Congratulations, you and your Mac Pro
were made for each other.
Say hello to your Mac Pro
www.apple.com/macpro
Finder
Browse your files like
you browse your music
with Cover Flow.
Mac Help
finder
Mail
Manage all your email
accounts in one place.
Mac Help
mail
iCal and Address Book
Keep your schedule and
your contacts in sync.
Mac Help
isync
Mac OS X Leopard
www.apple.com/macosx
Time Machine
Automatically
back up and
restore your files.
Mac Help
time machine
iLife ’09
www.apple.com/ilife
iPhoto
iPhoto
Organize and
Organize and
search your
search your
photos by faces,
photos by faces,
places, or events.
places, or events.
iPhoto Help
iPhoto Help
photos
photos
Quick Look
Instantly preview
your files.
Mac Help
quick look
iMovie
iMovie
Make a great-
Make a greatlooking movie in
looking movie in
minutes or edit
minutes or edit
your masterpiece.
your masterpiece.
iMovie Help
iMovie Help
movie
movie
Spotlight
Find anything
on your Mac.
Mac Help
spotlight
GarageBand
GarageBand
Learn to play.
Learn to play.
Start a jam session.
Start a jam session.
Record and mix
Record and mix
your own song.
your own song.
GarageBand Help
GarageBand Help
record
record
Safari
Experience the web
with the fastest
browser in the world.
Mac Help
safari
iWeb
iWeb
Create custom
Create custom
websites and publish
websites and publish
them anywhere with
them anywhere with
a click.
a click.
iWeb Help
iWeb Help
website
website
Contents
Chapter 1: Ready, Set Up, Go
11
Setting Up Your Mac Pro
19
Putting Your Mac Pro to Sleep or Shutting It Down
Chapter 2: Life with Your Mac Pro
22
Basic Features on the Front of Your Mac Pro
24
Features of Your Apple Keyboard
26
Ports and Connectors on the Back of Your Mac Pro
28
More Ports and Connectors on the Back
30
Internal Expansion Options
32
Getting Answers
Chapter 3: Making a Good Thing Better
37
Opening the Mac Pro
41
Installing Memory
59
Installing Internal Storage Devices
69
Adding PCI Express Cards
74
Replacing the Internal Backup Battery
Contents
5
Chapter 4: Problem, Meet Solution
78
Problems with Your Mac Pro
81
Problems with Software
82
Keeping Your Software Up to Date
82
Problems with AirPort Wireless Communication
83
Problems with Your Display
86
Problems with Your Internet Connection
89
Using Apple Hardware Test
90
Reinstalling the Software That Came with Your Mac Pro
91
Maximizing Ethernet Performance
92
Learning More, Service, and Support
94
Locating Your Serial Number
Chapter 5: What’s Under the Hood
96
Specifications
Chapter 6: Last, but Not Least
10 6
Important Safety Information
10 7
General Maintenance
10 9
Understanding Ergonomics
112
Apple and the Environment
113
Regulatory Compliance Information
6
Contents
Looking for Something?
12 0
Index
Contents
7
1
Ready, Set Up, Go
www.apple.com/macpro
Mac Help Migration Assistant
1
Your Mac Pro features the latest computer technology, including advanced multicore
processor technology, high-speed memory, PCI Express graphics and expansion slots,
and internal storage, all in an anodized aluminum chassis with easy access to internal
components.
WARNING:
To avoid injury, read all the installation instructions (and the safety
information starting on page 106) carefully before you first use your Mac Pro.
Make sure you look over the information in Chapter 2, “Life with Your Mac Pro,” to find
out about the new features of this Mac Pro.
Many answers to questions can be found on your Mac Pro in Mac Help. For information
about Mac Help, see “Getting Answers” on page 32.
10 Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
Setting Up Your Mac Pro
Your Mac Pro is designed so that you can set it up quickly and start using it right away.
Follow the steps on the next few pages to get started.
Step 1: Position your Mac Pro and display.
Pick up your Mac Pro by both of its handles using correct lifting techniques. Use correct
lifting techniques when positioning your display as well. Position your Mac Pro and
display so that:
Â
They are each on a sturdy, flat surface
Â
The power cable connectors don’t press against a wall or other object
Â
The airflow in front of, behind, and below your Mac Pro and the display is not
obstructed
Â
The computer’s optical drive trays have space to open in front
The only way to shut off power completely to your Mac Pro and display is to
disconnect their power plugs from the power source. Make sure the power cords for
your Mac Pro and display are within easy reach so that you can unplug them.
Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
11
Step 2: Plug in the power cord.
Plug the power cord completely into the recessed power cord socket on the back
of your Mac Pro and plug the other end into a grounded outlet or a grounded
power strip.
Power cord socket
Power cord plug
12 Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
Step 3: Connect the display.
Connect your display as shown in the illustration below. Depending on the display,
you may have one or more cables to connect. Check the instructions that came with
the display for additional setup information.
Display ports
USB port
Display cable
Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
13
You can connect displays with Mini DisplayPort or Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
connectors to the display ports on the back of your Mac Pro. The DVI port is a dual-link
port, so you can connect a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.
DVI display port Mini DisplayPort
You can also connect displays that have an Apple Display Connector (ADC) or a video
graphics array (VGA) connector using one of the following adapters:
Â
To connect a VGA display to the DVI port or the Mini DisplayPort, use the Apple DVI
to VGA Display Adapter or the Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (both available
separately).
Â
To connect an ADC display to the DVI port, use an Apple DVI to ADC Display Adapter
(available separately).
Display adapters and other accessories for your Mac Pro are sold separately at
www.apple.com/store.
14 Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
Step 4: Connect an Ethernet cable.
To access the Internet or a network, connect one end of an Ethernet cable to either of
the gigabit Ethernet ports on the back of your Mac Pro. Connect the other end to a
cable modem, DSL modem, or Ethernet network.
Gigabit Ethernet ports
To use a dial-up connection, you need the external Apple USB Modem, available from
the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/store or from an Apple Authorized Reseller.
Plug the Apple USB Modem into a USB port on your Mac Pro, and then use a phone
cord (not included) to connect the modem to a phone jack.
Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
15
Step 5: Connect the USB cable from your keyboard and mouse.
Connect the keyboard cable to one of the USB (d
) ports on your Mac Pro or on the
display. Plug the mouse cable into a USB port on the keyboard.
Plug the mouse into a
USB port on the keyboard
MouseKeyboard
16 Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
If the keyboard cable isn’t long enough, use the keyboard extension cable that came
with your Mac Pro.
Apple keyboard extension cable
If you purchased an Apple Wireless Keyboard or Mouse, follow the instructions that
came with the keyboard and mouse to set them up.
Step 6: Turn on your Mac Pro.
Press the power (®
) button on the front of your Mac Pro to turn it on. If your display
must be turned on separately, turn it on by pressing its power button.
Step 7: Configure your Mac Pro with Setup Assistant.
The first time you turn on your Mac Pro, Setup Assistant starts. Setup Assistant helps
you enter your Internet and email information and set up a user account on your Mac
Pro. If you already have a Mac, Setup Assistant can help you automatically transfer user
accounts, files, applications, and other information from your previous Mac using a
FireWire, Ethernet, or wireless connection.
If you don’t intend to keep or use your other Mac, it’s best to deauthorize it from
playing music, videos, or audiobooks that you’ve purchased from the iTunes Store.
