Graphics going bad -- Monitor or graphics card failure?

My graphics are starting to go haywire. It came on sort of gradually. The screen is all pixelated, and it's dominated by red pixels.
My sense is that it's a hardware failure, not a software problem. But how can I determine if it's the monitor, or the graphics card?
The monitor is not an Apple -- it's a Dell. And I don't have a spare, or I would just plug in another monitor.
The computer is a 2-year old Mac Pro, with an Nvidia graphics card.
Any help?
thanks,
Mike

99% sure it's probably the card. At least that's the way for me anyway.
As @X423424 said, at least try to reseat the card and don't forget to unplug and replugin the video cable also.
Take the cover off the side and look to see if the video card fan is spinning or if it's completely packed with dust. If it's clogged with dust or the fan died then you have a 40/60 chance it will be fine once the fan works again.
If you know anyone with a computer, Mac/Windows, ask if you can check out the monitor before spending any hard earned cash on a new card, eh?

Similar Messages

Macbook pro Graphic card failure

I have a Macbook pro 15 inch MB 134 model. I had the classical black screen problem which i taught that it was the NVidia graphic card failure after reading the symptoms on apple support page. However, as usual, the apple authorised service center denied the reason of graphic card and told me that it is a mother board failure and i have to replace the board with a cost of 700 $. It was unbelievable. I went to a computer repair shop who immediately told me that it is due to graphic card failure and he can fix it. Again i spoke to apple and they denied again telling that the shop is not telling the truth. They were able to fix for a reasonable price and told this can happen again in the future and apple is responsible they should replace the board for free of coast. Now my computer is working but same syptoms started recently. It was a huge dissappointment . Such a big company should recall all the models affected whether there is a problem or not. Now i am planning to buy another mac and this keeps me holding and i doubt if something like that can happen in the future again.
If anybody authorised in Apple is reading this post: Please recall all the models produced that year and replace for free. This way you can regain your reputation!!

Saber,
This is just a user-to-user forum - no one from Apple here. Sorry to hear about your problems - there have been some issues with some graphic cards in some models of the MacBook Pro and Apple has replaced logic boards for up to four years after date of purchase. I'm not sure if your's was one of those models - you don't specify the date of your model - but it may be worth checking out.
All computers are going to fail out some point and Apple's are no exception. Sometimes they last for a decade, sometimes they're bad right out of the box. In your case Apple was right - the only sure fix for your computer was a logic board replacement, as the 'fix' you had at the other repair shop didn't stand.
Rather than have the logic board replaced now, I would just invest in a new computer, PC or Mac - depends on what you want. The reliability of a good PC is the same as a Mac.
Sorry to hear of your problems...
Clinton

Mac Pro won't boot, kernel panic at boot, graphics card failure.

Yesterday my screen (30" Apple Cinema) started showing symptoms of graphics card failure, jagged lines across the screen. I rebooted my Mac Pro and it was gone. Then it happened again an hour later, this time the machine didn't boot, I get the Apple logo, and then it hangs up and the screen is shifted to left (I get apple logo on left side of the monitor instead of the middle) and jagged lines all over.
So the first thing I tested was using Target Disk Mode, it works. I can access my Mac Pro's internal HD's by TDM from my MacBook Pro. Then I tested single user mode, it does boot, I can't read what's written since the screen is shifted to left, but if I type (without seeing) reboot and hit enter, it reboots. So I assume the single user mode is working.
What else can I try to 100% make sure it's my graphics card that failed and everything else is ok with Mac Pro? I already ordered a graphics card replacement but I wouldn't like to be surprised if the Mac Pro still doesn't boot when the card arrives.

