Light and dark solid grey vertical lines appear randomly on screen

This has happened about 4 times in the last couple of months, when these light and dark solid grey lines appear on my screen, I have to turn my computer off by holding down the power button and rebooting it, it fixes the problem for the time being. These lines appear randomly, they have appeared when using Photoshop CS6, also when just using the internet, listening to Pandora. 1 out of the 4 times these lines appeared, there was a ticking/clicking noise... I took it to the local computer shop and they did tests on it twice and found nothing.
Processor:
     2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory:
     4 GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive:
Capacity:    319.73 GB
Available:    144.87 GB

Run Apple Hardware Test in extended mode a minimum of 3x back to back. If errors appear this confirms a hardware issue that can only be fixed by taking the machine in for repair.

Similar Messages

Vertical line appearing on my screen

today I started having a vertical line appear on my screen. It flickered on and off for a while and then came on for good. I can't seem to get this to go away.
By doing a simple search I've found that this is a cable defect in the product and that Apple is not addressing the issue claming this is from overuse and the cable just deteriorated - Surprise you get to pay $700 to have this fixed. This is crazy!!! These computers are supposed to be the Mercedes of the computer world! Not the Yugo that falls apart after you drive over a large bump! I've only had the computer for a year and half!
I'm posting this here to see when Apple plans to address this growing problem.

Please see the other topics in this forum related to your question.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=967815

Pink vertical lines appearing on screen

I have a G5 about 2 years old. Recently a pale pink vertical line appeared down the screen, another about 2 weeks later and today a third line appeared. They do not affect the screen's visibility, but I wander if anyone else has found a resolution to this minor problem (without having to go out and purchase a replacement.

Hi Ocean swimmer-
Greetings and welcome to the Apple boards.
Makes sure to check the cable connections at both ends.
Which monitor do you have? If you take a screen shot do the lines still show up in the same place?
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

On start up green vertical lines appear and then the become spots and imac freezes

on start up green vertical lines appear and then they become spots covering entire screen and imac freezes, does not start. I need to do a safe boot to open the imac 2009

Unfortunately this sounds like a hardware failure. Run Apple Hardware Test in extended modeat least 2-3 times back to back. If errors appear then you have confirmed my suspicion. However if no errors appear unfortunatelyyou are not out of the woods l yet because AHT is not the more reliable test. If you do know know how to run AHT please refer to:
support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

HT1320 Help! My ipod classic is frozen. Even when I attach it to a power source and try to reset it (as per the instructions above), the apple logo never appears. The only thing that happens is that the screen turns alternately light and dark. Thanks!

Help! My ipod classic is frozen. Even when I attach it to a power source and try to reset it (as per the instructions above), the apple logo never appears. The only thing that happens is that the screen turns alternately light and dark. Thanks!