Deauthorizing a computer prevents any songs, videos, or audiobooks you’ve purchased
from being played by someone else and frees up another authorization for use. For
information about deauthorizing, choose iTunes Help from the Help menu in iTunes.
Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
17
If you don’t use Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first start up, you can
do it later using Migration Assistant. Go to the Applications folder, open Utilities, and
double-click Migration Assistant.
Step 8: Customize Your Desktop and Set Your Preferences.
You can easily make your desktop look the way you want using System Preferences.
Choose Apple (
) > System Preferences from the menu bar or click the System
Preferences icon in the Dock. System Preferences is your command center for most
settings on your Mac Pro. For more information, open Mac Help and search for “System
Preferences” or for the specific preference you want to change.
Need Help Setting Up?
If you don’t see anything on your screen or you think your Mac Pro didn’t start up
properly, check the following:
Â
Is your Mac Pro plugged into a power source? If it’s plugged into a power strip, is the
power strip turned on?
Â
Is the power cord securely plugged into the back of your Mac Pro?
Â
Are the keyboard and display cables connected correctly?
Â
Are the brightness and contrast of the display adjusted correctly? If the display has
brightness controls, adjust them. If the display has a power button, make sure the
display is turned on.
Â
If you still don’t see anything on your screen, restart your Mac Pro. Press and hold the
power (®
power (®
18 Chapter 1
) button on your Mac Pro for 5 or 6 seconds, until it turns off. Press the
) button again to restart.
Ready, Set Up, Go
Â
If you see a blinking question mark on the screen or a series of flashes from the
status light, see Chapter 4, “Problem, Meet Solution,” on page 77.
Putting Your Mac Pro to Sleep or Shutting It Down
When you finish working, you can put your Mac Pro to sleep or shut it down.
Putting Your Mac Pro to Sleep
If you’ll be away from your Mac Pro for only a short time, put it to sleep. When your
Mac Pro is in sleep, the display’s screen is dark. You can quickly wake your Mac Pro from
sleep and bypass the startup process.
To put your Mac Pro to sleep quickly, do one of the following:
Â
Choose Apple (
Â
Press the power (®
Â
Press the Control and Eject keys, and then click Sleep in the dialogue box
that appears.
Â
Choose Apple (
To wake your Mac Pro from sleep, do one of the following:
Â
Press any key on the keyboard.
Â
Click the mouse.
Â
Press the power (®
When your Mac Pro wakes from sleep, your applications, documents, and computer
settings are exactly as you left them.
) > Sleep from the menu bar.
) button on the front of your Mac Pro.
) > System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and set a sleep timer.
) button on the front of your Mac Pro.
Chapter 1
Ready, Set Up, Go
19
Shutting Down Your Mac Pro
If you won’t be using your Mac Pro for an extended period, shut it down.
To turn off your Mac Pro, do one of the following:
Â
Choose Apple (
Â
Press the Control and Eject keys, and then click Shut Down in the dialogue box
that appears.
NOTICE:
Do not turn off your Mac Pro by turning off the switch on a power strip or
by unplugging your Mac Pro’s power plug (unless you can’t turn off your Mac Pro any
other way). Your files or system software could be damaged if your Mac Pro is not
shut down properly.
NOTICE:
Shut down your Mac Pro before moving it. Moving your computer while the
hard disk is spinning can damage the hard disk, causing loss of data or the inability to
start up from the hard disk.
20 Chapter 1
) > Shut Down.
Ready, Set Up, Go
2
Life with Your Mac Pro
www.apple.com/macpro
Mac Help ports
2
Basic Features on the Front of Your Mac Pro
Second optical drive
®
FireWire 800 ports (2)
22 Chapter 2
Optical drive
(optional)
Power button
Life with Your Mac Pro
Status light
Headphone jack
f
USB 2.0 ports (2)
Optical drive
Your Mac Pro has a DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive, which can read CD-ROM,
photo CD, audio, and DVD discs. It can write music, documents, and other files to CD-R,
CD-RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD±R Double Layer (DL) discs. To open the drive, press
the Media Eject (C) key on your Apple Keyboard. If your Mac Pro has a second optical
drive, press the Option and Media Eject (C) keys to open it.
Power button
®
Press this button to turn on your Mac Pro, put it to sleep, or wake it from sleep. To restart,
press and hold this button for 5 or 6 seconds until your Mac Pro turns off, and, then press
it again to turn it on.
Two FireWire 800 ports
H
Connect high-speed external devices, such as FireWire digital video (DV) cameras,
scanners, and external hard disk drives. You can connect and disconnect FireWire devices
without restarting. Each port supports data rates up to 800 Mbit/s.
Two USB 2.0 ports
d
Connect an iPod, iPhone, mouse, keyboard, printer, disk drive, digital camera, joystick,
external USB modem, and more. You can also connect USB 1.1 devices. Your display may
also have USB ports.
Headphone jack
f
Connect headphones, including Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic, through the
headphone minijack.
Status light
A white light indicates your Mac Pro is on; a pulsing light indicates it’s in sleep.
Chapter 2
Life with Your Mac Pro
23
Features of Your Apple Keyboard
Escape
Decrease brightness
Increase brightness
Exposé
Dashboard
Fast Forward
Mute
Volume Down
Volume Up
Media Eject
Caps Lock
24 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro
Function
Play/Pause
Rewind
USB port
(both sides)
Escape (esc) key
Press the Escape (esc) and Command (
Press the Escape (esc) key to exit Front Row.
Brightness keys (F1, F2)
Increase ( ) or decrease ( ) the brightness of your Apple display.
Exposé key (F3)
Open Exposé for quick access to all your open windows.
Dashboard key (F4)
Open Dashboard to access your widgets.
Mute key (F10)
—
Mute the sound coming from the built-in speaker, headphone jack, or audio ports.
Volume keys (F11, F12)
-
Increase (
-) or decrease (–) the volume of sound coming from the built-in speaker,
headphone jack, or audio ports.
Media Eject key
C
Press and hold the Media Eject (
Function (fn) key
Hold down to activate customized actions assigned to the function keys (F1 to F19).
To learn about customizing function keys, choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar
and search for “function keys.”
Media keys (F7, F8, F9)
’
Rewind ( ), play or pause (
Caps Lock key
Press the Caps Lock key to engage caps lock so you can type capital letters.
Two USB 2.0 ports
d
Connect a mouse and sync your iPhone, iPod, or digital camera.
’), or fast-forward ( ) a song, movie, or slideshow.
x) keys simultaneously to open Front Row.
C) key to remove a disc.
Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro 25
Ports and Connectors on the Back of Your Mac Pro
Power socket
¥
Locking latch
d
USB 2.0 ports (3)
H
FireWire 800 ports (2)
Gigabit Ethernet
G
26 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro
ports (2)
Power socket
Connect the power cord that came with your Mac Pro. Don’t use ordinary power or
extension cords.
Locking latch
¥
Lift the latch to open the side panel and access the internal components in your
Mac Pro. If you are working inside your Mac Pro and the latch is down, the optical and
hard drives are locked in place. You can attach a security lock (available separately) to the
latch to prevent access and secure the internal components. You can also attach a
security cable to the latch or through the handles and feet to protect your Mac Pro.