HI,
*but I wouldn't like to be surprised if the Mac Pro still doesn't boot when the card arrives.*
If you haven't done so, boot from your install disk and run the Apple Hardware Test.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2684
Also, you can boot from your install disk and check the startup disk for errors that might need repairing.
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
*(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)*
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window. Where you see Capacity and Available. *Make sure there is always 10% to 15% free disk space*
If you cannot boot from your install disk, try booting in Safe Mode
What is Safe Mode
Carolyn

Dedicated Graphic Card Failure (ATI) - HP Pavilion DV6

Hey guys,
I have HP pavilion Dv6 which have AMD Radeon Graphics card(may be 69xx or 74xx radeon series 1Gb ddr3).
Currently i have installed Windows 7 & Ubuntu(Dual boot).
Problem:
I was playing NFS when the system froze,so i turned it off forcefully, after that laptop always get stuck at windows logo.I also tried to switch the (bios)dynamic option(graphic) to fixed,in this option i do get past the logo but i am presented with blank screen ,in short no luck.
However i have managed to get it to work with ubuntu with intel default video card , through advanced recovery option.
What can i do to use some how similar approach for windows 7 i.e disable dedicated video card?
Can Graphics card can be repaired/changed easily?
Thanks

Have you checked the hard drive using Diagnostics in BIOS? Or F2 immediately after power on? (F2 may not work if you deleted the Diagnostic partition to install Ubuntu)
******Clicking the Thumbs-Up button is a way to say -Thanks!.******
**Click Accept as Solution on a Reply that solves your issue to help others**

Graphics Card Failure! can no longer use my Mac

Today while view images in iPhoto (latest version)
My screen suddenly flickered red and the the lower 3 quarters of the screen (apple cinema display 24) went all scrambled.
I shut down.
I checked the display by attaching it to my mac mini and no problems, works perfectly.
I reattached the display to my Mac Pro again.
I booted in safe mode and the screen was barely discernible and totally psychedelic (reds and magenta's) but I could navigate around.
decided to reboot and zap the PRAM (x3).
let the machine continue after 3rd PRAM zap and the screen was totally unreadable.
rebooted in safe mode and screen was worse.
tried to reboot with the snow leopard dvd using "option" this screen came up fine.
chose the 10.6 install disc and the grey apple screen with the little time elapse wheel came up as the disc was being read, about 5 mins into the dvd read the screen froze.
decided to start machine in target disc mode "T key" and attached the Mac Pro to my mini via firewire. all of the mac pro's internal discs mounted, I check all discs with disk utility and they all passed
repaired blessed drive and it passed with no problems.
decided to reinstall snow leopard from mini onto mac pro blessed drive.
tried booting up mini from mac pro blessed dive and no problem starting up mini.
tried rebooting mac pro to see if this new reinstall would work and it locked up during startup.
tried to reboot with my original system install discs that came with my mac pro by using the "option" at start to choose startup disc and system locked up after about 5 mins.
also tried reboot mac pro in safe mode again and the screen is now black after several minutes.
I can't remember the exact model of nVidia car I have, I believe it's the 8800 GT (need to look at my receipt ) I bought in in January when this model came out.
anyone else have a video card die like this?
I plan to drag in my unit to a Genius Bar and see if they can test or swap out the card.
what a hassle.

See my thread here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2335070&tstart=0
Apparently, the graphics card is dead.
I also booted into Win XP. While the XP interface did not crash (I have the Win 2000 skin active, which obviously doesn't have any 3D stuff), as soon as I launched a game (GTA IV), the system crashed.
I'll get a Radeon HD 4870 now. I just hope, nothing else is broken...
Good luck!

Graphics Card Failure!? A replacement?

My graphics card has just died I think. A few instances of a blank screen, frozen screen and green bars, followed by a permanent blank screen.
I have a dual 1.8 2005 PowerPC PowerMac G5.
If i'm correct, what would be the best (and economical) replacement for my card? I just want it to have similar performance as before.
Thanks.

Hi-
I just want it to have similar performance as before.
What card is it?

