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Weird Mac Pro screen issue....help

I talked with a helpful Apple care person yesterday.

Certainly I have the option of returning the machine for a replacement.

But we reset the PRAM -- which I hadn't done previously -- and then I tried to recreate the freeze but couldn't. I know, it's sort of a random thing, but I was having the machine freeze regularly when working in Sound Track Pro, and had been doing certain editing operations very carefully. I wasn't sure I could recreate it, but thought probably I could. Long story short, I put a largish one gig file through a torture test but couldn't crash the program or the system.

No hiccups since then. Knock on wood.

Also, no problems found running Apple's hardware test, detailed mode (which, with 14 gigs of ram took a very long time).

Next day: Another freeze. Now on the phone with Apple Care again.
 
joey112 said:
....Generally:

I do believe that this is a rare issue as in "maybe about 5% affected" as otherwise there'd be a HUGE outcry. And all I've found on the subject is this forum thread any one on Apple discussions, while all the mainstream media have had positive reports on how much faster the gfx have gotten with 10.5.2. They'd have reported about issues for sure, if they had had them in the weeks they already use the 8 core Mac Pros.

So I don't believe it to be a general driver issue, but is likely just a batch of faulty gfx cards. *crosses fingers*
Click to expand...

Oh man, have you read the other 12 pages of this thread? Rare issue? I'm on my second machine and it was fine until I added 10.5.2 and the graphics update. Now it's acting funny. I think you should also check out this thread, maybe even this one, or how 'bout this page. I think you should also look here and here. Xlr8yourmac also has a page dedicated to the subject.

You may be close to your 5% stat, but even the Apple product specialist I dealt with said it seemed to be a widespread problem. Also, generally, the thoughts among some of us that have experienced this issue are reminded of the recent iMac with the ATI 2600 graphics freeze issues which required a firmware update to fix. I tend to lean a little more in that direction rather than it being just a few bad graphics cards. Just my 2 cents.
 
For the record I have got mine replaced for nearly a week now with the 8800, NO crashes. Im running 10.5.2 and having no problems whatsoever and no hint of the problems I was having before, so im very happy :)

Whether the problem is fixed with the ati cards I couldn't answer.
 
Same Issue Here

I've tried to read all of the messages in this thread, but nevertheless, this is probably just piling on at this point.

I was "comforted" to see that others are having this issue. Quick rundown:

1. Brand new Mac Pro, ATI 2600. Running it on Dell 30 inch display. Crash after crash, exactly as pictured at the opening of this thread.

2. Many calls to Apple, complete reinstall of OS X, update to 10.5.2, still same issue.

3. Apple agrees to replace the unit.

4. New unit, same configuration. Some graphic funkiness, but no outright crashes as before (so far, only been one day).

5. The graphic funkiness on this latest unit -- "dancing" pixels at bottom of screen, went away during 10.5.2 update. Then I played a DVD in full-screen mode for a few minutes. When exiting out of the DVD, the screen redraw was all messed up. Looked similar to the first unit, but not quite the same. The strange this with this was that the machine didn't actually crash completely, it semi-recovered to a semi-normal state. I was able to still control the mouse and did a restart to clear things out.

I haven't tried to play another DVD yet to duplicate the error. But I haven't had any crashes since that restart.

At any rate, I'm completely alongside everyone on this thread. Sad that people are having issues, but glad it's not just me.

Dumb question (I'm new to mac) -- how can I be sure that the Graphics Update was applied? I sped through the 10.5.2 update, so not sure if it did the complete/combo update or just the 10.5.2 without the Graphics Update.
 
jsdc said:
I've tried to read all of the messages in this thread, but nevertheless, this is probably just piling on at this point.

I was "comforted" to see that others are having this issue. Quick rundown:

1. Brand new Mac Pro, ATI 2600. Running it on Dell 30 inch display. Crash after crash, exactly as pictured at the opening of this thread.

2. Many calls to Apple, complete reinstall of OS X, update to 10.5.2, still same issue.

3. Apple agrees to replace the unit.

4. New unit, same configuration. Some graphic funkiness, but no outright crashes as before (so far, only been one day).

5. The graphic funkiness on this latest unit -- "dancing" pixels at bottom of screen, went away during 10.5.2 update. Then I played a DVD in full-screen mode for a few minutes. When exiting out of the DVD, the screen redraw was all messed up. Looked similar to the first unit, but not quite the same. The strange this with this was that the machine didn't actually crash completely, it semi-recovered to a semi-normal state. I was able to still control the mouse and did a restart to clear things out.

I haven't tried to play another DVD yet to duplicate the error. But I haven't had any crashes since that restart.

At any rate, I'm completely alongside everyone on this thread. Sad that people are having issues, but glad it's not just me.

Dumb question (I'm new to mac) -- how can I be sure that the Graphics Update was applied? I sped through the 10.5.2 update, so not sure if it did the complete/combo update or just the 10.5.2 without the Graphics Update.
Click to expand...

You can try Software Update and see if it shows in the window as a new download or you can go to System Preferences and click Software Update and then click on the button that says Installed Updates to see if you have it.
 
