Well I tried the SMC reset then I ran the HD vids in quick time. I originally did not have any green lines or distortion. Then I decided to switch GPU so I switched to the 9400 card and then switched back to the 9600 card. When it logged back in the green lines were there. I will be returning this one and hope to get a good one next time.
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MBP 17" Uni: 9600m GT Graphics Problems
- Thread starter crazylegsmurphy
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I did restart it. I can't remember if I shutdown or put it to sleep, but I did one or the other for a while to let the computer cool down to try to heat it up quickly. I'll do some more testing tonight and post any new info.
Hmm. I definitely switched back to the 9400 once or twice, and I couldn't get the lines to show up again.
UPDATE: Even when the lines didn't show up while playing the HD videos, when I restarted, I saw the lines on the startup screen with the grey Apple symbol. I'm going to call Apple tomorrow.
I went to the Apple Store yesterday to show the Genius the artifacts, and I was told that I could exchange mine for a new one if I wanted. Since I had upgraded the hard drive, I had to go home to re-install the original drive. I went back today, and when I got there, someone who arrived 5 minutes before me took the last one in-stock!
I'll have to go back later this week if they get more stock. I plan on running the same tests on the replacement and will post my results here.
I'll have to go back later this week if they get more stock. I plan on running the same tests on the replacement and will post my results here.
Lines!
OK, so I have occasional lines... They tend to be in Firefox, on large images, and if I minimize Firefox and restore it they go away.... Not sure if that is the same problem others are seeing, and I have been unable to duplicate it in Safari, so it may just be a Firefox issue with the Nvidia drivers.
OK, so I have occasional lines... They tend to be in Firefox, on large images, and if I minimize Firefox and restore it they go away.... Not sure if that is the same problem others are seeing, and I have been unable to duplicate it in Safari, so it may just be a Firefox issue with the Nvidia drivers.
concerns with graphics on UMBP 17"
I don't own a UMBP 17" but I am about to buy one.
From perusing these forums and some other websites, it seems pretty convincing that the graphics issues are due to overheating of the GPU, most likely caused by improper settings for the fan controller (doesn't ramp up the fan speed enough when the internal temperature rises with increased load). This seems to affect a number of UMBP 17" units (impossible to estimate from forum posts), some at lower and others at higher temperatures, although it appears some people may have GPUs that are a bit more robust and thus continue to work OK even at high temperatures.
Now, doesn't this imply that Apple should be able to fix the problem with a software/firmware update?
In the meantime, is it correct that "Fan Control 1.2" can solve the problem? I've read that you can simply reprogram the fan settings and they will take effect in both OSX and Windows (if bootcamping)? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Also, has anyone tried using small footstands to prop the UMBP up a bit off the surface of your desk to allow for more airflow under the unit? See e.g. http://www.radtech.us/products/coolfeet.aspx. Does this help enough to keep the UMBP 17" cooler even under load?
Thanks!
I don't own a UMBP 17" but I am about to buy one.
From perusing these forums and some other websites, it seems pretty convincing that the graphics issues are due to overheating of the GPU, most likely caused by improper settings for the fan controller (doesn't ramp up the fan speed enough when the internal temperature rises with increased load). This seems to affect a number of UMBP 17" units (impossible to estimate from forum posts), some at lower and others at higher temperatures, although it appears some people may have GPUs that are a bit more robust and thus continue to work OK even at high temperatures.
Now, doesn't this imply that Apple should be able to fix the problem with a software/firmware update?
In the meantime, is it correct that "Fan Control 1.2" can solve the problem? I've read that you can simply reprogram the fan settings and they will take effect in both OSX and Windows (if bootcamping)? Can anyone confirm this for me?
Also, has anyone tried using small footstands to prop the UMBP up a bit off the surface of your desk to allow for more airflow under the unit? See e.g. http://www.radtech.us/products/coolfeet.aspx. Does this help enough to keep the UMBP 17" cooler even under load?
Thanks!
Part of having Apple is so that you don't have to waste time doing that.
If apple has the problem parts, Apple will fix it. Users don't have to fix it.
Note if users fix issues themselves then the company won't know about it or be able to fix it.
However, for troubleshooting knowing some of those things would help.
If apple has the problem parts, Apple will fix it. Users don't have to fix it.
Note if users fix issues themselves then the company won't know about it or be able to fix it.
However, for troubleshooting knowing some of those things would help.
I don't use any fan control software nor do I need to. Infact, having those installed creates problems for the SMC because it interferes with the SMCs ability to ramp up the fans automatically.
Why is this? I thought some just change the ramp up temperatures and fan baselines.
@ayeying: so are you saying that your fan speeds increase as needed with increasing temperature, to keep the temps low and thus no artefacts, or are you saying that you simply don't have any artefact problems but you aren't sure what the fans are actually doing?
They alter the SMC. Thats why the change is carried over to the Windows side if you:
. Alter your fan speed
. Reboot (NOT SHUT DOWN) to Windows
It may confuse the SMC into not correctly selecting the fan speed needed to cool the system down.
My fan speed, if I completely remove the fan limiting softwares, rev up on its own when needed.
Last night, I was watching a youtube flash video in HD, the fans started to rev from the baseline of 2000rpm to 2300rpm to keep the system from passing 80 deg C.
Furthermore, I am aware of what the fans are doing, and they are doing their jobs.
I do not have artifacts either because my chip is not defective nor is there anything currently wrong with it. Even at a ultimate high temp of 95-100 deg C for the GPU diode does not create artifacts for me.
(Artifacts include the infamous green lines)