New MSI X1900XT Card going bad and losing 6600 cards

I just got my X1900XTX card and put it in my system, It ran great and really fast, Well it did for one night that is.
While reading the forum the next morning I started getting little dash lines in collums across my screen. I checked the temps and even reloaded the drivers but the issue did not go away. WoW I can't beleive this is going on.
In the past two months I have put together systems for some of the men here at the base and they had me put in 6600 for them, and almost the same thing has been going on. Or they just stop working all together.
The power supplys are large enough 500 watt and up. K8 Diamond Plus Mother Boards on most. Cooling is working and temps are in range.
I am asking if anyone else is seeing this? Or know anything about it?
I called MSI Tech support and they said that the X1900XTX is not good and that I will have to send it back, and MSI so far has replaced the cards with no issue but I am not happy about having to send so many cards back.
They had us send the 6600's back and they where replaced .
I am trying to see if there is a pattern here or if there is something that I do not know that I need to be doing so this will not happen. I do not know what that would be as I am not doing nothing strange or OC'ing the cards .
Any Info would be great if anyone knows anything on these cards, and about the X1900XTX's I want to know because if they are not working well I do not want them for my system or to put on anyone elses as they cost so much and people do not like to have to wait for a few weeks to use there system after paying so much for a highend card.
I use MSI hardware on about 98% of my systems as I like there product, this is not a slam on MSI but I do need to know if there is a issue on some hardware as I cannot afford to replace cards for people that do not work.

Hi
How many amps are those 500 watt power supplies supplying to the 12 volt rail? The newer graphics cards require a lot.
See attached link for more info.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=95517.0

Graphics card failure in MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)

Hi!
This is what my MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) looks like many days!!!
What can I do?
kt

It is a known issue in 2011-2013 MacBooks Pro. Today Apple has announced a free replacement program for those MacBooks Pro with defective GPUs (it looks like yours is one of them) which starts today in the United States and Canada, and in February 27th in the rest of the world. See -> http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Macbook Pro late 2011 17" Graphics Card failure

Ok I went to the bathroom after having my Macbook Pro 17" on. Came back, turned it back on because it went to sleep only to have this problem:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10862688_10205038 827062933_3421824268597057226_o.jpg
After I put in my login information, it boots to a grey screen, stays there for a minute or two, then it just shuts off. I can't even log into my computer. Is anyone having these issues and is this linked to the GPU issue many individuals are having with 2011 Macbook Pros. The hardware upgrades or anything. Upgraded to Yosemite in August.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5369

Logic board or graphic/video card failure?

