As always, early adopters will find issues that Apple needs to fix – especially with new hardware. The 2008 Mac Pros were an unexpected release, as they came before the Macworld keynote. The new Mac Pros didn’t have a new casing – in fact, they look exactly the same as 2007 Mac Pros from the outside. The difference is on the inside: All the models are 8-core, and new upgrades were introduced. Everyone was pleased to see higher-end video cards like the NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT. This was a necessary move by Apple, and is the only way they are going to be able to push gaming on their platform.
The entry level card of the new Mac Pro is the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT, the same card that higher model iMacs use. A MacUser reader states: “I called Apple and they claimed to have no reports on this, even though people already have had their machines replaced over this. This is also affecting me with a brand new 2.8 model. Users are also widely reporting problems with waking from sleep mode.” On the Apple support forums, people are complaining about this issue too. Hopefully Apple will come out with a fix for this soon. Let us know if you have a 2008 Mac Pro and are experiencing these problems by commenting.
Via [MacUser]
i have just experienced same problem…..started off with machine not waking from sleep,,,,,now a week later i am getting no display output at all
checked monitor and its working perfectly!
I have just sent my mac pro 2008 8 core model off to apple for repair, same symptoms, no video after walking up from sleep, after reinstalling numerous clean system installs, doing the pram, and power management, i was unable to find a fix or cause, in the end got no video from it at all,tried two different monitor known to work , lucky i took the out the extended warranty, is this a Graphics card or motherboard issue?
will give an update when it returns from apple.
Update, just got my mac pro back from apple, they replaced the graphics card, it works fine now and wakes up from sleep ever time, but i will keep an eye on it, and post here if i have any further problems
I have the same issue on my 2008 MacPro. I am considering swapping out my stock video card (ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT) for a GeForce GTX 285 but at $450 I'd like to be sure it's going to solve the problem. I would love to hear how your new card is working…
Thanks.
Update again, Mac pro 2008 still waking up from sleep after the ATI Radeon HD 2600 graphic card was replaced by apple, no problems seen and the card does me ok for my graphic work , i don't do gaming though.
I'm having the same problem. I don't have apple care, but its still under warranty. Do you think they will make me send it in?!…
btw. if they make me send it in, what do I do about the "unsavory" software I might have on the hard drive? Should I be cautious?
Well, it seems I have the same problem…
Only mine is the second time.
I have apple care so it's covered but I sure wish I could get a different more reliable video card.
same issue – monitor just stopped waking from sleep. tried monitor on other computers they worked fine. ran software checks on computer they were fine – hard drives too. the issue seemed to be the graphics card, especially since the symptoms listed above by others are identical to mine – almost a gradual decline over time to complete failure to come on, even after multiple reboots.
wonder if its because of a recent software update? kinda ironic that it all happens exactly a year after many factory warranties begin to expire.
I'm just now paying to replace the old card with another just like it for the same reason. I wish I'd have read this before telling the folks at the apple store to go ahead.
I'm on the phone with Apple tech support right now, and they are telling me they have had no known problems with this card. I find it highly disingenuous of apple when I can find numerous forums, including Apple's own support forum on this issue. I'm going to contact ATI now and see if they will step up.
Terrible.
I have a MacPro early 2008 and the 30" Apple monitor. My monitor stopped working last week. Same issue of not waking up even after reboot or unplugging the whole machine. Only way to awaken the video card is to reboot and clearing the pRAM(reboot while pressing "P" "R" "option" and "command" keys). I did updated my OS software recently, but, cannot absolutely say that it stop waking up right after the update(I am on OS X 10.5.8). Went to apple store and they said that it is the video card. I haven't bought a new one yet b/c I am not sure it isn't a software issue. Apple store wanted me to get a ATI Radeon 3870. Anyone tried this card? Anyone know how to revert back to a pre-updated OS software?
