Computer Gurus: HELP NEEDED!!

Gather App
Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support AutomaticWasher.org:

frigilux

frigilux

Well-known member
Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
12,665
Location
The Minnesota Prairie
Last night, this weird grid of green, vertical lines flashed on to my computer screen while I was checking my work e-mail. It has not gone away, despite repeated attempts to restart, including unplugging the computer overnight and starting it up again, this morning. The picture shown here should have a completely white background.

Any ideas what could have caused this and how to get rid of it? I have a pre-Intel iMac (purchased in 2005). Everything seems to work normally, but I have to get rid of this weird grid pattern, as it makes anything in color look very bizarre.

The grid seems to change a bit when I click on different parts of the screen. I did not change screen-saver settings or anything like that.

I am completely computer illiterate and will be very grateful for any help you can provide!

4-3-2009-17-24-24--Frigilux.jpg
 
Eugene,

There are a couple of Mac fans around - especially in Australia - who can probably help you more than I can. What I do have to say is based on my Mac experiences.

Those lines usually have three possible causes.
First, a connection somewhere has come loose. This is not all that uncommon and can be repaired fairly easily. The cables to the display are under a fair amount of strain and, over time, things can come loose.
Second possibility, a video memory chip has failed. This, is not good. Do the lines appear the moment you power up? Or only when the OS has loaded. If the screen is clear or at boot or in the bios (apples do have one, I know that will come as a shock to some folks) look - if the lines are gone in the bios settings screen and only show up with the OS, then it is not a cable, but most likely a memory chip failure.
Repairable, but not easily done.
Third possibility, an error in the graphic driver. Yes, apples have those, too. This is, however, the least likely as the software is very well written. You can check this most easily by playing a dvd or iTunes clip.
Lines not in the movie clip? Then it is likely to be the driver.

Hope this helps. There are lots of Mac fans here, they can hopefully tell you more. Especially if you can do those checks I suggested.
Good luck - I love Mac notebooks. Better than Sony, in my experience.
 
ah, oh, silly me

Some iMacs had this problem. Several, actually.

Mine only gets used when I get a translation in in some obscure apple software, I didn't read the iMac in your description.

Check out the link and try resetting the Pram. Hope that helps, if not at least the link will lead you to some others with the same problem.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5970591
 
I followed the procedure to reset the PRAM, but the little lines have not gone away.

I guess that means it isn't a memory issue.

The little lines are there immediately upon firing up the computer (the blank screen with an apple in the middle has the lines, before the OS is engaged).
 
I'm not an Apple expert either, but to me it looks like the monitor is going out. The company that I used to work for had some really old monitors and the computers used to run 24/7. Yours looks like a color is missing which is what the monitors would do at work before they would go completely out. As for the grid I'm clueless.
 
Well,

That means it is not a firmware problem, but it can still be a memory chip. Or a cable. Or, as Jim says, the monitor's hardware could be going.

Try moving the computer somewhere else - preferably on another branch circuit.

I am sure someone will come up with something, the Aussies are outstanding at fixing Mac problems, just keep bounce-ing so they see it...

And do check out those links, looks like this problem is known.
 
I think it's the monitor going out. See if you can borrow a monitor from somebody just to try it out. If the picture is good with another monitor, its time to go monitor shopping.
BTW, how old is that monitor you have?

How's that finger doing? Healed yet?
 
From the grid pattern, the problem is either your monitor (most likely) or video controller (less likely, although still very possible).

If the cable was bad, you might get a color shading, but it wouldn't cause a grid pattern to appear. And the fact it comes up prior to booting means (obviously) it's not an operating system or driver issue.
 
Can you plug that monitor in elsewhere and see if it gives you the same image? At least you can rule out or confirm the monitor as the problem that way.
 
Unless I am mistaken, the monitor and computer are all one unit, one assembly on an iMac, there is no option for changing monitors or connecting it to another computer.
 
Kevin,

You aren't mistaken. I was holding back on that as the truce between the Mac fans and the Linux users around here is somewhat, er strained.

That is why I keep talking about moving the whole thing to another room.

But this is a known iMac problem, especially the 5 series.

What I have yet to find is the cause and solution.
 
You can plug an external monitor into an iMac, but unless you have one of the obscenely expensive Apple monitors you will need an adaptor.

The flat panels can be changed, but I wouldn't do it myself.
 
RED ALERT ! RED ALERT!

Back up everything NOW!

Since you do not know what is wrong with it yet. Save everything you can before you lose it all.

I had a similar situation with my HP lap top. I started getting very colorful lines on my computer. I backed up everything and moments later I only had half of a working screen. Pretty much a non functioning computer. In my case it was a built in graphics card that went bad. It was recommended to me not to repair it and to purchase a new lap top.

Good luck!
Jim
 
Jim, every time I see your screen name the only thing I can think of is an automatic spanking machine. LOL. Yes, I know get my mind out of the gutter.
 
GOOD NEWS (he said loudly, in capital letters)!!

I was using TurboTax at 5:00 this morning when my computer suddenly locked up---something it has never done, before.

After an initial reaction of "OH F**K", I unplugged the computer, then plugged it back in and restarted it. Fortunately, TurboTax does an auto-save, so I didn't lose my work.

But most importantly: The lines and grid disappeared from my screen!! My iMac healed itself. I have no idea how or why (computers are magic to me), but THANK YOU, BABY JEEBUS!!

