OS X crashing & screen distortion

Hi all,
I am running 10.6.4 and for some time now, after the update to .3 and .4 my iMac has been crashing. What happens is it freezes with the spinning beach ball and becomes unresponsive. The mouse still moves and if video / audio is running in the background I can still hear it playing. I have no option but to hold the power button in and switch off / on.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Are there any fixes?
The last time it happened I was running iTunes, Mail and Safari (which was streaming Sky Sports from the Sky website).
Also, I occasionally get image / screen distortion where part of the screen stretches and then returns. Has anyone had that also?
Many thanks,
Ian

Alt + tab isn't the default app switcher hot key sequence; command + tab is. But since I asked specifically about the command + option + escape hot key sequence, I wonder if you are using an Apple keyboard or perhaps a non-Apple one with differently marked keys. If so, try both the mapped & unmapped versions of the keys -- IOW, try all the modifier key combinations.
Also try temporarily disconnecting all non-essential peripherals like external drives or printers. Try starting up in Safe Mode & try logging into a newly created temporary user account. If the beach balls don't happen with any of these things, let us know.

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Screen distortion and crashes

I get a lot of screen distortion, and my iMac completely freezes or crashes. I get a video ram failure message when I run Techtool.
I've tried reinstalling the system, but it's still happening.
I had the logic board replaced while it was under warrantee, but I'm afraid it may need replacing again (pretty expensive even to do it myself).
Any thoughts???

One good generic troubleshooting step for this is to run Applejack.
Download:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/applejack/
Article on using:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10334620-263.html?tag=mfiredir
It runs in single user mode. After installing (you won't see it in the Applications Folder) hold CMD-S at startup. You will get a black screen with MS-DOS like text. Just follow the prompts: type in "applejack AUTO" and it will run through the following:
Correct any Disk problems.
Repair Permissions.
Clear out Cache Files.
Repair/check several plist files.
Dump the VM files for a fresh start.
Trash old Log files.
You can also run tasks selectively and for specific users by typing in "applejack."
The first reboot will take much longer than usual, as it rebuilds caches. It may take several restarts to see the benefits. Because of the deep cache cleaning in AUTO mode some applications may tell you they are being opened for the first time.
I would also run the Hardware Test in extended. Disconnect all peripherals except the Keyboard and Mouse
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509
On your Mac, you can get to the Hardware Test simply by restarting holding down the D key.

My Apple G5 using operating system 10.6.8 keeps locking up. I get no warning or error message. I do get some intermittent screen distortion. Any ideas as to what could be causing this and how i get rid of this problem? Complete system re - install? N

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According to everymac.com, your Mac came with Tiger, 10.4.x and can't go any higher than Lion, 10.7.x.
It would have come with gray, machine specific disks. Since there's no reason to install 10.4.x first, and then Snow Leopard over that, just purchase a retail copy of Snow Leopard for $20. What you won't get with the retail version of SL is the iLife suite (Garage Band, iDVD, etc.) that were on the original bundled disks, but you can purchase iLife on Amazon pretty cheap, and get newer versions besides.
When you get Snow Leopard, you can boot to the DVD, erase the drive and install everything clean. Hopefully, you issue is only software, and not hardware related.

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I think you should make an Genius Appointment.
Genius Appointment
http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Kernel panic; screen distortions

