Screen going glitchy, fan kicking up

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Screen going glitchy, fan kicking up

Whenever I start my iMac G5, I get a combination of moving black dots and the screen and some odd flickering. Imagine the Apple logo at startup with a breeze blowing in from the left blowing a wisp of pixels to the right. It'll continue flickering until it hits the desktop when it will eventually turn to a solid series of gradients with no way to see the desktop. At times the fan will kick up to full speed. Ideas?

Power Mac/iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jun 19, 2010 4:56 PM

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Answer 1

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WZZZ

Level 6

13,226 points

Jun 19, 2010 5:44 PM in response to spiffking03

Sounds like it might be the video card on the Logic Board. Run the Apple Hardware Test booted from the "Additional Software Disc" by holding down the D key. Select Extended and run it a few times. Write down any error code you get and from what part of the test it appears.

+Before using Apple Hardware Test, disconnect all external devices with the exception of keyboard, mouse, display, and speakers. You should also disconnect the Ethernet network cable. If you are using the MacBook Air, you may need to connect the MacBook Air SuperDrive. Print out these instructions before proceeding with the following steps.+

+1. Restart your computer, holding down the “D” key while the computer restarts.+

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Answer 2

spiffking03 Author

Level 1

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Jun 20, 2010 8:31 PM in response to WZZZ

This would be an awesome solution, unfortunately I don't have the original system disc. I was suspecting the video card, but don't have a way to confirm it.

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Answer 3

WZZZ

Level 6

13,226 points

Jun 21, 2010 9:30 AM in response to spiffking03

Best thing now is to bring it in to the Apple Store or an Apple Authorized repair.

http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/

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Answer 4

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Jun 21, 2010 9:44 AM in response to spiffking03

You can get the system discs from Apple for a nominal sum. Call Apple Customer Relations at 800-767-2775 and give them either your serial number or the exact model of your computer.

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Answer 5

WZZZ

Level 6

13,226 points

Jun 21, 2010 11:04 AM in response to MGW

Thanks Miriam, I should have mentioned that.

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Answer 6

Jun 21, 2010 4:29 PM in response to WZZZ

WZZZ:

I am using the first iMac G5 model, OS 10.5.8, Leopard. The "Additional Software Disc" you are talking about is the one the originally came with the computer and not the Leopard disc?

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Answer 7

WZZZ

Level 6

13,226 points

Jun 21, 2010 6:44 PM in response to Edward Boghosian

Yes.

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