Steve H
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: Graphics corruption issue continues in Mavericks 10.9.1

Bad news: A graphics issue reported for Mavericks 10.9 continues in 10.9.1.  The drop-shadows surrounding some windows have no gradient or translucency, and in some cases,  Finder windows  show colored pixels in place of the content.  My Mac configuration:  MacBook Pro Model ID 6,2 - Mid-2010 15", Std RAM: 4 GB

 

Here is a screen shot, taken the day that 10.9.1 was released (December 16, 2013)

 

Mavericks 10.9.1 graphics.jpg

 

A workaround that has been posted in these threads [ System Preferences > Energy Saver > Automatic Graphics Switching (off) ] is not acceptable to me, since it reduces battery life significantly.   Also, it is being reported that this workaround works only temporarily, and/or intermittently.

 

If you are experiencing this issue, please add to this thread.  There were also reports in the Mac press that this might be one of the issues that Apple was working on for 10.9.1, but apparently not.  Here's one article: http://9to5mac.com/2013/11/15/apple-seeds-first-os-x-mavericks-10-9-1-beta-to-de velopers-with-focuses-on-mail-graphics/

 

Here are two other discussion threads that reported the same issue with 10.9:

https://discussions.apple.com/message/24150281#24150281

https://discussions.apple.com/message/24150278#24150278

 

Let's hope that Apple is monitoring this thread and issues a dot-release quickly, rather than having us wait until 10.9.2.   Apple: please feel welcome to contact me for troubleshooting, if that can help.

 

Thank you.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), 15" Model 6,2-Mid-2010 4GB RAM

Posted on Dec 16, 2013 5:38 PM

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Steve H

Q: Graphics corruption issue continues in Mavericks 10.9.1

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  • by Cypocryphy,Helpful

    Cypocryphy Cypocryphy Dec 16, 2013 5:37 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 16, 2013 5:37 PM in response to Steve H

    Hey Steve. I have the same problem. I just made a post. The graphics problem has caused certain software not to run on my computer.

     

    It appears that this is a problem specific to the computer model that we are using: Macbook Pro  mid-2010 15". It must be the video card Apple used with our model. I hoped that there would be others with different models complaining of this problem but I have not come accross any. Because it seems to be this model alone, it is either low on the priority list or not there at all. When I saw the artifacts appear again, I totally lost it. I thought, for sure, that it was addressed with this update.

  • by Steve H,

    Steve H Steve H Dec 16, 2013 5:50 PM in response to Cypocryphy
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 16, 2013 5:50 PM in response to Cypocryphy

    Yes, I felt the same way!  I edited my post (above) to identify a few other threads that reported this problem, as well as an article about the beta.   Ars Technica just posted an article about this release, and noted that 10.9.1 might address this graphics issue.  http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/12/apple-releases-os-x-10-9-1-with-mail-safari -and-voiceover-fixes/

     

    But, no.  So I just posted a reply there as well, with my screen shot.  Just being my little troublemaker self...  ;-)

  • by VikingOSX,Helpful

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Dec 16, 2013 5:59 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 7 (21,438 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 16, 2013 5:59 PM in response to Steve H

    Have you posted to Apple OS X or MacBook Pro feedback? No Apple engineers here to respond, just us non-Apple-badged volunteers.

  • by Steve H,

    Steve H Steve H Dec 16, 2013 6:10 PM in response to VikingOSX
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 16, 2013 6:10 PM in response to VikingOSX

    I have filed a bug report via the Apple Developer program, under MacOS X.  Bug report #15674905.  Also I did as VikingOSX suggested above, to Mac OS X.  Thanks.

  • by Ray Allen,

    Ray Allen Ray Allen Dec 16, 2013 7:12 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 2 (395 points)
    Dec 16, 2013 7:12 PM in response to Steve H

    Its not just MacBook Pro after going to 10.9 Aperture on my MacBook Air has issues with previews.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-12-16 at 10.08.06 PM.png

  • by higgalls,

    higgalls higgalls Dec 18, 2013 5:00 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 18, 2013 5:00 PM in response to Steve H

    Hey,

     

    Just wondering... does everyone sleep their Macbook Pro's (as in close the lid), or do you actually shut it down each time you are finished with it. I am trying to figure out whether it is a problem that is caused after restoring from sleep, as I mostly just put my laptop into sleep mode rather than actually shutting it down (although when the corruption occurs, I really have to restart so that I can use it properly again).