Three USB 2.0 ports
d
Connect an iPod, iPhone, mouse, keyboard, printer, disk drive, digital camera, joystick,
external USB modem, and more. You can also connect USB 1.1 devices. Your display may
also have USB ports.
Two FireWire 800 ports
H
Connect high-speed external devices, such as FireWire digital video (DV) cameras,
scanners, and external hard disk drives. You can connect and disconnect FireWire devices
without restarting. Each port supports data rates up to 800 Mbit/s.
Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with jumbo frame support
G
Connect to a high-speed Ethernet network, a DSL or cable modem, or another computer.
The Ethernet port automatically detects Ethernet devices and doesn’t require an
Ethernet crossover cable. You can access the Internet or network resources such as
printers and servers, and share information over the network using a CAT 5e cable.
Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro 27
More Ports and Connectors on the Back
PCI Express
expansion slots
Mini DisplayPort
£
DVI display port
£
Optical digital
audio out port
Optical digital
audio in port
,
Analog audio
line-in port
Analog audio
-
line-out port
28 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro
PCI Express expansion slots (3)
Expand your Mac Pro by installing up to three Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
Express cards in the covered slots labeled 2, 3, and 4.
Mini DisplayPort
£
Connect a display that uses a Mini DisplayPort connector, such as the Apple LED Cinema
Display. Display adapters for your Mac Pro are available from the online Apple Store at
www.apple.com/store.
DVI display port (dual-link)
£
Connect a display that uses a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector, such as the 20-, 23-,
or 30-inch Apple Cinema Display, to the DVI display port. Display adapters for your Mac
Pro are available from the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/store.
Optical digital audio in and audio out ports
Connect to decks, receivers, digital instruments, and surround-sound speaker systems
using standard TOSLINK cables or fiber-optic cables with a 3.5 mm plastic or nylon
optical plug. You can transfer stereo or encoded audio using the S/PDIF (Sony/Philips
Digital Interface) protocol and TOSLINK cables.
Analog audio line-in port
,
Connect self-powered microphones, MP3 and CD players, and other devices with analog
capability.
Analog audio line-out port
-
Connect self-powered analog speakers and other devices with analog capability.
Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro 29
Internal Expansion Options
30 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro
Optical drive carrier
Hard disk drive
carriers (4)
Slots 2–4: PCI Express
Battery
Slot 1: Double-wide
PCI Express graphics
(graphics card installed)
Memory slots
(4 or 8 slots depending
on model)
Optical drives
Your Mac Pro comes with one or two DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrives in the
optical drive carrier. To replace an optical drive, see “Replacing the Optical Drive” on
page 63.
Hard disk drive
Your Mac Pro comes with up to four hard disk drives installed in the drive carriers.
To install or replace the hard disk drives, see “Installing Internal Storage Devices” on
page 59.
PCI Express slots
Your Mac Pro has three PCI Express expansion slots. To install PCI cards in slots 2 through
4 to expand the capabilities of your Mac Pro, see “Adding PCI Express Cards” on page 69.
Battery
Your Mac Pro uses an internal backup battery. If your Mac Pro has trouble starting up,
or if the system date and time are frequently incorrect, you may need to replace the
battery. See “Replacing the Internal Backup Battery” on page 74.
Double-wide PCI Express graphics slot
Connect up to two displays to the graphics card in the PCI Express graphics slot (slot 1).
You can replace the card in this slot and install additional graphics cards in PCI slots 2
through 4. See “Adding PCI Express Cards” on page 69.
Memory slots
Your Mac Pro has four or eight memory expansion slots, depending on the model. To
add more memory, install PC3-8500, 1066 MHz, DDR3 SDRAM UDIMMs in the memory
slots. See “Installing Memory” on page 41 for information about the type of memory
used in your Mac Pro.
Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro 31
Getting Answers
Much more information about using your Mac Pro is available in Mac Help and on the
Internet at www.apple.com/support/macpro.
To open Mac Help:
1 Click the Finder icon in the Dock (the bar of icons along the edge of the screen).
2 Click the Help menu in the menu bar and do one of the following:
a Type a question or term in the Search field, and choose a topic from the list of results
or choose Show All Results to see all topics.
b Choose Mac Help to open the Mac Help window, where you can browse topics or
type a search question.
More Information
For more information about using your Mac Pro, see the following:
To learn about See
Installing drives, memory,
expansion cards, or a battery
Troubleshooting your Mac Pro
if you have a problem
Finding service and support
for your Mac Pro
Using Mac OS X The Mac OS X website at www.apple.com/macosx. Or search
Moving from a PC to a Mac “Why you’ll love a Mac” at www.apple.com/getamac/whymac.
32 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro
Chapter 3, “Making a Good Thing Better,” on page 35.
Chapter 4, “Problem, Meet Solution,” on page 77.
“Learning More, Service, and Support” on page 92. Or the
Mac Pro Support website at www.apple.com/support/macpro.
for “Mac OS X” in Mac Help.
To learn about See
Using iLife applications The iLife website at www.apple.com/ilife. Or open an iLife
application, open Help, and then type a question.
Changing System Preferences System Preferences by choosing Apple (
K) > System
Preferences. Or search for “system preferences” in Mac Help.
Using your mouse or keyboard System Preferences and choose Keyboard & Mouse. Or open
Mac Help and search for “mouse” or “keyboard.”
Using AirPort Extreme
wireless technology
Using Bluetooth
®
wireless
technology
The AirPort Support page at www.apple.com/support/airport.
Or open Mac Help and search for “AirPort.”
The Bluetooth Support page at www.apple.com/support/
bluetooth. Or open Mac Help and search for “Bluetooth”.
Connecting a printer Mac Help and search for “printing.”
FireWire and USB connections Mac Help and search for “FireWire” or “USB.”
Connecting to the Internet Mac Help and search for “Internet.”
Using a display Mac Help and search for “display port.”
Front Row Mac Help and search for “Front Row.”
Burning a CD or DVD Mac Help and search for “burn disc.”
Mac Pro specifications Chapter 5, “What’s Under the Hood,” on page 95. Or the Mac Pro
specifications page at www.apple.com/macpro/specs.html. Or
open System Profiler by choosing Apple (
K) > About This Mac
from the menu bar, and then click More Info.
Apple news, free downloads,
The Apple site at www.apple.com.
and online catalogs
Instructions, technical support,
The Apple Support site at www.apple.com/support.
and product manuals
Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac Pro 33
3
3 Making a Good Thing Better
www.apple.com/store
Mac Help RAM
Use the information in this chapter to customize and expand your Mac Pro to fit your
needs. You can find information about important procedures in the following sections:
 “Opening the Mac Pro” on page 37
 “Installing Memory” on page 41
 “Installing Internal Storage Devices” on page 59
 “Adding PCI Express Cards” on page 69
 “Replacing the Internal Backup Battery” on page 74
NOTICE: Apple recommends that you have an Apple-certified technician install
memory, PCI Express cards, and internal storage devices. To contact an Apple
Authorized Service Provider or Apple for service, see “Learning More, Service, and
Support” on page 92. If you install these items yourself, you risk damaging your
equipment, and such damage is not covered by the limited warranty on your
computer. See an Apple Authorized Reseller or Apple Authorized Service Provider for
additional information about this or any other warranty question.
