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marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Mac Pro stuck on white screen

Hi to everyone,

my Mac Pro [model A1186, 16 GB RAM, 500 GB brand-new Crucial SSD], after a fresh install from bootable USB with OS X Lion 10.7.5, stuck on white screen.

The only way to interact with him is the Single User Mode (start holding Shift).

Reset PRAM, reset SMC, change CR2032 battery (it doesn't know the right date), change the old 7200 rpm 500 GB Apple hard drive with a new SSD... doesn't work.

It boot only with Single User Mode.

When I launch the install from bootable USB everything's going OK.

At the first reboot I see the Apple Logo, then the mouse's cursor and the rainbow spinning wheel endlessly.

Any suggests? How can I resolve this situation?

It's so important for me because I want to resell the machine and I want that's in perfect condition.

Thank you in advance to all,

best regards

Marco

Posted on Jun 23, 2019 1:20 PM

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

132,835 points

Posted on Jun 29, 2019 6:46 AM

It sounds like the graphics card is no longer working for accelerated graphics. These cards get quite hot (the reason for the large heat sink) and do not last forever.

To use this Mac, try a replacement graphics card.

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30 replies

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 26, 2019 11:36 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thnak you so much for your advice.

I saved the link for future needs, a very useful resource base!

I've follow the instruction and create from Terminal the USB stick with AHT for my motherboard version, like they explaned.

When you receive a Mac Pro with a blank disk there's nothing you can do, AHT not included.

System disks are not included, so again no possibility to test.

I've checked on Mactracker: this machine born with Tiger and ends with Lion (officially).

Leopard installation (I've a retail universal disk) was fine but, as usual, same problem: Apple logo, little chargement above, white screen with mouse cursor and then a rainbow spinning wheel.

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 26, 2019 11:41 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I use an external Acer 22" monitor with a gold-plated cable from VGA to DVI (full pins) to connect to the video card (it has 2 standard DVI ports).

This annoying issue can depends from this?

I can see everything correctly on screen, but I've posted also the video card section from AHT because I want to post this question to the community, thanks.

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 26, 2019 11:46 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Lion was the first OS release on Mac App Store, if I'm correct.

If you bought a MacBook Air or you go on Apple Store you can bought a USB stick, but there's no DVD officially released for this OS.

The latest OS on optical disk was the beloved Snow Leopard, removed from sale and then put it back, because it's the latest system required as gateway to upgrade to modern OS.

rcosta887

Level 4

3,604 points

Jun 27, 2019 12:16 AM in response to marcosb86

I would still suggest dropping down to two sticks of RAM and also trying to install Mac OS onto an external USB hard drive if you have one available. You could get an external USB SATA enclosure (or dock) for your existing 7200 rpm drive, for example, for about $20. If the problem still happens I'm serious thinking it's a hardware issue that the AHT can't detect.

For example: https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Docking-Station-DS-UBLK/dp/B00IKAQ538

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 27, 2019 12:22 AM in response to rcosta887

I've checked and cleaned the RAM's module last evening, and I've see that on the second board there's two modules different from the other six.

I can remove the second board and left just one, then install the OS on external hard drive like you suggest.

I've an external enclosure for 2,5" drive and also a dock for two 3,5" drive, so it's not a big matter.

Tonight I will try, finger crossed!

Jun 28, 2019 7:03 PM in response to marcosb86

No additional power is required. If it were required, the card would present one or two six-pin connectors (or in more obscure cases one or more 8-pin connectors).

If your card shows terminal screens and text at startup, but only a white screen at or after the login screen or desktop, restart in Safe Mode (hold shift at startup). This runs one pass of disk repair first, THEN loads a minimal set of extensions, including NO third party extensions and NO graphics acceleration.

If the screen is drawn, but slowly, the problem may be lack of Drivers for the card, or possibly failure or partial failure of the card.

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 29, 2019 12:20 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Good morning,

thanks for your prompt answer.

In Safe Mode ALWAYS boot up, no issue (except for limitations of this mode).

I always install only the OS, so no third party software/extension are involved.

It is possibly disable graphic acceleration? How can I update the graphic driver (only by Apple Software Update or there is a standalone driver)?

Screen is not drawn, it looks like everything's going well.

If I don't know about Safe Boot Mode, just let's see turn on on the desktop screen, it looks like a normal Mac.

Thanks for your advice, best regards

Jun 27, 2019 6:39 AM in response to marcosb86

If you are not able to download and want a fresh MacOS, Apple still sells a DVD for Snow Leopard in the Apple Online Store:

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 26, 2019 11:29 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Here's the AHT results, I performed the extended test

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 24, 2019 11:34 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Good morning Grant,

after the test (blink red for 1 second) you've mentioned all the LED turn off, so I presume it's not RAM-related trouble.

Thanks for your explanation.

Jun 29, 2019 7:07 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Don't bother looking for an exact replacement. There are many more modern cards that will do just as well for not a lot of money.

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 29, 2019 9:32 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Fan made noise, Jobs docent, but in this case it will be helpful for a graphic card.

Jun 29, 2019 12:18 PM in response to marcosb86

I would look for an affordable NVIDIA GT120 with Mac-firmware. (unless you want to do Video editing).

Its cost may be comparable, and it is a little easier to justify spending money on today.

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jun 29, 2019 12:40 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Ok I will research on this card.

Now I try the same replace to have a base situation to start from.

Then I see how the Mac react, thanks.

marcosb86 Author

Level 1

32 points

Jul 9, 2019 11:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks,

with a refurbished card now the Mac log on without issue.

Thanks so much to all for your kindly support!

Best regards

Marco

Mac Pro stuck on white screen