Can someone help me to analyze what this System Diagnostic Report means? I have been experiencing random freezes and occasional screen distortion, usually horizontal lines, or zigzag graphics. Do I have a hardware problem here? My machine is a Late 2006 iMac running OSX 10.7.5.
Interval Since Last Panic Report: 2157356 sec
Panics Since Last Report:          1
Anonymous UUID:                    C607D585-09B7-4AA8-AA16-BBF56CD0202C
Thu Jun 27 12:39:44 2013
Machine-check capabilities (cpu 1) 0x0000000000000806:
family: 6 model: 15 stepping: 6 microcode: 199
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU         T7200 @ 2.00GHz
6 error-reporting banks
threshold-based error status present
Machine-check status 0x0000000000000005:
restart IP valid
machine-check in progress
MCA error-reporting registers:
IA32_MC0_STATUS(0x401): 0xb200004000000800 valid
MCA error code:            0x0800
Model specific error code: 0x0000
Other information:         0x00000040
Threshold-based status:    Undefined
Status bits:
   Processor context corrupt
   Error enabled
   Uncorrected error
IA32_MC1_STATUS(0x405): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC2_STATUS(0x409): 0x0000000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC3_STATUS(0x40d): 0x0020000000000000 invalid
IA32_MC4_STATUS(0x411): 0x0000000000000011 invalid
IA32_MC5_STATUS(0x415): 0xb200121020080400 valid
MCA error code:            0x0400
Model specific error code: 0x2008
Other information:         0x00001210
Threshold-based status:    Undefined
Status bits:
   Processor context corrupt
   Error enabled
   Uncorrected error
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x2cf3cc): "Machine Check at 0x01b17f68, trapno:0x12, err:0x0," "registers:\n" "CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x10e86000, CR3: 0x00100000, CR4: 0x00000660\n" "EAX: 0x00000010, EBX: 0x055fd000, ECX: 0x00000001, EDX: 0x00000000\n" "ESP: 0x00a53c70, EBP: 0x00a53ca8, ESI: 0x00000000, EDI: 0x00000210\n" "EFL: 0x00000046, EIP: 0x01b17f68\n"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1699.32.7/osfmk/i386/trap_native.c:258
Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x38d66f38 : 0x2203de (0x6b08cc 0x38d66f58 0x229fb0 0x0)
0x38d66f68 : 0x2cf3cc (0x6bde94 0x6bdfc8 0x1b17f68 0x12)
0x38d670d8 : 0x2cf409 (0x38d67110 0xde 0x6bdfc8 0x1)
0x38d670f8 : 0x2e6182 (0x38d67110 0x0 0x0 0x0)
0xa53ca8 : 0x1b0f9df (0x32cde100 0x2 0x55fd000 0x0)
0xa53d48 : 0x1b11c73 (0xffffffff 0x7fffffff 0x0 0x0)
0xa53dd8 : 0x2d0cde (0xffffffff 0x7fffffff 0xa53df8 0x2cd4ca)
0xa53df8 : 0x22d3e5 (0x32ced000 0x10a72832 0x15c3 0x32cedde0)
0xa53e38 : 0x22e1c0 (0x7ca03f8 0x32ced000 0x0 0x0)
0xa53e88 : 0x22f6c2 (0x7ca0414 0x2 0xa53ec8 0x240c87)
0xa53ee8 : 0x22f821 (0x21dff0 0x0 0x0 0x5a)
0xa53f08 : 0x21dfdb (0x21dff0 0x2 0x1c92cd48 0x15c3)
0xa53f28 : 0x2b7e16 (0xa53f50 0x0 0xa53f9c 0x8)
0xa53fc8 : 0x2e5bb7 (0x7c38610 0x1 0x10 0x7ea8b10)
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement(195.0)[D1550426-D346-4805-A777-06 63C69080DA]@0x1b0d000->0x1b36fff
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: WDDriveManagerSe
Mac OS version:
11G63
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 11.4.2: Thu Aug 23 16:26:45 PDT 2012; root:xnu-1699.32.7~1/RELEASE_I386
Kernel UUID: 859B45FB-14BB-35ED-B823-08393C63E13B
System model name: iMac5,1 (Mac-F42786A9)

Hello Denise,
Trouble is it could be many things, on the face of it it looks like CPU, RAM, or...
Have you blown the dust out lately?
Get Temperature Monitor to see if it's heat related...
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12381/temperature-monitor
Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
The WDDriveManagerSe is suspect also.
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or some USB or Firewire device, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts (Users & Groups in later OSX versions)>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Screen distortion after upgrading to mavericks os

