zoup
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Freeze at opening screen - off center logo - checkerboard background

Community,

Yesterday I did some updates. I think java, iTunes and something else. After that completed. Then a flash update.

This morning I turned on but can't get past the splash screen which is not right either.

I'm trying to get a screenshot posted using an iphone4.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 18, 2012 10:18 AM

by ds store,Solvedanswer
ds store ds store
Level 7 (30,400 points)
A:

zoup wrote:

 

At this point, we are soliciting additional input, suggestions, humorous, or sarcastic comments- suggestions-

 

 

The graphic card is dying, the same thing happened to me with the same model.

 

Take it in, they will hook up their Ethernet cable and hold down a key and run a diagnositic, tell you the same thing.

 

 

Also they will tell you if that model qualifies for the free repair or not. They know the batches involved and when that machine was sold.  However don't get your hopes up.

 

Trust me I know how you feel, I tried everything too on my silver key MPB.

 

It's still waiting on the table to be dissected for parts.

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 4:48 PM

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zoup

Q: Freeze at opening screen - off center logo - checkerboard background

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  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 18, 2012 10:39 AM in response to zoup
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 10:39 AM in response to zoup

    Team Support Community. Here are my screenshots. Has anyone else seen or gotten something similar ?There is a small silver square in the upper left corner and a black bar going down the left side. The apple log is off center and you may or may not be able to see the gray and light blue checkerboard like pattern in the background. Any help, feedback or assistance any of you might provide would be Greatly appreciated. We updated yesterday and did not seem to have any issues then, but I don't think I shut down afterwards. Three formal apple updates followed by a flash update. I do have a recent time machine backup to fall back on, but need to get the machine to boot first. The first screen is what I get when I turn the computer on. The second two screens are what happens when I install the snowleopard disc and hold the C down to boot.

    Your thoughts comments and insights are again, much appreciated.

    Thanks,

    zoupphoto 1.JPGphoto 2.JPGphoto 3.JPG

  • by ds store,Helpful

    ds store ds store Jun 18, 2012 11:15 AM in response to zoup
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 11:15 AM in response to zoup

    You have a hardware issue brought on likely by a firmware update.

     

    Since one can't revert the firmware, it would call for a logicboard replacement.

     

     

    There is something you can try, if the firmware didn't install complete successfully, you might be able to reinstall it.

     

     

    You must know your machine, pick the right SMC and EFI here,

     

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

     

     

    burn it to disk with another Mac here and how to install it.

     

    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT2213

  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 18, 2012 12:52 PM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 12:52 PM in response to ds store

    Hi,

    Thank you for your input !

    I attempted to find the SMC and EFI.

    Oddly, there is no EFI listed for my 4.1 Early 2008 MBP. The SMC is available, but "Alert: This computer does not need this update - Close" is the message when I attempt to run the pkg. So no luck on either of those two fronts yet.

    I rebooted again, and did finally get a good startup. I immediately Time Machined and backed up.

    Everything seemed okay with some light facebooking, and article reading. All was fine until I started streaming a cnet video over the internet. I think my video card is not happy as the primary laptop screen and the external monitor went both froze and freaked out (I wish I would have taken a photo) but it was clear that they both needed to be turned off right away. I will try and duplicate again.

    THank you for the feedback. Regarding the logic board replacement, I have updated the memory (super easy), and swapped a harddrive by removing the keyboard (mid level beginner) in the past. Is a logic board something I can do myself ?  That sounds pretty heavy duty for a laptop, and I'm a confident beginner at best. I have no money for a new machine right now.  Should I ask a genius for some good will on that one, or give it a try ?

  • by ds store,Helpful

    ds store ds store Jun 18, 2012 1:03 PM in response to zoup
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 1:03 PM in response to zoup

    All was fine until I started streaming a cnet video over the internet. I think my video card is not happy as the primary laptop screen and the external monitor went both froze and freaked out (I wish I would have taken a photo) but it was clear that they both needed to be turned off right away. I will try and duplicate again.

     

    Disconnect the other hardware, it could be that other monitor.

     

    Which reminds me, do a SMC, PRAM reset, Hardware Test, check the battery etc., might be a power issue.

     

    1. SMC reset

     

    Category: Hardware power related

     

    Instructions: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

     

    Problems solved: Machine is not booting, power button pressed and nothing happens, problems with indicators, Magsafe has wrong lights, battery is not charging, monitor and graphics issues etc.  If the battery is not charged (from like letting it sleep too long), let the Mac charge up awhile first.

     

    Other related hardware problems:

     

    Magsafe issues: https://support.apple.com/kb/TS1713   https://support.apple.com/kb/TS4127

     

    Check battery status: Hold the option key down while clicking on the battery icon in the menu bar, top right corner.

     

    Magsafe: Use the correct/matching power supply charger with your Mac, not a less powered one from another Mac.

