Anyone getting graphics corruption in OSX Mavericks?

So Apple has now replaced my mainboard in my laptop (they covered it under warranty even though my warranty ran out 6 months ago). I only got the laptop back today so I will let you know how it goes. But they certainly thought it was an issue with the main board.

If it is software related, it can only be OS X related - not anything like Tuxera or MacFuse. It was still happening after I did a clean install (and I have never had those 2 apps installed anyway).

My thought is that the issue with the disgreet graphics card had been there for a while, but the update to Mavericks just showed it. Software, especially video card drivers, can show or hide hardware issues like that depending on how they are written.

Anyway, I will let you know how I go. But hopefully all is good now.

Ok - here is an update. Despite all the parts that Apple replaced, this afternoon I was using my mid-2010 Macbook Pro and the issue came up again. Not happy...

I then turned OFF Automatic Graphic Switching, and the issue went away. As usual, the memory usage was through the roof when this happened.

So it has to be something to do with the graphics drivers in Mavericks.

i have same problem also with app store application the picture are pixlated and on safari too anyone know how to fix the problem safari too showing this problem specially pictures pixlations tried to fix it but usless

Hello all, I also had the repair done by Apple - they swapped out the logic board/motherboard. I've been using the computer for a few hours now, and no problem yet.

By the way, this issue has surfaced often enough that Apple had a pre-defined diagnostics test expressly for it, and the Apple technician (genius) told me as such. The name of the test was 'mid-2010 Macbook Pro' or something like that. The repair was done at no charge to me whatsoever, even though my Applecare ran out in September.

Hopefully, this resolves the issue for good (although higgalls' update above is not encouraging). In any case, Apple should be given the highest praise for trying to make good on this issue. I could never imagine "Brand HP" or "Brand MSFT" providing anywhere near this level of support, especially given the out-of-warranty status.

- Steve

PS - funny, because the disposal unit in my kitchen sink gave out the same day, and even though it was 20 years old, and it was a Sunday, someone answered the 800 number and walked me through dismantling. Two super customer support instances in one day. Who'd have thought?

Hope you have more luck than me :S

I have emailed the Senior Analyst at Apple who was dealing with my case, and gave him the update. We will see what happens when he gets in contact with me. My guess is that he will get engineering involved to further diagnose (he said that would happen if the mainboard replacement didn't resolve the issue).

Same issues - MacBook 17" and, yes, mid 2010 like everybody else on this post. My problems were solved by turning off automatic graphics switching.

I am constantly required to install stuff to support some camera driver or chinese language font or whatever - but its been two or three months since Mavericks was released and this issue isn't being solved by the company.

Furthermore why does Apple (the wealthiest tech company on the planet) leave it to us users to give each other advice instead of giving the advice themselves? Apparently many users seem to be thrilled to provide tech support for Apple for free - despite the fact that we all end up reading scattered opinions (of varying quality) that urge us to try this or that, the vast majority of which don't help and sometimes hurt. Wastes hours and hours of our time. A large number of people have reinstalled their entire operating system or replaced the mainboard of their computer to TRY to address this issue - that takes at least a day or two staring at progress bars, etc.

All Apple would have to do is interject on this post and say "We're working on it - we're aware of the issue" or "We're aware of the issue but won't fix it" and I'd be a lot less angry. It's the silence that makes me feel like they simply are hoping we'll go away or, worse yet - give up and buy a 2014 MacBook Pro.

if the issue is solved by turning off AGS - that means the nVidia 330M is not to blame - it's a driver/firmware issue imho

The problem has returned. I will take the computer back to the Apple store and have it looked at again. This repair case carries a 90 day warranty, so we'll see. I'll keep everyone posted. (my belief is that it's somehow related to the on-board graphics in the Intel i5 chip - perhaps the memory that is assigned to that part of the i5 - because switching to the nVidia via Energy Saver makes the problem go away)

- Steve

1) Only the Finder is running. I am burning a disk of files from my computer, and the front-most window is the prompt to insert a disk to burn. There was no problem with the actual burn itself.

2) Finder and Firefox running. Finder window is at the front (status of burning a disk). Notice that the icons of some of the applications running in the menu bar are also currupted.

This discussion is really becoming surreal. Apple can't admit there is something wrong with "automated graphics switching" on mid-2010 laptops. That is like admitting that it might rain tomorrow. I would really LOVE to know what is REALLY going on, but we never will.

I have the same problem (mid-2010 15" MBP with a GT 330M) and am reminded of similar problems in the days of 10.7 as the commenters in this other thread have mentioned: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5673404. Back then, I was convinced it was a hardware issue with the Intel graphics, but with later 10.7 updates and all of 10.8, my MBP was free of the graphics corruption issues. So whatever software fix/workaround seems to have been discarded with 10.9.