I own a late 2011 MBP 13". Last week I upgraded to Mavericks and regret it ever since. Firstly, it's become unbelievably slow. Secondly, and most importantly my screen resolution is now distorted and completely messed up. Immediately I suspected if Mavericks had screwed some setting. So I looked up Google for screen distortion after upgrading to Mavericks. The results were surprising! There are many apple discussions going on about the same thing. After reading most of them, as suggested in almost all threads, I took my laptop to the service station. The initial response given to me was that they suspected a hardware issue. All threads had indicated what to expect so I was not surprised. I explained to them clearly that there are discussions revolving around this topic and many users have been affected because of this. I even showed / shared the links of the various discussions on this topic. The service station in India asked for more time to investigate further. In the mean time I contacted the Indian call centre to report this problem. The service station reverted after their investigation that my logic board was corrupted and needed replacement. Phew!!! The cost of replacement is as good as buying a new MBP. It's really amusing because my MBP is less that 2 years old and unfortunately I do not have extended warranty.
Has anyone facing the same issue been able to convince apple that this is a mavericks issue? Does even apple recognize this as an issue in the first place? Does apple expect people to blindly invest in hardware just because they have released a new OS?
These and many more questions....
Expecting answers!!!
Not a good start to 2014

The startup disk may need repairing ...
Restart your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys.
From there you should be able to access the built in utilities in OS X Recovery

Crash screen: Random color and on waking up from sleep

I have a Mid-2010 13.3" MacBook Pro, and recently it has been giving me issues. I attempted to upgrade the RAM to 8gb, from the initial 4gb, but it didn't fully work, (the new 2x4gb sticks were at 1333 speed, and the max for a mid-2010 MBP is 1066.) I ran a 2gb and a 4gb stick for a while, (for a total of 6gb, and the MBP would automatically downclock the new 1333 stick to match the old 1066 stick.) then it became unstable and started crashing often after waking up from being closed (asleep.) So I took the 4gb stick out and ran on a 2gb stick until I could retrieve the other 2gb stick (I had left it somewhere,) but the crashing problems continued, and got weirder (It was no longer just a white or black screen on crashing, but I got a light blue, a green, and a dark blue screen when it would crash.
So last night I got my other 2gb stick back, and installed it (bringing it back to the original 4gb,) but it's still crashing. I tried blowing the insides out with compressed air to clear the dust out (including the RAM ports, so that they're clear of dust,) and now I'm getting new crash screen colors. I got a rapidly moving static one (where i could still see the wallpaper, but lots of lines were moving across,) and I got a magenta screen at another crash.
All of these crashes require a hard reboot (holding down the power button) to make the computer start again.
Any idea what's going on? This doesn't seem to be a super common problem. I assume it's RAM related, as I've had this laptop for the last two years without any problem, and within a week of installing a weird RAM configuration, it starts crashing all the time.
Any help would be appreciated muchly, thank you!

I am going to add my problem to this as I believe it fits and may add to the conversation.
I have a MacBook Pro, am using Parallels, and have an issue waking it up from sleep.
Circumstances:
I close the lid and walk away from the device in my office. When I return, (over night or an hour later) I open the lid, and if nothing happens swipe the touchpad or press a key, the power light changes from pulsating to steady. then in less than 15 seconds it goes back to pusating. The display never energizes, only remain black.
I usually try opening and closing several times, and occaisionally that will work. Other times, I hold the power key until I hear the drive halt, then turn it on. The grey screen will display, then blue, then just before it gets to the log in, the screen goes black (not energized) and the light pulsates.
I have tried the PRAM reset and Safe Mode starts with no luck.
*Now the really wierd thing.* I decieded to contact Apple support on line and pay for help (yes that is weird in an of itself for me). As I began the process it came to the part for me to enter my serial number. With the lid open, I turned the MacBook on its side to try to read the number and the screen energized and the password unlock prompt was waiting for me to enter the password.
Observations
I had read where the light sensor could be blocked by dirt or the light in the room was too dim, but I clean the screen and there is plenty of light. Dales Post is the first that I have seen Parallels and the Sudden Motion Sensor. That makes some sense to me because of what happened when I turned it on its side. I have verified that it happens regardless of using Parallels. as teh last time I did it I had closed out of all my VMs and I believe exited Parallels.
I am going to try the deleting the power preferences file and will report back.

