sudden display problem - red pixels distorting images

Question

sudden display problem - red pixels distorting images

I have a 2 GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro purchased summer 2005 that is currently running Mac OS 10.6.3. The graphics card is a Radeon X1600.

Last night, I was using the computer as usual and all of a sudden the screen became distorted with red pixels. Other colors are slightly distorted as well (blue pixels where white space is, etc.). Here is a screen capture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50224754@N05/4613121548/

I noticed upon startup there is no problem with the colors and when the desktop background first loads it looks fine for a second or two, but then the red comes back immediately.

Is my video card crapping out on me? Am I going to have to get a new computer? I was hoping to get at least another year out of this one because otherwise it works just fine.

Macbook Pro 2 GHz Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on May 16, 2010 1:53 PM

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Answer 1

May 16, 2010 1:58 PM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

Pulled up the flickr photo on my other Mac and it doesn't show the problem at all... basically most of the large black areas in the desktop background and on the border around the iPad on Apple's homepage are flickering red pixels. The white areas show some blue pixels.

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Answer 2

S.U.

Level 6

9,595 points

May 16, 2010 2:46 PM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

It might be worth trying an external display--if you have a graphics chip problem, it should show up there too. If the problem is just with the built in display, you may have a problem either with it or possibly with the cables to it.

Might be worth running the extended version of the Apple Hardware test to see if you get an error code indicating the graphics chip.

Good luck!

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Answer 3

May 16, 2010 9:32 PM in response to S.U.

Thank you for the suggestions.

I ran the Apple Hardware Test CD, did both the quick and extended test and it said no problems detected.

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Answer 4

Munas

Level 4

1,270 points

May 17, 2010 6:30 AM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

Can it be dead pixels?

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Answer 5

S.U.

Level 6

9,595 points

May 17, 2010 8:14 AM in response to Munas

It sounds more like stuck pixels. Does it do any good to touch them on the display? I've read that will sometimes unstick them. Dead pixels would be expected to be black because they wouldn't turn on at all.

Good news that the AHT didn't turn up a graphics chip error. If the display is perfect on an external display--possibly you could borrow one to check--then the problem is likely to be with the built in display.

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Answer 6

chip897

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2010 4:17 PM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

yoheys :: I have the exact same problem, red pixels where the black is... when switching display options it will be normal for a second and then go right back to red where the black should be. Any news or help on this would be awesome.

Thanx again.

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Answer 7

Jigar

Level 1

0 points

Jun 14, 2010 11:47 PM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

Hey - I have the exact same issue... Macbook pro 2006 model and same specs as yours. I went to the AASP and they asked me to replace the entire display clam shell for Rs. 50,000 (abt. $1000). I then called up Apple and asked them if they can reduce the price as it is nearly 50% of the cost of the laptop! But as expected they could not do anything and mentioned that the AASP's prices are final.

But oddly enough the AASP calls me the same day and reduces the price to about Rs. 35,000 ~$700. But it's still not worth it. Apple is out to kill customers by charging exorbitantly. I am planning to get a Samsung P2370MS external monitor for Rs. 15,000 ~$300 instead of paying much more for the screen replacement...

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Answer 8

Jim JSA

Level 1

0 points

Jul 3, 2010 6:14 AM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

I have the exact same problem. I also think it happened when I was sent to a Flicker web page. Now, the color is saturated red where it should be dark black (except for text) with lines!

I have an ATI Radeon X1600 Video card.

Hope someone finds a fix to this!

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Answer 9

Sep 12, 2010 11:58 AM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

I am having the same issue as described here. Just happened out of the blue. When hooked up to an external, everything looks fine. So the display? Or the cord? Has anyone successfully fixed this issue?

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Answer 10

Oct 25, 2010 4:33 AM in response to dylanschafer

Perhaps worth checking the "display anomalies thread" (which search engine is better at finding than Apple's site search)?

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Answer 11

G J W H

Level 1

0 points

Nov 3, 2010 11:44 AM in response to Ian Cheong

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11672171
says it's just a loose connector, I hope so
g

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Answer 12

chip897

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2011 10:08 PM in response to G J W H

Having same problem, thought it might be the connector... open up my computer, disconnected and re-connected everything to do with the display and no fix. If anyone else has answers, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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Answer 13

Feb 1, 2011 6:15 PM in response to chip897

Having the exact same problem, and why am I not surprised that I'm not alone. Honestly, been a mac customer for just over a year and had more hardware problems (failed hard drive, power supply failure, now the display issue, etc.) than I've had with every PC I've ever owned combined. At any rate, for what it's worth I got so frustrated with the symptoms coming and going, that when it hung around for a while one day I decided to bounce the laptop off the arm of the couch a couple times, and low and behold, the display went back to normal. Sounds a lot like something's loose to me, but when it comes back again I will be bringing it to the "Genius" bar to replace whatever hardware is apparently faulty.

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Answer 14

May 2, 2011 4:08 PM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

Yesterday this issue appeared for the first time on my Macbook Pro (late 2006) and the Apple assistance center told me that I have to replace the logic board for 740 euro.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/1556/photo3bg.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/361/photo5co.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3117/photo2tak.jpg

Speaking with the technician, I've understood that this is a common issue on this Macbook with this ATI X1600, and it is usually caused by heat.

What do you think about a class action? Maybe against ATI?

I've looked over the web and I've found the "Hagens Berman LLP".

This is their website and it is possible to tell them about our claim (there is a button on the left): http://www.hbsslaw.com/home/

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Answer 15

Mar 29, 2012 10:13 AM in response to Evelyn Scarborough

I have the exact same issue on my hp computer with no graphics card and pentium processor. I think it has to do with slamming the screen or somethin because the computer is fine it is the pixels in the screen. I let it sit for a while and it cleared up. This is about a 5 or more year old laptop. The older it gets the more likely you will get this problem. if you take a screen shot it look like normal on a different display. I hate this problem and if anyone has a permanent fix that isnt buy a whole new part of the computer. That would be great.

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