Also, disabling AGS is not a good solution; running with discrete graphics at all times drains the battery quickly.

Hi - About 2 weeks ago, Apple replaced my logic board. I returned home with high expectations but within about a day, the problem returned. To review: in Energy Saver, forcing the Intel on-board graphics to save battery life makes the problem happen, and enabling both Intel and Invidia graphics makes the graphics issue go away. Go back to Intel-only and problem returns. 95% of my application software usage is Firefox v25, Microsoft Office 2011 (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook - v14.3.9 / Build131030 ), Adobe Photoshop CS5, Adobe Bridge.

But here's something I haven't thought of - I also use an iPad, and use Avatron's Air Display software to use the iPad as a second screen to the MacBook Pro. I have it set as a startup program, as the computer boots up.

My primary Apple Support resource has been an Apple retail store and the Genius bar. When the technician asked what software I use,I hadn't thought of AirDisplay (he was probably thinking that an application could be causing a conflict of some kind, if something hasn't been updated to run in Mavericks). When I got home, I turned off AirDisplay. Our graphics problem seems to have gone away. I haven't had it in a few days now.

The technician said that the next step would be to do an erase-and-reinstall, which I am very reluctant to do. So I'm hoping that this issue doesn't come back. Will keep you updated.

Hi Steve,

That's good to hear and I hope that you've found a fix. As I said in previous posts I had a myriad of problems with my mid 2010 17" MacBook pro (including the graphics problem) and nothing I tried worked other than doing an erase (with a zero's overwrite) and a reinstall using my TimeMachine back up. NOTE I DID DO A BACK-UP TO A SEPARATE HARD DRIVE TOO JUST IN CASE AS I GATHER TIMEMACHINE RESTORES CAN SOMETIMES FAIL.

My Mac has been perfect since and the performance has improved massively with no spinning beach balls whatsoever.

I guess we may think we get used to a fast machine after a while and hence don't appreciate the speed any longer but I can now say tha mine had definately declined given the super-quick performance my Mac is now delivering.

In my case I'm pretty sure that mutiple migrations over a number of years was somehow causing the graphics issues, mail problems, wireless drop-out, poor performance and lock-ups.

I have posted in this chain previously. I took my mid 2010 15 inch MBP to the apple store and had them run basic diagnostic tests. They found no issues. I did a complete erase and re-install. All I brought over from my time machine backup were programs. The shadow rendering/graphics issue returned within hours. At that point, I turned of Automatic Graphics Switiching and the problem went away for 2-3 weeks, although admittedly I wasn't using the computer as much during that period.

On New Years Day I opened it up to a black screen. I double checked that that battery wasn't dead, then had to do a forced power down. The gray startup screen came up at startup, but then back to black. I did another forced power down and tried to restart in safe mode. Black screen again. I closed it and took it back to the Apple store genius bar, figuring at least now they will have to address whatever issue is causing my problems. Just my luck when I get there and open up it is in the safe mode login screen. They ran tests and found no issues and were not able to replicate the issue in store. They kept it for 24 hours and ran more diagnostics... still no hardware issues found. They called me and said they thought it could be software related and wanted to troubleshoot that avenue. They did a complete erase and reinstall in the store. Gave it back to me as essentially a new computer - software wise.

I got home and BAM. Within 1 hour of use the shadow rendering issues had returned. I am now confident this has nothing to do with installed software, etc. I had not turned off AGS, so I have done that now and will see if that helps the issue not pop up again, but more and more I am starting to believe that this flaw is related to Mavericks and will have to be fixed through an update to the OS. According to all the diagnostic tests that the Genius Bar has run my CPU is fine. I have done the erase and reinstall twice (once bringing over my programs, once just going with the Apple base system) and the issue has returned both times. I had no issues with my MBP prior to updating to Mavericks.

Pretty frustrating all around. I really hope that Apple addresses this in an update to the OS.

Since I followed the advice - back in December - to turn off AGS in the Energy Saver panel I have ceased to have the problem.... so far. I keep my MBP connected to power mostly, so I don't have issues with battery life.

I am amazed that Apple has made no comment to address the problem - and the only advice is for owners of these older models to take their MBP to an Apple store. At the expense of time, stress and possibly loss of data the staff run diagnostics, replace bits, suggest erasing and reinstalling, hand the machines back to desperate owners who find the problem has not gone away.

Frankly, silence is not the kind of reaction we expect from a company which endeavours to lead the field in computer technology and customer care. If Mavericks is not an ideal platform for the older MBP then please tell us - otherwise at least say you are working on a solution.

Happy New Year!

Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions.

Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem solved sooner.

Feedback