Graphics Issues with ATI Radeon X1900 XT?

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Graphics Issues with ATI Radeon X1900 XT?

When I use my MacPro, randomly I will start to get persistent discolourations that appear on the screen, especially on certain colours. For instance, when there is a lot of black on the screen, a field of random red pixels will flash in the black area; not completely red, but about one in every five or so pixels. On the grey lining of the windows, there will sometimes be the same thing but in blue. This has been going on for a while now, and to try to eliminate the problem I tried using the NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT that shipped with the unit instead. When I switched back to that one, the discolourations disappeared, so I am quite sure it must be the graphics card that is in question. Any ideas? I remember performing a firmware upgrade a while back (for the ATI card), but I believe the issues persisted both before and after that. The issues appears in Boot Camp as well, sometimes more frequently.

Any ideas?

System information:
Mac Pro
OS X 10.5.6
Processor: 2x2.66GHx Dual-Core Intel Xeon
ATI Radeon X1900 XT
(From System Profiler)
Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1900
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 512 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x7249
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-A52027-202
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.202

Using a Dell 30" monitor: DELL3007WFPHC

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6), MacPro 2.66 Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5GB RAM; Black iPod video 80GB; 17-Inch MBP

Posted on Jan 13, 2009 11:14 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 14, 2009 9:52 AM in response to Bordgious

Try this update and post back...

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/firmware_hardware/atiradeonx1900xtfi rmwareupdate.html

Regards,

Dan

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Answer 2

Bordgious Author

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Jan 14, 2009 3:46 PM in response to DanSinclair

I have already installed that update with no avail... I have looked but failed to find another one (another update, that is). Is it possible that the card itself is a defective unit?

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Answer 3

Jan 14, 2009 6:00 PM in response to Bordgious

Last time I checked, the X1900 did not work with Leopard.

My new MacPro which came with Leopard, and won't run Tiger, has a 2600, which *****, because with only 256MB RAM, there are many effects & filters that can't be rendered in HD. Nice job, Apple!

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Answer 4

Ted_H

Level 1

9 points

Jan 14, 2009 6:39 PM in response to David Jahns

I have the same issue, slight diff in HW

Config from Sys Profiler:

ATI Radeon X1900 XT:

Chipset Model: ATY,RadeonX1900
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 512 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x7249
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-A52027-202
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.202
Displays:
Cinema HD:
Resolution: 2560 x 1600
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Rotation: Supported

It seems to be the only problem I have found. I have the latest "ATI Radeon X1900 XT Graphics Card Update" installed. Very annoying problem!

Any help will be appreciated.

Thx, Ted_H

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Answer 5

Bordgious Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2009 7:14 PM in response to David Jahns

I did notice that shortly after purchasing the MacPro, they revamped the graphics card upgrades for it to NVIDIA, which I prefer... That was frustrating.

If I understand you, you are saying that you don't think the X1900 XT is supported for Leopard, i.e. even though the computer is still under warranty I couldn't get technical support for it?

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Answer 6

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 16, 2009 9:58 PM in response to Bordgious

Hi Bordgious,

my MP and yours are having nearly the same specs (see below) and I can asure you that my MP with the X1900 runs Leopard perfectly well.

One thing there is with the X1900 is that it is prone to collect dust and **** in its exhausts and fans, which can lead to such strange issues.
Open your MP and have a good look at the card and if neccessary clean the card with compressed air.

If that doesn't help, you might indeed have a defect card, for which you should contact AppleCare.

Hope it helps

Stefan

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Answer 7

Bordgious Author

Level 1

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Jan 16, 2009 10:25 PM in response to Fortuny

I know I have cleaned it with compressed air several times, yet that doesn't seem to have fixed the issue. It is possibly (due to the randomness of the occurrences) that this could be the problem, however. I have a feeling I should just break down and try to get "official" support by now at any rate...

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Answer 8

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 17, 2009 5:20 AM in response to Bordgious

Hi,

when the cleaning process does not really fix the problem, then yes AppleCare is the next logical step.
Maybe an appointment with the Genius Bar could be helpful as well (as long as you don't have to drive half a day to get there...).

But since your AppleCare is running out sometimes later this year, it might be a good time for a complete checkup of the MP.

Good Luck

Stefan

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Answer 9

Bordgious Author

Level 1

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Jan 17, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Fortuny

Alas, the nearest Apple store is a good four hours away for me. Perhaps a mail-in exchange or something of that sort could be arranged. I suppose I should quit stalling and just call Apple Support instead of posting in the forums in the vain hope that there is an easy fix for this issue...

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Answer 10

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 17, 2009 10:00 PM in response to Bordgious

Hi Bordgious,

four hours is something like three hours too much 😉

while there are enough easy fixes for a lot of things, this one really calls for Apple Support.

Good Luck

Stefan

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Answer 11

Bordgious Author

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Jan 22, 2009 6:21 PM in response to Bordgious

Well, an Apple Care call has confirmed (as much as could be) that it is indeed most likely a hardware issue. Fortunately there is an authorised repair centre that is only 10 minutes away (as opposed to 4 hours) and they can make the repair. I will post again if/when the issue is discovered/resolved...

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Answer 12

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 22, 2009 7:35 PM in response to Bordgious

Bordgious wrote:
Well, an Apple Care call has confirmed (as much as could be) that it is indeed most likely a hardware issue. Fortunately there is an authorised repair centre that is only 10 minutes away (as opposed to 4 hours) and they can make the repair. I will post again if/when the issue is discovered/resolved...

Hi,

please do so. Being an ATI X1900 owner myself and having 'only' 8 months left on my AppleCare, I might find myself in a similar position soon 😉

Hope all ends up well.

Stefan

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Answer 13

Ted_H

Level 1

9 points

Jan 25, 2009 5:44 AM in response to Fortuny

Hi,

I used Stefan's "blow the dust away" suggestion and it appears to have solved my problem.
Has worked fine for 2 days now.

Thanks for all the help.

Ted_H

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Answer 14

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 25, 2009 8:37 PM in response to Ted_H

Ted_H wrote:
Hi,

I used Stefan's "blow the dust away" suggestion and it appears to have solved my problem.
Has worked fine for 2 days now.

Thanks for all the help.

Ted_H

Hi Ted,

you're welcome anytime.

Take care

Stefan

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Answer 15

Bordgious Author

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Feb 2, 2009 6:00 PM in response to Bordgious

Well, took it into the authorised service centre and a couple days later, I now have it back with a new card. All they did (they say) was switch in a new X1900 XT, and the problems seems to have been fixed. However, only time will tell...

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