How can I make sure my graphics card is dead?

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Hiroshi2014 Author

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How can I make sure my graphics card is dead?

After having Mavericks issues I did a clean install from Snow Leopard to Mavericks.

Installed all the apps and while using safari the screen froze and looked like this

http://blog.irrashai.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dsc00313.jpg

I've been reading up on Nvidia 8800 GT with Mavericks and didn't know I had to update the drivers. I've accepted the fact that I most likely will need a new card but I just make sure. After the first crash it booted up and I was about to email myself a copy of the crash report but it froze again. Now my Machine won't boot at all.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

Posted on Apr 4, 2014 1:06 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 4, 2014 1:21 PM in response to Hiroshi2014

The Video card in a MacBook Pro is not separately replaceable.

Your appointment at the genius bar of an Apple Store for an evaluation is FREE, in warranty or out.

They can quickly tell you the flat rate price for a new motherboard to fix that problem.

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Answer 2

Hiroshi2014 Author

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Apr 4, 2014 1:24 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Sorry! I should have posted my system

Mac Pro 3,1 (early 2008)

Nvidia 8800 GT

Thanks though!

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Answer 3

Apr 4, 2014 1:44 PM in response to Hiroshi2014

The screen shot you posted says MacBook Pro across the bottom. If that was not the system you have, a statement to that effect would have been helpful.

Users have had nothing but trouble form the 8800GT, and there are numerous recipes online for removing plastic parts and baking in your home oven to re-flow the solder and get some more life out of it.

User Tip: Mac Pro silver tower (2006-2012) Replacement Graphics cards

.

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Answer 4

Hiroshi2014 Author

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Apr 4, 2014 2:11 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Excuse me for the confussion. That was an example of what my screen looked like. Can you confirm that my card is dead from the example pic? Is there any way that I can confirm it's dead before shopping for a new card?

If I were to buy this card...

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-ATI-Radeon-5770-MC742ZM/dp/B003Z6QH6M/ref=sr_1_7?s=e lectronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1396645515&sr=1-7&keywords=ati+5870

would it work without having to install drivers?

Thanks!

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Answer 5

Apr 4, 2014 2:18 PM in response to Hiroshi2014

That is the least expensive full-featured card until it was discontinued recently. Works in evey model of Mac Pro. The Drivers for that card are included in 10.6.5 and all later versions of Mac OS X.

Drivers for Apple cards are almost always included with the appropriate version of Mac OS X, and cards do not usually require anything be installed separately.

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Answer 6

Hiroshi2014 Author

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Apr 4, 2014 2:28 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Great!

I still would like to know if there is anything I can do to be certain it's the card and not anything else.

I do remember seeing "Nvidia" when I skimmed through the crash report if that is any help.

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Answer 7

Apr 4, 2014 2:40 PM in response to Hiroshi2014

It's the card.

Those kinds of artifacts are only caused by Hardware problems.

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Answer 8

Hiroshi2014 Author

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Apr 4, 2014 2:56 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

What are your thoughts on the ATI 5770? I'm shopping for a card tonight cuz I've got graphics to deliver by next thursday and any info from personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 9

Apr 4, 2014 7:11 PM in response to Hiroshi2014

The link on amazon now shows no NEW Cards, only a refurb, which turns out to be a flashed PC card with two DVI ports instead of one DVI plus two Mini DisplayPort.

a few vendors appear to have some new for about US$350 and UP.

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Answer 10

Hiroshi2014 Author

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Apr 4, 2014 7:24 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for all your Help Grant!

As a last resort I tried booting from Leopard install CD and do a clean install but my screen had more artifacting.

Will the flashed card not work?

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Answer 11

Apr 4, 2014 7:53 PM in response to Hiroshi2014

Some flashed PC cards do not show a picture until the login screen or the desktop. You must be very careful to understand what it will do. Some sellers arm-wave this and say,"The startup screens are there if you hook up a VGA monitor to the first port"

Buyer beware.

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