Red LED inside Mac Pro...

Question

Red LED inside Mac Pro...

So I have this issue with constantly having to unplug my Mac Pro from my UPS and hold the power button to reset it so that it boots up with Bluetooth so I can use my mouse. I notice that there is a red LED glowing inside the Mac Pro on a card and it doesn't quit even after I unplug the system to reset it. Is this how I have to keep powering up for the rest of the time I own this 2.8Ghz Quad core? Seems so annoying. Anybody know what I'm talking about? "Do you know of what I speak..."

Posted on Nov 18, 2011 2:20 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 18, 2011 4:15 PM in response to smallpotatoes

Depending on which exact model you have there are quite a few red LEDs inside. The important information is where is it and/or what does it say right next to it, or is it next to a memory module. It may be anything from "Power OK" to "RAM error".

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Answer 2

Nov 18, 2011 4:32 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant - In System Profiler (about this mac, more details) RAM all checks out. So is it not unusual then for any LED to stay lighted even after disconnecting power? I'll have to look at the poard to see what it is. It looks to me like its on the board that slides out and holds my memory. It shines through the perforated holes in the front of the enclosure near the bottom.

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Answer 3

Nov 18, 2011 4:41 PM in response to smallpotatoes

The side door is not interlocked and opening it while running will not cause your Mac to shut down. No hazardous Voltages are available to your unaided fingers, but components may be HOT.

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Answer 4

X423424X

Level 6

14,271 points

Nov 18, 2011 5:21 PM in response to smallpotatoes

I notice that there is a red LED glowing inside the Mac Pro on a card and it doesn't quit even after I unplug the system to reset it.

Please specify the model of your mac pro (run System Profiler, select Hardware) and where is this led? Is it on a bank of leds or near your dimms (I'm assuming it the former)? If it's on the bank of leds see if you can read the identifying label near the lead. If you can't see any info, then with your posted model info we may be able to show you what to look for.

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Answer 5

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Nov 18, 2011 5:42 PM in response to smallpotatoes

I have this issue with constantly having to unplug my Mac Pro from my UPS and hold the power button to reset it so that it boots up with Bluetooth so I can use my mouse. I notice that there is a red LED glowing inside the Mac Pro on a card and it doesn't quit even after I unplug the system to reset it. Is this how I have to keep powering up for the rest of the time I own this 2.8Ghz Quad core? Seems so annoying. Anybody know what I'm talking about? "Do you know of what I speak..."

Run Apple Hardware Test

SMC Reset should not be needed

(UPS should be 1000VA minimum probably, more is better, beyond just longer run time and less strain)

AHT should help

2008 had a quad, but then so does 2010+ model. Sounds like 2008 and you have Riser cards and RAM has very large heat sinks on them, they run very hot.

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Answer 6

Nov 18, 2011 6:54 PM in response to The hatter

y'know - I thought my details were under my post, I might be thinking of another forum, but good questions! I am talking about my 2010 2.8Ghz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" Mac Pro, 8GB (4x2GB) 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory, 1TB SATA HD, ATI Radeon HD 5770, (driving two Dell 23" UltraSharp 1920x1080 displays via miniDisplayPort to DisplayPort).

I am on Snow Leopard OSX 10.6.8, running FCS2. I have a hardware RAID card running a CalDigit HDElement, and I shoot on XDCAM EX and 5DmkII in terms of video rpoduction except when I also pull in some ProRes files shot on XDCAM HD and DVCPRO HD. At work (my full-time) I am on a 3GHz Dual Quad-Core running Snow Leopard and FCS2, and we use a 16TB SAS RAID also with a hardware card all from DAT Optics. I've been cutting on mac's for almost 20 years or more and very familliar with the side panel, the ram slots, the hardware and the apps. (not to sound experienced, but just so you know where I'm coming from).

I'm still at work, and my Mac Pro is newer than the one I'm cutting on here at Keystone, so I can't tell you yet what the marking is next to the persistant red LED light, but I will later on tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for any help. -s

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Nov 19, 2011 5:54 AM in response to smallpotatoes

2010 is enough.

external and even 3rd party PCIe cards are the first thing to rule out as the cause.

If AHT comes up clean, I'd get it checked out - pain to lug but should not be happening.

And 1300VA or better UPS

Those are an easy DIY to W3680 6-core 3.33GHz

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Answer 8

Nov 25, 2011 2:22 PM in response to smallpotatoes

Here is a 450 x 600 jpg of my Mac Pro 2010 2.8GHz Quad-Core processor board (slides out at the bottom of the case - showing the red LED on.

There is nothing more to the left (front) of the drawer on the circuit board, but more of course to the right (toward the rear of the Mac Pro). It is really odd. This will sound ridiculous, but it lights up when it is unplugged and a lot of the times turns off when I plug the power cord back into the UPS. I keep my stuff very clean and the flash just makes it look more dusty than it really is. (really!) can anybody help me on this one?

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Answer 9

Nov 3, 2012 8:12 AM in response to smallpotatoes

Hi, did you solve your problem, because i have the same issue.

thanks

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Answer 10

Nov 4, 2012 8:42 AM in response to tokebeatz

tokebeats - I spoke to Apple on a support call about this pretty recently, and the person I spoke with said that the red LED is not unusual and nothing to be concerned about, however my on-going issue with Bluetooth not showing up when I boot up is still unresolved, and I have a case number and will be taking it in. To be fair, my Mac Pro works great once Bluetooth is recognized after many bootups, so I'm looking forward to this issue getting resolved.

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Answer 11

luokai

Level 1

0 points

Sep 11, 2014 12:30 PM in response to smallpotatoes

Hi guys,

I have the same issue with my Mac Pro 5,1, after some checking, it turns out to be some issue with the 3rd party mini display port wire, and after I replace it with original DELL mini display port to display port wire, the red light just disappear.

Hope this helps 🙂

Kai

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