36 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
Opening the Mac Pro
1 Before you open your Mac Pro, shut it down by choosing Apple () > Shut Down.
NOTICE: Always shut down your Mac Pro before opening it to avoid damaging its
internal components or the components you want to install. Do not open your
Mac Pro or attempt to install items inside it while it is on.
2 Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the internal components of your Mac Pro to cool.
WARNING: Let your Mac Pro cool down before you touch the internal components,
which may be very hot.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 37
3 Touch the metal on the outside of your Mac Pro to discharge any static electricity.
NOTICE: Always discharge static before you touch parts or install components inside
your Mac Pro. To avoid generating static, don’t walk around the room until you finish
installing the cards, memory, or internal storage device and replace the side panel.
Touch the metal
case to discharge
static.
38 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
4 Unplug all the cables and the power cord from your Mac Pro.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging internal components or the components you want
to install, always unplug your Mac Pro. Don’t attempt to install items while it’s
plugged in.
5 Hold the side panel and lift the latch on the back.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 39
6 Remove the side panel by pulling the top away from your Mac Pro and lifting up.
Important: When you remove the side panel, hold it securely.
40 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
Installing Memory
Your Mac Pro comes with 3 or 6 GB of memory, installed as 1 GB unbuffered dual inline
memory modules (UDIMMs).
All installed UDIMMs must meet these specifications:
 PC3-8500, 1066 MHz, DDR3 SDRAM UDIMMs
 Error-correcting code (ECC)
 72-bit wide, 240-pin ECC modules
 36 ICs maximum per ECC UDIMM
NOTICE: Apple recommends that you use Apple-approved DIMMs. DIMMs from older
Mac computers cannot be used in your Mac Pro. You can purchase Apple-branded
memory online from the Apple Store at www.apple.com/store.
When purchasing DIMMs for use in Mac computers, make sure that the memory
vendor conforms to the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC)
specification. Check with your memory vendor to ensure that the DIMMs support the
correct timing modes and that the Serial Presence Detect (SPD) feature has been
programmed properly, as described in the JEDEC specification. To check the
compatibility of your DIMMs, see the Macintosh Products Guide on Apple’s website at
www.apple.com/guide.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 41
Before you install memory, determine whether you have a quad- or 8-core Mac Pro by
removing the side panel following the instructions on page 37, and looking inside:
 A quad-core Mac Pro has one processor and four memory slots. You can install 1 GB
or 2 GB DIMMs for a total of up to 8 GB of memory. See “Installing Memory in a QuadCore Mac Pro” on page 43.
 An 8-core Mac Pro has two processors and eight memory slots. You can install 1 GB,
2 GB, or 4 GB DIMMs for a total of up to 32 GB of memory. See “Installing Memory in
an 8-Core Mac Pro” on page 52.
Quad-core 8-core
42 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
You can also determine which Mac Pro you have by choosing Apple () > About This
Mac from the menu bar. Click More Info, choose Hardware from the Contents list, and
then find Number Of CPUs in Hardware Overview. A quad-core Mac Pro has one CPU
and an 8-core Mac Pro has two CPUs.
Installing Memory in a Quad-Core Mac Pro
The quad-core Mac Pro has four memory slots, and comes with at least three 1 GB
DIMMs installed. You can replace or install additional 1 GB or 2 GB DIMMs for a total of
up to 8 GB of memory.
It’s important that DIMMs installed in your Mac Pro are of equal specification. Use the
instructions that follow to install DIMMs in a quad-core Mac Pro.
To install memory:
1 Shut down your Mac Pro, open it, and remove the side panel, following the instructions
on page 37.
WARNING: Let your Mac Pro cool down for 5 to 10 minutes before you remove the
processor tray or touch the internal components. The processor tray and components
may be very hot.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 43
2 Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
Latches
44 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
3 Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 45
4 Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface,
to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
Processor tray
46 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
If you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB or all 2 GB) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends
that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.
Slot 4
Slot 3
Slot 2
Slot 1
If you have Fill these slots
Two DIMMs 1 and 2
Three DIMMs 1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs 1, 2, 3, and 4 (all)
Note: If you install different-size DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table. If
the DIMM configuration you install doesn’t provide optimized performance, the
Memory Slot Utility appears onscreen and recommends an improved configuration.
To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 47
5 Open the ejectors on DIMM slots 1, 2, and 3 and push them out to the sides. Then
remove the DIMMs from the slots.
6 Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the
DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don’t touch the
gold connectors or other components.
EjectorsNotchConnectors
48 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
7 Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
Processor tray
Latch
8 Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 49
9 Replace the side panel.
Important: When you replace the side panel, make sure the latch is up. Hold the side
panel securely so it stays in place as you push the latch down.
Place the side panel
in the slot and then
push to close.
NOTICE: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro
doesn’t operate properly without the side panel in place.
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10 Hold the side panel against your Mac Pro and push the latch down to secure the side
panel.
11 You can attach a lock or cable through the metal loop to secure your Mac Pro. Flip the
lock tab down before you close the latch.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 51
Installing Memory in an 8-Core Mac Pro
The 8-core Mac Pro has eight memory slots, and, in most configurations, comes with at
least six 1 GB DIMMs installed. You can install 1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB DIMMs, for a total of
up to 32 GB of memory.
It’s important that DIMMs installed in your Mac Pro are of equal specification. Use the
instructions that follow to install DIMMs in an 8-core Mac Pro.
To install memory in an 8-core Mac Pro:
1 Shut down your Mac Pro, open it, and remove the side panel, following the instructions
on page 37.
WARNING: Let your Mac Pro cool down for 5 to 10 minutes before you remove the
processor tray or touch the internal components. The processor tray and components
may be very hot.
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2 Push the latches on the processor tray until they partially open.
Latches
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 53
3 Pull the latches until they open all the way and release the processor tray.
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4 Remove the processor tray and lay it on a soft, clean cloth on the desk or work surface
to protect the tray and avoid scratching the work surface.
Processor tray
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 55
If you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1, 2, or 4 GB) in your Mac Pro, Apple recommends
that you fill the slots in the order listed in the table.
Slot 5
Slot 6
Slot 7
Slot 8
If you have Fill these slots
Two DIMMs 1 and 2
Three DIMMs 1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs 1, 2, and 5, 6
Six DIMMs 1, 2, 3, and 5, 6, 7
Eight DIMMs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7, 8 (all)
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Slot 4
Slot 3
Slot 2
Slot 1
Note: If you install different-size DIMMs in your Mac Pro, follow the order in the table. If
the DIMM configuration you install doesn’t provide optimized performance, the
Memory Slot Utility appears onscreen and recommends an improved configuration.
To use the utility again, go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Memory Slot Utility.
5 Install the DIMMs by aligning them in the DIMM slots and pushing both ends of the
DIMM down until the tabs are vertical and the ejectors snap into place.
NOTICE: To avoid damaging the DIMM, hold it by the corners and don’t touch the
gold connectors or other components.
EjectorsNotchConnectors
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 57
6 Reinstall the processor tray, pushing it in until the latches are at a 45-degree angle.
7 Push the latches all the way in to close them and seat the processor tray.
Processor tray
Latch
8 Replace the side panel following the instructions on page 50.
NOTICE: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro
doesn’t operate properly without the side panel in place.
