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sparkleblue

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 17, 2008
22
1
Every once in a while my 2008 Macbook Pro will flicker and have vertical lines on the screen. It's been going on for about a week. I'm not sure what to do. Does anyone know why this is happening?
 
Here's my info.

NVIDIA GeForce 9400M:

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Type: GPU
Bus: PCI
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0863
Revision ID: 0x00b1
ROM Revision: 3437
gMux Version: 1.7.3
Displays:
Color LCD:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes

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How can I tell if it's unibody or not?
 
You do have a unibody.

It doesn't have the GPU that I suspected (8600m), but it could still be the GPU.

Perhaps someone else may have keener insight into your problem.
 
I've had it a long time and I'm upset but not surprised about the problem. I'm unable to go without using the cord for a long period of time. Would it be something with the battery?
 
The lines look like this

image_zps41a04103.jpg


Unfortunantly its happening more frequently now.
 
The lines look like this

Image

Unfortunantly its happening more frequently now.

Looks like the GPU :-(, but sometimes stuff like that can be software related. I would try resetting the PRAM (Hold down Command-Option-P-R on boot until you hear the machine chime 3 times), and also lookup how to reset the SMC on the model you have: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

You could also try reinstalling the OS if all else fails.

If it is the GPU, you're looking at having to replace the logic board. Which will be ~$500 if done by Apple.

If you live near an Apple Store and can spare the time for a Genius Bar appointment and can let them keep your Mac for 24 hours, they can run diagnostics on the hardware. Then at least you would now.
 
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