I have an iMac Core 2 Duo (Late 2006) 2.16 GHz, max RAM. I have been getting kernel panics and/or the screen with gray overlay and the multilingual instructions to re-start. I don't know whether I have impending logic board, video/graphic card failure, or some other hardware issue. I am running the latest OS X - 10.6.8, Safari, iTunes and the latest update of ProTools LE 8. I don't want to go through the upgrade to Lion or PT 9, until I determine that I either have a fixable issue with this iMac, or that the repair would not be logical compared to a computer replacement. The graphic/video indications are periodic, momentary distortions (stretching) of the screen image (usually a single image or portion of an image), tv-like interference lines (sometimes green, sometimes black, sometimes persistent, sometimes intermittent). They don't appear to have a predictive function to the k panics or restart messages.
Here is the crash report from this afternoon:
Sun Jul 31 14:23:37 2011
panic(cpu 0 caller 0x2abf6a): Kernel trap at 0x00296386, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x00c20000, CR3: 0x00100000, CR4: 0x00000660
EAX: 0x52b0e280, EBX: 0x0000dae1, ECX: 0x00001a00, EDX: 0x0000dae1
CR2: 0x00c20000, EBP: 0x494e3de8, ESI: 0x00c20000, EDI: 0x52b15560
EFL: 0x00010206, EIP: 0x00296386, CS: 0x00000008, DS: 0x00000010
Error code: 0x00000000
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x494e3bb8 : 0x21b837 (0x5dd7fc 0x494e3bec 0x223ce1 0x0)
0x494e3c08 : 0x2abf6a (0x59e3d0 0x296386 0xe 0x59e59a)
0x494e3ce8 : 0x2a1a78 (0x494e3d00 0x722d38c 0x494e3de8 0x296386)
0x494e3cf8 : 0x296386 (0xe 0x48 0x10 0x500010)
0x494e3de8 : 0x14a8e77 (0x7bb9a00 0xc18d20 0xdae1 0xbdfb5ee6)
0x494e3e48 : 0x14a907e (0x7bb9a00 0x0 0x494e3e78 0x9b6f6c0)
0x494e3e68 : 0x1031a10 (0x7bb9a00 0x0 0xe000400f 0x70a0000)
0x494e3ec8 : 0x1044cf1 (0x67ae000 0x9b6f6c0 0xe000400f 0x70a0000)
0x494e3f38 : 0x11a7aee (0x67ae000 0x7ced780 0x494e3f88 0x226e2f)
0x494e3f58 : 0x10441b3 (0x67ae000 0x7ced780 0x494e3f78 0x2a45c9)
0x494e3f78 : 0x230235 (0x67ae000 0x7ced780 0x494e3fc8 0x227cea)
0x494e3fc8 : 0x2a179c (0x863ea0 0x0 0x10 0x71ef4c0)
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
         com.digidesign.mbox2.driver(8.0.5f2)@0x14a5000->0x14c4fff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily(1.8.3fc2)@0xee4000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(4.2.4)@0x102a000
            dependency: com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub(4.2.4)@0x119d000
         com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI(4.2.0)@0x11a1000->0x11b0fff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(4.2.4)@0x102a000
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6.5)@0x909000
         com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily(4.2.4)@0x102a000->0x105ffff
            dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6.5)@0x909000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
10K540
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.8.0: Tue Jun 7 16:33:36 PDT 2011; root:xnu-1504.15.3~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: iMac5,1 (Mac-F4228EC8)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 171143033883
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx          423.91.27 (addr 0xb97000, size 0x1900544) - last unloaded 101759967210
loaded kexts:
com.digidesign.mbox2.driver          8.0.5f2 - last loaded 31652196451
com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard          5.7.2
com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal          8.0.5f2
com.digidesign.mbox2.boot.driver          8.0.5f2
com.apple.filesystems.autofs          2.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor          1.9.3d0
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA          2.0.5f13
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC          1.57
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X          7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver          1.1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient          3.5.7
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl          1.0.20
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC          1.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelMeromProfile          19
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin          4.7.0a1
com.apple.kext.ATIFramebuffer          6.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight          170.0.46
com.apple.ATIRadeonX1000          6.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController          303.8
com.apple.driver.Oxford_Semi          2.6.1
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient          2.6.8
com.apple.BootCache          31.1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib          1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43224          428.42.4
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage          1.6.4
com.apple.iokit.AppleYukon2          3.2.1b1
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET          1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub          4.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort          2.1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA          2.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI          4.7.3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI          4.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI          4.2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM          1.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC          1.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons          1.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS          1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC          1.3.6
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC          1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient          142.6.0
com.apple.security.sandbox          1
com.apple.security.quarantine          0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall          2.1.12
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement          142.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction          17
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib          2.0.5f13
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction          10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction          14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction          10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction          10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction          20
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface          74.2
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager          2.4.5f3
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily          10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily          1.8.3fc2
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib          1.3
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP          2.0.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController          2.0.5f13
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily          2.0.5f13
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily          41
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC          3.1.0d5
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily          4.7.0a1
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert          1.0.1
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport          2.2
com.apple.kext.ATI1600Controller          6.3.6
com.apple.kext.ATISupport          6.3.6
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily          2.2
com.apple.driver.CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController          2.4.5f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController          2.4.5f3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily          2.4.5f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHIDMouse          162
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse          162
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub          4.2.4
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver          4.2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice          2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass          2.6.7
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite          3.9.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSerialBusProtocolTransport          2.1.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireSBP2          4.0.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice          2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily          1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily          1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily          1.6.1
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter          402.1
com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport          2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily          2.6.8
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family          320.1
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily          1.10
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient          4.2.4
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily          2.0.6
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily          2.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily          4.2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily          4.2.4
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime          1.4.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily          1.6.6
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily          1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch          1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet          6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages          289.1
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily          1.6.3
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform          1.3.6
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily          2.6.5
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily          1.3.0
Thank you for any help

