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Is it still possible to replace the logic board in my 2012 12 core Mac Pro? If so, WHERE can I have it done?

Today, I had a member of the Geek Squad here, to see why my 2012 12 core Mac Pro would not remain on after starting up. The verdict was that the motherboard is bad.

This computer holds reams of important information for me and has always been a great powerful computer. I would love to keep using it, but I don't know if is it still possible to replace the logic board in my 2012 12 core Mac Pro? If so, WHERE can I have it done?

Does anyone know of a repair place near Greenvale, NY and/or a repair person who could come to my home to repair my computer (it is about 50 pounds and I can't pick it up to bring it to a repair shop)? Help!

Mac Pro, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 5, 2025 3:01 PM

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Servant of Cats

Level 7

24,952 points

Posted on Apr 8, 2025 5:26 PM

mgraffeo wrote:

I am purchasing a USB with 14 Mac OS operating systems on it. My 2012 was running High Sierra, which is on this USB. Should I wait for it to arrive (from Ebay)?

Careful there. Although Apple once sold USB drives containing Lion, and USB drives containing Mountain Lion, Apple never sold USB drives containing installers for 14 versions of macOS.

That means that whoever is selling this USB drive is selling unauthorized copies of Mac OS X / macOS, and that there might be some risk of these copies having a few unadvertised "features" (i.e., bundled malware).

A safe place to get many old copies of Mac OS X / macOS is

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

although you will need a working copy of the operating system to use these installers, and may need the help of another Mac or PC to download them if your current operating system is too old to access modern https sites.

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HWTech

Level 9

64,082 points

Apr 7, 2025 7:21 AM in response to mgraffeo

mgraffeo wrote:

I tried to download Mac High Sierra, but my 2009 Mac Pro - the only other Intel computer I have - is having its usual problem of not letting Safari connect to the Internet or Bluetooth -

Thus, I couldn't download any of the older Mac OS from the 2009. And so...I inserted the DVD of 10.11 into the top optical drive of the 2012, while holding down the Option key - after changing keyboards to a wired keyboard! - and it seems to be loading, as the progress bar is continuing its progress. I don't know if it will completely load the OS, as this disk could not load completely on the 2009 Mac Pro, but it is still going.

You can download the macOS 10.11 installer using any computer or OS that can access the Internet. Then transfer the downloaded DMG file to the Mac Pro where you need to run the .pkg file from the mounted DMG in order to extract the real installer into the Applications folder on the Mac Pro. Then run the real El Capitan installer located in the Applications folder to upgrade to El Capitan.

Once you have El Capitan installed, then you should be able to use that Mac Pro to download the High Sierra installer or Mojave installer.

mgraffeo Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 8, 2025 7:59 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Hi, Servant of Cats,

Thanks for the warning. Years ago, I purchased DVDs and a USB for my 2009 Mac Pro, and the USB actually worked , but I have read lately of just what you mentioned, i.e. bundled malware. Tomorrow, I have a tech from Casey Computer Geeks of Greenvale coning, and they think that they can get my computer running again - I hope.

It will be safer than that USB, which I won't use.

Thanks again,

Mary

mgraffeo Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 8, 2025 8:12 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi, Grant,

I have tried restarting again and again, and each time, the progress gar gets shorter before the computer shuts down. I even tried to get at the Apple Hardware Test - holding down D while starting up - but the computer didn't stay on long enough to get to the test.

Tomorrow, I have a tech coming here from Casey Computer Geeks, who believes that he can fix my computer; I hope that he can, as I am out of things to try, and I do love this particular computer.

Mary

mgraffeo Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 9, 2025 10:00 AM in response to mgraffeo

Hi, Grant,,

The tech from Casey Computer Geeks has just left and I HAVE MY 2012 MAC PRO BACK!!! It turns out that the culprit was the power supply! He scavenged the power supply from my 2009 Mac Pro, which matched the broken one, and installed it into the 2012. It was a sight - with 2 Mac Pros open and all their inside parts all over the sheet. I AM SO HAPPY THAT MY BELOVED 2012 MAC PRO IS WORKING!!!

Thank you for all your suggestions and help.

Mary

mgraffeo Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 5, 2025 4:37 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

The power indicator is solid. The red light only comes on after the computer shuts down, and then, only for a few seconds.

mgraffeo Author

Level 1

10 points

Apr 6, 2025 10:52 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the info on the Base System - I won't use it. Ought I to wait and install High Sierra, as that is what my Mac Pro was running, instead of installing 10.11 - El Capitan?

Apr 9, 2025 11:42 AM in response to mgraffeo

in the US, you can buy a used tested power supply for those Macs for under US$75.

Is it still possible to replace the logic board in my 2012 12 core Mac Pro? If so, WHERE can I have it done?

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Is it still possible to replace the logic board in my 2012 12 core Mac Pro? If so, WHERE can I have it done?