ERROR: MXM Structure not found or invalid.

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ERROR: MXM Structure not found or invalid.

Hi,

I have an early 2008 24" Intel 3.06ghz imac, and I am getting this error when I go into boot camp:

ERROR: MXM Structure not found or invalid.
Reflash MXM ROM or add MXM structure and associated callbacks to SBIOS! Post will be halted to 30 seconds and performance will be limited to balanced performance mode until this is resolved.

I also have a second monitor that does not show up while in boot camp, it almost seems like the secondary DVI port is disabled.

I have already tried the MXM update from Apple, and it says I don't need it.

I have taken it to an authorized apple repair center and they replaced the video card, and it still has this error. They said that was all they could do and while speaking with Apple they told them that there is no support for boot camp.

If I hold down "d" while booting to run a hardware test, it fails on this:
4VDC /1/ 40000003 videocontroller

I know that the repair center replaced the video card as I can tell the front glass isn't in the exact same spot. (Since you need to take the front glass off to get inside the iMac).

What's next?

Message was edited by: MrEricM

Message was edited by: MrEricM

N/A, Mac OS X (10.5.6), N/A

Posted on Feb 12, 2009 7:01 PM

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Answer 1

Duo

Level 2

475 points

Feb 12, 2009 8:02 PM in response to MrEricM

Have them replace the video card again. If it fails the hardware test right off the bat, it hasn't been fixed.

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Answer 2

MrEricM Author

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Feb 18, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Duo

I took it to the Apple store and they were very quick to blame Microsoft/Windows on the problem.

They called back and said that they ran their tests and stress tests and didn't find any problems. They suggested re-installing Windows which I have already done half a dozen times. I've tried XP, Vista, Win 7, etc, and even reinstalled a fresh copy the day before I took it to the Apple store. Each time I make sure that all of the drivers, etc are installed.

I find it odd that it fails the basic onboard diagnostics in a matter of minutes yet passes Apple's 12 hour stress test? Something doesn't seem right.

What next? Every forum post I read says that with the MXM error some sort of hardware replace is needed, and I have Apple here telling me there is nothing wrong when clearly there is.

To Recap:
-Fails onboard tests with a video controller message.
-Gives me a Video Card related MXM structure message - BEFORE it POSTS into the OS. I could install linux on it and still have issues.
-Secondary DVI port does not work.

I know that nvidia had major issues with their 8800GS cards, and I don't want to be up the road 6 months from now when my iMac is out of warranty and have the video card get worse and be stuck with a repair bill.

The iMac is still at the Apple store, is there some sort of process I can use to escalate this? Or am I just crazy thinking this is a hardware error?

Message was edited by: MrEricM

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Answer 3

Duo

Level 2

475 points

Feb 28, 2009 9:06 PM in response to MrEricM

Hi Eric. Sorry for not getting back to you; didn't initially see your reply.

Apple can blame Windows all they want, but Windows won't cause your hardware test disc to invoke a hardware error. The nature of a hardware error is that it occurs regardless of what operating system is loaded, Mac OS X, Windows, or otherwise. You've got perhaps two solutions at this point: escalate with Apple Customer Relations, or "fire" your repair shop and find a better one.

The most dreaded enemy of all techs is an error that they cannot reproduce, so if you give them the exact steps necessary to invoke the hardware error, you should be home free. Apple tends to run a different hardware test suite that the one included with the iMac, so be sure to request that they run the right test suite.

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