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Installing Internal Storage Devices
Your Mac Pro has room for six internal drives: two optical drives and four hard disk
drives. In most configurations, a single hard disk drive occupies the first hard drive bay
and an optical drive is located in the top optical drive bay.
You can add up to three 3.5-inch cable-free Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drives to the
empty hard drive bays or up to four Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) drives. The drives must
meet these specifications:
 Type: SAS or SATA 3 Gb/s
 Width: 3.9 inches (102 mm)
 Depth: 5.7 inches (147 mm)
 Height: 1.0 inch (25.4 mm)
Note: To install SAS drives in your Mac Pro, you must also install the optional Mac Pro
RAID Card.
For more information about requirements or devices supported, visit an Apple
Authorized Reseller, the Apple Store at www.apple.com/store, or the Mac Pro Support
site at www.apple.com/support/macpro.
Installing SAS or SATA 3 Gb/s Hard Disk Drives
Your Mac Pro can accommodate up to four internal 1-inch-high SATA or SAS 3 Gb/s
hard disk drives in the hard drive bays. If your Mac Pro comes with a single drive
installed, it’s in the first bay. You can install drives in the second, third, and fourth hard
drive bays.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 59
To install a hard disk drive:
1 Open your Mac Pro and remove the side panel following the instructions that
begin on page 37.
2 Lift the latch to unlock the hard drive carriers.
Note: When the latch is down, the carriers are locked in the drive bays and can’t
be removed.
3 Pull the hard drive carrier out of the drive bay.
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Hard drive
carrier
4 Position the carrier over the hard disk drive with the connectors at the rear.
5 Use the four screws on the carrier to attach the hard disk drive to the carrier.
NOTICE: Hold the drive by its sides. To avoid damaging the drive, don't touch the
printed circuit board.
Connectors
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 61
6 Lift the latch and slide the carrier over the guides and into the drive bay until it’s
touching the hard drive connectors and is seated in the bay.
Hard drive
connectors
7 Replace the side panel following the instructions on page 50.
NOTICE: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro
doesn’t operate properly without the side panel in place.
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Replacing the Optical Drive
Your Mac Pro comes with one or two SuperDrives installed in the optical drive bays.
Follow these instructions to replace your optical drive.
Important: Contact your drive manufacturer or consult the manufacturer’s website to
determine if your drive is set to cable select mode. Before installation, set the drive to
cable select mode if the manufacturer hasn’t already done so.
To replace the optical drive:
1 Open your Mac Pro and remove the side panel following the instructions that begin on
page 37.
2 Lift the latch to unlock the optical drive carriers.
Note: When the latch is down, the drives and carriers are locked in the drive bays and
can’t be removed.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 63
3 Pull the optical drive carrier halfway out of the optical drive bay.
64 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
4 Disconnect the cable from the optical drive and remove the carrier from the optical
drive bay.
NOTICE: When you install or replace optical drives, use the original Apple cables that
came with your Mac Pro.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 65
5 Remove the optical drive from the carrier by unscrewing the four attachment screws.
6 Use the four screws from the original optical drive to attach the replacement drive to
the carrier.
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7 Slide the optical drive and carrier over the guides halfway into the drive bay.
8 Attach the cable to the back of the drive.
Cable middle
connector
Cable end
connector
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 67
9 Lift the latch and then slide the optical drive carrier into the drive bay, pushing it
into place.
10 Replace the side panel following the instructions on page 50.
NOTICE: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro
doesn’t operate properly without the side panel in place.
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Adding PCI Express Cards
You can expand the capabilities of your Mac Pro by installing cards in the Peripheral
Component Interconnect (PCI) Express slots. Your Mac Pro has one double-wide PCI
Express graphics slot and three PCI Express expansion slots, for a total of four slots.
These slots accommodate PCI Express graphics cards and expansion cards.
About PCI Express Cards
Your Mac Pro comes with a high-performance PCI Express graphics card, which
contains the graphics processor unit (GPU) and provides the computer’s display ports.
The graphics card is installed in slot 1.
You can install additional PCI Express graphics and expansion cards. Before installing a
card, check its specifications to make sure it can operate in your Mac Pro:
 Slots 1 and 2 are x16, PCI Express 2.0 slots
 Slots 3 and 4 are x4, PCI Express 2.0 slots
All four slots support 16-lane cards.
Important: Combined maximum power consumption for all four PCI Express slots must
not exceed 300 watts (W).
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 69
To install a PCI Express card:
1 Open your Mac Pro and remove the side panel following the instructions that begin on
page 37.
WARNING: To avoid damaging internal components or the components you want to
install, always turn off and then unplug your Mac Pro. Do not attempt to install items
while it is plugged in. Let your Mac Pro cool down for 5 to 10 minutes before you
touch the internal components, which may be very hot.
2 Unscrew the captive screws in the PCI bracket and remove the bracket.
Port access cover
PCI bracket
3 Remove the port access cover from the slot in which you plan to install the card.
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4 Press the button on the PCI slider and move the slider to the left, which moves the
retention bar.
Button Retention barPCI slider
5 Remove your new card from its static-proof bag and hold it by its corners. Don’t touch
the gold connector or the components on the card.
Did You Know?—Installing a Full-Length PCI Card
It may be easier to install a PCI card if you remove the hard disk drives and carriers
(see page 59), and remove adjacent cards. Make sure the end of the card goes in the
appropriate card guide before aligning the card with the PCI slot and completing the
installation.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 71
6 Align the card’s connector with the expansion slot and press the card into the slot.
Hook on card
Retention bar
PCI Express slotPCI slider
7 Press the card gently but firmly until the connector is fully inserted. Press only on the
bare areas of the card to avoid damaging the components. Don’t rock the card from
side to side or force it. If you meet resistance, check the connector and slot for damage
or obstructions, and then try inserting the card again.
8 Pull the card gently to see if it is properly connected. If it stays in place and its gold
connectors are barely visible, the card is connected.
9 Move the PCI slider to the right to secure the card.
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10 Replace the PCI bracket under the brace and tighten the screws to secure the card.
NOTICE: If you remove a card and don’t install a replacement, place a port access
cover over the empty slot to keep foreign objects out of the enclosure. An uncovered
slot affects the airflow that cools the internal components and may cause damage.
Brace
PCI bracket
11 Replace the side panel following the instructions on page 50.
NOTICE: Always replace the side panel after installing components. Your Mac Pro
doesn’t operate properly without the side panel in place.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 73
Replacing the Internal Backup Battery
Your Mac Pro uses a BR 2032 Lithium battery that preserves settings, such as the date
and time, when your Mac Pro is off. If you notice intermittent problems when your
Mac Pro starts up or changes in the date and time settings, replace the battery.
Important: Dispose of the old battery according to your local environmental laws.
To replace the battery:
1 Open your Mac Pro and remove the side panel, following the instructions on page 37.
2 Remove any PCI Express cards that block access to the battery. See “Adding PCI Express
Cards” on page 69 for instructions.
3 Remove the old battery from the holder.
WARNING: Installing the battery incorrectly may cause an explosion. Use only the
same type of battery or an equivalent recommended by the manufacturer of the
original.
