[Andy8]

I tried running the AHT from the Mac Mini but could not get it to boot.

Any other ways to run a hardware test?

[l008com]

Only by doing what it says on the disc. With your model, I think it's holding the D button.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by l008com 

Only by doing what it says on the disc. With your model, I think it's holding the D button.

Have tried this three times, each time it just boots into the installer for OSX 10.4.8, even when holding down the D key.

[l008com]

You really need to have someone look at the computer. You're probably can't really be fixed over the internet. At least I can't fix it over the internet.

[seanc]

If you think you're having DVDRW issues, just go buy a cheap one from your local PC hardware shop and see if you can then boot your install DVD.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by seanc 

If you think you're having DVDRW issues, just go buy a cheap one from your local PC hardware shop and see if you can then boot your install DVD.

Does the cheap internal DVDRW have to be a particular specification to suit the Mac Pro, or any standard internal DVDRW will do the trick?

[Waragainstsleep]

Pioneer is a good bet for a fully compatible, bootable one. DVR-11X.

[l008com]

Just about anything should work and should be bootable.

[Andy8]

Ok got a cheap internal DVDR drive and booted the AHT, came back with 1 error on the extended test:

4MEM/43/40000001: B: O C: O R: 3

So pulled the RAM 2 x 1GB ram modules and left the original 2 x 512MB and the AHT extended test came back clear!

[l008com]

That's a memory error, Try pulling pairs of DIMMs and seeing if the machines starts acting normally.

[Andy8]

Still stuck at a grey screen or getting a "hold the power button to reboot" message screen regardless of what I have done so far.

I think I best put this to one side for now and look at some new hardware soon.

I picked up a cheap dock so I can mount and use the hard drives with my MBA at least.

[seanc]

With the 'faulty' RAM or slots now eliminated, will it boot from the install CD?

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by seanc 

With the 'faulty' RAM or slots now eliminated, will it boot from the install CD?

Yes and it runs the AHT and gets the all clear, but when I try and do anything else it either hangs on a grey screen or shows the kernel panic style message on a black screen to hold down the power button to reboot.

[seanc]

So installing OS X on a blank drive, with all other drives and peripherals removed, is still a no go?

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by seanc 

So installing OS X on a blank drive, with all other drives and peripherals removed, is still a no go?

Correct.

I have even preinstalled OS X on another drive away from the Mac Pro, then slotted it in to see if it would boot and same issues as I described above.

[seanc]

Just checking, because you don't say you've tried this since removing the bad RAM.

How about cloning the MBA to a Mac Pro drive and attempting to boot. That way we know it's an up to date version of Snow Leopard that should definitely boot on the Mac Pro.

[Andy8]

Originally Posted by seanc 

Just checking, because you don't say you've tried this since removing the bad RAM.

How about cloning the MBA to a Mac Pro drive and attempting to boot. That way we know it's an up to date version of Snow Leopard that should definitely boot on the Mac Pro.

I installed a fresh version of Snow Leopard onto a clean and tested 3.5" drive via my MBA, ran all the updates and tested it using my MBA for half a day - Same result when I put that drive into the Mac Pro.

[Andy8]

OK, so after 2 weeks of sitting gathering dust, I popped the clean install hard drive back into the MP 1,1 and it booted again! (safe mode though)

Sound is now not working at all which is weird, no speaker or mic, even connecting headphones does not work.

I won't spend anymore money on this MP, at least if it stable enough to stay on, it will serve media to my Apple TV until it completely dies.