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JoshS182 Author

Level 1

0 points

Graphical issues with 2011 iMac and Lion

I have a 2011 27" iMac (core i7 and AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2GB) with 2 external displays, most of the graphical issues are present in the external displays but the menu bar, dock and volume popup all appeared distorted on the main display.

On the external display most apps look like this http://i.imgur.com/FQ0AJ.png

there are a few exceptions like steam, safari and itunes, these apps don't show any distortion apart from when being switched the the other displays though, almost all other apps apear disdorted (as shown in the image) on the external displays.

I never had these issues with Snow Leopard but as far as I can tell its some kind of graphics driver problem, don't know how this wasn't spotted in the beta..

More images:

http://imgur.com/bK3jBl&RSaix

http://imgur.com/bK3jB&RSaixl

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 9:06 PM

194 replies

stallout

Level 1

0 points

Jan 1, 2012 7:28 PM in response to adamfromwesterville

I'm still having this problem with my 13-inch aluminum late 2008 MacBook running OS X 10.7.2. The screwy colors in the dock, etc. only show up on my external display (Dell 2407WFP-HC). And for what it's worth, I started seeing these issues after playing a fullscreen game, Torchlight, through Steam.

Some of you mentioned that logging out and back in fixes it. I have an easier quick fix:

Open System Preferences > Displays, click the Color tab, and choose another display profile. Then switch back to your normal one. POW, problem solved. At least temporarily. 🙂 (Edit: just noticed that other people have already shared this solution... oops. That's what I get for not reading the entire thread first.)

Perhaps Apple will fix this issue in 10.7.3.

Apps2Go

Level 1

0 points

Jan 2, 2012 2:37 PM in response to stallout

This didn't work for me, I'm running an Imac 27inch 3.4 Ghz Corei7 with update 10.7.2 and its just freaking out Launch just flickers non-stop. To think my 2003 G5-ppc still running like a champ LOL unbelievable. Apple should really adress this with a proper response.

Apps2Go

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2012 6:17 AM in response to Apps2Go

I ran a software update check it installed a thunderbolt update (which I am not using a Thunderbolt display) and after re-boot the problem was gone. I also checked my bootrom Ver. and it all seemed to pan out. If you need more info visit link.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237

Hope this works for all of you.

Jan 3, 2012 6:26 AM in response to Apps2Go

I went to the link that I needed to update my display. It says that this software is not supported on my computer. UGH! lol Not sure what to do now.

Apps2Go

Level 1

0 points

Jan 4, 2012 7:19 AM in response to michelefromcoraopolis

Wow ! Did you check to see what version it is referencing ? If so, can your system update to that version. I believe you should not have to pay for an upgrade to fix an apple related problem. Good luck as of this date my flickering issues are gone.(for now LOL).

Feb 2, 2012 6:24 PM in response to JoshS182

This issue has come up many times in many different ways with iMac users.

There really is no direct answer for a hardware issue so i suggest taking it in to an apple store.

Apr 18, 2012 9:58 AM in response to silentparty

Yeah not overly excited about my new experiences with my iMac.

My iMac has issues viewing images on the internet, after I select a picture to enlarge it struggles to render the image in the speed it should. It actually frames it.

I have a 3.4gb, 27 inch iMac with currently 12 gb of system ram, and a 2gb Radeon 6970 video card, acts like I have a 256mb video card.

Can I update my drivers thru AMD?

JoshS182 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 18, 2012 1:56 PM in response to Gregg Stewart

Thats not a driver issue, thats a hardware issue. Go to the Apple store, explain your problem and then they should replace your graphics card.

Apr 25, 2012 4:09 PM in response to stallout

Still having random graphic issues with 10.7.2, now updating to 10.7.3.

As others have confirmed it only happens to me in chrome, while in youtube...

screen flashed green with purple lines... I was also restoring an iphone at the same time - as per another user.

You would think the system could cope:

Imac 3.4 i&

16GB Ram (apple)

2GB Video

2TB HD

So far my MB Pro 2011

17" i7

16GB Ram (3rd Party)

1GB Video

480 GB 6G SSD (OWC)

- NO ISSUES with 10.7.2 - Could this be a prodominate issue with iMac hardware over laptops? Touch Wood.

Also, unrelated: chrome freezes sometimes in youtube - not sure if related.

Color section doesn't fix the header or dock for me...

After reading 13 pages of concerns... why is there no Apple tech comments?... Are these forums monitored?

JoshS182 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2012 4:08 PM in response to canberrawebdesigner

Well it seems a software update fixed the issues most of us were having a long time ago, I can't really remember but I think it was before 10.7.2. Chrome on the Mac has terrtible terrible issues with flash and therefor youtube; chrasing, freezing and other visual issues. I imagaine this is your issue and I reccomend moving over to safari or enouther browser as thats what I did and everything works perfectly now. If you use Chrome's bookmark sync feature, theres a plugin for all browers called Xmarks which I use, does the same thing and works just fine. 🙂

Apr 25, 2012 4:18 PM in response to JoshS182

Hi Josh,

Agreed, safari is a better browser but unfortunately I need to test the websites across browsers and it is easy to open another tab - before long you have 15 odd tabs open in Safari, chrome and firefox!

I must admit the screen issue hasn't happened for ages, but it just happened again!

Apr 25, 2012 4:32 PM in response to JoshS182

I haven't seen the issue come up since the Graphics update and X.7.3

Shakarsa

Level 1

0 points

Feb 18, 2013 12:16 AM in response to Mark Merlo

i have this problem for about 1 month, i dont know what should i do. this distortions are so fast like a flashes and really bother me. im using iMac for photo retouching ....

Hubet

Level 1

4 points

Aug 8, 2013 12:17 AM in response to tektribe

I had also a videocard problem with AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1GB on my iMac 2011. It is a known failure. Apple has replaced it 3 times. It took 1 month for having it repaired in a total period of 4 months.

They are using the trial-and-error method. Probably there is no quality control of these videocards. A technician told me that they had replaced it 7 times for one client. I was used to 24 hour on-site service with HP.

Graphical issues with 2011 iMac and Lion