If a sad iPod icon or an exclamation point and folder icon appears on your iPod’s screen, or with sounds of clicking or HD whirring, it is usually the sign of a hard drive problem and you have the power to do something about it now. Your silver bullet of resolving your iPod issue – is to restore your iPod to factory settings.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
If you're having trouble, try these steps at different levels one at a time until the issue is resolved. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.
Make sure you do all the following “TRYs”
A. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
B. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
C. Try another FireWire or USB port on your computer .
D. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
E. Try to download and install the latest version of iPod software and iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
For old and other versions of iPod updater for window you can get here
http://www.ipodwizard.net/showthread.php?t=7369
F. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
G. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it fails to appear on the desktop
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651
If none of these steps address the issue, you may need to go to Intermediate level listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the lists to see if that is what keeping iPod from appearing on your computer in order for doing the Restore.
Intermediate Level
A. Try to connect your iPod with another computer with the iPod updater pre-installed.
B. Still can’t see your iPod, put it in Disk Mode and connect with a computer, instead of doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and format the iPod instead.
For Mac computer
1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
6. Open the iTunes 7 and click “Restore”
For Window computer
Go to folder “My Computer”
Hope you can see your iPod there and right click on the iPod
Choose “Format”. Ensure the settings are at “Default” and that “Quick Format” is not checked
Now select “Format”
Eject your iPod and do a Reset
Open the iTunes 7 and click “Restore”
In case you do not manage to do a “Format” on a window computer, try to use some 3rd party disk utility software, e.g.“HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool”.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=501330&tstart=0
C. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. In many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.
Tips
a. It does not matter whether the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted firmware files on the Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be recognized as an fresh external hard drive, it will show up on the iTunes 7.
b. It is not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find a window base computer, for a PC user, if they can’t find any Mac user, they can go to a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.
c. You may need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to do several attempts between “Format” and “Restore”
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2364921&#2364921
Advance Level
A. Diagnostic mode solution
If you have tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail after all the steps above, chances are your iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.
You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to be safe.
Press and hold the following combination of buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Menu" and "Select"
The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold the following sequence of buttons:
iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Back" and "Select"
You will hear an audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) and the Apple logo should appear backwards. You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The scroll wheel will not function while in diagnostic mode. For further details on Diagnostic mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/
Try to do the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some successful cases have been reported after the running the few tests under the Diagnostic mode. In case it does not work in your case, and the scan tests reports show some errors then it proves your iPod has a hardware problem and it needs a repairing service.
B. Format your iPod with a start disk
I have not tried this solution myself, I heard that there were few successful cases that the users managed to get their iPod (you must put your iPod in disk mode before connecting with a computer) mounted by the computer, which was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS system disk), for PC user, you can use the window OS system disk. Try to find a way to reformat your iPod, again it does not matter which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you choose, the key is to erase the corrupted system files on the iPod. Then eject your iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear there for the Restore.
If none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired.
Consider setting up a mail-in repair for your iPod http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
Or visit your local Apple Retail Store http://www.apple.com/retail/
In case your iPod is no longer covered by the warranty and you want to find a second repairing company, you can try iPodResQ or ifixit at your own risk
http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php
http://www.ifixit.com/
Just in case that you are at the following situation
Your iPod warranty is expired
You don’t want to pay any service charges
You are prepared to buy a new one
You can’t accept the re-sell value of your broken iPod
Rather than leave your iPod as paper-weight or throw it away.
You can try the following, but again, only do it as your last resort and at your own risk.
Warning !!!! – It may or may not manage to solve your problem, and with a risk that you may further damage your iPod, which end up as an expensive paper weight or you need to pay more higher repairing cost. Therefore, please re-consider again whether you want to try the next level
Last Resort Level
1. . Disconnecting the Hard Drive and battery inside the iPod – Warning !! Your iPod warranty will be waived once you open the iPod.
In Hong Kong there are some electronic shops offering an iPod service for Sad iPod, the first thing they do is to open up the iPod’s case and disconnecting the battery and the Hard Drive from the main board of the iPod. Wait for 5-10 minutes and reconnecting them back. The reason behind which I can think of is to do a fully reset of a processor of the iPod. In case you want do it itself and you believe that you are good on fixing the electronics devices and have experience to deal with small bits of electronic parts, then you can read the following of how to open the iPod case for battery and HDD replacement (with Quicktimes)
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html
2.Press the reset button on the Hard Drive inside the iPod – Suggestion from Kill8joy
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2438774#2438774
Have I tried these myself? No, I am afraid to do it myself as I am squeamish about tinkering inside electronic devices, I have few experiences that either I broke the parts (which are normally tiny or fragile) or failed to put the parts back to the main case. Therefore, I agree with suggestion to have it fixed by a Pro.
2. Do a search on Google and some topics on this discussion forum about “Sad iPod”
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
Spank your iPod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ljPhrFUaOY
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3597173#3597173
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2831962#2831962
What should I do with my iPod? Send it or keep it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=469080&tstart=0
Strange error on iPod (probably death)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435160&start=0&tstart=0
Sad Face on iPod for no apparent reason
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=336342&start=0&tstart=0
Meeting the Sad iPod icon
http://askpang.typepad.com/relevant_history/2004/11/meeting_the_sad.html#comment -10519524
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2236095#2236095
iPod Photo: unhappy icon + warranty question
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2233746#2233746
4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2235623#2235623
Low Battery, and clicking sounds
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2237714#2237714
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2242018#2242018
Sad iPod solution
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0
Re: try to restore ipod and it says "can't mount ipod"
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=443659&tstart=30
iPod making clicking noise and is frozen
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2420150#2420150
Cant put it into disk mode
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3786084#3786084
I think my iPod just died its final death
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3813051
Apple logo & monochrome battery stay
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3827167#3827167
My iPod ism’t resetting and isn’t being read by my computer
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4489387#4489387
I am not suggesting that you should follow as well, but just read them as your reference. You are the person to make the call.
Finally, I read a fair comments from dwb, regarding of slapping the back of the iPod multiple times
Quote “This has been discussed numerous times as a 'fix'. It does work, at least for a while. In fact I remember using the same basic trick to revive Seagate and Quantam drives back in the mid to late 1980's. Why these tiny hard drives go bad I don't know - could be the actuator gets stuck in place or misaligned. Could be the platter gets stuck or the motor gets stuck. 'Stiction' was a problem for drives back in the 80's. Unfortunately the fix can cause damage to the platter so we temporarily fix one problem by creating another. But I know of two instances where a little slap onto the table revived the iPods and they are still worked a year or more later.”UnQuote