I am glad that I found this page and others that have had the same problem I was experiencing with my early 2008 Mac Pro (received 08/08/08) with ATI Radeon 2600 XT card. The same gradual failure was noticed: first, intermittant blue screen lasting 1 sec – 4 sec, three times blue screen reboot desktop losing all windows/work, then trouble waking from sleep that could be cured by power cycle, then no video output at all. Both monitors function perfectly with my MacBook Pro, and the Mac Pro is still accessible via network from the MBP. My solution was to order an Nvidia GT 120, which should be here tomorrow. The one drawback with the new video card is that it only has one DVI connection, the other the mini-displayport. The irony, and the way I can justify this mess, is that the original upgrade was an Nvidia 8800 GT for $200 more, now I get a better (I guess) video card for $50 less– plus I had the use of the original for almost 1.5 years. Apple Support did deny any knowledge of any problems with the ATI Radeon 2600 XT card, and further commented that Mac Pro calls are rare. I guess that's good and bad. Good that Mac Pros are seemingly less troubled, but bad that there is probably a lack of expertise in diagnosing them. Their solution was for me to drive the Mac Pro 120 miles south to Missoula for a fix, as there is no local certified Apple Support (according to them).
<a href="Aimersoft" rel="nofollow">http://www.macdvdconverter.com/mac-video-converter/mac-video-converter-aimersoft.html">Aimersoft Video Converter for Mac is the optimal Mac Video Converter for portable players. With this best Mac Video Converter, you can easily convert your favorite videos for iPhone, iPod, PSP and other players on Mac OS X.
I'd like to start off by stating that I have the "no wake from sleep" problem with my early 2008 Mac Pro even though I have it set to not go to sleep. I've noticed that it could be more than just a sleep problem, as it will periodically shut down the displays while playing Guitar Hero. The GPU has been replaced once by Apple, after only a month of use, and a year later I replaced the 8800GT with an ATI 3870 HD. Snow Leopard has got to be the most troubled upgrade I've ever experienced in the 25+ years I've been using Apple computers. I should also mention that this isn't an issue when using Windows XP with Bootcamp. Extreme overheating is a major problem even when using smcFanControl to increase fan speeds when playing most games in Bootcamp XP. This was the reason the first two cards went bad. I've seen readings over 130°C with the GPU fan at 100% and all other fans sped up. I hope they fix the problem soon, if ever, because if I'd have wanted to replace parts this often I would have bought a Dell.
Glad to came across this forum. I have a same problem with early Mac Pro 2008 with ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT video card. First the problem that the comp did not come back from sleep mode, after screen went black but it was accessible through vnc. When I have installed snow leopard the comp just froze several times. It was impossible to work so I had to go back to os x 10.5.8. Now it is a bit better because I do not have so serious troubles except the blue screen time to time. If I use the second output on the video card it gives less problem.
I have the same problem: macpro 2.8 8 core early 2008 with 30" cinemadisplay. I started having issues seldom to a complete impossibility of working. I replaced the monitor with an Asus and it worked for a couple a days making me believe the problem was related to the displaywhile I am now pretty sure the video card is the problem.
What kind of card could be installed on a macpro? the same people of pc uses?
Thanks Rudy
Same problem here. Failure to wake, followed eventually by total lack of video signal after boot. Apple guy said there is no particular problem with the 2600, but I have my doubts. My MP is under 2 years old and I keep the inside dust free and do not run it hot. I was able to get them to spring for free labor, but I had to buy the card (no extended warranty). I decided I didn't want another ATI card, and so spent the extra $100 on an NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT ($279). Works well so far, and is a better card performance-wise. Would have done it myself (it is quite easy), but I wanted the box in the shop in case the problem turned out to be something else. Also, Apple prices on cards aren't ridiculously high, as they are with their hard drives and RAM. I am a little miffed that they wouldn't be embarrassed enough by an early card failure in a $2,700 computer to just throw in a new card.
