My late 2013 Mac Pro won't POST!

I've tried to reset the SMC/NVRAM, but nothing, still black screen. I have power, and the fans run, but no chime (on boot) and "no signal" message on my monitor. I tired reseating the flash drive, and the memory sticks, still nothing, I haven't tore it apart to check the thermal paste on the CPU, or the GPU; I'm at a loss as to why all of a sudden it decides to quit posting, any ideas/help where to start, would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

Don R Baughman

Mac Pro, macOS 12.6

Posted on Sep 10, 2023 8:05 PM

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Question marked as Best answer

On other Mac Pro models, when your Mac 'appears dead' at power-on, the suggestion is to change out the PRAM backup battery. Measured in hand, Voltage under 3.0 volts is spent. BR2032 is factory original, but users have found the readily available CR2032, used in car-key fobs and garage door openers and many other devices is a good substitute.


Unfortunately, in the late 2013 Mac Pro, the PRAM backup battery is deep inside. Accessing the PRAM backup battery is a 32-step tear-down process that involves disconnecting every major circuit board. This illustrated procedure can be found online and studied. If you can do a memory upgrade without drawing blood, you can likely do this complicated, but NOT difficult procedure.


The tear-down and re-assembly has a built-in side effect: the wiping contacts on every module are refreshed in the process. This sometimes clears corrosion problems that were starting to cause subtle problems.

Posted on Sep 12, 2023 8:31 AM

19 replies

Oct 24, 2023 10:05 AM in response to Porthos40

Hello Porthos40, I did what you suggested, and found a certified apply tech in my area, took it in, and I found out; it was the AMD FirePro D500 board B, that failed, so he replaced it, and now it's working fine. I also found out that Apple had issues with the AMD FirePro video cards, so much so, that at one point, they had offered a recall for replacements on those cards. Anyways, I want to thank all those who gave me suggestions, as to my problem, very much appreciated everyone, again, thank you. :)

My late 2013 Mac Pro won't POST!

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