     

    Cheers,

    Chris

  • by ViShVa,

    ViShVa ViShVa Dec 18, 2013 5:16 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 2 (272 points)
    Dec 18, 2013 5:16 PM in response to Steve H

    Apple do not generally monitor these forums. It is a user to user help and discussion board.

     

    Perhaps you have been a victim of this:

    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010): Intermittent black screen or loss of video
     
     http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088

    It is most likely a failing GPU card on your Logic Board, so that will need replacing, alas. Make an appointment at a genius bar or at an authorised reseller to see if they will repair the issue on your mid-2010 MacBook Pro.

     

    In the meantime you could disable the discrete GPU and run the graphics through the inbuilt card and monitor it with this: gfxCardStatus

     

    (thanks to mende1 for the tip in his post here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5678129?tstart=60 )

  • by Steve H,

    Steve H Steve H Dec 18, 2013 5:45 PM in response to higgalls
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 18, 2013 5:45 PM in response to higgalls

    (This replies to Higgall's question, two posts above)

     

    Good question.  I definitely notice this when I wake the computer from 'sleep' (as well as after a while without sleep).   

     

    This issue also seems more pervasive in 10.9.1 than it was with 10.9.  For example, here is an example of graphics corruption 'on top of' the content of an open window in Microsoft Outlook. (this is not Outlook specific - it has happened in Word and in Firefox).  It wasn't this bad pre-10.9.1.

     

    Fortunately, none of this has impacted my ability to actually use the computer.  When I click on a window or bring it to the front, the graphics corruption clears.  (No, I am not declaring that as a workaround!)

     

    Screen Shot 2013-12-17 at 2.27.06 PM.jpg

  • by Steve H,

    Steve H Steve H Dec 18, 2013 5:56 PM in response to ViShVa
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 18, 2013 5:56 PM in response to ViShVa

    (This is in reply to ViShVa above)

     

    I just tried to install the Apple video update referenced in the Apple Support link in your post, and it will not run from within Mavericks, so too bad!  Yes, it said it is for Snow Leopard, but I thought "what the heck."  But no...    Thanks anyway.

     

    By the way, I can't accept that this has anything to do with a GPU failure.  It worked just fine under 10.8 Mtn Lion.  Never saw this issue until Mavericks.

  • by Cerebro,

    Cerebro Cerebro Dec 19, 2013 8:54 AM in response to Steve H
    Level 2 (393 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 19, 2013 8:54 AM in response to Steve H

    I'm in agreement with Steve H, on this one.  This is in no way, shape, or form a hardware problem.  This problem was non-existent before the upgrade to Mavericks.  I will be submitting another bug report (translation:  complaint) through the feedback page, and will continue to do so until Apple, in some way, acknowledges that this is a problem and that they are, actively, working to resolve it.  It's beyond ridiculous that there is STILL no fix for this.  I don't know if my problems have been as extreme as other users, but this is still a major nuisance.  The specific issues I, continue, to have are:

     

    • Shadows around app and finder windows rendering improperly
    • Dashboard widgets and app icons in the Launchpad are a noisy mess of "static"
    • App names in the Dock are just "noise" when moused over.

     

    These will always occur when the integrated (Intel) GPU is active.  If any of these symptoms crop up, both known fixes immediately, and only temporarily, resolve it:

     

    1. Using gfxCardStatus to toggle to the discrete GPU
    2. Disabling "Automatic Graphics Switching" in the Energy Saver preferences

     

    Both of these fixes have the undesirable side affect of defaulting to the discrete GPU which is a greater drain on the battery.  This is a band-aid NOT a solution.

