Installing a Processor (How to remove plastic pin????)
History:
My Dual 1.8 lost a processor this summer. It would freeze up and get a kernel panic (grey message in 1000 languages slowly coming down the screen) usually after 1 minute of being on. When it would restart it would run for hours without a problem, but I noticed there was only 1 processor running. Resetting the PRAM would make it boot up with 2 again, but then it would freeze shortly. After many many many resets (ran every possible script in Onyx), removed ram, booted from tiger instead of leopard... it finally wouldn't turn on at all. I reset the PRAM so it would try 2 processors, but it would fail so fast it couldn't even do it's thing and disable the 2nd processor. Boot not even the light on cap locks would flash so no way to do anything with the keyboard.
So I brought it into a shop (authorized apple service etc) and asked them to troubleshoot it since I wasn't 100% sure of the problem. The guy removed both processors and blew out all the dust, then switched them around. I got it back, it started up once and ran for about 3 minutes then it went back to not even flashing the keyboard. Brought it back and told him what I thought it was and he said he could find out which processor is bad and remove it. It is sitting behind me in a box (looks great but doesn't work AFAIK). My computer has been running fine on 1 proc since, despite being noticeably slower at everything (can't watch 720p anymore, flash movies kill it, youtube just barely works acceptably).
Situation:
As soon as the new MacPro comes out, either I'm getting it (if the base is as fast as the 2.8 now and under at or bellow $3000) or I'm getting the cuurent quad 2.8. I'm waiting to see how much better it is and what it will cost. My current G5 will be shipped to my father as he is still using a 333mhz iMac G3. As such, spending $500-$800 on a new processor, and then $150 for installation and testing is SO not worth it just to get a second CPU running again. I have however found a couple used 1.8s on Ebay, some with damaged heat sinks, others fine and all guaranteed against DOA. They go for $65US to $200US. The one I am looking at is $127 tested. All I need is to buy a long hex tool.
Questions:
1) I have found a service manual for the 2003 models and there is no difference as far as removing the processors go. The big problem I am having is the **** plastic screw/pin. How do you get that out without breaking it? I've tried a knife and even trying to wedge a screwdriver between the metal sheet and the processor cover. There has got to be some special way to do it. It's already been removed once (at the shop) and there are no marks anywhere around it so they couldn't have had to force like I am.
2) Just double checking, but there is no difference between a single and dual 1.8 CPU right (June 2004)? Mine is a 2.2 RDU. So it should work with : NVC, Q79, Q9B, QEH, QYS, QJN, QLY, QLZ, QWX, QX4, R05, QZY, RDT, RDU? Nowhere that I look can I find anything to distinguish a dual 1.8 from a single 1.8 across V2 (V3 was only the single I believe).
3) Does the number 630 mean anything important. I have found some with 630, some with 661, but cannot find a relationship. Does not seem to have to do with the speed. Single 1.8s with 661 and 630, dual 2.0s with 661 and 630, and mine (dual 1.8) is a 630. Do they need to match?
4) Until now I have only replaced the HD, RAM, Airport and Video card myself. I know you have to be very careful with the processors not to yank on the heat sink and not to bend the pins where it connects. Are there any important pieces of advice? I'd really like to keep this repair under $200 by doing it myself as opposed to $350.
P.S. I do have an ASD 2.5.8 disc and have already booted from it and ran a bunch of tests, so I know it needs a thermal calibration after the installation. Another reason I don't want to take it to the shop as they will charge for the 30min it sits on a desk doing nothing.
My Dual 1.8 lost a processor this summer. It would freeze up and get a kernel panic (grey message in 1000 languages slowly coming down the screen) usually after 1 minute of being on. When it would restart it would run for hours without a problem, but I noticed there was only 1 processor running. Resetting the PRAM would make it boot up with 2 again, but then it would freeze shortly. After many many many resets (ran every possible script in Onyx), removed ram, booted from tiger instead of leopard... it finally wouldn't turn on at all. I reset the PRAM so it would try 2 processors, but it would fail so fast it couldn't even do it's thing and disable the 2nd processor. Boot not even the light on cap locks would flash so no way to do anything with the keyboard.
So I brought it into a shop (authorized apple service etc) and asked them to troubleshoot it since I wasn't 100% sure of the problem. The guy removed both processors and blew out all the dust, then switched them around. I got it back, it started up once and ran for about 3 minutes then it went back to not even flashing the keyboard. Brought it back and told him what I thought it was and he said he could find out which processor is bad and remove it. It is sitting behind me in a box (looks great but doesn't work AFAIK). My computer has been running fine on 1 proc since, despite being noticeably slower at everything (can't watch 720p anymore, flash movies kill it, youtube just barely works acceptably).
Situation:
As soon as the new MacPro comes out, either I'm getting it (if the base is as fast as the 2.8 now and under at or bellow $3000) or I'm getting the cuurent quad 2.8. I'm waiting to see how much better it is and what it will cost. My current G5 will be shipped to my father as he is still using a 333mhz iMac G3. As such, spending $500-$800 on a new processor, and then $150 for installation and testing is SO not worth it just to get a second CPU running again. I have however found a couple used 1.8s on Ebay, some with damaged heat sinks, others fine and all guaranteed against DOA. They go for $65US to $200US. The one I am looking at is $127 tested. All I need is to buy a long hex tool.
Questions:
1) I have found a service manual for the 2003 models and there is no difference as far as removing the processors go. The big problem I am having is the **** plastic screw/pin. How do you get that out without breaking it? I've tried a knife and even trying to wedge a screwdriver between the metal sheet and the processor cover. There has got to be some special way to do it. It's already been removed once (at the shop) and there are no marks anywhere around it so they couldn't have had to force like I am.
2) Just double checking, but there is no difference between a single and dual 1.8 CPU right (June 2004)? Mine is a 2.2 RDU. So it should work with : NVC, Q79, Q9B, QEH, QYS, QJN, QLY, QLZ, QWX, QX4, R05, QZY, RDT, RDU? Nowhere that I look can I find anything to distinguish a dual 1.8 from a single 1.8 across V2 (V3 was only the single I believe).
3) Does the number 630 mean anything important. I have found some with 630, some with 661, but cannot find a relationship. Does not seem to have to do with the speed. Single 1.8s with 661 and 630, dual 2.0s with 661 and 630, and mine (dual 1.8) is a 630. Do they need to match?
4) Until now I have only replaced the HD, RAM, Airport and Video card myself. I know you have to be very careful with the processors not to yank on the heat sink and not to bend the pins where it connects. Are there any important pieces of advice? I'd really like to keep this repair under $200 by doing it myself as opposed to $350.
P.S. I do have an ASD 2.5.8 disc and have already booted from it and ran a bunch of tests, so I know it needs a thermal calibration after the installation. Another reason I don't want to take it to the shop as they will charge for the 30min it sits on a desk doing nothing.
Dual (Single now) 1.8 G5 June 2004, Mac OS X (10.5.6)
