Garbled display on startup, need to start a few times for login screen!

Try resetting the PRAM and SMC

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

About NVRAM and PRAM

I just got this error too...

Try lllaass' good suggestions above. I don't think that is just a software problem.

Those kinds of graphics artifacts (if they are stable and not dancing all over the screen) are usually generated by the graphics card itself, not by a bad cable or connection. If you have access to an Apple Store, you should make an appointment and take it in. Anything that is repeatable, they can fix (by replacing things until it works properly.)

In the US, you can also call AppleCare and have them send you a courier-pack to send it in to a depot.

Another interesting test (not sure you can do it here) is if you can capture the defect in a screen shot. If you can, the defect is sitting in the screen buffer. If not, it is being generated on the way out of your Mac and onto your display.

In the last couple of days, I have seen several graphics issues from the new (cylinder) MacPro (including iTechDude21). Will this become a trend with the dual GPUs on the new machines. It makes me leary of buying one of these now.

Do the monitors work without any issues on other machines without such artifacts?

These forums attract the people with problems. They are not representative of the entire population.

You are correct that some users have reported graphics problems, but there must be thousands out there who have not reported such problems. These machines have been in such high demand they have been on allocation for SIX MONTHS.

If only a handful are reported here as having graphics problems, that is a GREAT track record!

I got the issue fixed my resetting the SMC so you might want to try that.

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

These forums attract the people with problems. They are not representative of the entire population.

Quite agreed. The problems seem to be multiple-monitor related as well. I am not certain how many users would buy such a machine to use with a single monitor. 😉

I am having exactly the same issue - three displays, scrambled occasionally on start up, fixed by restarting.

I feel a bit like a guinea pig trying out Mac's new MacPro but as a video editor who had years of use out of his old MacPro and then had to wait a year before Apple produced a replacement, it feels like they've rather rushed the job.

Still, I'm a unashamed Apple fan and will be for a long time to come. Like supporting a football team through thick and thin, loyalty pays off in the long run. (Probably famous last words!).

Anyway, will try the suggestions here - thanks for the pointers.

I am having exactly the same issue - 2 display (EIZO CG21, ), scrambled occasionally on start up, fixed by multiple restarting.

CheesedOffWithIT wrote:

Still, I'm a unashamed Apple fan and will be for a long time to come. Like supporting a football team through thick and thin, loyalty pays off in the long run. (Probably famous last words!).

Your brand loyalty is admirable, even though you are CheesedOffWithIT. 😉