sometimes will fail. And - then you should replace the hard drive. And, you don't waste your time with an OS X install that might fail.
Do you need me to be more detailed?

[NovaScotian]

Warning: booting a PM G5 to a DVD takes a long time so expect that.