Start and instant stop

1 Nov 2014 18:11:46

Eric Jervis

When I attempted to fire up the MacPro (Mountain Lion) after some months abroad the fan started up but the machine then shut down after a mere six seconds. Someone did use it during my absence, and I am now using her Windows machine; Help, somebody!

Re: Start and instant stop

2 Nov 2014 11:13:16

Mick Burrell

Try starting in Safe mode - hold down the Shift key during startup. It will be much slower but you may be able to diagnose from there.

If you have the original discs, you could try starting from those and run the Apple Hardware Test.

Re: Start and instant stop

2 Nov 2014 14:37:15

Eric Jervis

Thanks, Mick, it makes no difference.

Re: Start and instant stop

2 Nov 2014 17:16:07

Mick Burrell

Which suggestion makes no difference? Have you tried both?

Do you have an external drive with a clone you could try starting from? Or perhaps a retail disc of an OS?

Re: Start and instant stop

3 Nov 2014 09:12:44

Eric Jervis

Hi Mick,
Holding the shift key; I have no disks!

Re: Start and instant stop

5 Nov 2014 12:54:39

Eric Jervis

Hi Mick,

Thanks very much for the phone call, I'll take it to the repair man as soon as I can. In the meantime I've resurrected the G5; what a lovely machine, it runs all my favourite software!

Re: Start and instant stop

5 Nov 2014 12:54:39

Eric Jervis

Hi Mick,

Thanks very much for the phone call, I'll take it to the repair man as soon as I can. In the meantime I've resurrected the G5; what a lovely machine, it runs all my favourite software!

Re: Start and instant stop

21 Nov 2014 14:42:59

Eric Jervis

The Apple shop in Newquay has just condemned it to death; logic board has had it which apparently means it would be uneconomical to repair. It occurred to me that some of our chaps might well be cleverer than they are; any suggestions?

Re: Start and instant stop

21 Nov 2014 14:42:59

Eric Jervis

The Apple shop in Newquay has just condemned it to death; logic board has had it which apparently means it would be uneconomical to repair. It occurred to me that some of our chaps might well be cleverer than they are; any suggestions?

Re: Start and instant stop

21 Nov 2014 16:16:37

Derek Wright

Do a search for the independent Apple repairers eg The Bookyard - describe your situation to them and see if they have a recovered main board for you.

Also check out some the people on e-Bay that sell a lot of Mac Pros after refurbing them, they might be able to help you.

Re: Start and instant stop

22 Nov 2014 09:54:07

Eric Jervis

Thanks, Derek, I'll give those ideas a try.

Re: Start and instant stop

22 Nov 2014 23:54:15

Andrew Banks

Hi

Derek wright asked me to comment on this as I have used a 3rd party company to upgrade one of my macs.

I used a company called Mac Upgrades - http://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/index.php

To see if they have any parts available for your mac, you need to enter your serial number in and it will be able to identify the specific mac you have. Because Apple make their own hardware OS X will run best on specific hardware, unlike Windows that is designed to be used on any hardware. Mac upgrades will only list parts on their site that will work best with the mac of your age and type.

As the threads on this state that it may be the Main board or in the words of Apple the logic board, that is the cause of the problems. repair may be even beyond mac upgrades. but it is worth giving them a shot as they do do repair service as well as upgrades.

They also (as a last resort) sell refurbished and working macs of various vintages, take a look at what they offer. Apple will want to sell you a new mac, all very well and good, but if the budget is limited then repair and refurbished macs at reasonable prices may be far more attractive option.

One thing I would say is I am just a normal mac user and member of this group. I have used mac upgrades and can vouch for their service. I was not disappointed with the upgrade they did with my mac mini.

Regards
Andy Banks

Re: Start and instant stop

23 Nov 2014 10:54:58

Eric Jervis

Thanks, Andy, I'll give them a try too.

Re: Start and instant stop

23 Nov 2014 16:38:59

Drew McFarlane

Hi Eric,

Where is the Apple shop in Newquay please? Just curious as my wife has asked me to ask you, she comes from Newquay.

Yours aye,

Drew

Re: Start and instant stop

23 Nov 2014 16:55:10

Eric Jervis

Hi Drew,

That sounds a bit like the old "You simply must give me the name of your tailor so I can avoid him". But of course, I haven't told you they charged me £45 for 'diagnosing the problem'. Must have taken all of ten minutes! My daughter's satnav took us there so all I can say is 23 Cliff Road, TR7 2NE.