MaryW
Level 6 (15,854 points)
Desktops

Q: Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), 4GB ram, Early 2008 problem

I was using TextWrangler to edit some files, Also having FireFox version 48.0 and Thunderbird open.

 

It just up and froze with a panic and spit out a log...I rebooted and all seemed fine. About an hour later it did it again. I took a little time out for a movie...then went back to work on the files...another panic I think.

 

Te first time it said it was, the second time it just would not let go and it being the kind that will not let you push the power button to shut down I had to unplug it...do not like doing that at all.

 

The reason for this drastic action is that it would not do the panic thing and reboot itself. INstead it put this see through screen overlay (no easy way to describe it). The were loads of little green dotted areas that flicker, then they changed to a half screen of flashing then return to the overlay that now was stripes of dotted areas. It just kept doing this over and over but would not let me access the desktop for nothing. Acted frozen but the flashing was still happening.

 

I finally got it to attempt a safe mode restart...still waiting for it to get done. The stripes were still there but from the safemode bar of progress I then got the gear type of progress. Its little lines ar about 3/4 way done and it is taking a longer than usual time but now most of those dotted areas are gone. Still apple start screen.

 

When I get booted totally, I am hoping, should I run disk utility? The only thing new that I did was run the AMD updater for my computers nvidia card. It was installed for a few months but then disappeared from the upper task bar (where clock is).

 

I have never had this type of kernel panic so know not what to do. Fortunately I just ran a backup yesterday.

 

If this is not in the right spot to ask then please move it to the right area.

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), 4GB ram, Early 2008

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 11:31 PM

by Eau Rouge,Solvedanswer
Eau Rouge Eau Rouge
Level 4 (2,719 points)
Mac App Store
A:

It definitely sounds like it is the graphics card, it won't look physically different if it has failed. it may be exceptionally hot

to touch. The original spec 20008 Mac Pro card was the Radeon XT 2600, which at the point of purchase could be upgraded to the NVidea 8800 GT, which is what I bought. I learnt not long after purchase that this card had a reputation for failing, but i was lucky and got 7 years out of it before it failed. The card is very easy to replace just remember the clip behind it on the mother board. Please look at Grants link to cards for the 2006-2012 MacPros. There is quite a variety out there that can still be used with a 2008 (early) model. Try to get one that is specifically for a Mac so you get the boot screens when starting up ( more expensive though ). You can put some PC cards in, they will work fine but you will not get the boot screens, they can be bought 'flashed' for Mac, or 'flashed' after market to get those boot screens. Others here will give you better guidance.

I bought the Nvidia GT120 which came as standard on the 2009 MacPro model but works fine on the 2008. It was very cheap at only £80.00, and unused, still in an unsealed bag and in the Apple Graphics Upgrade box. It is a low end card

perhaps not suitable for gaming or video production but suits my needs, you can spend a fortune on cards so tread carefully.

 

If you have another Mac handy you could connect your MacPro to it by FireWire and start it in Target disc mode to check your drive(s) are alright, they should be. OS X Mountain Lion: Transfer files between two computers using target disk mode

Posted on Aug 7, 2016 11:38 PM

Close
MaryW

Q: Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), 4GB ram, Early 2008 problem

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 Next

  • by Eau Rouge,

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Aug 6, 2016 11:44 PM in response to MaryW
    Level 4 (2,719 points)
    Mac App Store
    Aug 6, 2016 11:44 PM in response to MaryW

    Sounds like your graphics card has fried itself. I had a NVidea GT8800 that bombed last year in a similar fashion.

    Replaced it with a NVidea GT120, low end card but suitable for me, runs quiet and cool.

     

    Do you have another card handy, to determine if this is indeed the cause?

    Maybe you could borrow one.

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 6, 2016 11:53 PM in response to MaryW
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 6, 2016 11:53 PM in response to MaryW

    removed unworking link by me

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 6, 2016 11:49 PM in response to Eau Rouge
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 6, 2016 11:49 PM in response to Eau Rouge

    Sorry but no I don't, I have the one from the older Mac but not for this comp. I tried to add an image but it would not let me then when I tried it the way most forums do it, well you see the link to it.