74 Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better
4 Insert the new battery in the holder with the positive (+) side facing up.
5 Replace the PCI Express cards that you removed (see page 69).
6 Replace the side panel and push the latch down to secure it.
Chapter 3 Making a Good Thing Better 75
4 Problem, Meet Solution
www.apple.com/support
Mac Help help
4
Occasionally you may have problems while working with your Mac Pro. Read on for
troubleshooting tips to try when you have a problem. You can also find more
troubleshooting information in Mac Help or on the Mac Pro Service & Support website
at www.apple.com/support/macpro.
If you experience a problem working with your Mac Pro, there is usually a simple and
quick solution. If you encounter a problem, try to make a note of what you did before
the problem occurred. This can help you narrow down the possible causes of the
problem and then find the answers you need. Things to note include:
 The applications you were using when the problem occurred. Problems that occur
only with a specific application may indicate that the application is not compatible
with the Mac OS version installed on your computer.
 Any software that you recently installed.
 Any new hardware (such as memory, graphics or PCI Express cards, hard disk drives)
you installed or peripheral that you connected
Problems with Your Mac Pro
If your Mac Pro won’t respond or turn on, you have trouble ejecting a disk, or the status
light is flashing, try the steps in this section.
If the computer won’t respond or the pointer won’t move
First, make sure the mouse and keyboard are connected by unplugging and then
plugging in the connectors, and make sure they are firmly seated.
78 Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution
Then try to cancel what the computer is doing.
 Press the Command (x) and Q keys at the same time to try to quit the current
application.
 Press the Command (x) and period keys at the same time. If a dialog appears,
click Cancel.
 Choose Apple () > Force Quit and select the application you want to quit.
You can also force quit by pressing the Esc, Option, and Command (x) keys at the
same time. Restart your Mac Pro by choosing Apple () > Restart to be sure the
problem is entirely cleared up. You can also restart by pressing the power (®) button
for about 5 or 6 seconds until your Mac Pro shuts down. Press the power (®) button
again to start up your Mac Pro.
 If the problem occurs only when you use a particular program, check with the program’s
manufacturer to see if it is compatible with your computer.
 If the problem occurs frequently, choose Help > Mac Help and search for “problems. “
If the computer won’t turn on or start up
 Make sure the power cord is connected to a working power source. The plug on the
power cord must be completely inserted into the computer’s power socket and
firmly seated.
 If your computer still does not start up, try resetting the parameter random access
memory (PRAM). Turn on the computer and immediately hold down the Command
(x), Option, P, and R keys until you hear the startup sound a second time. Release
the keys. Set your hard disk as the computer’s startup disk, by doing the following:
1 Choose Apple () > System Preferences.
2 Click Startup Disk.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 79
3 Select your hard disk.
The PRAM is reset to the default values and your clock settings may need to be reset.
 If your computer does not start up after resetting the PRAM, restart your computer
while holding down the Option key to select your startup disk.
 If this doesn’t work, restart your computer while holding down the Shift key.
If you are unable to eject a disc
A file on the disc may be in use. Quit applications that are open, and then try again.
If that doesn’t work, choose Apple () > Restart and hold down either the mouse
button or the Media Eject (C) key on your Apple Keyboard.
If that doesn’t work:
1 Shut down the computer and remove the side panel (see the instructions on page 37).
2 Pull the optical drive carrier out of the optical drive bay (see page 64).
3 Carefully insert the end of a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the
front of the optical drive.
4 Push firmly until the tray opens, remove the disc, and push the tray to close it.
5 Replace the optical drive carrier and the side panel (see page 68).
If the status light flashes and the computer won’t start up
 If you recently installed memory, a PCI expansion card, or another internal
component, make sure that it is correctly installed and that it is compatible with your
computer. See if removing it allows the computer to start up.
 If the status light still flashes, determine the number of flashes to identify the
problem:
80 Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution
 One short flash followed by a longer off period: No valid memory.
 Three short flashes followed by a longer off period: Failed memory.
Problems with Software
When an application freezes or does not respond, Mac OS X provides a way to quit the
application without restarting your computer. Quitting a frozen application may allow
you to save your work in other open applications.
To force an application to quit:
1 Press Command (x)-Option-Esc or choose Apple () > Force Quit from the menu bar.
2 Select the name of the application you want to quit in the Force Quit Applications
dialogue.
3 Click Force Quit.
The application quits, leaving all other applications open.
If you have a problem with a software program
 Use Software Update to ensure that you have the latest drivers, bug fixes, and other
updates.
 For problems with software from a manufacturer other than Apple, contact the
manufacturer.
If you have a problem using your computer or working with Mac OS X
 Look in Mac Help (in the Help menu) for instructions and troubleshooting
information.
 For the latest troubleshooting information and software updates, go to the Apple
Support website at www.apple.com/support.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 81
Keeping Your Software Up to Date
You can connect to the Internet and automatically download and install the latest free
software versions, drivers, and other enhancements from Apple.
When you are connected to the Internet, Software Update checks to see if any updates
are available for your computer. You can set your Mac Pro to check for updates
periodically, and then you can download and install updated software.
To check for updated software:
1 Choose Apple () > Software Update.
2 Follow the onscreen instructions.
 For more information, search for “Software Update” in Mac Help.
 For the latest information about Mac OS X, go to the Mac OS X website at
www.apple.com/macosx.
Problems with AirPort Wireless Communication
If you have a problem using AirPort wireless communication:
 Use System Profiler to make sure you have an AirPort card installed in your Mac Pro.
To open System Profiler, choose Apple () > About This Mac from the menu bar, and
then click More Info. Choose Network from the Contents list, and then choose AirPort
Card. If your Mac Pro doesn’t have an AirPort card, you’ll see “No information found.”
If you would like an AirPort card installed in your Mac Pro, see page 92.
 Make sure you have properly configured the software according to the instructions
that came with your base station.
82 Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution
 Make sure the computer or network you are trying to connect to is running and has a
wireless access point.
 Make sure you are within antenna range of the other computer or the network’s
access point. Nearby electronic devices or metal structures can interfere with wireless
communication and reduce this range. Repositioning or rotating the computer may
improve reception.
 Make sure the side panel is closed (see page 50) and the PCI port access covers are in
place (see page 73). Antenna reception is reduced when your Mac Pro is not closed
properly.
 Check the AirPort signal level. You may have up to four bars in the AirPort status icon
in the menu bar.
 See AirPort Help (choose Help > Mac Help, and then choose Library > AirPort Help
from the menu bar). Also see the instructions that came with the wireless device for
more information.
Problems with Your Display
NOTICE: If you have a problem with your Apple display and nothing in this manual
solves it, contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple for assistance. If you
attempt to repair the display yourself, any damage you may cause to the display will
not be covered by the limited warranty on your display. Contact an Apple Authorized
Reseller or Apple Authorized Service Provider for additional information about this or
any other warranty question.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 83
If no image appears on the screen
 Make sure the computer is turned on, and if the display has a power button, make
sure it is turned on.
 Make sure the cables are connected properly to your computer and the display.
 If your graphics card has an internal power cable, make sure it’s connected to the
card and the logic board.
 Make sure your computer is not in sleep. Press the power button or any key to see if
the computer wakes.
 Make sure the display brightness and contrast are set properly. Use the brightness
keys on the Apple Keyboard. Some displays also have brightness and contrast
controls on or under their front edge or on the side.
