24" iMac Screen Freezes since 10.6.3 update - pls help!

AppleCare sent me a file "capture data" so that I could duplicate the screen freeze/pixel glitch problems and send it to them. It will take few days for them to get back with me. They are trying to decide if software or hardware problem. I would love to get this fixed. Been going on since the end of March!!

Is it a program? I would love to install it on my wife's computer to capture when it happens again. They should release this!

This is a Apple tech file that they send to capture data on "sick macs". They turn it over to the technical/engineers to troubleshoot. Agree, it would be nice if it was more universal. It would probably help solve problems like this faster.

A tech file? It seems like it should be a program that you run all the time, and it records what happens when you get the freezes and crash. It is really good idea actually. Yea they should include this somehow, if only for the more technical users.

The Apple support advisor had me erase and install Snow. Then used the file to capture the data while the computer was stable. Then, they had me do all the updates (which sent the computer into the crazy screen freeze/ pixel glitches), and then use the file again to capture the data. They are going to compare the two files, and see if they can figure out what is happening.

Jonah Lee Walker wrote:
Is it a program? I would love to install it on my wife's computer to capture when it happens again. They should release this!

It is just an app that gathers info you see in System Profiler & in crash reports you see in Console & sends it to Apple -- basically, just an email script. IOW, it doesn't provide any info you can't already access.

I have had the same problem as the OP two times. Reading this topic, I followed the advice of some of you and applied the reset SMC trick ( http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964) and also the PRAM trick.

Five days later, the crash didn't occured anymore, even after a full day of heavy network, cpu and gpu tasks. I'll post back if it happens again.

my GPU is an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro. I'm running 10.6.4 on a late 2008 iMac.

Remember, just because they list an update does not mean it works. With Final Cut pro they have released numerous updates and anything past the .0.2 update completely causes my entire final cut program to crap out. I am now 5 (I think) updates behind because it simply does not work beyond that. Same with Logic pro. Past the second update the program ceases to work properly. Find the update that keeps your system working and stop right there. Always read the updates and if it is one for your OS, simply do not check it so it will not download. You can find thousands of threads on this issue about anywhere you find a mac site.

Count me in…

I purchased a 24" iMac (Late 2008 model : 2.8 Ghz + Ati HD2600) on April 2009 and since 10.6.3 update, my screen freezes.

Sometimes the mouse and keyboard just don't work; sometimes the screen goes black or grey or blue or green; sometimes the screen displays some Warhol-like pattern with technicolor shades and a screaming noise -- Let's say Warhol meeting hippies during a Civil War started by hippos.

At least, I encountered one freeze a day.

Then… miracle. Printer unplugged and no freezes for 3 weeks !

Then… catastrophe. Freezes back and stronger. 10.6.4 update didn't help.

Problem is : I must write and proofread a film script at any cost since deadline is set August 31st.

Using Pages to write ideas down, freeze and freeze and freeze and freeze and freeze all over again.

Finally, catastrophe Take Two. Check this out…
http://img807.imageshack.us/f/photo1c.jpg/

Looks like my dock and Safari window are burnt in… That's what I call grandiloquent. In other words, my iMac is one year old and the screen is almost dead… burnt in the depth of technological ****.

So well, thank you. All I can do is to pray iMac will survive until the script is written. Come on iMac, be my hero !

Jay,

I'm sad for you but looking at your description, I don't believe your problems are the same than those we are talking about in this thread.

Your machine seems really sick, and it looks to me like a hardware problem. If I were you, I would try to do a full reinstall of snow Leopard and to not apply the updates for some days. Then, if it works flawlessly, install the updates and see if the problems arise again...

In the best case, you'll be able to write your script and prove that the updates are the source of the problem. Otherwise... Try to talk to a local Apple representative to try having your machine repaired even if it is a bit later than the standard warranty period.

Wishing you the best,

Pagaille
Keep us updated !

Well, thanks. I completely agree. It should be a hardware problem.

Since the burn-in accident, I thought it was a software problem since freezes started after the 10.6.3 update.

Tried to reset PRAM and it worked like a charm for about 2 days, then freezes again.

Hopefully, I purchased the AppleCare for iMac so let's hope they'll take the burn-in screen into account. Usually it is excluded from such services…

But this is such a weird coincidence…

10.6.2 : nothing
10.6.3 : Freezes
10.6.4 : Freezes
10.6.4 / printer unplugged : nothing
10.6.4 / Printer unplugged / 3w. later : Freezes + burn-in

Sometimes I feel like my iMac is possessed…

As I mentioned earlier, they replaced my iMac screen and it worked for a few days and then I got the freeze. Finally, they replaced both the logic board and the video board. So far, 2 weeks, iMac is working fine.

Can you buy Apple Care AFTER you have reported a problem with the Mac? (I had AC, but machine was not even a year old so it was still under warranty.)

Al
www.ancins.com

All I know about Apple Care is that it must be purchased "year one".

Now, I've discovered that what I considered "burn in" was called "persistence" by Apple and that it could be fixed. So I tried some javascript Screen Fix and it worked. No more "persistence", no more lines, nothing.

Maybe it is not a hardware problem after all. I don't know. For lack of Time, I'll contact Apple later to make sure there is no big problem.

Yet, I think that I'll downgrade to 10.6.2 and wait for 10.6.5 feedback…

OK. I found someone with a 10.6.0 retail DVD (mine had 10.6.3 on it), and I've reverted my iMac7,1 to 10.6.2 (10.6.0 from DVD, 10.6.2 Combo update, Software Update to latest of everything else).

The clock is ticking (started Aug 3). I hope this returns my iMac to its freeze-free, month-plus uptimes of 10.5.8. Will report back in a couple weeks - sooner if it's still freezing. (see my previous posts for what I've done to try to deal with the 10.6.3/10.6.4 freezes)

After Apple "captured' the data from my iMac and had their engineers review the info, they have now admitted that it is a bad graphic card. I have the Nivida GT 130 on my 24" iMac. They have put in an order to replace it, and will have repair person call to schedule a time. Sure hopes this clears it up. Again, my iMac works ok on 10.6, but any updates sendings it into a screen freeze; pixel glitches with horizontal flashing bars.