See
What is a kernel panic,
Technical Note TN2063: Understanding and Debugging Kernel Panics,
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ,
Resolving Kernel Panics, and
Tutorial: Avoiding and eliminating Kernel panics for more details.

M6600 Re-occuring AMD FirePro M8900 Mobility Graphics Card Problem

I'm supporting a Dell Precision Workstation Laptop M6600 Ship Date: 31 August 2011. The workstation has been experiencing re-occuring graphic card failures. The system's original configuration was
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 - 64-bit Enterprise Edition
LCD
VCV1F1   Liquid Crystal Display, 17.3FHD, Light Emitting Diode, Low Voltage Differential Signaling, AG, Z, Length/Long, 2
Graphics Card
RWMYR1   MODULE..., CARD (CIRCUIT)..., GRAPHICS..., N1BLACKCOMBXT0C21R1SERVICE CHARGE..., SOFTWARE..., DRIVER..., ATI TECHNOLOGIES INC..., BLACKCOMBXT
63PDH1    Screw, MOSAIC/MIDAS,M2P3,M2P4 & TANG..., 5X5, Phillips Head, THREAD FORMED..., BCS
6W46K1    Assembly, Card, Graphics, BLACKCOMBXT
Graphic Heat Sink
7JMFV1    HEATSINK..., W/FAN, NOTEBOOK..., GRAPHICS..., M6600
Current BIOS Information
Video Controller = AMD FirePro M8900 Mobility
Video BIOS = 013.012.000.014040357
Video Memory = 2048 Mb
Panel Type = 17.3" FHD
Native Resolution = 1920 x 1080
Known Service History
From what I can find out.
14 Jan 2013 - my client was experiencing display artifaces and the graphics card failed the Dell Diags video memory test. The graphic card replaced by Dell Tech.
13 Jun 2013 - my client was again experiencing display artifaces, running Dell Diags reported both hard drive and graphic video memory failed testing. I was concerned that the graphic card had failed again so quickly I worried there may be another defective part was causing the graphic card failure. I figured the most likely cause would be overheating and since the graphics card has an independent heatsink and cooling fan assembly I submitted Dell Warranty Request W03725377 requesting new hard drive, new graphics card, and new graphics card heatsink.
18 July 2013 - my client was again experiencing display problems. He reported:
The laptop has developed the same problem again. Soon as I switched it on over the weekend, the screen split into two and then it froze and then there were stripes on the screen. I shut it down and switched it on again, hoping this will work but the screen just remained black.
I booted into Dell Diags and shortly after starting the basic test when the test moved from solid blue to the GUI vertical yellow bars appeared. The yellow bars were visible throughout all testing except the LCD test and on the BIOS Screen. The LCD test didn't show the yellow vertical bars but it did show the repeating series of white dots that I have seen before with previous graphics card memory failures. I tried booting into Safe Mode and Safe Mode VGA 640 x 480. All attempts end with a black screen.
I can order and replace the graphics card under warranty but it seems obvious that something is causing the repeated graphic card failures and I want to fix the problem. I've been searching the forums and it seems other people have been experiencing related problems. I've quoted a thread I believe may be relevant
This thread explores a possible combination of LCD Panel Manufacturer and Graphics Card Manufacturer/ Model
- http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/p/19437928/20058048.aspx#20058048

