mamainiero
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: Late '09 iMac Graphics Issue (Both OS 10.10 and Win 7)

Hi All,

 

Have been running primarily Bootcamp with Windows 7 for years for Microsoft FSX Simulator with very few issues. Had to wipe the machine a year ago to fix a virus issue, and since the machine has had display issues occasionally. Typically it would run fine on a restart for many hours, but if I put it to sleep for a day or two and tried to use it the screen would flash a static-y black/grey/white color and then go black. With a restart it would work but do the same the next time after sleeping.

 

About a week ago I went to use my sim (computer had been sleeping for probably 1-2 weeks). Worked fine for 20 minutes, then the screen started flashing vertical lines that would move upwards, followed by going off. Restarted the machine and remained black. Restarted holding "ALT", Bootcamp menu came up, selected Windows, and it went black. Did the same with Mac OS and it stayed in the grey screen.

 

I started in Mac Safe mode, and though it did start, the horizontal lines appeared and would cause any window I opened to become unusable (Finder, Spotify, Firefox, etc).

 

Evidently it is a display issue, but haven't had any luck finding the right fix with drivers.

 

2.8 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7

ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 Memory

16GB RAM

 

Suggestions?

iMac, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 15, 2016 5:46 PM

Close
mamainiero

Q: Late '09 iMac Graphics Issue (Both OS 10.10 and Win 7)

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Sep 16, 2016 4:50 PM in response to mamainiero
    Community Specialists
    Sep 16, 2016 4:50 PM in response to mamainiero
    Howdy mamainiero,

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

    I see from your post that your iMac is displaying vertical lines, along with powering off unexpectedly when booted to both Mac and your Bootcamp partition. Before we can determine whether this is a software or hardware issue, I suggest that you reset both the SMC and NVRAM on your Mac:

     

    Reset the SMC on Mac desktop computers

    Follow these steps for iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, and Xserve.

    1. Shut down the Mac.
    2. Unplug the power cord.
    3. Wait 15 seconds.
    4. Plug the power cord back in.
    5. Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button to turn on the Mac.
    Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac
     

    Resetting NVRAM

    Shut down your Mac.
    Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. 
    Turn on your Mac.
    Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys immediately after you hear the startup sound.
    Hold these keys until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for a second time.
    Release the keys.

    How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac

    If the issue persists, then I suggest you look into getting your iMac serviced.  You can take a look at your service options here: Mac desktops Service Answer Center

    Take care.