Thin vertical lines appearing on screen, since wakeup from sleep mode.

My Mac G5, 2GHz, DVD-R, 1GB DDR RAM, OSX 10.4.10, ATI RADEON X800 XT has recently developed a display issue. On start-up the screen shows vertical lines across the entire screen. The colors of theses lines is varying from green to black, depending of the background color. The lines are appearing from the grey loading screen and when a profile is logged in.
Shutting down and restarting doesn't cure the problem, nor does staring in safe mode nor starting up from an install CD. I also tried re-installing the operating system, but I get the same result. I tried another monitor but I also get the lines on screen. I verified all the cables and that the graphic card is well in place in the pci slot.
If I change the resolution, I also get thoses lines but they change place on screen. Also, if I set the colors level to 256 colors, I get very little single lines but If I set the color level to the highest (36,7 Millions), the lines appears in group of 5+ and are all over the screen.
I tried taking a screenshot using the shortcut cmd-shift-3 and I can see the line in the pictures. Also, if I take a screenshot of a window that is behind the window in the front ( using cmd-shift-4-space ), I dont see the line on the screen shot.
I started to have this problem when my mac was woke up from sleep mode and the problem has persisted since then.
I guess my problem is the graphic card but I would like an external opinion before I got buy another one.
Thanks

Any new results?
I'm having the same issue. Looks like this, but at a slight angle and different RGB colors (almost like JPG artifacting).
Started this evening after a cold boot. I just put my X800 XT Mac G5 edition in 2 weeks ago. No real heavy use either, as I've been gone for a week.
Looks to me like bad VRAM (according to TechTool Deluxe). I'm running the AHT now and will hopefully come to a final conclusion soon. I did test my 20" Apple monitor (DVI) with my laptop and there was no problem...so it is definitely the video card. Not sure if the aforementioned ATI ROM extender will fix it or not.
Much luck to all of us who are having this problem.

Satellite M65-S9063 - Vertical white lines appearing down the screen!

Hi all - any ideas...
Model M65-S9063 Approximately 3 weeks ago a vertical white line appeared down the screen, it's around a mil thick.
Then yesterday a second one has appeared, slightly thinner this time. They're always there even after a reboot! It doesn't look as though any video is being displayed as they're always white. I was wondering graphics card perhaps? Or maybe the LCD itself?
Anyone seen this before??
Many thanks,

Hi!
You can simply determine the reason of this issue. Connect an external monitor the notebook and see what happens.
If you can notice the same error on the external screen, its a problem of the graphic card or display driver. If you dont have this issue on the external screen, you should go to an authorized service provider for exchanging the internal screen.
If you use a non Toshiba display driver you should remove it and test it with original Toshiba drivers.
I hope I could help you a little bit.
Bye

Pb G4 1.67Ghz running OS 10.4, right side of the screen 2, pixel wide vertical lines, a few days later colors posterized on pics and vid. Vertical lines don't show screen capture, but pics still posterized. Hardware test from disk shows ok.