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 6, 2016 11:57 PM in response to Eau Rouge
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 6, 2016 11:57 PM in response to Eau Rouge

    Can't see how to delete a post either so trying the link for the image again:

     

    http://thefantasiesattic.net/DA/errors/dots.jpg

     

    I sure hope it is not the graphics card cause that is why I had to get this one and just got out of hospital so no way in this lifetime am I going to be able to get a new comp. I was just going to install the el capitan update too...LOL

     

     

  • by Eau Rouge,

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Aug 7, 2016 12:13 AM in response to MaryW
    Level 4 (2,719 points)
    Mac App Store
    Aug 7, 2016 12:13 AM in response to MaryW

    You don't need to buy a new computer, just replace the graphics card, it is a two minute job.

     

    If you are wanting to upgrade to El Capitan you may want to add more RAM as 4GBs is bare minimum.

     

    Also as you are upgrading from Mountain Lion make sure all the apps you use now are compatible, or have updates for El Capitan. Also make sure that any peripheral hardware you are using is supported in El Capitan.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Aug 7, 2016 1:07 AM in response to MaryW
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 7, 2016 1:07 AM in response to MaryW

    Log the panic and post it here:

    Mac OS X: How to log a kernel panic - Apple Support

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 7, 2016 6:46 PM in response to Eau Rouge
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 7, 2016 6:46 PM in response to Eau Rouge

    @ Eau Rouge  

     

    I opened the case and looked at everything and even if it did not need it I dusted too...lol

     

    There is nothing bubbled, I think the capacitors look right and the card doesn't look bad. I noticed --which I totally forgot too -- that those specs shown are the default factory ones that the store had on site, my vid card is an nvidia Geoforce but I can't remember the size...I am thinking 8800

     

    anyway I have had this thing trying to restart again since 3pm and it still is not going past the apple icon window with its stripes that were green then with the time it did actually reboot and froze up again the stripes went pink....now are back to green.

     

    Maybe it is a corrupted OS????

     

    I do not have a snow leopard nor a mountain lion media to boot from but I do have a plain old leopard one that if possible I will reinstall it fresh,..if it lets me.

     

    @    lllaass

     

    It sent off a report to Apple on its own with the first kernel attack and since then there are no more and could not get it to record it since can't get on desktop. I have tried several reboot attempts both with safe mode, which only let me restart cause it would not shutdown nor repair, again removing the eternal usb drives, then the usb hub leaving only the mouse and keyboard attached to the comp. stil no joy. now it won't even boot to safe mode.

     

    Forcing the shut down by pulling the plug from electric only puts it to sleep so there is no way to actually shut down this monster either.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Aug 7, 2016 7:18 PM in response to MaryW
    Level 9 (60,622 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 7, 2016 7:18 PM in response to MaryW

    Whenever you see patterns or wacky colors on the screen, like the ones you posted, there is a good chance that you have a Hardware problem with your graphics card.

     

    Graphics software problems are usually limited to specific issue like repeating or random blocks form the screen repeated in other areas of the screen.

     

    You will likely need a new (to you) graphics card. the 8800 cards have not been exceptionally reliable. I would look for an Apple-firmware 5770.

    User Tip: Mac Pro silver tower (2006-2012) Replacement Graphics cards

     

    .

  • by Eau Rouge,Solvedanswer

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Aug 7, 2016 11:38 PM in response to MaryW
    Level 4 (2,719 points)
    Mac App Store
    Aug 7, 2016 11:38 PM in response to MaryW

    It definitely sounds like it is the graphics card, it won't look physically different if it has failed. it may be exceptionally hot

    to touch. The original spec 20008 Mac Pro card was the Radeon XT 2600, which at the point of purchase could be upgraded to the NVidea 8800 GT, which is what I bought. I learnt not long after purchase that this card had a reputation for failing, but i was lucky and got 7 years out of it before it failed. The card is very easy to replace just remember the clip behind it on the mother board. Please look at Grants link to cards for the 2006-2012 MacPros. There is quite a variety out there that can still be used with a 2008 (early) model. Try to get one that is specifically for a Mac so you get the boot screens when starting up ( more expensive though ). You can put some PC cards in, they will work fine but you will not get the boot screens, they can be bought 'flashed' for Mac, or 'flashed' after market to get those boot screens. Others here will give you better guidance.

