Random green and purple pixels on my Mac display

Odd patterns for a display problem it seems, but I think you should check the cable connections on the Display and computer.
What kind of video card do you have and do you use any adapters? Apples adapters seem a bit flakey depending on the set up.

Is this your card?
Yours is an 09 Mac, right? Try running the Hardware Test by starting up holding the "D" key down.

Where did you get the card? Is it flashed?

I have the same set-up and similar problem (but w/kernel panics too!)as you but on 10.4.11. Does your problem go away with a safe boot? I ran DiskWarrior, Hardware Test, Rember (similar to memtest for RAM) all reporting no problem. Installed 2nd HD with Leopard as start-up disk- no good. Swapped out my Crucial RAMS and vice versa still no good. There have been reported problems with defective capacitors on the Geforce 7300 GT ( http://forum.hardmac.com/index.php?s=9ab4336ae2f9d7be4423c0b40490862a&showtopic= 6096&pid=11918&st=0&#entry11918) so I guess I'll be calling apple.
I leave for a trip and won't be back until next week so everything will be on hold until then. Hope this helps in the meantime and plz let us know how you're doing!

Wow, that's expensive 0_0
So that's what discontinued cards fetch. Unreal.

@ the OP, that looks like a failing 7300. Give apple a call, I read somewhere here that they are giving free replacement. Don't quote me on that though 🙂

Hi Qm,

Yours is an early 09 as well? I don't see that card offered as an option.
You might benefit by upgrading to Leopard though, new drivers.

Hi Samsara,

I have a 1st generation (1,1?) and it came stock. Absolutely no problems til now.

I think I will make the leap to Leopard. Am slowly testing all my printers (DocuColor w/fiery, platesetter etc) and my old Filemaker 7. I tend to migrate very very slowly. Never thought about the newer drivers, thanks!

I tend to migrate very very slowly

That's very wise. 😎

Just be sure to make a bootable clone of your system before you upgrade to Leopard, then all should be well.

Welcome to Apple discussions, by the way. 🙂

Appreciate your tips.

And thanks for the welcome. I usually lurk but pr85's problem was too close to mine for me to not say anything.

Hi Pr,

No, you don't want to flash that card. I just asked in case it had been a flashed card that maybe that was a part of the trouble. Most flashed cards work fine, but some can be buggy.

Hmm,... what kind of monitor do you have? When did the problems start? Did they begin after an upgrade or anything? Is that Mac also running 10.5.7?

One thing I would try, and there are documents saying how, would be to remove the card, blow out any dust in the slot and surrounding area, and reinsert the card.

I know with 10.5.5 that more than a few people had display problems, mostly with the x1900 as I recall. So it might be a software related problem with yours as well. I'll do some searching around and see what I can find.
One good test though would be to put another card in it and see if it still happens. Any other Macs at work you could swap cards with as a test?

Edit: Qm's link below is unsettling. Maybe that's the problem right there.

Message was edited by: Samsara

What program is that you're running in the first pic? Looks familiar but I can't quite get it.

I have Final Cut Express, I guess that's why it looked familiar. I only asked because I noticed more than a few articles dealing with the program Shake, where people were getting screen artifacts.

Sounds like a good plan, better than doing rummaging now if the need is not pressing. I hope it works out for you. Good luck. 🙂

Hi, I had this problem on two Mac Pros with 7300 graphics cards earlier this year. Solution was to call applecare who happily sent a replacement that you can do yourself. No problems since!

Nathan