I'm pleased to say that I've fixed the "no wake" problem by taking the card out, cleaning the dust off and reinstalling it into a different slot. Haven't had any problems with it going to sleep since. It still gets quite hot in Windows, unfortunately.
Same here. I get no video on startup. It used to happen on and off, and now it's permanent. I called Apple and was told I'd need a new ATI Radeon 4870 that's $350, AND an adapter so that I can run two DVI monitors — in other words, to simply restore the functionality I bought two years ago. Not cool.
Anyone interested in going after Apple for this formally? As in a class action suit?
I would get on that wagon, but I recently learned a secret. Well at least it was until now. After buying a new card I read on the card maker's site that they'd give $50 if broken card was shipped to them prior to them shipping the new one. That got me wondering, Why would they pay money for the competitors broken down product? Didn't take me long to figure it out. The answer could only be that for an outrageously small price, someone could fix it and sell it as refurbished. Better sit down for this. I fixed my burnt up $400 8800GT for roughly $1.50. It could have run me upwards of $5, but since I already had the thermal compound, I thought I'd try my hand at GPU repair. To my surprise it works just fine. Haven't got around to putting back in the MacPro, only tried in a PC with Vista. No doubt it will work in the Mac, because if there's one thing that could've made it not work, it's Vista. I'll still be watching out for that Class Action Suit. I've got many more bones to pick with Mr. Jobs' minions.
to be honest , apple's after-sale service is among top of computer world , comparing to HP and DEll
Have as early 2008 mac pro and am having trouble finding a video card that will work.
Can find refurbs but not a new card. Any suggestions?
You are right. I am not seeing new ones online. Call Apple. They were able to order either of these cards in April: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT ($175) or NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT ($279)
I can't believe there is no new card available for this machine anymore. If that is true, Apple should make one. I will be extremely pissed off if I need a replacement again and I can't get one…
My Mac pro (early 2008) recived in Jan 08 had a 2600 xt thatdied 2years +2 days after i unboxed it — no extended warranty… no extended cash flow had to have my mac back so I paid 186.00 to have it replaced with another 2600 XT if this card fails around the 2 year mark I'll gladly hop on the class action train…. It's very disappointing to see this type of failure the family of products that typically have long trouble free life spans!!!
Same problem here. Early 8 core Mac Pro / ATI 2600 XT. Not been able to wake from sleep for ages. Sometimes needs several rebboots to prevent monitor going straight into power save mode. Often moves desktop files into different places on restart. Today, the monitor won't come on. Tried another monitor and that one won't work either. I'm very disappointed to read that Apple won't admit there's a problem and yet they won't recommend a new video card that will work for it.
Disgraceful Apple behaviour again.
Is it really the case that there is no card available anymore? This is not an old computer. Have you gone into an Apple store and grilled them? Because if this is really the case, it is even more egregious than the fact that the original cards failed at a high rate.
I have a the same problem. I use dual Apple 23" Cinema Displays. Both of them were inconsistently not waking up from sleep. I would also experience the monitors flashing blue from time to time. The time between instances began to increase, and now, I have 2 monitors that will not wake up at all. I hooked up one of the monitors to another Mac G5 and the monitor is functioning perfectly. Now what? Obviously Apple has a problem that they won't admit.
I found that if you have upgraded the operating system, that there are many video cards that are available.
None of the Apple forums had this information.
I did go to a nearby apple store and try one of their video cards (problem solved) in fact I upgraded to the higher quality card.
Thanks, Billy D.
Good to hear. I am afraid Apple does a bad job of explaining this.
Here is their support page re Mac Pro cards: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2848
It was last updated July 2009; not sure if there is anything more up to date.
If you search the Apple Store for "video card" or "graphics card", one odd card comes up for sale, with no explanation.
Maybe they need to send someone over to Amazon to see how it's done…
Also, here is a firmware update for the 2600 card: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL110
It is supposed to help stability. It is from 3/08, and they don't say how you can tell if your card already has it applied. Be careful with firmware updates.