I think I’ve shorted my Mac Pro 4.1

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Level 1

15 points

I think I’ve shorted my Mac Pro 4.1

Hi. I think I may have gone and shorted my Mac Pro 4.1. I was using it today and I needed to add a couple of usb devices to my setup using a usb hub that was already connected to my Mac. I wasn’t sure of the hub would be able to handle the extra devices so I plugged a power supply into the hub but I stupidly used the wrong power supply and as soon as I plugged it into the hub my Mac Pro went off and is totally dead now. It won’t power up at all. I tried a different mains lead in case the fuse had simply gone but I’m getting nothing.

So my question is have I shorted my Mac and are there any steps I can take to try and diagnose/fix it before I have to take it to a Mac shop which will no doubt be super expensive to repair as it’s a 2009 model.

Thank you in advance for any advice or tips!

Simon.

Mac Pro, OS X 10.11

Posted on Jan 17, 2023 3:03 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,867 points

Jan 18, 2023 9:46 AM in response to Simon Finley

the standard procedure for no activity is to remove everything in a socket or slot -- all RAM, all PCIe cards, all drives of every type, and attempt to power up. you are looking for either the CHIME or a blinking power indicator light that is blinking a message.

If still no joy, also remove the PRAM backup battery.

if still no joy, you may need some know-good parts or the rest of that manual to make additional progress.

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My son was doing some computer-interface-making experiments and shorted 110 Volts onto a USB connector on a Mac Pro 4,1 on the front USB slots. The power supply was OK, but that trouble took out the mainboard.

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Answer 2

Simon Finley Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 18, 2023 9:21 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for this Grant. What should I be looking for on here. I’m don’t have much knowledge about computer tech so I’m a bit lost looking at the diagram. I’ve since removed the ram and graphic cards but still no luck with power up unfortunately.

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Answer 3

Jan 17, 2023 3:12 PM in response to Simon Finley

see if this is any help:

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Answer 4

Simon Finley Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 19, 2023 2:22 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Ok great thanks Grant. I’ll start disconnecting all the drives and ram etc and see how it goes. Thank you for the pointers.

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I think I’ve shorted my Mac Pro 4.1

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