Jamberoo
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: My 2008 iMac 24".

I have a 2008 iMac 24" OSX 10.6.8: 2.4 GHz IntelCore 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM.

At times (why?) my iMac gets into a mode where the screen fluctuates to becomes much smaller on a darker home screen, and appears with any other open screens (also small) with a bright dark blue edge around it. Sometimes it fluctuates every second. Is it the computer? Is it the USB mouse?

Any downloads necessary? Any remedies? Please make it simple - I'm not a computer geek.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Dec 5, 2012 3:41 PM

by rkaufmann87,Solvedanswer
rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87
Level 9 (58,704 points)
Photos for Mac
A:

This sounds like a failing graphics card or display. I would recommend taking it into your local Apple Store or AASP to be professionaly inspected.

Posted on Dec 5, 2012 3:53 PM

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Jamberoo

Q: My 2008 iMac 24".

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  • Helpful answers

  • by rkaufmann87,Solvedanswer

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Dec 5, 2012 3:53 PM in response to Jamberoo
    Level 9 (58,704 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 5, 2012 3:53 PM in response to Jamberoo

    This sounds like a failing graphics card or display. I would recommend taking it into your local Apple Store or AASP to be professionaly inspected.

  • by LousyFool,Helpful

    LousyFool LousyFool Dec 5, 2012 3:53 PM in response to Jamberoo
    Level 4 (2,645 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 3:53 PM in response to Jamberoo

    That's the "App Expose" function. If you're running 10.6.8, then look here. Eventually it is getting activated by a "Hot Corner", meaning by moving the mouse pointer into a screen corner which is dedicated to launching App Expose (see System Preferences).

  • by LousyFool,

    LousyFool LousyFool Dec 5, 2012 3:54 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 4 (2,645 points)
    Dec 5, 2012 3:54 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    No way. It's App Expose.

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Dec 5, 2012 4:01 PM in response to LousyFool
    Level 9 (58,704 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 5, 2012 4:01 PM in response to LousyFool

    I hope you are correct and I'm wrong.

  • by Jamberoo,

    Jamberoo Jamberoo Dec 7, 2012 1:24 PM in response to LousyFool
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2012 1:24 PM in response to LousyFool

    Many thanks, LousyFool. Your suggestions DO seem to have solved the problem. It WAS a problem with Expose, and it seems fine now (so far). When I was using iMovie, it used to flash in and out of the screens, which was infuriating. I'm VERY grateful.

    Thanks also to rkaufmann87 for taking the time to consider my problem and attempt to remedy it.

  • by Jamberoo,

    Jamberoo Jamberoo Dec 7, 2012 1:25 PM in response to LousyFool
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2012 1:25 PM in response to LousyFool

    Many thanks, LousyFool. Your suggestions DO seem to have solved the problem. It WAS a problem with Expose, and it seems fine now (so far). When I was using iMovie, it used to flash in and out of the screens, which was infuriating. I'm VERY grateful.

    Thanks also to rkaufmann87 for taking the time to consider my problem and attempt to remedy it.

  • by LousyFool,

    LousyFool LousyFool Dec 7, 2012 4:00 PM in response to Jamberoo
    Level 4 (2,645 points)
    Dec 7, 2012 4:00 PM in response to Jamberoo

    Okay, but you are marking the hint towards hardware trouble as solver. So, are you saying it was a problem caused by failing hardware, indeed? Could you please tell which hardware component?

  • by Jamberoo,

    Jamberoo Jamberoo Dec 8, 2012 3:15 AM in response to LousyFool
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2012 3:15 AM in response to LousyFool

    It seems, as you suggested, that it was a problem with Expose. My problems certainly had the blue Expose edge around them.

    When I went to the Systems Preferences and chose Expose and Spaces, and reset the keystrokes under the Expose heading, resetting 'All Windows' to F1, 'Application windows' to F2 and 'Show Desktop' to F3 and cancelled out the mouse buttons for these three choices, it now seems to be working well.

    As I said, Im not a geek, so I hope this makes some sense to you and answers your questions.

    As it's now working well, I'm very greatful to you. Thanks.

  • by LousyFool,

    LousyFool LousyFool Dec 8, 2012 3:21 AM in response to Jamberoo
    Level 4 (2,645 points)
    Dec 8, 2012 3:21 AM in response to Jamberoo

    No need to be grateful, you're welcome.

     

    Only, your marking a different (= the wrong) post as "solved your question", it can mislead others if they don't continue reading the entire thread. Not sure if you can correct that...

     

    Anyway, keep enjoying your Mac, and let us know if you need more help.

  • by Jamberoo,

    Jamberoo Jamberoo Dec 8, 2012 11:39 AM in response to LousyFool
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 8, 2012 11:39 AM in response to LousyFool

    You're right, of course. I marked it incorrectly and couldn't see a way of correcting it.