    I bought the Nvidia GT120 which came as standard on the 2009 MacPro model but works fine on the 2008. It was very cheap at only £80.00, and unused, still in an unsealed bag and in the Apple Graphics Upgrade box. It is a low end card

    perhaps not suitable for gaming or video production but suits my needs, you can spend a fortune on cards so tread carefully.

     

    If you have another Mac handy you could connect your MacPro to it by FireWire and start it in Target disc mode to check your drive(s) are alright, they should be. OS X Mountain Lion: Transfer files between two computers using target disk mode

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 8, 2016 4:06 AM in response to Eau Rouge
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 8, 2016 4:06 AM in response to Eau Rouge

    I found a card from OWC that is like the original one installed, the place I got me used (new to me) tower had removed the original card and put in the 8800. looks to be just about the same and am hoping they still have one when I can get some loot, which hope I have enough left over after bills/hospital from my retirement at end of month.

     

    I opened the door earlier as I said and when I touched it it wasn't real hot but yes there was some heat in the box, I attributed it to the temp being so hot here in Kansas even on a cloudy rainy day.

     

    Another question for future... I would like to up my ram from 4 to at least 6gb. I noticed that right now there is one in each bay I should be able to grab a set to make it 6gb...it said it was a set of 2 -1gb sticks, would that be allowed to use...move the two original larger ones to one bay and stick the new on in the other bay?

     

    I would like to  get el capitan before they decide to not let it be a free upgrade, with my luck they would ya know...LOL

  • by lllaass,Helpful

    lllaass lllaass Aug 8, 2016 1:03 PM in response to MaryW
    Level 10 (187,607 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 8, 2016 1:03 PM in response to MaryW

    - For information on the proper slots to place the memory modules see:

    Mac Pro (Mid 2012 and earlier): How to remove or install memory - Apple Support

    Even 6 GB is not enough in my opinion. I would consider that 8 GB is minimum.  However, y have dual 4-core processors and 8 GB is not really sufficient if you are running a lot of services.

     

    I would "purchase" (download) EL Capitan now.  When Sierra is released Apple may stop offering El Capitan. However, once you have downloaded it you can then redownload it in the future.

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 8, 2016 1:05 PM in response to MaryW
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 8, 2016 1:05 PM in response to MaryW

    thanks. it is a work computer for files and artwork but nothing major since the video and modeling programs are all smarter than me and I can't figure them out...LOL

  • by Eau Rouge,Helpful

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Aug 9, 2016 2:43 AM in response to MaryW
    Level 4 (2,719 points)
    Mac App Store
    Aug 9, 2016 2:43 AM in response to MaryW

    I would download El Capitan now, you don't need to install it right way. Once it has downloaded and before the installation process is started locate the Install El Capitan.app in your Applications folder, make a copy and keep it safe for later use, quit the Installer. The new OS macOS Sierra will be launched soon, perhaps the end of September, and El Capitan will most likely be removed from the App Store. Also worth noting is that Sierra is not compatible with the MacPro (2008) so El Capitan is the latest and last for our cherished cheese grater.

    If you are going to install El Capitan more RAM is advisible, your MacPro needs DDR2 RAM which is still more expensive than the RAM required for younger MacPros, also make sure they have the large heatsinks and temperature sensor required by the MacPro, some retailers may try to fob you off with unsuitable DDR2 RAM. Here is a link to OWC page with the prices for your Macs RAM, https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#800-memory

    Memory should be bought in pairs, i.e. 2x1Gb, 2x2Gb etc. Installation is easy just remember to put one stick in Riser A and one in Riser B in the same corresponding slots. See the guide provided in the link by Illass.

  • by MaryW,

    MaryW MaryW Aug 9, 2016 2:47 AM in response to Eau Rouge
    Level 6 (15,854 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 9, 2016 2:47 AM in response to Eau Rouge

    Thank you I will. I had a near panic attack until I realized you said possibly end of Sept ... not now at end of Aug. whew, that gives me a bit of time still I should have the card by then. It should do until later on when I can afford a different one.

     

    I tried to  go to the apple store like on mac shows and allows but it won't let me do it on my pc. so have to wait and do it when the card gets here and it is installed.

Page 1 Next