choosevlove
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: PowerBook G4 screen has blue and red little lines and dots? (pic)

My screen started messing up a few days ago.  I've included a picture.   Not sure if this is a software issue or a harware, and what can I do about it?  I'm running 10.4.11... The dots will sometimes change from red to blue, and follow only the browser window around.  Rarely do they all go away for a few seconds, but it does happen.  Nothing like this is familiar to me, though It seems like a hardware issue.  I snapped this photo using the screenshot camera.  Can anyone help?Picture of desktopG4.jpg

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 9:46 AM

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choosevlove

Q: PowerBook G4 screen has blue and red little lines and dots? (pic)

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  • by old comm guy,

    old comm guy old comm guy Jun 21, 2012 5:14 PM in response to choosevlove
    Level 4 (2,244 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 5:14 PM in response to choosevlove

    First, the image refuses to display on either the G5 or a (ugh!) PC laptop, so not sure what is going on.

     

    You intimate that the spots are in the browser window and follow it about.  Is that correct?  Do they appear elsewhere, like in the desktop or other application windows?  What specific G4 PowerBook are we talking about here and which browser?  Open System Profiler in the Utilities folder.  You should see something like this:

     

    Hardware Overview:

     

      Machine Name:          PowerBook G4 15"

      Machine Model:          PowerBook3,5

      CPU Type:          PowerPC G4  (3.3)

     

    That will help, maybe, as the machine model will let us know which book you have.

     

    If the spots are only in one application's window, then it's likely not a hardware problem.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jun 22, 2012 10:15 AM in response to choosevlove
    Level 8 (35,071 points)
    iPad
    Jun 22, 2012 10:15 AM in response to choosevlove

    One thing to try early on is to connect an extenal monitor to help with diagnosis. If the problem persists on the external one, the casue is in the video harware soldered to the logic board and therefore extremely serious and expensive to fix.

     

    If the probelm does not show up on the external, then the issue in is the dispaly itself, the cabling, or some other bit that is easier and cheaper to replace than the logic board.

     

    A quick check for the presence of bad video cabling is to move the built-in display while watching it. If the pattern changes while you move the display on its hinge, that's a strong indication of a worn cable.

     

    NOTE: Look at the serial number. A lot of PBs whose number starts with W8 have failed displays. Don't post the serial number, simply confirm if it starts with W8