Artifacts on Screen - Macbook Pro

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Artifacts on Screen - Macbook Pro

I am suffering artifacts on screen, usually red/pink or turquoise/blue, but sometimes a yellowy colour too. The occur in small broken up squares and rectangles and come and go, during scrolling or video playback - basically anything that involves movement on screen. They don't happen when I drag and drop to move windows.

It seems to happen when using Safari, itunes or watching a DVD. I also sometime get large chunks of the display "tearing" almost like shards of broken glass, but this happens less often and only under Leopard, not under Tiger.

The problem did not develop untill about 14 months after purchase (which was back in July 2006). It has now been occurring for some time, but now I am wanting to use my Macbook Pro more, I really need it fixing. I have tried all I can think of after reading many many threads on other boards about various graphics problems. All of the following has done nothing to resolve this problem:
- Using various external displays
- A restart
- A clean install of Tiger
- A clean install of Leopard
- Increasing fan speed using SMC Fan Control
- Reseting PRAM and NVRAM
- Installing the ATI Preference Panel

It should be noted that the problem does NOT occur when running in Safe Mode (ironically when I can't view artwork in itunes or watch a DVD), neither did it occur in Windows running under Bootcamp (I have not reinstalled this since my clean installs).

Because of this I am reluctant to believe it's a hardware issue. Some forums have pointed the finger at overheating but then it works fine in Safe Mode and Windows even when 'hot'. Maybe a driver issue? My Mac is fully updated with Apple updates, including the only Firmware update that is for the machine (think it was 1.1) and SMC update.

My machine's out of warranty. I am at a loss to the cause and would really appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on this.

Macbook Pro 1,1 15": 2GHz Intel Core Duo, 1GB 666 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.5.3), ATI Radeon X1600 Graphics Card with 256MB VRAM

Posted on Jun 21, 2008 10:19 AM

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Answer 1

MagusPSU

Level 1

15 points

Aug 22, 2008 4:21 PM in response to whodiini

Well, after contacting Apple, I discovered it was going to cost just over $1000 to replace the logic board. I'll have to save up and take it to the local place that just wants $650 for the job. *sad face*

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Answer 2

whodiini

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Jun 30, 2008 8:17 PM in response to I am a Skier

I have EXACTLY the same problem, exactly the same scenario. One thing to add: I boot off the install disk with "D", run the diagnostics (extended) and it finds no problems. In that "about this mac" under diagnostics, it shows "no info found". Help greatly appreciated. I only get yellow yellow/orange artifacts. But not in safe mode. I do get it when running diagnostics, but no problem found. I replaced the memory and no change.

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Answer 3

whodiini

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Jun 30, 2008 8:22 PM in response to whodiini

One other comment: I can see these artifacts on my background. It is noticeable using a solid background color and these artifacts are there, except in safe mode. What does safe mode do? It seems it turns quartz extreme off and core image off. Is there anyway to test the ATI X1600 VRAM?

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Answer 4

whodiini

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Jun 30, 2008 11:57 PM in response to whodiini

Here's a temporary patch. Note: it is NOT a fix. Your idea about safe mode gave me an idea. Safe mode disables core graphics. Here's another way to disable core graphics. Look in System/library/extensions. Move out all files beginning with ATIX1000 to the desktop. then in system/library delete extensions.kextcache and extensions.mkext. reboot, now your graphics card is not used. The moving window artifacts are gone, but the background artifacts are still there. I still not sure why they are there.

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Answer 5

whodiini

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Jun 30, 2008 11:59 PM in response to whodiini

oh, unfortunately this means dvd player doesnt work.....

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Answer 6

instil

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Jul 13, 2008 2:00 AM in response to I am a Skier

I am suffering from the same problem - started recently. I am running a Mac Pro. Was using Parallels when it started. Have you got anywhere in your search for an answer? I have had my computer just under a year and have three years applecare so hopefully that will help.

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Answer 7

MagusPSU

Level 1

15 points

Jul 27, 2008 9:22 PM in response to I am a Skier

I have been having these same problems as well and they didn't start until I upgraded to Leopard. In addition to what you're describing, I'll also get horizontal lines going across the screen, sometimes solid, most times broken. They'll also appear in program windows like iChat and Safari. Right now there's a line along the bottom of the browser and if I scroll down, it will move with the scrolling and the scrolling seems to create more lines. I don't know if this helps at all but just wanted to throw in my two bits.

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Answer 8

whodiini

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Jul 28, 2008 10:15 PM in response to MagusPSU

Here's the answer: replace the logic board. The failure is the graphics chip/memory which is on board. The symptom was when the chip was disabled, everything was fine. The one good thing is that Apple will fix it if in warranty. If out of warranty, Apple has a fixed price repair of anything wrong on your computer for about $310. Thats far cheaper than another shop to replace your logic board.

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Answer 9

MagusPSU

Level 1

15 points

Jul 29, 2008 4:01 PM in response to whodiini

I was afraid it was going to be that. Although I wasn't aware of the $310 thing. Where did you find out about this policy and is it something I'll have to send the MBP to Apple for or can I go to an authorized repair facility and get it done?

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