 Reset the PRAM by restarting the computer while holding down the Command (x),
Option, P, and R keys until you hear the startup sound a second time. Then start up
using the software installation disc that came with your computer.
If the screen image appears dim or flickers
 Adjust the display brightness and contrast settings. Use the brightness keys on the
Apple Keyboard. Some displays also have brightness and contrast controls on or
under their front edge. Or you may be able to adjust brightness or contrast using the
Displays pane of System Preferences.
 Calibrate the display by choosing Apple () > System Preferences. Click Displays,
select Color, and click Calibrate. For more information on color and your display,
see Mac Help.
84 Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution
 The flickering may be caused by interference from a nearby power line, a fluorescent
light, or an electrical device—for example, a radio, a microwave oven, or another
computer. Try relocating nearby electrical devices or moving your computer and
display.
If no colors appear on the screen or the colors don’t look right
 Make sure the display is connected firmly to the computer.
 Open the Displays pane of System Preferences and make sure the display is set
to display millions of colors. For more information about color and your display, see
Mac Help.
 Calibrate the display, as described on page 84.
If after you change the screen resolution, desktop icons move
Changing the screen resolution affects the display of information on your screen.
The operating system may reposition icons when you change the screen resolution.
If the screen freezes
 Force the frozen application to quit. Hold down the Command and Option keys and
press Esc. Then select the application in the list and click Force Quit.
 If that doesn’t work, force the computer to restart by pressing the power (®) button
for 5 or 6 seconds until your Mac Pro shuts down. Press the power (®) button again
to start up your Mac Pro.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 85
If your display has a light on the front and it’s flashing
On some Apple flat panel displays, the power light displays a series of short flashes
when an error is detected.
 If you see a repeating sequence of three short flashes, the display is detecting input in
the wrong video format. Make sure your display is compatible with your graphics
card and that you’ve installed the correct display software, if your display came with
installation software.
 If you see a sequence of two short flashes and a long flash, the display is detecting a
problem with a backlighting lamp. Contact an Apple Authorized Reseller or Apple
Authorized Service Provider.
Problems with Your Internet Connection
If you have trouble with your Internet connection, you can try the steps in this section
starting with Network Diagnostics.
To use Network Diagnostics:
1 Choose Apple () > System Preferences.
2 Click Network and then click “Assist me” at the bottom of the page.
3 Click Diagnostics to open Network Diagnostics.
4 Follow the onscreen instructions.
If Network Diagnostics can’t resolve the problem, there may be a problem with the
Internet service provider (ISP) you are trying to connect to, with an external device you
are using to connect to your ISP, or with the server you are trying to access. You can
also try the steps in the following section.
86 Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution
Cable Modem, DSL, and LAN Internet Connections
Make sure all modem cables are fully plugged in, including the modem power cord,
the cable from the modem to the computer, and the cable from the modem to the
wall jack. Check the cables and power supplies for Ethernet hubs and routers.
Turn the modem off and on to reset the modem hardware.
Turn off your DSL or cable modem for a few minutes, and then turn it back on. Some
ISPs recommend that you unplug the modem’s power cord. If your modem has a reset
button, you can press it either before or after you turn the power off and on.
PPPoE Connections
If you are unable to connect to your Internet service provider using PPPoE, make sure
you have entered the correct information in Network preferences.
To enter PPPoE settings:
1 Choose Apple () > System Preferences.
2 Click Network.
3 Click Add (+) at the bottom of the network connection services list, and choose PPPoE
from the Interface pop-up menu.
4 Choose an interface for the PPPoE service from the Ethernet pop-up menu.
Choose Ethernet if you are connecting to a wired network, or AirPort if you are
connecting to a wireless network.
5 Enter the information you received from your service provider, such as the account
name, password, and PPPoE service name (if your service provider requires it).
6 Click Apply to make the settings active.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 87
Network Connections
Make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into your computer and into the network.
Check the cables and power supplies to your Ethernet hubs and routers.
If you have two or more computers sharing an Internet connection, be sure that your
network is set up properly. You need to know if your ISP provides only one IP address
or if it provides multiple IP addresses, one for each computer.
If only one IP address is used, then you must have a router capable of sharing the
connection, also known as network address translation (NAT ) or “IP masquerading.”
For setup information, check the documentation provided with your router or ask the
person who set up your network. You can use an AirPort Base Station to share one IP
address among multiple computers.
For information about using an AirPort Base Station, search for “AirPort” Mac Help or
visit the AirPort support website at www.apple.com/support/airport.
If you cannot resolve the issue using these steps, contact your ISP or network
administrator.
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Using Apple Hardware Test
If you suspect a problem with your Mac Pro hardware, use the Apple Hardware Test
application to help determine if there’s a problem with one of the computer’s
components, such as the memory or processor.
To use Apple Hardware Test:
1 Disconnect all external devices from your Mac Pro, except the keyboard and mouse.
If you have an Ethernet cable connected, disconnect it.
2 Restart your Mac Pro while holding down the D key.
3 When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language you want
to use.
4 Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
5 When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow
the onscreen instructions.
6 If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, it displays an error code. Make a note of the
error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn’t detect a
hardware failure, the problem may be software-related.
If this procedure doesn’t work, you can insert the Applications Install DVD that came
with your Mac Pro to use Apple Hardware Test. For more information, see the Apple
Hardware Test Read Me file on the Applications Install DVD.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 89
Reinstalling the Software That Came with Your Mac Pro
Use the software installation discs that came with your Mac Pro to reinstall Mac OS X
and any applications that came with your computer. You can choose “Archive and
Install,” which saves your existing files and settings, or “Erase and Install,” which erases
all your data.
Important: Apple recommends that you back up the data on your hard disk before
restoring software. Because the “Erase and Install” option erases your hard disk, you
should back up your essential files before installing Mac OS X and other applications.
Apple is not responsible for any lost data.
Installing Mac OS X
To install Mac OS X:
1 Back up your important files.
2 Insert the Mac OS X Install DVD that came with your computer.
3 Double-click Install Mac OS X.
4 Follow the onscreen instructions.
Note: To restore Mac OS X on your computer to the original factory settings, click
Options in the “Select a Destination” pane of the Installer, and then select “Erase and
Install.” If you choose “Erase and Install,” you’ll see a message reminding you to use the
Applications Install DVD to reinstall the bundled applications that came with your
computer.
5 When the installation is complete, click Restart to restart your computer.
6 Follow the prompts in the Setup Assistant to set up your user account.
90 Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution
Installing Applications
If you reinstall Mac OS X on your computer and select the “Erase and Install” option,
you must reinstall the applications that came with your computer, such as the iLife
applications.
To install the applications that came with your computer:
1 Back up your important files.
2 Insert the Applications Install DVD that came with your computer.
3 Double-click Install Bundled Software.
4 Follow the onscreen instructions.
5 When the installation is complete, click Close.
Maximizing Ethernet Performance
Your computer performs best when the Ethernet port to which it is connected is set to
autonegotiate. Ask your network administrator to verify this setting.