     

    Laptop won't power up  https://support.apple.com/kb/TS1365

     

    Computer won't power up  https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

     

    Troubleshooting the slot loading optical Superdrive:  https://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801

     

     

    Find the closest Apple repair or distributor:  https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1434

     

     

     

    2. PRAM reset

     

    Category: Hardware related

     

    Description: PRAM stores certain system and device settings in a location that Mac OS X can access quickly. Exactly which settings are stored in the computer's PRAM varies depending on the type of computer as well as the types of devices and drives connected to the computer.

     

    Instructions: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/26871.html

     

    Problems resolved: Depends upon hardware and connected devices.

     

     

     

    3: Hardware Test

     

    Category: Hardware only related

     

    Description: Apple's Hardware Test, does a internal investigation for hardware related issues.

     

    Instructions: https://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

     

    For those machine that have it, you need to have a Internet connection and hold the D key down for quite some time to load it from Apple's servers.

     

    If it gives anything, write it down and consider taking it in for service.

     

    Find the closest Apple repair or distributor:  https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1434

     

     

     

    Is a logic board something I can do myself ?

     

    No unfortunately, it's the whole insides of the main computer.

     

     

    I have no money for a new machine right now.

     

    Bummers, it's $310+ for a logicboard graphics repair is what I was quoted for that model which that one is likely only worth about $500 to $600 now if the wear isn't bad enough to be seen.

     

     

    Should I ask a genius for some good will on that one, or give it a try ?

     

    They will hook up their CAT5 cable to it and run a diagnostic, tell you what it is. Gratis.

  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 18, 2012 7:59 PM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 18, 2012 7:59 PM in response to ds store

    ds store,

    I must say that I am superbly impressed by not only your knowledge, but the level of detail in your responses as well. I must also thank you extensively for your input along with your willingness to help and provide constructive, and useful feedback.

     

    I will review your suggestions and attempt them in the order suggested.

     

    Thank you very much for your support and input. I will respond with the results.

  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 19, 2012 2:36 PM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2012 2:36 PM in response to ds store

    This morning I went to boot up and it happened again. So far I have not been able to get back to a usable state. It's getting frustrating knowing that I somehow got it to work again yesterday. The issue seems to be prompted by HD video streaming. I just hope I can get it back to a working state to try some of the suggestions above.

     

    The question remains though. Has anyone else experienced this same issue ?

  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 21, 2012 4:28 PM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 4:28 PM in response to ds store

    So I performed 1 and 3. No probs for a day. Then earlier today, same meltdown. I attempted to reboot several times as before, but gave up. Finally I performed the PRAM Reset and now I get the following two screens. The first one is when I turn the computer on. The second slightly darker one, is when I put the snow leopard disc in and hold down the C key.

    photo.JPG

     

    photo2.JPG

    At this point, we are soliciting additional input, suggestions, humorous, or sarcastic comments- suggestions- or here is what I did to solve the same problem that you have.

  • by CMCSK,

    CMCSK CMCSK Jun 21, 2012 4:32 PM in response to zoup
    Level 6 (10,875 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 4:32 PM in response to zoup

    See if your model computer applies - MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues .  The affected computers  were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Image Hosting by PicVault.info

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 21, 2012 4:34 PM in response to zoup
    Level 9 (61,373 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 21, 2012 4:34 PM in response to zoup

    Is this your MacBook?

     

    MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues

  • by ds store,Solvedanswer

    ds store ds store Jun 21, 2012 4:48 PM in response to zoup
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 4:48 PM in response to zoup

    zoup wrote:

     

    At this point, we are soliciting additional input, suggestions, humorous, or sarcastic comments- suggestions-

     

     

    The graphic card is dying, the same thing happened to me with the same model.

     

    Take it in, they will hook up their Ethernet cable and hold down a key and run a diagnositic, tell you the same thing.

     

     

    Also they will tell you if that model qualifies for the free repair or not. They know the batches involved and when that machine was sold.  However don't get your hopes up.

     

    Trust me I know how you feel, I tried everything too on my silver key MPB.

     

    It's still waiting on the table to be dissected for parts.

  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 21, 2012 5:23 PM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 5:23 PM in response to ds store

    Ugghhh. 4 years, 2 months. (is there an imoticon that rolls eyes here)

     

    Perhaps if I show a little leg ?

     

    Seriously though, thanks to everyone for the feedback and the input.

     

    I do sincerely appreciate and am open to any additional comments or input.

  • by ds store,

    ds store ds store Jun 21, 2012 6:09 PM in response to zoup
    Level 7 (30,400 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 6:09 PM in response to zoup

    Get some tools from Otherworld Computing and dissect it for parts, might be able to get something on eBay for them.

     

    Videos's here and at iFixit.com

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/

  • by CMCSK,

    CMCSK CMCSK Jun 22, 2012 4:18 PM in response to zoup
    Level 6 (10,875 points)
    Jun 22, 2012 4:18 PM in response to zoup

    zoup wrote:

     

    am open to any additional comments or input.

    You never informed us if the link I & Grant provided pertained to your model Macbook Pro.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • by zoup,

    zoup zoup Jun 23, 2012 10:55 AM in response to CMCSK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 23, 2012 10:55 AM in response to CMCSK

    Hi,

    You were both correct. My MBP fits that profile.

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