Right side of screen started showing 2, pixel wide vertical lines. A few day later colors in pics and vid posterized. Vertical lines don't show in screen capture but pics still bad. Ran hardware test from disk, ok, adjusted color in sys prefs, new profiles a bit better but still bad, mpeg worse, jpeg bad. No better in new user account. Now a month later, right side has 8 vert lines and occasionally a slightly darker area in bottom corners for a few seconds. Reset pram, battery plugged into adaptor 99%. I can notice, for a slit second, when the screen saver is on, when I move cursor to get back to desktop, true color of image can be seen for a flash of a second.

sorry, was in a rush, any suggestions to fix or ideas of what has gone wrong

Blue and gray/black vertical lines on start up screen.

At start up my 2008 MacBookPro brings up a blue and black/gray vertical lines covering the entire screen. It has a large image of the power button and tells me "You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button". We've tried that. It restarts, makes the start up noise and gives the same prompt with the same blue and gray vertical lines in the background. Any idease on what our problem is?

MacBook Pro (Early 2008): Dark bands showing intermittently on built-in display
MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues . The affected computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008.

Why is my iPod Touch 4G screen flickering light and dark?

my iPod Touch 4G screen flickering light and dark all the time?!?! I also have this problem where at the VERY bottom of the screen, Theres this white bar that keeps flickering on and off!! PLEASE HELP ASAP!!!

The screens are practically the same.
Did you purchase your iPod Touch second hand or direclty from the Apple Store? I would recommend that you go back to the Apple Store and show them both devices in action so that they can advise you closely.

A black border and semi circle have appeared on my screen of my iPhone 5. It wasn't there this morning it just appeared now a yellow tinge has appeared around the semi circle and sometimes I get a line going across my screen which then disappears

A black border and semi circle have appeared on my screen of my iPhone 5. It wasn't there this morning it just appeared now a yellow tinge has appeared around the semi circle and sometimes I get a line going across my screen which then disappears

Did you already try to reset the phone by holding the sleep and home button for about 10sec, until the Apple logo comes back again? You will not lose data by resetting, but it can cure some glitches after installing new software or apps.
If this does not work, set it up as new device, explained here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4137
If still no luck, get it serviced by Apple or visit an Authorized Apple Service Provider next to your place and let them have a look at your device.

Alternating light and dark blue screen on trying to start up

Today, on trying to restart after an Intego VirusBarrier update, I got stuck with just a blank blue screen alternating light and dark. I still can't restart on my internal drive, but after starting up from the install disc have managed to restart from a cloned OS 10.5.5 on my external drive. When I try to restart from the internal drive I just get the alternating shades of blue screen and nothing else - no error message, no question mark, just the pulsating blue screen - HELP!!!!

Thanks but that wasn't it. I replaced the battery and reset the PMU, still no luck. I've tried hooking up an external monitor still nothing, in doing all of this the person helping and I noticed that when you push the button on front to power up it doesn't light but I'm also not getting a start up chime, only the click of the hard drive then in pushing the button to power it off the light will blink and I think it is shutting down. Any other suggestions.
Thanks

, I have a thin blue line appearing on my screen that wasn't there before - what is it and how do I get rid of it?

I have a thin blue line appearing on my screen that wasn't there before - what is it and how do I get rid of it?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
They are probably dead pixels or a signal of damaged GPU. If you can, connect an external display and see if the issue appears here.
In both cases, I suggest you to take it to an Apple Store or reseller. It doesn't look as a software issue, and your display or GPU have to be replaced

I own an ipod touch 5th gen ios 7.1 and while using it suddenly black and white vertical stripes appeared on the screen and now it wont turn on!!!what should i do?

i own an ipod touch 5th gen ios 7.1 and while using it suddenly black and white vertical stripes appeared on the screen and now it wont turn on!!!what should i do?

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try another cable
- Try on another computer
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

N97 recording video goes light and dark

Has anybody else noticed that when recording video it seems to go light and dark as if it cant decide what contrast to record in, it isnt a major issue but just wondered if anybody else had the same problem?

Hi
I have found the solution..
Insert supported microsd card into card slot and set this memory card for camera.
I mean after card installation go to camera options and change the setting for memory in use to memory card.
it's tested and working fine
Enjoy

Light and dark solid grey vertical lines appear randomly on screen

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