Important: If you experience connection problems on your network, make sure your
network switch is set to autonegotiate, if possible. If a switch’s port is not
autonegotiating, your computer detects the appropriate speed but defaults to halfduplex mode. If the switch’s port at the other end of the link is configured for fullduplex mode, a large number of late events can occur on the link. If it isn’t possible to
set the switch to autonegotiate, then set the switch’s port to half-duplex. For more
information, see the documentation that came with the Ethernet switch.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 91
Note: If you connect your computer directly to a configurable Ethernet switch, have
your network administrator disable the spanning tree protocol on that port. Otherwise
your computer may duplicate the AppleTalk address of another computer on the same
network and both network connections may become unreliable.
Learning More, Service, and Support
If your Mac Pro needs service, take it to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or
contact Apple for service. You can find more information about your Mac Pro through
online resources, onscreen help, System Profiler, or Apple Hardware Test.
If you didn’t order AirPort wireless technology with your Mac Pro, contact an Apple
Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store to purchase it and have it installed.
Online Resources
For online service and support information, go to www.apple.com/support. Choose
your country from the pop-up menu. You can search the AppleCare Knowledge Base,
check for software updates, or get help from Apple’s discussion boards.
Onscreen Help
You can often find answers to your questions, as well as instructions and
troubleshooting information, in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help.
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System Profiler
To get information about your computer, use System Profiler. System Profiler shows you
which hardware and software is installed, the serial number and operating system
version, how much memory is installed, and more. To open System Profiler, choose
Apple () > About This Mac from the menu bar and then click More Info.
Apple Hardware Test
You can use Apple Hardware Test to diagnose hardware problems on your Mac Pro.
For more information, see “Using Apple Hardware Test” on page 89.
AppleCare Service and Support
Your Mac Pro comes with 90 days of technical support and one year of hardware repair
warranty coverage at an Apple Store retail location or an Apple-authorized repair
center, such as Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP). You can extend your
coverage by purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan. For information, visit
www.apple.com/support/products or visit the website address for your country
listed in the table.
If you need assistance, AppleCare telephone support representatives can help you with
installing and opening applications, and basic troubleshooting. Call the support center
number nearest you (the first 90 days are complimentary). Have the purchase date and
your Mac Pro serial number ready when you call.
Chapter 4 Problem, Meet Solution 93
Note: Your 90 days of complimentary telephone support begins on the date of
purchase. Telephone fees may apply.
Country Phone Website
United States 1-800-275-2273 www.apple.com/support
Australia (61) 1-300-321-456 www.apple.com/au/support
Canada (English)
(French)
Ireland (353) 1850 946 191 www.apple.com/ie/support
New Zealand 00800-7666-7666 www.apple.com/nz/support
United Kingdom (44) 0870 876 0753 www.apple.com/uk/support
1-800-263-3394 www.apple.com/ca/support
www.apple.com/ca/fr/support
Telephone numbers are subject to change, and local and national telephone rates may
apply. A complete list is available on the web:
www.apple.com/contact/phone_contacts.html
Locating Your Serial Number
Use any of these methods to find your Mac Pro serial number:
 Choose Apple () from the menu bar and then choose About This Mac. Click the
version number beneath the words “Mac OS X” to cycle through the Mac OS X
version number, the build version, and the serial number.
 Open System Profiler (in /Applications/Utilities/) and click Hardware.
 Look on the configuration label, which is located on the back of your Mac Pro near
the video ports.
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5
5 What’s Under the Hood
www.apple.com/macpro
Mac Help System Profiler
The technical specifications of your Mac Pro are included in this section.
Specifications
Use System Profiler to find detailed information about your Mac Pro, including the
amount of installed memory, hard disk size, connected devices, and product serial
number. To open System Profiler, choose Apple () > About This Mac from the menu
bar, and then click More Info.
Processor and Memory Specifications
Processor
 One or two Quad-Core Intel Xeon series processors
 8 MB of shared L3 cache per processor
Random-access memory (RAM)
 Unbuffered dual inline memory modules (UDIMMs)
 PC3-8500, 1066 MHz, DDR3 SDRAM UDIMMs
 DIMM slots
 Eight slots available in an 8-core Mac Pro
 Four slots available in a quad-core Mac Pro
 Error-correcting code (ECC)
 72-bit wide, 240-pin ECC modules
 36 ICs maximum per ECC UDIMM
 Must conform to JEDEC specification (see page 41)
 Nonparity
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Graphics Card
PCI Express 2.0 graphics card with a dual-link Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector
and a Mini DisplayPort connector.
Video Display Modes
For technical specifications for your display:
 Apple displays: Go to www.apple.com/displays
 Non-Apple displays: Go to www.apple.com/guide
Storage
 Four independent 3 Gb/s Serial ATA (SATA), cable-free, direct-attach 3.5-inch hard
drive bays
 Type: SATA 3 Gb/s
 Width: 3.9 inches (102 mm)
 Depth: 5.7 inches (147 mm)
 Height: 1.0 inch (25.4 mm)
 Four internal hard drive carriers
Chapter 5 What’s Under the Hood 97
PCI Express Expansion
 Four full-length PCI Express expansion slots (slot 1 contains the graphics card)
 Slots 1 and 2 are x16, PCI Express 2.0 slots
 Slots 3 and 4 are x4, PCI Express 2.0 slots
 All four slots can support 16-lane cards
 300 W combined maximum for all PCI Express slots
SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) Specifications
 Disc diameters supported: 12 cm and 8 cm
Data formats
 CD-ROM
 CD-Audio
 CD-R
 CD-RW
 CD-I
 CD-I Bridge
 CD Extended
 CD Mixed Mode
 Photo CD
 Video CD
 Enhanced CD
 DVD-Video
 DVD±R
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 DVD±RW
 DVD±R DL
USB Specifications
 Support for Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 and 1.1
 Seven external USB Type A ports
 Two USB 2.0 ports on the front
 Three USB 2.0 ports on the back
 Two USB 2.0 ports on the Apple Keyboard
 Each USB port (front and rear) is on a separate 480 megabit-per-second (Mbit/s)
USB channel
 500 milliamperes (mA) available for a total of 1.5 A on the rear and 1.0 A on the front
FireWire Specifications
 Four external FireWire ports: Two FireWire 800 ports (9-pin) on the front and two on
the back
 Data transfer speed: 100, 200, 400, and 800 Mbit/s
Power
 Output voltage: Approximately 12 V
 Output power: Up to a maximum of 28 W for all 4 ports or 12 W for any one port
Chapter 5 What’s Under the Hood 99
Ethernet Specifications
 IEEE 802.3 compliant
 Maximum cable length: 328 feet (100 meters)
 Protocols: Open Transport, AppleShare, AppleTalk, NetWare for Macintosh, TCP/IP
 Connector: RJ-45 for 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, and 1000Base-T
 Media, 10Base-T: Category (CAT ) 3 or higher UTP on 2 pairs up to 100 m
 Media, 100Base-TX: CAT 5e UTP on 2 pairs up to 100 m
 Media, 1000Base-T: CAT 5e UTP on 4 pairs up to 100 m
 Channel speeds: IEEE Autonegotiation of 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, and 1000Base-T
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR Specifications
 Wireless data rate: Up to 3 Mbit/s
 Range: Up to 33 feet or 10 meters (data rates may vary depending on
environmental conditions)
 Frequency band: 2.4 gigahertz (GHz)
AirPort Extreme Specifications (Optional)
 Frequency band: 2.4 and 5 gigahertz (GHz)
 Radio output power: 20 dBm (nominal)
Compatibility
 802.11a, b, g, and n
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