2017 iMac Pro not Starting up after Thunderstorm

[ammiller83]

I have a 2017 imac pro. I friend gave it to me he says it wount turn on after a thunderstorm. What can i do to start to troubleshoot?

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

You have a generous friend. That was an expensive computer when new in 2017 and still sells quite well as used.

It's difficult to say what might be the problem with it not turning on, but from your short description above, it could very well be a failed power supply. Or, it could be another component in the power chain that got zapped or overloaded during the thunderstorm.

I wonder if your friend was using an UPS to connect the iMac Pro to? Certainly would be the thing to do with an expensive computer like that to protect it.

If you're handy with tools and can find your way around the computer, go to www.ifixit.com and see what they have for troubleshooting.

Or, you can always take it to Apple and let them diagnose it. Of course that might be expensive since that machine is no longer under warranty.

 

[ammiller83]

He told me that he had a ups connection to it. I have over 25 years taking pc apart. First time taking a Mac apart. I have the ifixit tool ki.

 

[pigoo3]

I have a 2017 imac pro. I friend gave it to me he says it won't turn on after a thunderstorm. What can i do to start to troubleshoot?

As chscag mentioned...if this non-working condition started after a thunderstorm...almost certainly something electrical happened (electrical surge thru the home wiring).

Here's an easy idea to try (long shot idea):

1) Unplug the iMac Pro power cable from the back of the machine (not from the wall or power strip outlet).
2) Push in and hold the iMac power button for 5-10 seconds.
3) Release the iMac power button.
4) Plug the iMac Pro power cable back into the back of the machine.
5) Press the iMac power button normally (push & immediately release).

Hopefully the iMac Pro starts up. If not...it could be something more serious. Please let us know what happens.

Nick

 

[ammiller83]

Still not coming on.

 

[pigoo3]

Sorry to hear that. Not a 100% guarantee...but very likely the iMac Pro sustained some damage during the thunderstorm. As far as troubleshooting...many times this comes down to replacing suspected bad parts for good parts.

I don't know the exact innards as well as I know other Apple computers...but two parts come to the top of the list to check/replace...and they are the power supply & logic board.

Given that iMac Pro's are very very expensive...replacement parts are very likely to be very expensive. Even used parts via eBay (if available)...could be expensive. Power supply would be less expensive than the logic board.

Here's an 2017 iMac Pro power supply for $179 (a lot less than I expected)...for $179:

Apple iMac Pro 370w Power Supply - 661-08944 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac Pro 370w Power Supply - 661-08944 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This is a 370 watt model...there are 500 watt power iMac Pro power supplies as well which are a good bit more expensive (check what you have before purchasing). If you were to pursue this...might be a good idea to see if it's returnable if it does not fix the problem.

Be aware...these iMac Pro's (when new)...sold for $5000-$7500...and currently worth (eBay) $2000-$3500+. Thus a couple hundred dollar power supply investment could be really worth it (if a replacement PSU fixes it).

On the other hand a used replacement logic board will be pricey. Only found one on eBay (it's the logic board for the lowest end iMac Pro)...and it's going for $1699!

Keep in mind. The power supply could be the issue...or the logic board could be the issue...or possibly both. Could be something else too...but power supply is where I would probably start.

Good luck,

Nick

 

[ammiller83]

My friend told me that they had to replace the internet connection to the house and router. So I think it get fried though the network jack.

 

[chscag]

Years ago we had a close lightning strike during a severe thunderstorm (common here in Texas) and it took out both my TV sets, my internal modem, and my home air conditioning motor. That was an expensive loss. The surge came thru the cable connection and AC lines.

I would expect since his internet connection and router got zapped, that it likely destroyed something within the iMac Pro. Like Nick advised, you probably should start with the PS but make sure you can return it.

The iMac Pro is difficult to work on, even the memory can not be updated or changed out by the owner. It takes an Apple tech to do most work on that machine. You can visit www.ifixit.com and see the steps and procedures to just open it up.

 

[ammiller83]

If I put the hard drive in an external can get the user folder off of it if there two drive that are mirrored?

 

[pigoo3]

If I put the hard drive in an external can get the user folder off of it if there two drive that are mirrored?

Should be able to do that...assuming the internal storage didn't get damaged.

Also be aware that most Apple computers since around 2013 no longer have "spinner" hard drives (there may be an odd lower end model or two that did).

This 2017 iMac Pro very likely has a "blade SSD" for internal storage. This if the plan is to remove it & place in an external drive housing...will need an external case designed for a blade SSD.

In many cases...Apple uses a non-standard blade SSD with a different pin configuration. Make sure you purchase an external SSD case with the proper pin configuration for the iMac Pro's blade SSD.

Here's an extremely detailed disassembly video for the 2017 iMac Pro (1 hour, 47 minutes long). If you skip to the 41:45 point in the video...it shows where the SSD's are located:

Nick

 

[ammiller83]

Here is the inside

 

[jasongoldworthy]

Here is the inside

the drives are on the other side of the logic board.

they are blade SSD Drives.

you would need something that will take the apple propriety connector to read them.

and they would both need to be connected at the same time as they are mirrored to each other.

 

[ammiller83]

I know the 2017 iMac has leds to test the unit were are the leds on the iMac Pro?

 

[jasongoldworthy]

I know the 2017 iMac has leds to test the unit were are the leds on the iMac Pro?

hi it don't have any as far as im aware.

 

[ammiller83]

I found the leds on the iMac Pro when I plug in power non of them come on. So if I replace the power supply. It should work. It’s the 500w power.

 

[jasongoldworthy]

I found the leds on the iMac Pro when I plug in power non of them come on. So if I replace the power supply. It should work. It’s the 500w power.

now see I didn't even know it had diagnostic lights,

have you got a volt meter ?

check the voltages from the main PSU cable.

as normally the PSU wouldn't be the only issue its likely the logic board took a zap also.

 

[ammiller83]

Yes

 

[jasongoldworthy]

Yes

ok great check the 12volt lines from the PSU and see what you get if its providing 12 volts but the logic board still shows no lights.

then its likely the logic board is toast.

 

[ammiller83]

I got 12volts out of the power supply.

 

[ammiller83]

Need a logic board now.