Major Graphics Glitches in 10.8.3

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Level 1

5 points

Major Graphics Glitches in 10.8.3

Hello,

Since upgrading to 10.8.3 (note that none of the below issues happened in 10.8.2, and only started in 10.8.3), I'm seeing the following major graphics glitches every time I attempt to re-start my machine. It also no longer wakes from sleep in 10.8.3; after opening the lid, the machine will turn on, but the display stays black and never comes on again. The only way to recover is a hard restart. Please see the below screenshots (I've edited the third picture to remove my personal information).

When the below graphical glitches are encountered, the only way to recover is a hard restart. The glitches occur about 80% of the time, meaning I need to restart my computer multiple times in order for it to display correctly. I've tried resetting NVRAM/PRAM, which did not help.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on May 2, 2013 6:23 AM

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Answer 1

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 6:26 AM in response to Viper320

It doesn't look as a software issue, but it looks like your graphic card is damaged. Try starting in safe mode, holding the Shift key while your computer is starting, and check that your Mac starts correctly. Also, note that your computer starts flickering when OS X hasn't started yet, so it looks like the graphic card is damaged.

Also, you have an Early 2011 MacBook Pro, so this Mac should have come with DVDs. Insert the Mac OS X DVD and hold the C key while your computer is starting to start from the disc. If the problem still persists, take your computer to an Apple Store or reseller. As I told you, the graphic card is damaged

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Answer 2

Viper320 Author

Level 1

5 points

May 2, 2013 6:29 AM in response to mende1

Hi mende1, thanks for your answer.

If this is a hardware problem, why did this only start happening in 10.8.3, and never in 10.8.2? I'm inclined to think this is an OS software bug introduced in 10.8.3, as opposed to a hardware problem. What do you think?

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Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 6:31 AM in response to Viper320

The problem is that your Mac starts flickering before OS X has started, so it may not be a software problem. Try to start with the Mac OS X DVD as I told you and check that your Mac starts properly. If it starts properly and the screen looks OK, it's a compatibility problem. If not, the graphic card is damaged.

Respecting to the first question, it's possible that it was just by chance. My iMac started doing the same last year and it was that my graphic card was failing

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Answer 4

Viper320 Author

Level 1

5 points

May 2, 2013 6:37 AM in response to mende1

I have no idea where the DVDs are that came with the computer, so I won't be able to try booting from them. However I will try booting in safe mode.

In the meantime, I would love to hear feedback from any other folks who are encountering the same issue after updating to 10.8.3.

My belief is that this issue is caused by changes made to the graphics card switching logic in the 10.8.3 update.

One other important point I forgot to mention is that I connect to an external monitor while at home.

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Answer 5

cbs20

Level 4

2,796 points

May 2, 2013 6:42 AM in response to Viper320

Can you boot to recovery and try reinstalling OS X?

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Answer 6

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 6:43 AM in response to Viper320

Did the external display look OK? If you can, try to do it now

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Answer 7

Viper320 Author

Level 1

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May 2, 2013 6:46 AM in response to mende1

The external display exhibits the same issues as with the built-in display.

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Answer 8

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 6:48 AM in response to Viper320

In that case, discard a display issue. When you start in safe mode, OS X will load a basic driver, not the one that your Mac uses normally, so you may feel that your computer is slow. If your display looks bad in safe mode, it's not a software problem

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Answer 9

Aleksdev

Level 1

55 points

May 2, 2013 6:55 AM in response to Viper320

Hey Viper320,

Do a full system back up and do a reinstall of OS X.

To reinstall(10.7.x or 10.8.x):Hold Command + R right after you pwer on your Mac it will take you into recovery mode from there you can select reinstall OS X.

Additional notes:

Its obviously a software issue.

Aleks

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Answer 10

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 6:57 AM in response to Aleksdev

Aleksdev wrote:

Additional notes:

Its obviously a software issue.

Are you completely sure? I'm not. I have seen similar problems before and all of them were hardware problems. You may be right in this case, but maybe not.

As I said before, if after reinstalling OS X or just after trying to start from the Mac OS X DVD, flickering continues, it's a hardware problem and it's not software related, because you have tried different operating systems

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Answer 11

Viper320 Author

Level 1

5 points

May 2, 2013 7:03 AM in response to Aleksdev

Hi Aleksdev,

Thanks for your answer.

1) I'm already backing up regularly with Time Machine, so that shouldn't be a problem.

2) Will reinstalling OS X require the original DVDs? Because I do not have them.

3) Will reinstalling OS X cause me to lose all of my data?

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Answer 12

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 7:05 AM in response to Viper320

1. You have OS X Mountain Lion, and OS X Mountain Lion includes OS X Recovery > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718 To reinstall OS X, hold Command and R keys while your Mac is starting and select the option to reinstall.

2. You won't lose anything saved, but it's always good to have a backup

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Answer 13

Aleksdev

Level 1

55 points

May 2, 2013 7:56 AM in response to Viper320

@viper320,

You wont need the original install disks unless you purchased the Mac with Snow leopard (10.6.x). To get the Snow leopard install disks you can do so very easily by contacting Apple.

The reinstall wont erase anything back ups are just recommended :-)

You sound like your good to go!

Aleks

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Answer 14

Aleksdev

Level 1

55 points

May 2, 2013 7:58 AM in response to mende1

@Mende1,

It has the same issue on an external monitor im completly positive. How could this be a video card issue? Pretty big coincedence that it happend after a software update dont you agree?

But what do I know, right?

Aleks

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Answer 15

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

May 2, 2013 8:00 AM in response to Aleksdev

I have seen worse things in this world. And it could be a software issue, but I insist: if the screen flickers during startup, it's a hardware problem, because OS X 10.8.3 isn't running at that moment and it has nothing to do with graphic drivers

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