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Screen problem

T

Tnoonan907

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 26, 2013
9
0
UGH HELP! ok i just updated my Mac OS X with snow leopard about a week ago. Tonight i was using my computer, and left for a bit. Went back to sign on--it had gone to a screen saver with pics i have on my computer-- and the right half of the screen left the picture on there. I was still able to sign on but then shut down the computer just to see if that would help. WHen restarted, that right part of the screen was mostly white with a dark purple quarter circle in te top right corner. The white area is not completely blank but is white with lines of color that get closer together as they move left and into my regular screen It takes up the screen completely from top to bottom so i cannot see the menu items on the top right and when i bring the cursor over to the blanked area, the curser disappears. Anybody seen this before????

Further info: MAC OS X version 10.6.8. Bought it (and currently using it) in Germany so it has a German keyboard if that makes a difference

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook5,2
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
 
ok weird thing is that when i took a screen shot it looks like everything is fine. according to the shot everything is showing.... I am having issues downloading what it actually looks like (from my iphone) but think it is frustration. I am hoping because I can see everything in the screen shot it might just be a video issue-- unless you have other ideas. thanks for your help and i will try to get a picture done tomorrow (i am in Germany so it is about 1:30 AM here)
 
Screen shot 2013-08-27 at 1.23.47 AM.png
 
on my screen everything disappears just at the right side of the top open window
 
What do you mean introduced by a person... Like a virus/trojan? Ugh didnt thinks macs got them and i have what i thought was good virus protection. More importantly, do you think it can be fixed or do i need to get a new computer....
 
Tnoonan907 said:
What do you mean introduced by a person... Like a virus/trojan? Ugh didnt thinks macs got them and i have what i thought was good virus protection. More importantly, do you think it can be fixed or do i need to get a new computer....
Click to expand...

It is NOT a virus or trojan or any kind of malware, no need for AV software.
With "introduced by a person" I mean, that it either one damaged the computer physically by accident or malice or something else has been done to it.
It can be as simple as a loose display ribbon cable, maybe have a look at iFixIt for guides on how to inspect that.

Currently there are zero viruses affecting Mac OS X in public circulation, but there are other kinds of malware existing, that can infect your Mac, but that can be avoided via employing the proper security steps without the help of any anti virus software.
To learn more about malware in Mac OS X and what steps can be taken to protect yourself, read the following F.A.Q.:
 
Well thanks for all your help. I often feel like I am totally technologically slow:-(. I will check that stuff out!
 
Tnoonan907 said:
and this is what my screen really looks like:View attachment 430139
Click to expand...

The LCD screen appears to be cracked. For reference here are the Google results for "Cracked LCD".

From your picture it appears you have a MacBook, the generation prior to their switchover to the unibody design. LCD replacements in these are typically the cheapest display replacements in Apple notebooks. I would check with local computer shops / AASPs (Apple Authorized Service Providers) to see what the cost for an LCD replacement would be. You can find German AASPs using Apple's German locate tool.

Alternately, depending on how comfortable you are repairing electronics, you could replace the LCD yourself. It IS a somewhat long repair in that you typically have to remove lots of components to get to the LCD panel but it's pretty straight forward if you take your time. iFixit has a good repair guide on the process, along with replacement LCDs for sale.
 
Could be your graphics card is failing. I had similar symptoms with a failing graphics card.
 
DianeK said:
Could be your graphics card is failing. I had similar symptoms with a failing graphics card.
Click to expand...

Display issues caused by graphics cards almost always show up in screenshots though. Thats actually a common technique that technicians use when diagnosing lines/artifacts on Macs, take a screenshot and see if the issue is visible there.
 
I dis take a screen shot and all looked fine. See previous posts i think.The screen shot did not include the half screen:-(
 
Well turns out it was the LCD screen:-( old model so about 400 to fix it... Can try to hook
it up to another monitor (or my tv) and it would work. Thanks to all of you for the help!!!
 
Tnoonan907 said:
I dis take a screen shot and all looked fine. See previous posts i think.The screen shot did not include the half screen:-(
Click to expand...
How did you do your screenshot? With my problem cmd+shift+3 showed the defective display but cmd+shift+4 and dragging restored the normal display so the screenshot looked normal.

----------
Tnoonan907 said:
Well turns out it was the LCD screen:-( old model so about 400 to fix it... Can try to hook
it up to another monitor (or my tv) and it would work. Thanks to all of you for the help!!!
Click to expand...

Ok then. Ignore my last post :)
 
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