SPCreative

Q: Screen Freeze at startup Grey Vertical Lines

Guys and Gals-

I've tried to find the solution in the discussions but can't find anything that matches exactly whats going on...

 

My G5 Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), 2.4_8CX/6x1G/5770/1TB/SD Although I have El Capiton now and I believe mine is actually a PowerMacPro Tall steel desktop, today seems to be doing something wrong.  I was downloading a large file from a vendor online and also backing up iPhone 6S at the same time.  Coincidentally or not, it restarted after an update timeout on the iPhone and now will only display grey and white vertical lines on the monitor at startup, no apple no swirly just grey and white lines.  (I just had the HD replaced last year at Apple Store)   The fan is just running on high while I wait and stare at the grey lines.

What is wrong?

What are some tests I can run?

How do I do an alternate startup again?

I am not totally computer dumb but can do enough technically to survive.

 

Any help is appreciated,  thanks in advance.

Nick

Mac Pro (Mid 2010), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), 2.4_8CX/6x1G/5770/1TB/SD

Posted on Sep 23, 2016 8:22 AM

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Q: Screen Freeze at startup Grey Vertical Lines

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 23, 2016 8:33 AM in response to SPCreative
    Level 10 (189,609 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 23, 2016 8:33 AM in response to SPCreative

    - You do not have a G5 since those can only go as high as 10.6.8. Also, the Power PC towers were referred to as Power Macs, The Intel towers (and new 2013 trash can) are Mac Pros.

    - Do you hear the startup chime?

    Any other tones?

    - After powering on open the side cover and look for diagnostic lights on logic board and by memory modules. Look to see if the fan on the graphics card is spinning.

    - Blow out all the dust from the internal surfaces.

     

    I suspect a graphics card problem, what aerd is installed?

  • by D_@_n,

    D_@_n D_@_n Sep 23, 2016 8:35 AM in response to SPCreative
    Level 1 (60 points)
    iPad
    Sep 23, 2016 8:35 AM in response to SPCreative

    Hmmm....this may be a monitor issue. In order to identify that, please do the following.

    Use another external monitor and hook up the computer to it. If the 2nd monitor shows the exact same thing, then you may have a video chip issue on the logic board and you need to go to nearest computer store to have it repaired.


  • by SPCreative,

    SPCreative SPCreative Sep 23, 2016 8:48 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 23, 2016 8:48 AM in response to lllaass

    Right!  Thank you for clarifying it is a PowerMac with intel.

    NO sounds on power up just a fan blowing.  Red light down near three Ram? on bottom level.

    Fan is spinning on a red and black ATI Radeon

    Not much dust in here.. a very little bit.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 23, 2016 9:36 AM in response to SPCreative
    Level 10 (189,609 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 23, 2016 9:36 AM in response to SPCreative

    You get the Chime when self checks pass.

    The red light by a RAM module indicates that that module is not working. Usually when there is not enough RAM to start the Power light will blink. Is the Power light lit and steady when you try to starty?

    Try:

    - Resetting the SMC

    Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

    - Disconnecting everything except monitor, power, KB and mouse. Pull out all drive sleds and remove all internal PCIe cards except graphics

  • by D_@_n,

    D_@_n D_@_n Sep 23, 2016 9:51 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (60 points)
    iPad
    Sep 23, 2016 9:51 AM in response to lllaass

    This sounds like an issue with your hardware and not software.

    you need to identify if its screen related or else (motherboard)

    i told you earlier: use another screen to test it.

    if you see it on another screen then you will know its your monitor.

    if you dont, then your morherboard is the culprit 100%.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Sep 23, 2016 9:53 AM in response to D_@_n
    Level 10 (189,609 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 23, 2016 9:53 AM in response to D_@_n

    Another monitor will not help since the poster is not even getting a startup chime

  • by D_@_n,

    D_@_n D_@_n Sep 23, 2016 10:33 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (60 points)
    iPad
    Sep 23, 2016 10:33 AM in response to lllaass

    my troubleshoot was happening in the same time as yours....2 seconds appart. Therefore it would not made sense to troubleshoot both approaches: monitor and chime in the same time. So yes, if there is no chime sound then the issue is 100% hardware as I suspected earlier. Sorry i did not read the updates.