fuzzy screen problem - need help!

I have to admit I'm clueless about my mac and it's probably way more computer than i need. But anyway...

My iMac G5 has been getting this random fuzzy screen thing. I did a search and it seems it's likely a faulty motherboard that needs to be replaced. I'm not even sure what that means. But my questions are:

is it ok that I am restarting my computer by pressing and holding down the power button when my compter freezes up due to the fuzzy screen thing?

Also, once I actually had to turn off the power to the computer from the power strip to get it to restart. is that ok to do?

and is it ok to just keep using the machine and hope for the best (I need to finish a research paper by Aug 20th)? Or should I borrow my husband's laptop for now, and send this for service right away?

And it was purchased in october 2004. Is it a one year warranty so this should be covered?

I will feel totally lost without it, but if it needs to go for service immediately, then that is what I'll do.

Any advice on this problem would be greatly appreciated!

Julie

 

the most tyical fuzzy thing is: it looks like the entire screen shifts a pixel or two to the left, making all the type and graphics on the screen doubled. I also do get the random noise, like in a square of pixelated-looking noise in the middle of the screen somewhere. Or also some noise (like black dots, or dashed lines, or the like) in random spots on the screen. Twice the entire screen turned light blue with little pixel dots all over it.

The mouse and keyboard are not responsive when this happens, but it often corrects itself wihtin seconds. if it stays that way, I cannot take a screen grab to capture the fuzz. A few times it's frozen for long enough that I've restarted.

oh, the other thing i've noticed is, this fuzzy stuff seems to only happen in the first few minutes of using he machine after it's been asleep for a while or after I restarted. then, if it resolvess itself without freezing, I'm able to keep working for hours wiht no other problems. So, that is why I haven't run it to the apple store for service yet. But I'm going to call on monday.