I believe I have a similar problem with my Dell M6600 with AMD(ATI) M8900 graphics card. I've used the computer without problems for 1 1/2 years and 3 days ago I noticed the mouse pointer getting corrupted, then the screen flashed and went dark. I've tried system restore without success. When I remove all the ATI software, the computer works with the Generic VGA driver. I spent 2 days trying to reinstall the ATI drivers from both Dell and AMD with no success again. This has been very frustrating as it takes hours to do a system repair check, boot in Safe Mode and remove the ATI software.When the ATI driver/software bundle is installed the computer does not boot correctly and go to a black screen after the Windows boot up logo. As soon as I remove all the ATI drivers and software the computer boots again and works with the Generic VGA driver. I don't want to erase my hard drives (RAID 1) just to try to fix this. I will buy another laptop hard drive and try a clean Windows 7 Pro install. My guess is that either the graphic card is going bad or ATI drivers are not compatible with the latest Windows Update. Did you have any luck fixing your problem?

Refurb i3 21.5 lasted 2 1/2 months and graphics card failed??

I got a refurb 21.5 i3 in mid February of this year and it was a really nice machine and was fine out of the box, but, 2 1/2 months later it started getting random artifacts on the screen. I ignored it for a few days and tried doing all the usual easy things(resetting the SMC etc) they tell you to do first when you call in with a problem and nothing helped and then it became constant and icons in the dock started to "split" i.e. Safari and Firefox were next to each other and when you highlighted Safari and it magnified it appeared both in it's spot as well as half next Firefox and there was a permanent line where the dock was and I got triangle shaped pieces that looked like tears in the screen and garbled text too.
I called and they made me an appointment at the Genius Bar and they offered me a replacement after only 5 minutes of looking at it and seeing how bad it was. I am happy they gave me a new machine instead of a refurb BUT I am here 19 days later still using my trusty 1.42 Emac and the iMac sits here unopened and still sealed as I am afraid to use it as all THREE Intel Macs all failed (Mini 1.66ghz 3 motherboards in 6 months and replaced, 24" C2D iMac 2 graphics cards in 5 months and then it failed again out of Applecare warranty and I lost over $1000 in 3 years 1 month, then this last one in 2 1/2 months) I do not smoke, use an APC battery backup/sure protector, my outlet is grounded and my voltage in my house if very stable with little variation. Is there something I am missing??? I am now nearly $3600 in Macs over about 5 years and using a $100 Emac that is even older than that. Anyone else have similar experiences or can tell me what I am doing wrong to cause this? I love the Mac OS but constantly changing computers is getting very old and lugging them to the Mall 25 miles away is a real pain not to mention a great waste of time.

I hear that, person who I dealt with at Apple store said mine was the first of this generation of iMac he has seen with the issues I had but he too had a 24" C2D like mine with multiple graphics card failures and took a big hit on selling it as he got tired of fixing it. My biggest issue is I seem to have lost the lottery 3 times with my recent machines, transferring 250-300gb of video, 75 or so gb of music plus all my email, GarageSale etc is a pain every few months backup or not it still takes time. On average I lose 3-4 days between driving back and forth twice to the Apple store, transferring everything and getting the machine how I like it.
I sold over 60 G3 iMacs from a local school district on Ebay and out of those NONE were unusable unless they had a physical issue caused by rough handling like dropping or a failed optical drive and there were only 2 of those.
I have had G3, G4, G5 iMacs, G4 Emacs, G3,4,5 Powermacs for my own use and never had an issue like the ones I experienced with just 3 Intel based machines and every time I got a new machine it was an upgrade in speed never for a failed unit and I always sold them for a fair price and put it towards the new one. It seems as though you are almost being forced to buy a new machine soon after your warranty runs out due to failure, I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination and this seems a high price to pay for using a premium machine in my honest opinion.
Again, this just MY opinion and there seem to be 999,999 happy stories to my one sad one but everyone has a different idea of a good experience with a machine as far as service and reliability.
I am not downing Apple products as a whole as I had many,many good experiences with them to this point including Ipods, Ipads, and PPC machines but since there seems to be an endless supply of i3 21.5" refurbs on the online Apple store there has to be an inordinately high number of them coming back for one reason or another this is just simple math. I purchased a refurb for 2 reasons 1) it is cheaper not going to deny I hoped to save a few bucks on it 2) I figured a machine that was returned once would have updated parts installed and be trouble free but it was not.

