Apple mac pro early 2009 User Manual

							© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Basics
Mac Pro (Early 2009)   
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Basics — Overview 12 2010-09-27
Overview
The Mac Pro (Early 2009) computer uses Intel “Nehalem” Xeon processors and features both 
quad-core and 8-core configurations. The following are some basic specifications:
• Processors speeds of 2.26, 2.66, 2.93, and 3.33 GHz
• 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC memory in 1 GB, 2GB, and 4 GB UDIMMs
• 18x optical drive
• 640 GB SATA hard drive
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics card with one Mini DisplayPort and one dual-link DVI port
• Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• Optional ATI Radeon 4870 graphics card, Mac Pro RAID card, AirPort card, 1 TB SATA drive, 
and dual-channel and quad-channel 4 Gb Fibre channel cards
For more information, refer to http://www.apple.com/macpro/.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Basics — Overview 13 2010-09-27
How to Identify Quad-Core and 8-Core Processor Configurations
To identify the configuration of a Mac Pro (Early 2009) computer, check the code on the 
computer’s configuration label, which is located on the computer’s back panel directly below 
the video ports. See “Serial Number Location.”
Another quick way to identify the configuration is to open the side panel and inspect the 
processor heatsinks on the processor board. The configurations look like the following:
Quad-Core Configuration
8-Core Configuration  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Basics — Overview 14 2010-09-27
Serial Number Location
The Mac Pro (Early 2009) serial number is located on the configuration label, directly below the 
configuration description.  
						

							© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Troubleshooting
Mac Pro (Early 2009)   
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) General Troubleshooting — Update System Software 16 2010-09-27
General Troubleshooting
Update System Software
Important: Whenever possible before beginning troubleshooting, ensure the latest software 
and firmware updates have been applied.
Troubleshooting Theory
For general information on troubleshooting theory, refer to:
http://service.info.apple.com/service_training/en/006/troubleshoot/index.php?page=intro
Emerging Issues
For the latest on troubleshooting issues, refer to:
http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search&q=khot%20Mac%20Pro%20
Emerging%20Issue
Hardware vs. Software
For information on how to isolate a hardware issue from a software issue, refer to:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1388?viewlocale=en_US
TS1394—Mac OS X: Troubleshooting installation and software updates 
HT2956—Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation from CD or DVD 
For information on how to troubleshoot a software issue, refer to:
HT1199—Mac OS X: How to troubleshoot a software issue   
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) General Troubleshooting — Mac Pro Firmware Updates 17 2010-09-27
Mac Pro Firmware Updates
Firmware is the name given to software that is written into memory circuits, such as flash 
memory, that will hold the software code indefinitely, even when power is removed from the 
hardware. Firmware on Intel Mac computers is designed to be updated if necessary through a 
software update.
EFI firmware updates update the Boot ROM, and SMC updates update the System Management 
Controller firmware. The SMC manages fans and other environmental parameters that are 
independent of the Boot ROM.
Firmware symptoms can be easily mistaken for hardware issues (e.g., overheating issues, fan 
noise issues, etc.). Always check both EFI and SMC firmware versions and update if necessary 
before replacing any hardware components.
The following lists describe the type of symptoms that may be resolved by updating the EFI 
and SMC firmware.
Symptoms that may be resolved by updating EFI firmware:
• Cannot eject media (various conditions)
• No video on start up
• Blue system failure screens in Windows XP/Vista
• Not waking or sleeping when expected
• Bad media taking too long to eject (including holding mouse button down at startup taking 
minutes to eject)
Symptoms that may be resolved by updating SMC firmware:
• Fan related behavior (excessive speed or noise)
• Loud audible clicking from some fans
• Thermal shut down or warnings
• Diagnostics reporting failures
• Sleep/wake issues
• Intermittent shut down
• SMC causes bad/missing ambient sensor to cause the computer to go to sleep
• Hangs, black screen on restart from Windows
• Quick power cycle causes Memory Processor Board Diagnostic LEDs and CPU Overtemp 
LEDs to illuminate solidly
Important: Since the SMC firmware is stored on both the backplane board and processor 
board, it is important that the version of SMC firmware match on both boards.
Please follow the steps outlined in KnowledgeBase article 303364, “About Firmware Updates 
for Intel-based Macs,” to perform an EFI and/or SMC firmware update. Information about 
firmware versions for Intel Macs can be found in KnowledgeBase article 303880, “Mac OS X: 
Firmware Updates for Intel-based Macs.”  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) General Troubleshooting — Memory Configuration 18 2010-09-27
Memory Configuration
Mac Pro (Early 2009) comes with a minimum of 3 GB of memory, installed as three 1 GB 
unbuffered dual inline memory modules (UDIMMs). 
DIMMs must fit these specifications:
• PC3-8500,1066 MHz, DDR3 SDRAM UDIMMs
• 72-bit wide, 240-pin modules
• 18 memory ICs maximum per UDIMM
• Error-correcting code (ECC)
For proper operation of Mac Pro (Early 2009) computers, Apple recommends using only Apple-
approved DIMMs. Refer to GSX for Apple DIMM service part numbers. Memory from older 
Macintosh computers is not compatible with Mac Pro (Early 2009). 
Quad Core
Quad-core computers have four memory slots. You can install 1 GB or 2 GB DIMMs for a total of 
up to 8 GB of memory. 
You can install different size DIMMs in Mac Pro (Early 2009). However, for best performance, 
Apple recommends you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB or all 2 GB) filling the slots in the 
order listed in this table. Note that you cannot place a DIMM in slot 4, without first placing a 
DIMM in slot 3.
If you haveFill these slots
Two DIMMs1 and 2
Three DIMMs1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs1, 2, 3, and 4
See also “Memory Slot Utility” below.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) General Troubleshooting — Memory Configuration 19 2010-09-27
8 Core
Eight-core computers have eight memory slots. You can install 1 GB, 2 GB, or  
4 GB DIMMs for a total of up to 32 GB of memory. 
You can install different size DIMMs in Mac Pro (Early 2009). However, for best performance, 
Apple recommends you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1, 2, or 4 GB) filling the slots in the order 
listed in this table. Note that you cannot place a DIMM in slot 4, without first placing a DIMM in 
slot 3; you also cannot place a DIMM in slot 8 without a DIMM in slot 7.
If you haveFill in these slots
Two DIMMs1 and 2
Three DIMMs1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs1, 2, and 5, 6
Six DIMMs1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7
Eight DIMMs1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8
See also “Memory Slot Utility” below.
Memory Slot Utility
If you install different size DIMMs in quad-core or 8-core processor Mac Pro (Early 2009) 
computers, follow the order in the tables above. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn’t 
provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility will appear on screen and recommend 
an improved configuration. To use the Memory Slot Utility again, go to /System/Library/Core 
Services.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) General Troubleshooting — Memory Diagnostic LEDs 20 2010-09-27
Memory Diagnostic LEDs
The 8-core and quad-core processor boards include a set of diagnostic memory LEDs. The 
following illustrations show the location of each LED and its associated DIMM slot.
Quad Core
8 Core
To diagnose memory issues, start up the computer and check the diagnostic memory LEDs. An 
illuminated, red LED indicates its associated DIMM may be poorly seated or failed. 
Note that Apple System Profiler does not report unseated or failed memory. You must use the 
memory LEDs to locate DIMM issues.