What's wrong with my 17"? (Picture & Video inside)

[bobsaget]

Hi guys- I'm having problems with what I'd assume to be my graphics card... but not sure. Here's what is happening.

1. My early 2011 17" mainly sits on my desk, plugged into my 27" cinema display via thunderbolt. When I want to use just the laptop, I unplug the thunderbolt and power connector just like I always have with previous macbooks (via mini-displayport). When I open this laptop, I get a screen that is scrambled (almost resembles 'snow' on a bad TV signal).

2. Then, after a restart, I get this about 50% of the time. (It's intermittent throughout usage)

http://image.bayimg.com/aabpfaaep.jpg

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T5bm9m2Q-s&feature=youtu.be



Any help is greatly appreciated! It is still under warranty, but my apple store is quite the drive from me, so I'd like to make sure it's not just a driver issue first.

Thanks.

 

[mohsy90]

First thing first, try resetting the SMC and PRAM.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, then your graphics card may failing.

 

[bobsaget]

First thing first, try resetting the SMC and PRAM.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, then your graphics card may failing.

Thanks a ton. Seems to be holding up. If it it doesn't... I'd assume I need to take it in.