Issues with graphic card on Macbook Pro 2011

I just having problem with starting my Macboook. First, at start screen (gray background with the apple logo) appears pink/red horizontal lines over all the screen. Then, when i'm using my computer, screen goes black for no reason and i need to force restart to turn on the Mac.
I can see that many people is having the same problem. ¿Someone knows what's going on? I can't believe this is happening to a "HIGH QUALITY" expensive computer. This seems happening to 2011 Macbook Pros...
Joaquín.

I had a similar problem on my iMac some years ago, and it was due to a graphic card failure, so I think it is the same problem for you. As it is a hardware problem, the only option is to take it to an Apple Store or reseller to get it fixed: you will get it fixed for free if your Mac is in warranty or if there is a replacement program.

Macbook Pro - Replacement motherboard graphic card

During the summer my macbook pro suffered graphic card failure with its 256mb Nvidia 9600gt graphic card. Apple luckily covered the problem and I was fine, however, did apple resolve this problem in the new motherboard I got or is it the same kind? Is this likely to happen again? I intend to use this computer long term and I would hate for this to occur again.

I have the same issue with my MBP also. I don't know but i see more and more of this issue accruing every time I'm on here. I'm a bit lucky that they are repairing it for free even though i never purchased a Apple Care. hahaha. Whew lucky me!!
I took this article "Distorted Video or no Video issue" http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377 and showed it to a Mac Guises and they were able to honor it. I had to take it to them twice for them to honor it though.
I was a bit disappointed that the first tech didn't offer me this repair when it was available for awhile now. I had to come on here and find that article myself and take it back in the 2nd time, .... this time showing them that same article and they were able to honor it.
I hope to get my back soon. I'm left in the cold without it.
I hope those of you who are going through same thing, ... bring a copy of that article in and hopefully they can get yours fixed also.

T40 graphic card error

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:09 pm Post subject: IBM T40 freezing
I have a question about my IBM T40 laptop. My computer is working fine for almost 4 years. One day the screen suddenly went black when I was using it. I held the power button and reboot it, the system remind that there was a system error and asked me to send the error report to the Microsoft, I did, and then got a report back saying that there is a problem with the video card, and this causes the computer to restart again and again. The report provided 2 solutions, but even before I tried one, the screen went back. I held the power button and reboot again, and pushed blue Access IBM button, then I tried to recover to the factory settings, the computer started to reinstall, but before it finished, the screen became black again...I consulted quite a few computer experts, they all said this is the graphic card failure, and I have to change the motherboard...
I called IBM help service, they say because my laptop warranty period has finished, I will be charged if I want to get it fixed, and the charge is £193 + VAT + parts. But the market price for second hand T40 is just about £200!
I paid a lot more money for my IBM laptop than other people did for other makes, I did not expect the motherboard to be gone so quickly.
Anyone has better solutions?

Welcome to the forum!
What you're dealing with is a known issue on T4x/R5x series ThinkPads with ATi graphics. Basically, the graphic card starts detaching itself from the motherboard as a result of heating/cooling cycles and/or chassis strain.
The only permanent solutions to this problem are GPU solder re-balling, or motherboard replacement. Temporary fixes are numerous, the most popular one being applying several "post-it" stickers on the top of GPU.
Good luck.
Cheers,
George
In daily use: R60F, R500F, T61, T410
Collecting dust: T60
Enjoying retirement: A31p, T42p,
Non-ThinkPads: Panasonic CF-31 & CF-52, HP 8760W
Starting Thursday, 08/14/2014 I'll be away from the forums until further notice. Please do NOT send private messages since I won't be able to read them. Thank you.

Graphics going bad -- Monitor or graphics card failure?

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