Mac Pro - dead graphics card - DPChallenge Forums

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

07/08/2011 02:13:49 PM · #1

I have a Mac Pro that when I switch on:

I do see the Apple logo as it boots but then just displays a mainly white screen with random blocks of other colours with some flickering of the monitor.

I've switched out the monitor - same problem.

Can this only be the graphics card or might it be a motherboard issue?

Thanks

Paul

07/08/2011 02:15:51 PM · #2

Sounds very much like a graphics card problem, especially if you've switched the monitor already.

In my experience (and it's a lot), almost every time you get a motherboard problem it results in not booting at all, or random crashing.

Saying that, I don't know the Mac Pro that well, the graphics card could be onboard in which case it kinda is your motherboard.

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

07/08/2011 02:18:27 PM · #3

Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:

It's a separate NVidia 8800GT variant.

Thanks

Paul

07/08/2011 02:29:45 PM · #4

Try reseating it and / or moving it into a different slot if possible.

Also try pulling out any other cards that use the same bus. Sometimes it can be another card that's gone faulty so you want to eliminate that before you go out and spend any money.

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

07/08/2011 03:01:15 PM · #5

Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:

It is well seated but I haven't been able to get it out to stick it in another slot. It seems trickier to remove than in a PC.

07/08/2011 03:17:40 PM · #6

Originally posted by paulbtlw:

Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:
Try reseating it and / or moving it into a different slot if possible.

Also try pulling out any other cards that use the same bus. Sometimes it can be another card that's gone faulty so you want to eliminate that before you go out and spend any money.

It is well seated but I haven't been able to get it out to stick it in another slot. It seems trickier to remove than in a PC.

I think the architecture is the same. If it's a full length card make sure there's no little tabs holding it down at either end.

I always find the easiest way to remove cards is to take the screw / holder out, and then pull it from the port on the outside of the box, but be careful, when it comes out your hand has a tendency to run up the sharp edges of the slot in the case!

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

07/08/2011 03:19:22 PM · #7

Thanks - I'll have another go later.

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

07/09/2011 06:53:14 AM · #8

It was dead. Took the Mac Pro to the Apple store this morning - they had no replacement 8800s in stock and said that no upgrade cards would work. I knew I'd read that the ATI cards DO work even though Apple won't support them in 2008 machines.

I took a punt and bout an ATI 5770 and have connected one display via DVI and another via a mini-display port to DVI adaptor. Everything works wonderfully (and a bit faster too).

I think this is rather naughty of Apple. To get people to upgrade whole machines by limiting support for user upgrades...?

Paul