What causes screen distortion on MacBook Pro late 2011 (iOS 10.9.5)

My MacBook gets screen distortion and freezes completely. Any idea what's going on?
The distortion looks like horizontal lines with image duplicates and split-screens with black gaps.
Visual:
Spec:
MacBook Pro 15" late 2011
iOS 10.9.5
Processor 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7
8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
I tried several restart options and ran hardware diagnostics which didn't uncover anything at all. This MacBook also has plenty of memory and free space and used to run perfect until 5 days ago.

It could be the GPU... What model do you have?
Sadly it seems that a lot of 2011 Macbook Pro models with discrete graphics have this issue:
2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card
Try to go to an Apple Store or an Authorized Service Provider and have a check.
The cases of gpu failure are dramatically increasing over the last months, but sounds like Apple isn't taking care of the problem...

Illustrator CC 2014 welcome screen distorted

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Crashed Screen at login

Hi there,
When I turn on my iMac my desktop comes up as normal, but has a kind of crashed screen with black and white squares and I'm unable to access any of my icons.
I think my disk is in need of repair. Unfortunately I'm unable to access Disk Utility by holding the C button when starting up as my Optical slot drive is broken. Is there any other way to repair my disk?
Yours
JF

Sorry if this is too much, but this log shows the progression from me booting up normally, to it failing, then me restarting it in safe boot.
13/05/2010 19:48:44 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisoryd.plist
13/05/2010 19:48:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.RemoteDesktop.PrivilegeProxy) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:48:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.usbmuxd) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:48:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.cups.cupsd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
13/05/2010 19:48:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.ntp.ntpd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
13/05/2010 19:48:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.x.privileged_startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:48:54 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd[49]) posix_spawnp("/Library/Rapport/bin/rooksd", ...): Bad CPU type in executable
13/05/2010 19:48:54 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd[49]) Exited with exit code: 1
13/05/2010 19:49:03 org.ntp.ntpd[23] Error : nodename nor servname provided, or not known
13/05/2010 19:50:00 com.apple.loginwindow[32] Shutdown NOW!
13/05/2010 19:50:00 com.apple.loginwindow[32] System shutdown time has arrived
13/05/2010 19:50:43 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisoryd.plist
13/05/2010 19:50:43 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.RemoteDesktop.PrivilegeProxy) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:50:43 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.usbmuxd) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:50:43 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.cups.cupsd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
13/05/2010 19:50:43 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.ntp.ntpd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
13/05/2010 19:50:43 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.x.privileged_startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:50:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd[51]) posix_spawnp("/Library/Rapport/bin/rooksd", ...): Bad CPU type in executable
13/05/2010 19:50:49 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd[51]) Exited with exit code: 1
13/05/2010 19:50:54 org.ntp.ntpd[25] Error : nodename nor servname provided, or not known
13/05/2010 19:52:20 com.apple.loginwindow[34] Shutdown NOW!
13/05/2010 19:52:20 com.apple.loginwindow[34] System shutdown time has arrived
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** /dev/rdisk0s3
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Root file system
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking Extents Overflow file.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking Catalog file.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking multi-linked files.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking Catalog hierarchy.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking Extended Attributes file.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking volume bitmap.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** Checking volume information.
13/05/2010 19:55:33 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] ** The volume Mac OSX appears to be OK.
13/05/2010 19:55:35 com.apple.launchctl.System[2] launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisoryd.plist
13/05/2010 19:55:35 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.RemoteDesktop.PrivilegeProxy) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:55:35 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.usbmuxd) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:55:35 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.cups.cupsd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
13/05/2010 19:55:35 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.ntp.ntpd) Unknown key: SHAuthorizationRight
13/05/2010 19:55:35 com.apple.launchd[1] (org.x.privileged_startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:56:15 org.ntp.ntpd[13] Error : nodename nor servname provided, or not known
13/05/2010 19:56:19 com.apple.ATSServer[70] FODBCheck: New annex file created
13/05/2010 19:57:03 com.apple.dyld[10] updatedyld_sharedcache[10] regenerated cache for arch=ppc
13/05/2010 19:57:18 com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.UserEventAgent-LoginWindow[77]) Exited: Terminated
13/05/2010 19:57:19 com.apple.launchd[91] (com.apple.AirPortBaseStationAgent) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:57:19 com.apple.launchd[91] (org.x.startx) Unknown key for boolean: EnableTransactions
13/05/2010 19:57:29 SystemUIServer[106] There is no output device, unloading
When I'm prompted to login my password the computer will forward on to my desktop wallpaper which will have either black and white squares over some sections or generally looking like the computer has crashed.You can still make out that it is my wallpaper, though. It justs looks slightly off. The dock sometimes comes up and sometimes doesn't....either way I'm unable to access them with my cursor. If the icons come up on my dewsktop I'm unable to access the either.
The screen is pretty much dead so it doesn't recognise if I click or right click on it or anything.

