Powerbook G4 - Blue Artifacts on Screen

[zdobson]

I have a 15" PBG4 1.25ghz and am having some screen artifacts show up. Everything is running fine otherwise. I haven't used this machine at all in months and I'm trying to clean it up to sell it. Any info would be helpful.

 

[bizzle]

Bad GPU son.

 

[Nameci]

Try to connect an external monitor and see if it also displays the same. If it is then it is GPU, if it is not then it could be the LVDS connector or the LVDS cable.

 

[iMacC2D]

Removed.

 

[zdobson]

I'll try the suggestion of hooking up a monitor first. I'm currently formatting the HD to remove personal info, so I'll have to wait until after that.

What should I do with this machine? Should I replace the logic board? I found a used one for $100 on eBay. I'm planning to buy a new MBP and would like to get any money I can out of this.

 

[zdobson]

Now this is looking different. I'm not sure why this would have changed. The finder windows are clear.

Also, the CPU keeps running between 30-90% even though there are no applications running (other than activity monitor). Related or no?

 

[Nameci]

If I were you i would try to strip memory, or reseat memory on the slot.

 

[zdobson]

If I were you i would try to strip memory, or reseat memory on the slot.

Pulled both out and switched them. No change.

 

[Nameci]

Have you tried to use an external monitor, that would tell you if your gfx chip is bad.

 

[zdobson]

Have you tried to use an external monitor, that would tell you if your gfx chip is bad.

Yes, external monitor looked like the second photo. Now everything is back looking like the first photo.

 

[Nameci]

for sure you have a faulty gfx chip. Your best bet is to replace the logic board.

 

[adcx64]

Maybe the GPU just needs to be reflowed?

 

[chrismacguy]

Maybe the GPU just needs to be reflowed?

That wasn't an issue on that series of powerbooks. Also, I wouldn't recommend attempting a reflow.. a new logic board is much easier, especially since I dont think it is a reflow issue - since the gfx is working but corrupted.

 

[Nameci]

Seems to me that it is caused by a faulty video memory...

 

[zen.state]

Seems to me that it is caused by a faulty video memory...

This is my guess also. I think if it was the GPU the video would be far worse or maybe not even work at all. Since the PowerBooks have dedicated video memory this can't be fixed with new system RAM as you wondered earlier in the thread.

Best solution would be a new logic board.