     

    There are a growing number of threads on this problem:

     

    Graphic failure after full on memory consumption

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5468958?start=0&tstart=0

     

    Graphical glitches after installing mavericks

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5491143?start=0&tstart=0

     

    Anyone getting graphics corruption in OSX Mavericks?

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5493333?start=0&tstart=0

     

    Since installing OS X Mavericks on my Mid-2010 Macbook Pro, occasionally there is distortion on the display- lots of coloured lines

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5486823?start=0&tstart=0

     

    Display artifacts in Mavericks

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5476007?start=0&tstart=0

     

    Desktop artifacts on Mavericks

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/23589586#23589586

     

    Mavericks Finder Window- and Shadow-rendering issues-Screenshots

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5506163?start=0&tstart=0

     

    Enough is enough.  Apple needs to solve this.

  • by higgalls,

    higgalls higgalls Dec 19, 2013 2:58 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 19, 2013 2:58 PM in response to Steve H

    I know many are saying this isn't a hardware issue, but I am not so sure we can rule it out yet.

    A similar issue also came up a year or two ago when apple released a new version of OS X (can't remember which one), and the solution back then was to turn off automatic graphic switching. Eventually Apple resolved it with a software update, but software can mask hardware issues.

     

    My laptop is going to Apple today for them to investigate, but the fact that this is affecting so many with mid-2010 Macbook Pro's isn't a good sign, and the fact that there was issues with how the disgreet graphics were working a year or two ago is also not a good sign. There was also an issue with some mid-2010 Macbook pro's for another graphics problem where Apple was replacing the mainboards for 3 years. So I don't know if we can really count out a hardware issue yet. I know... I know... the issue came about when we installed Mavericks, but perhaps the previous OS was masking it and now it is out in the open, and they will need to try and find a way to mask it again.

     

    Just a thought.

  • by ianm2k4,

    ianm2k4 ianm2k4 Dec 20, 2013 1:33 AM in response to higgalls
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Dec 20, 2013 1:33 AM in response to higgalls

    I am having the same issue except it looks like a hardware issue. Odd though that it appeared with 10.9.1.

     

    The 'solution' of turning off AGS causes the issue to appear, It also happens when I have an external thunderbolt plugged in.

     

    Screen Shot 2013-12-20 at 08.25.10.jpg

  • by Metalizer,

    Metalizer Metalizer Dec 20, 2013 12:26 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Dec 20, 2013 12:26 PM in response to Steve H

    been seeing the same corrupt artifacts on my  

    MBP 2010

    (MacBookPro6,2 with nVida 330m)

    -

    I see it sporadically e.g. "about this mac" borders or when I mouse over the Dock icons

    - but it fades to normal almost immediately

     

    NB this only occurred after upgrading from OS X 10.6.8 SL to OS X 10.9

     

    I doubt very much if it's a hardware problem - although it probably has something

    to do with the nVidia graphics card.

     

    I remember the hassle quite a few of us had with OS X 10.7 Lion on our 2010 MBPs

    before Apple finally fixed it. In that instance one couldn't login without disabling  the

    automatic graphics switching.  (Hence why I stuck with Snow Leopard for such a long time

    and kept Lion on a spare volume)

  • by higgalls,

    higgalls higgalls Dec 20, 2013 1:13 PM in response to Steve H
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 20, 2013 1:13 PM in response to Steve H

    Hey,

     

    thought i would give an update. After talking with Apple support staff via their online chat, then eventually being transferred to a senior advisor, I was then asked to phone them and speak to another senior advisor. He went away and looked into it and came back saying its best I take it into an apple store for testing. My extended warrant had also expired but he said apple would cover any repairs.

     

    So I went to the apple store, they did some tests, which came back fine, but the guy at the Genius Bar had seen it happen before and said it was a hardware issue. So they are replacing the main board for me.

     

    Through my support discussions I kept bringing them back to these forum posts and one thing they said is that so many people are reporting it in the wrong way - so talk with support and get them to diagnose the issue and hopefully they will replace ur main board too.

     

    ANyway, I will keep u updated when I get my MacBook Pro back.

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