Ipod screen distorts at bottom of screen, possible solution?

my new 30gb ipod screen distorts for no reason at the bottom, what can be done to solve this problem?
compaq Windows XP

If it was new, I would return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
Good Luck!
Rob

Screen distortion, primarily with Safari and iMail

I am having screen distortion, but it seems to be limited to Apple applications. The screen for Safari and iMail are distorted to the point of being unusable. I can still using apps such as Firefox which I am using now. I tried to take a screen shot, but the muttled screen comes through as blank when I take a screen shot.

When you zoom out Photoshop quickly renders scales down version your image. Photoshop does not use an advances interpolation method to try to show you the best image it can for that would really slow down Photoshop's operation. You should not expect things like fine text to scale well it not being scaled using vector graphics or advances interpolation. You not seeing the actual image you seeing a quickly scaled rendering to let you see an image that does not fit on your display for your display has a fixed resolution and just so many pixels it can display.

MacBook Pro "15 2011 model has started crashing. Symptoms: screen distortion/images fragmenting/blue screening. Help!

Hi everyone!
I currently own a Macbook Pro '15, 4gb that was purchased in early 2011 running Snow Leopard (my version is currently 10.6.8). For under the past 3 year it has been heavily reliable, and I have not ran in to any software, or hardware issues. However, over the past 3 or so months I have been having issues.
During May 2014 through to present date I have started experiencing screen glitches. It first began with image distortion, causing the whole system to crash, which would mean I would have to turn it off and reboot the system. Later this turned into a series of screen blurring (consisting of images fragmenting all over the place) and then finally followed with 2 weeks of blue screening on start up, meaning that I could not get into my log user unless I entered safe mode. I should also mention that I have no third party issues.
After doing some considerable research on apple forums I did what had to be done. In the last two weeks I have wiped my MacBook Pro, re-installed the OS and considered that it was now a process of elimination. For the first week the software seemed to been running smoothly, I wasn't having any failings until I hit the second week – of course, the glitches began all over again and I faced two in the space of a half hour (first my screen split into two during listening to music on spotify with no other applications open in the background, shortly after rebooting I faced a much worse case of my Mac completely dark blue screening with white lines.)
Now, once again, it only works 'well' on safe mode. I did a check in both modes. Left my computer idle with no programmes running for a half hour and the same thing happened with the screen, went black for a moment, moved the mouse and I received a fragmented screen again. I'm completely fed up at this point, considering I have the bare minimal amount on my Mac, I honestly can't fathom how it's come to this.
Now considering my model is not even three years old at this stage you can fully understand my frustration since I heavily rely on my laptop for educational purposes, which is making it very difficult to be able to concentrate on any of my studies. If anything, it is causing a great deal of stress. With my product being out of warranty I don't have an obscene amount of money to pay for a new one. When I already paid roughly £1,699 for the product in the first place.
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Hardware Information:
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) (Verified)
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,2
1 2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4 cores
4 GB RAM
Video Information:
AMD Radeon HD 6490M - VRAM: 256 MB
Color LCD 1440 x 900
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
System Software:
Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Uptime: 0 days 0:17:11
Disk Information:
Hitachi HTS545050B9A302 disk0 : (465.76 GB)
- (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 200 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 465.44 GB (152.43 GB free)
MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898
USB Information:
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Thunderbolt Information:
Apple, Inc. MacBook Pro
Launch Daemons:
[not loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support
[not loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist Support
[not loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support
[not loaded] org.eyebeam.SelfControl.plist Support
Launch Agents:
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
[not loaded] com.hp.messagecenter.launcher.plist Support
User Launch Agents:
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
[not loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
[not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist Support
User Login Items:
GrowlHelperApp
iTunesHelper
Internet Plug-ins:
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Check version
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6
Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support
SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0 Support
OnLiveGameClientDetector: Version: OnLiveGameClientDetector 1.0.0 Support
Silverlight: Version: 5.0.61118.0 - SDK 10.6 Support
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7
Safari Extensions:
Missing e: Version: 2.14.3
iTunes Plug-ins:
Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.2
User Internet Plug-ins:
Picasa: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.4 Support
3rd Party Preference Panes:
Flash Player Support
Growl Support
Top Processes by CPU:
      6% WindowServer
      1% fontd
      0% soffice
      0% coreservicesd
      0% usbmuxd
Top Processes by Memory:
344 MB WebProcess
143 MB Safari
135 MB soffice
53 MB iCal
45 MB WindowServer
Virtual Memory Information:
1001 MB Free RAM
584 MB Active RAM
381 MB Inactive RAM
2.07 GB Wired RAM
239 MB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs
I've had a look to book an appointment at the Genius Bar, but would you believe it, there are no available appointments at my local store! I really would appreciate if anyone could offer any assistance in how to lodge a formal complaint? My days rely on being able to do my work, so whilst I have tried to book a reservation I am at a loss, and pretty much screwed having a Mac that I clearly cannot use functionally.
If anyone can provide any help, I'd be absolutely most grateful!

I have done what you suggested. However, I have to disagree with you about the 'third party' comment. Although those minor issues were on there which I picked up on shortly afterwards, they were easily removed. It hasn't CHANGED the symptoms I described about my mac. Both items are removed (growl only tends to make your mac 'lag' and that's not the problem I'm having)
I am still having all the above issues, regardless of my mac being fully minus third party items. This mac hasn't had any heavy use, or had many applications installed on it ect, there is really no reason for it to be failing. I'd understand if it was old, but it's literally only just passed being 3 years old.
If you can provide any more help that would be appreciated, thank you!

MBP 15" intel core 2 duo keeps crashing with distorted screen

Why does my macbook pro 15" intel core 2 duo keep on freezing or crashing with a distorted screen?
It doesn't seem to give any pattern when it randomly crashes. According to the hardware test, there's no problem.
But after doing the full hardware test everything seems ok again for a few days then crashes again with a distorted screen. Has anyone else out there experienced this as well? Help please!

Like i said in the first post, i already did the SMC reset. This is very strange because sometimes the macbook can stay up with no problems for a very long time, like 24 horas staright and nothing happens. Than i put two 720p videos that have a 30 minutes duration and nothing happen also. The fans worked like **** but it keep together. So i don't know. Does the graphic card have a so random behaviour like that? I can't find the scenario that triggers that black bars and freeze it happens from time to time.
Can somebody help me? At least to find out what triggers tha behaviour.

OS X crashing & screen distortion

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