MP 1,1-5,1 Determine SMC Version of 4,1 / 5,1 Logic Board

[fliegenklatsche]

Hello everyone,

I bought a used cMP, which was sold as 5,1 (not working). I have a working 5,1 to swap parts with the broken one. PSU, Processor Board including CPU & RAM, Bluetooth Module, Disk Drives, Hard Drives, GPU and everything works when swapping, except for the Logic Board. The Processor Board has the Intel Mounting and a lidded CPU, pretty sure it's a 5,1. I was told it may fixable by de-soldering and re-flashing the BootROM SOP8 Chip. Before I attempt this repair I want to make sure it's an actual 5,1 Logic Board and not a (flashed) 4,1. Is there a way to determine the SMC Version without (de-)soldering?

Best regards

 

[Borowski]

You can read the SMC-Version of the processor tray by putting it in a working 4.1 or 5.1. In system-report smc should appear as 1.39f5 (faked 5.1 or real 4.1) or 1.39f11 (real 5.1).

Better you take a look at the backplane-sticker, the serial-number can tell the year.

SMC is impossible to up- or downgrade, since Apple never released any smc-updates for the model. The SMC-soc is readable, but no way to build a firmware from the dump. Only way would be swapping the smc-socs.

 

[fliegenklatsche]

You can read the SMC-Version of the processor tray by putting it in a working 4.1 or 5.1. In system-report smc should appear as 1.39f5 (faked 5.1 or real 4.1) or 1.39f11 (real 5.1).

Better you take a look at the backplane-sticker, the serial-number can tell the year.

SMC is impossible to up- or downgrade, since Apple never released any smc-updates for the model. The SMC-soc is readable, but no way to build a firmware from the dump. Only way would be swapping the smc-socs.

Thanks for your response. I put the "broken" Board in my working machine and it didn't turn on. Swapping everything else works, as stated. Could be a real 5,1 Board with EFI / BootROM issues or a 4,1 (maybe even a failed flash).

You may understand system-report won't help me here as I can't get the machine to start with the board. So my best chance is to check the serial number?

I know the SMC Version is fixed, that's why I'm trying to find out what I'm dealing with. I assume it's a Frankenstein machine, as I bought it used.

 

[tsialex]

Switching CPU tray from Mac Pro 2010 to Mac Pro 2012

From my spreadsheet: 1LTB are 2009 backplanes made in 2009 for MP4,1, very early ones. 1LTC are 2009 backplanes made in 2009 for MP4,1. BH7A are 2009 backplanes made in 2010 for MP4,1. BH9A are 2010/2012 backplanes made after mid-2010 for MP5,1 and before 17-digit serial change.

forums.macrumors.com

 

[fliegenklatsche]

Switching CPU tray from Mac Pro 2010 to Mac Pro 2012

From my spreadsheet: 1LTB are 2009 backplanes made in 2009 for MP4,1, very early ones. 1LTC are 2009 backplanes made in 2009 for MP4,1. BH7A are 2009 backplanes made in 2010 for MP4,1. BH9A are 2010/2012 backplanes made after mid-2010 for MP5,1 and before 17-digit serial change.

forums.macrumors.com

You saved my day, really appreciate it.

It's a BH9A / 5,1.

 

[MediaMix]

Strange - because my logic board from my 4.1 Mac Pro 2009 is a BH9A

 

[tommy chen]

Strange - because my logic board from my 4.1 Mac Pro 2009 is a BH9A

this is a real 5.1 (2010) backplane

should "about this mac" also say 2010, this is not a 4.1
the 2009 on the board is for all 4.1 or 5.1

you can see it also on the SMC version in the system information:

1.39f5 is a 4.1

1.39f11 is a 5.1

 

[MediaMix]

this is a real 5.1 (2010) backplane

Even if the logic board is labeled 2009 and my Mac Pro is a 825-7113-A? How come?

 

[tommy chen]

Even if the logic board is labeled 2009 and my Mac Pro is a 825-7113-A? How come?

as i wrote above - every 4.1 and 5.1 board is labeled with 2009!

just look at the two places I had described:
you will find in the first item under the apple in the menu - once without and once with the alt key

 

[MediaMix]

Ok - my problem is that my Mac is not working and I have to put in a new backplane. On the bottom of my machine cabinet I find the attached marking. And this picture proove that this computer is produced in 2009. I baught it in 2009 and nothing has been changed since then. So this made me order a logic board for a 4.1 mac that is upgraded to a 5.1. Necessary because I have dual 3.46Mhz processors installed. So now I am really confused! Will the SMC of the card I am to put in place be correct? Was the 2010 model relased already in 2009?

 

[tsialex]

Ok - my problem is that my Mac is not working and I have to put in a new backplane. On the bottom of my machine cabinet I find the attached marking. And this picture proove that this computer is produced in 2009. I baught it in 2009 and nothing has been changed since then. So this made me order a logic board for a 4.1 mac that is upgraded to a 5.1. Necessary because I have dual 3.46Mhz processors installed. So now I am really confused! Will the SMC of the card I am to put in place be correct? Was the 2010 model relased already in 2009?

