Video RAM fails in Tech Tool Deluxe....

Hello again,
I reformatted my harddrive a couple days ago, and the computer is getting quicker but I KNOW it could be faster so I did a Full Diagnostics using tech tool deluxe. The first time I did it, it passed on everything. Then the next time I was browsing the Internet, I get a Kernel Panic out of the blue. I downloaded the "menu Meters" program and None of my computers resources were Anywhere from intense (1-3% tops CPU usage) So I reboot and do the Tech Tool test yet again and This time my Video ram Fails the Diagnostics. It tells me that I should Close all Applications, Check any recent hardware installs, Reinstall the OS , then call Apple care, in that order. I tested it again after unplugging my 17" LCD from my macbook pro and I passed the Test?!
I am going to call Applecare tommorow afternoon, but do you think they will fix/replace my macbook pro if it is now passing the tests? Before I install Final Cut Studio I want to make sure I don't have to worry about any other problems with my computer. Especially something as vital as V-Ram. Plus according to my friend at a techshop, the video ram supposedly has a bad sector which was randomly diagnosted during the Techtool session, because I was using a second display, and that my Video Ram will gradually get worse and worse until I will have to send it to apple either way.
I'm interested in any information you would like to post on the subject. I am going to get it fixed one way or the other, but it's nice to have some extra input on my side when I call Applecare (it will be my first time actually).
If anyone has any tips, or comments they would be appreciated,
Thanks.

When you did a clean install of your MBP did you write zeros to the hard drive. While it probably has nothing to do with your VRAM failing its tests it is good idea to do it anyway.
As for your VRAM failing, I would reset PRAM and NVRAM…
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
… and the System Management Controller…
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
… imediately prior to clean installing (and writing zeros to the drive) a second time.

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This is a false failure.
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as for 10.4.6 I downloaded it the other day.
I repaired the permissions had a couple things that it corrected (I don't know if I posting them would do any good) Out of curiousity how to permissions get incorrect? I'm so used to the windows file structure and DOS before that that i am a little confused. The last apple used alot before this macbook was an old Applee IIE.
and the TechTools still says there is an error, every time I have run the test. Though there have been some differences when I reboot or turn of and wait a second and then restart.

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I updated to Leopard. I downloaded the update for Leopard from Tech Tool.
Now my MBP fails the video ram test. My MBP works perfectly.
I am wondering if Tech Tool Deluxe fails the video ram when running Leopard.
Suggestions please.

Use whichever DVD came with the computer. A Retail Leopard DVD does not include Apple Hardware Test. The DVD does not have to match the version of OSX on the hard drive when running the tests.

Tech Tool Deluxe Volume Structure test query

Hi,
Sorry if this is elsewhere, but my searches have not supplied a definitive answer.
As part of my regular maintenance routine on my iMac (mid 2010 i7 quad core) that I purchased just before Christmas, I have run the AppleCare Tech Tool Deluxe scans at regular monthly intervals with no problems, until about a month ago.
When the program does it's stuff, all tests pass, except the volume structure one (in the window showing the image of the volume structure, it says fail! above the "icon"). The final report that Tech Tool Deluxe comes out with says everything has passed. What's going on?
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I've not noticed any issues whatsoever with the iMac and I have both Time Machine and bootable SuperDuper backups, so I'm not worried about my data.
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Hi Den,
Thanks for this, I emailed them and they are giving the usual story of "this product was developed for Apple, so you'll need to speak to them".
I've bit the bullet and purchased DiskWarrior 4.3 and by installing it onto my SuperDuper backup drive, I was able to check out the iMac's internal HD.
DiskWarrior was able to find errors in file structure and permissions etc (it didn't give details) and was able to repair them. After rebooting into the internal HDD, I ran TechTool Deluxe 3.1.3 again, and this time it said that it failed the volume structure during the test and then in the final report. It tried to get me to download the repair version of the software, but the web page that opened had nothing to do with TechTool's download. As a little self test, I ignored it and ran the test again. This time, it failed during the test (as normal) and then said that it passed in the final report.
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I admit that I was getting suspicious of TechTool when a fresh install on a reformatted HDD said that the volume structure failed and then passed. There must be something different about the current version of Snow Leopard comared to that at the time of release of version 3.1.3 of Tech Tool Deluxe.
Thanks for all your help guys.
Obviously, if someone can prove me wrong, that would help me ascertain as to what is going on.
Message was edited by: pdscott

Tech Tool Deluxe?

I have completely restarted my MBP, Hoping that this might straighten out any of the problems. But it didn't, When ever I run a full scan with "Tech Tool Deluxe" it has a result of six errors with the "surface scan". In the report it says-
Surface Scan
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The Surface Scan test will scan the disk for bad blocks.
Media defects cause this test to fail. You should consider backing up the device, reformatting the media, replacing the data, and then testing again.
What do I do?? How do I go about reformatting?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
To backup your data, follow the instructions on my FAQ*:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Once you have a backup, locate your MacBook Pro restore and installation discs, and double click the installer. Upon reaching the installer screen and selecting the language, go to the Utilities menu and select disk utility.
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You can also proceed with a simple Erase and Install in the installer program. That will erase as well.
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- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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So, when I erased my disk, "zeroed" out the data (using Disk Utility), should I have zeroed-out the bad blocks as well (identified them, re-addressed them, etc)?
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P.S. I was able to load 4.0.1 no sweat from the disc which does allow inspection and you can still repair all externals , just not the system drive from the desktop...
G5 Quad Mac OS X (10.4.4) 4 GB RAM, 500GB ATA HD, NVIDEA GeForce 7800 GT, 23" HD Cinema Display

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