Re: Graphics Update

4God said:
You can try Software Update and see if it shows in the window as a new download or you can go to System Preferences and click Software Update and then click on the button that says Installed Updates to see if you have it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, just as I clicked submit reply, I was checking software update. Just applied the Graphics Update. I haven't been having as many issues on this new machine, but we'll see if this eliminates them altogether. Thanks all.
 
jsdc said:
Thanks, just as I clicked submit reply, I was checking software update. Just applied the Graphics Update. I haven't been having as many issues on this new machine, but we'll see if this eliminates them altogether. Thanks all.
Click to expand...

I hope it works for you. I actually started getting some of the issues you stated above after I applied 10.5.2 and the graphics update.
 
I had more crashes -- ironically, the most recent as I navigated to this page to report...

I talked with Apple Care today. The specialist wanted me to do a clean install of OSX and then wait to see if the problem recurs. I explained that I use the machine for work and can't sit around waiting for a freeze, but neither do I really want to pack the machine back up and lug it back to the Apple store where I bought if, if some other solution were possible.

After considering the dilemma for a couple minutes the Apple Care person agreed to send me a replacement video card (another 2600 XT). Hopefully that will do the trick. If not, it's replacement city...
 
Hey, cool to know that they'll send a new card out. I'll have to try that too.

Please report back, and anybody switching to 8800 please keep us posted too.
 
I just got a stock Mac Pro too and am having the same issue. Haven't called apple on it yet, but it definitely sounds like a video card problem.
 
Sharing: no problems so far

I have a new (week or so old) Mac Pro with the ATI card. I added 6GB of OWC memory. I will be converting to Mac from PC so I have not been using the machine heavy duty yet. But I have left it on over night one time and have spent a couple hours here and here just to see if any of these problems crop up.

So far I have seen none. If there is something I should be trying in order to reproduce, let me know and I will try.
 
Problems also reported with 8800GT

Btw, there are several active threads regarding this freezing issue at Apple's own discussion forums, including one where a user reports freezing with the 8800GT card (the last post on the thread from the 16th).
 
relbbircs said:
one where a user reports freezing with the 8800GT card.
Click to expand...

Reading that post, it's not clear whether he has the same issue. He doesn't mention graphics problems, just "funny unresponsive moments". Now English may not be his first language, but I wouldn't describe what I get as unresponsive moments. Horrible video artefacts usually accompanied by a system freeze is more like it.

I think it's still open whether this affects 8800GT macs.

Barney.
 
On the phone with applecare right now...

UPDATE: He wanted me to do an archive and install and I told him that that wasn't the issue and told him about all the other people that have tried it to no avail. Holding now for him to talk to the specialist.

Specialist wants me to run the Apple Hardware Test and then call them back if anything happens...grrrrr

Anyone else have to run this too?
 
They got me to reinstall, then run hardware test on loop mode overnight. Hardware test found nothing, and reinstall made no difference. I'm calling them again in the morning.

This is basically what you expect: you don't get on to a specialist until you've done these things. I suppose it stops timewasters.

Barney.
 
barneyntd said:
They got me to reinstall, then run hardware test on loop mode overnight. Hardware test found nothing, and reinstall made no difference. I'm calling them again in the morning.

This is basically what you expect: you don't get on to a specialist until you've done these things. I suppose it stops timewasters.

Barney.
Click to expand...
I guess i'll give them a call again tomorrow then...i've already gone through two loops of the hardware test and still nothing. I'm going to stop it here after the third one if nothing shows up.

Called them back and they are going to replace the card. It was either replace the card or do a DOA which I really don't want to do. I've already set this thing up to much to have to install everything all over again and I really do thing this is a video card issue that everyone else here has experienced.
 
nano said:
Yes, that's what I meant.


I'm going to ask for a replacement card from my apple guy tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Yea I ended up not getting anything either.

Those of you that have gotten replacement cards (just cards, not new machines), is everything working out alright now?
 
jimithing1 said:
Those of you that have gotten replacement cards (just cards, not new machines), is everything working out alright now?
Click to expand...

No :( Apple send me a new card but same problem... BTW, it was almost the same S/N and same ROM and EFI for the old and new one.

Jules
 
bone stock 2.8 8core with 23" ACD Within 2 days, it crashed 4 times with that screen glitches already. I bought mine in Singapore.
 
Am waiting for replacement card. Meanwhile, more freezes. I emailed sjobs@apple.com for the heck of it...

Do the math: With hundreds of people reporting problems on various internet forums (including Apple's own), if you conservatively assume that ten times as many have problems but aren't voicing their frustration on the internet, then that's probably a significant percentage of total Mac Pro customers to date, maybe in the range of 5-10%?!

And given past problems with the ATI 2600 series and the iMac, you'd think Apple would be on top of this like white on rice...
 
JulesVD said:
No :( Apple send me a new card but same problem... BTW, it was almost the same S/N and same ROM and EFI for the old and new one.

Jules
Click to expand...
So what did you end up doing after that?

Knock on wood I haven't had a crash since yesterday afternoon, i'm sure one is imminent though. I was rendering a lot of things in Maya yesterday as well and still nothing.
 
triotary said:
bone stock 2.8 8core with 23" ACD Within 2 days, it crashed 4 times with that screen glitches already. I bought mine in Singapore.
Click to expand...

Mine is assembled in China too... and the frequency of this garbage screen and crashing is increasing... OMG can someone at Apple give some answers or some insights on what the F@#^ is going on?
 
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