View attachment 2157913

Copyright year for early-2009, mid-2010 and mi-2012s is always 2009.

Check the MLB serial number, you can get the correct year from the SN, decoding the year/week of production and suffix model.

 

[tsialex]

Strange - because my logic board from my 4.1 Mac Pro 2009 is a BH9A

Date:

Suffix = model:

BH9A = mid-2010/mid-2012

 

[MediaMix]

Ok - but the only number I can find is the one in the attched picture: J503758KFBH9A 639-0461
Is there another number somewhere? And this is the bar code label of the processor board ...
J503705N88H88 639-0460

 

[tsialex]

Ok - but the only number I can find is the one in the attched picture: J503758KFBH9A 639-0461

This is the MLB label and the only one you need from the backplane.

You have a mid-2010 backplane, from the MLB SN date/suffix and also the listed Part Number, where you have the info for ordering a replacement.

Is there another number somewhere? And this is the bar code label of the processor board ...
J503705N88H88 639-0460

J50 = year 0 = 2010
J5037 = week 37 = mid-2010 CPU tray.

While there are some rare early-2009 still being made around this time, usually RFBs and EDU channel, when you have the Part Number, you can be absolutely sure:

639-0460 = Part Number = mid-2010 dual CPU tray PCB.

You have a mid-2010 backplane and mid-2010 CPU tray, so, you have a mid-2010 Mac Pro.

 

[tsialex]

Another basic thing that I forgot, the part number:

 

[MediaMix]

Ok - so this means that the card I have ordered with serial: J5912 6HC1LTC is produced early in 2009 and it will have a different SMC? I will ned a 2010/2012 backplane to match the processor board. Or ..?

 

[tsialex]

Ok - so this means that the card I have ordered with serial: J5912 6HC1LTC is produced early in 2009 and it will have a different SMC? I will ned a 2010/2012 backplane to match the processor board. Or ..?

J59 = 9 = year 2009
J5912 = 12 = week 12

1LTC is an early-2009 backplane.

You ordered the wrong backplane and will not work with your CPU tray.

SMC for 1LTC backplanes is 1.39f5, while the CPU tray SMC that came from factory with your Mac Pro have a 1.39f11 SMC. SMC is not upgradeable and a SMC mismatch makes all fans run at fail mode - all fans running with maximum RPM full time and without any software control.

 

[MediaMix]

Yes I have understood this - and I am planning to change all fans as I am working with music and try to keep noise as low as possible. I have bought new fans - all Noctua - but I have not decided how to do this. Shall I use external power for them and manual controll. Or is it another way ... Have you seen this and what do you think: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rket-fans-with-automatic-smc-control.2232167/

 

[tsialex]

Yes I have understood this - and I am planning to change all fans as I am working with music and try to keep noise as low as possible. I have bought new fans - all Noctua - but I have not decided how to do this. Shall I use external power for them and manual controll. Or is it another way ... Have you seen this and what do you think: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...rket-fans-with-automatic-smc-control.2232167/

Even if you manually control the fans rotation via external fans controllers, extremely dumb idea in my view, your Mac Pro will not have any Power Management with the SMC mismatch and it will boot with fail-safe mode. Fail safe mode will block you from doing a clean install of macOS, for example.

Replace the incorrectly purchased backplane.

 

[MediaMix]

Your Mac Pro will not have any Power Management, it will boot with fail-safe mode. Replace the incorrectly purchased backplane.

Yes I will have to do that! But do you have any experience with putting new fans into Mac Pro? Do you think Amedias post and experiment about PC-fans controlled by MacOs by swapping cables is a good idea?

 

[tsialex]

But do you have any experience with putting new fans into Mac Pro?

Nope, I always replace a defective fan with the exact same one.

Do you think Amedias post and experiment about PC-fans controlled by MacOs by swapping cables is a good idea?

I personally don't like the idea, but I can understand that some people need to diminish the noise. If it's worth, I don't know.

 

[MediaMix]

Ok - thank you for your good answers! This helped me a lot! I now will try to send back the 4.1 backplane and order a real 2010/2012 !

 

[MrScratchHook]

Hello @tsialex i was hoping you could confirm something for me please. im looking at a dual cpu tray and the seller doesn't know if its 2009 or 2010,(neither do i) i need a 10, i've searched around the net and still not sure. "APPLE Motherboard 820-2742-A 639-0460 | DUAL XEON X5650 2.66 GHZ. thank you for any help.

 

[tsialex]

Hello @tsialex i was hoping you could confirm something for me please. im looking at a dual cpu tray and the seller doesn't know if its 2009 or 2010,(neither do i) i need a 10, i've searched around the net and still not sure. "APPLE Motherboard 820-2742-A 639-0460 | DUAL XEON X5650 2.66 GHZ. thank you for any help.

639-0460 and 661-5708 are the part numbers for mid-2010 dual CPU tray replacements.

 

[MrScratchHook]

639-0460 and 661-5708 are the part numbers for mid-2010 dual CPU tray replacements.

Thank you sir. you are very helpful and a treasure trove of knowledge. i appreciate you