I was pondering (unsuccessfully) how on earth I'd be able to afford the monitor repair, or worse yet, a new computer.

And I only owed $106 in federal taxes this year. Yay!

Thanks, by the way, to all who weighed in with ideas/advice/condolences. You lot are a wonderful support group.
 
Eugene, have you cracked open the computer case and checked for either dust buildup, or a fan that has failed? Especially if your video controller has a fan, I'm thinking it has stopped working and is causing the controller to overheat...

It's just a guess.
 
Hrm...

Hi there!

Apple Certified Desktop Tech here.

Panthera is on the right track here. That screen capture looks to me like something that would have qualified the machine for a Repair Extension Program. Apple had a REP for G5 iMacs, for both power supply and logic board issues, caused by faulty capacitors. The symptoms your machine is showing look to me like a failing logic board. (video hardware and ram are all on the logic board here, this is a single board computer internally) This would have been covered as a free repair under the REP, but they discontinued the program in December of 2008.

I'm not sure which G5 machine you have, so I am not sure how much the replacement part would be... most likely NOT a cheap part. If you'd like me to look it up, email me your 11 digit serial number and I'd be happy to give you an idea of how much the board costs. If you are particularly convincing, you can also try and call Apple and talk to them about giving you a CS code to push a repair through, but they have eaten a lot of repairs on these already so its not likely unless you are super-charming. Were you having these issues in the fall of 2008?

As Spankomatic said: BACK UP YOUR DATA NOW. It looks like you are running 10.4, so there is no automatic backup with Time Machine. The hard disk itself is not really in much danger of dying, but the machine will need to be taken apart to get it out if the board goes. The board will go at some point - could be months, years, or days. Once its gone, it can be a bit of a pain to dig the hard disk out of the machine and transfer your data. So keep using it if its not in your budget to repair or replace, but you MUST keep a backup.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

http://www.apple.com/support/imac/repairextensionprogram/
 
also...

the hard crash, requiring you to unplug the machine to get it to reboot, is a bad sign. Not the sort of thing that should be happening with any computer, mac or otherwise... so BACK UP.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
 
mistereric--- Thanks for the Mac expertise, and I've sent you an e-mail (using the address listed in your AW profile) with the pertinent information....and a couple of additional questions.

It's weird how the 'grid' within this dialogue box changes as I type. It looks completely different compared to the grid on the rest of the screen.
 
OK, my iMac just locked up again, and when I unplugged it and restarted, the grid is gone, once again.

Bear with me: I have no idea how to "back up" my programs. Do I need to buy a memory stick or can I back stuff up onto a CD-R or DVD-R using the disc drive on my iMac? Seriously, I've never backed anything up, before.

I'm seeing a pattern here: If I leave the computer on long enough, it locks up. Then, when I restart it, the screen looks normal.....and there's the grid again!! It just popped back on. Well, that didn't take long to come back.

And now, 30 seconds later, it has disappeared again, but this time the computer didn't lock up, first. Oh, Lord love a duck!!
 
I have no idea how to open the case for a flat-screen iMac. There is a mesh screen running along the bottom of the...monitor/computer housing, and I hear something whirring in there. The housing is so thin (depth-wise), I don't know where a fan would be located.

There is also a trench-like channel (a vent, perhaps?) running along the back of the computer, near the top. Feels like some heat is coming out of it. Nothing feels very warm, nor do I smell anything overheating. The computer is making all of its usual sounds.

But hey, the grid has been gone for nearly 20 minutes, now.

I often leave the computer in full sleep mode for a couple of weeks at a time. Should I be shutting it down completely every night? I believe the hard drive is not spinning when it's asleep. It's totally silent, at any rate.
 
I can't remember enough of OS X to help much, but a few things come to mind.

You can use CDs, DVDs, or a USB connected drive to backup. CDs and DVDs are more work, but cost less, and can be used as a permanent archive. I can't really remember the procedure for CDs or DVDs, unfortunately. But it's something like: insert blank disk, see dialog asking what the Mac should do, tell it to open in Finder, drag files you want to back up over using the Finder, and open CD/DVD icon and click burn. The Help files should have information.

You can probably also use some sort of backup software. I never have done this on any computer I've owned, but I don't mind doing the work manually, either.

Even without your current trouble, you should back up important files regularly. Hardware can and does fail.

Leaving the computer on in sleep mode shouldn't be a problem if everything is normal. Many people never do completely shut down.

Good luck!
 
If worse should come to worst....

...and you need to replace the iMac, you could consider used. Low End Mac runs a swap list that might get a good deal. Plus, the site itself has information on every Mac ever made. Here's the site. (Mac Profiles listed towards the top leads to the section talking about every Mac.)

http://www.lowendmac.com
 

Similar threads

M
I need help with a P7 range
Replies
4
Views
359
marpo77k
M
servis-dream
from a crazy idea to blueprints, the story of PiWosh's WSR184 (2024-2025)
Replies
5
Views
561
servis-dream
servis-dream
H
Fridge not cooling well
Replies
20
Views
840
hereitgoes
H
Ultramatic
Appliances: The Future is Battery Powered
2 3
Replies
83
Views
2K
tolivac
T
W
brand new Bosch Home Professional tumble dryer made weird knocking noises. What was the problem ?
2
Replies
52
Views
4K
Anatolian
A

Latest posts

Sponsored
UnlistMe
Back
Top