Pixelated screen with snow at startup
Mezcaleros
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Arsene212 -
Arsene212 -
Hello everyone,
I’ve read all your messages on the forum regarding startup problems on Mac.
I have a 2008 iMac with a Radeon 2600 Pro graphics card.
I use Google a bit and often EyeTV.
In short, not much.
Since this morning, it starts up, displays the white page with the Apple logo, then a solid blue page, and then a frozen page, white background with black pixels all over like snow. The only solution: unplugging.
I called Apple, but they brushed me off because it's too old, and they said "probably the graphics card" ...
I have tried absolutely EVERYTHING described in various messages. Safe mode, disk verification and repair, etc...
The only thing I wasn't able to do is a hardware check (AHT) because I don't have an external disk... I also don't have Pro Tools to know what is defective.
Conclusion: the PC works in safe mode, no screen problems, but that's it.
When I start EyeTV, it works without sound, in slow motion.... What else can I possibly do?
I feel like there's a minimal conflict somewhere that I can't resolve... Help me.... I thought about dust, about viruses... Anyway... Your help would be welcome.
I’ve read all your messages on the forum regarding startup problems on Mac.
I have a 2008 iMac with a Radeon 2600 Pro graphics card.
I use Google a bit and often EyeTV.
In short, not much.
Since this morning, it starts up, displays the white page with the Apple logo, then a solid blue page, and then a frozen page, white background with black pixels all over like snow. The only solution: unplugging.
I called Apple, but they brushed me off because it's too old, and they said "probably the graphics card" ...
I have tried absolutely EVERYTHING described in various messages. Safe mode, disk verification and repair, etc...
The only thing I wasn't able to do is a hardware check (AHT) because I don't have an external disk... I also don't have Pro Tools to know what is defective.
Conclusion: the PC works in safe mode, no screen problems, but that's it.
When I start EyeTV, it works without sound, in slow motion.... What else can I possibly do?
I feel like there's a minimal conflict somewhere that I can't resolve... Help me.... I thought about dust, about viruses... Anyway... Your help would be welcome.
4 answers
Good evening,
If the Mac shows a normal screen in safe mode, it means the graphics card is not dead. Otherwise, it won't be able to display anything more than in normal startup. In safe mode, not all graphics drivers are loaded, which means that you can't play at all resolutions, and the display is not optimal. This could suggest corruption of the installed drivers in the system.
To perform an AHT test, there is no need for an external disk. Why an external disk?
The AHT test on a Mac of this age is done by starting from the original installation DVD, but instead of holding down the C key during startup to boot from the DVD, you should hold down the D key. So
- insert the original installation DVD, the one that came with the Mac
- turn off the Mac if needed, keeping the power button pressed
- press the D key, do not let go
- start the Mac while keeping the D key pressed until the display...
https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201257
Another possible test is to reset the SMC (System Management Controller):
https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201295
This mainly involves, for an iMac of this age, to:
- physically unplug the Mac from the power source
- press the power button for about thirty seconds
- leave the Mac for another minute before plugging it back in
- plug the Mac back in and start it normally
You can also reset the PRAM (Parameter RAM):
for this, you turn it off, then turn it back on, and as soon as it starts, you press these 4 keys:
alt cmd P R
do not release these 4 keys until you have heard the startup "gong" 3 times
Best regards.
Always indicate your system configuration completely - exact model of the computer, exact version of the OS.
Conclusion: the PC works in safe mode, no screen problems, but that's all.
If the Mac shows a normal screen in safe mode, it means the graphics card is not dead. Otherwise, it won't be able to display anything more than in normal startup. In safe mode, not all graphics drivers are loaded, which means that you can't play at all resolutions, and the display is not optimal. This could suggest corruption of the installed drivers in the system.
To perform an AHT test, there is no need for an external disk. Why an external disk?
The AHT test on a Mac of this age is done by starting from the original installation DVD, but instead of holding down the C key during startup to boot from the DVD, you should hold down the D key. So
- insert the original installation DVD, the one that came with the Mac
- turn off the Mac if needed, keeping the power button pressed
- press the D key, do not let go
- start the Mac while keeping the D key pressed until the display...
https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201257
Another possible test is to reset the SMC (System Management Controller):
https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT201295
This mainly involves, for an iMac of this age, to:
- physically unplug the Mac from the power source
- press the power button for about thirty seconds
- leave the Mac for another minute before plugging it back in
- plug the Mac back in and start it normally
You can also reset the PRAM (Parameter RAM):
for this, you turn it off, then turn it back on, and as soon as it starts, you press these 4 keys:
alt cmd P R
do not release these 4 keys until you have heard the startup "gong" 3 times
Best regards.
Always indicate your system configuration completely - exact model of the computer, exact version of the OS.
Hello,
Here is a tutorial:
https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/30592-installer-mac-os-x-10-6-alias-snow-leopard
Note that whether to erase the data or not is decided in the next step:
So you need to choose
Ritchi
Here is a tutorial:
https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/30592-installer-mac-os-x-10-6-alias-snow-leopard
Note that whether to erase the data or not is decided in the next step:
2nd Step - Mac OS X Installer Window
Here you have the choice between:
- Clicking on "Continue" to proceed with a "standard" installation without erasing the disk,
- Going to the Utilities menu / Disk Utility... to erase the hard drive
So you need to choose
"Continue"and not what is indicated in the tutorial where an installation with disk erasure is chosen.
Ritchi
Well, I reinstalled Snow Leopard. My Mac still doesn't boot any other way than in safe mode.
On another note, Snow Leopard is on 10.6.3 after the update, but my applications require 10.6.8... What comes after Snow Leopard?
We need to download to update and test.
But whatever happens, it won't boot normally.
What else can I do?
On another note, Snow Leopard is on 10.6.3 after the update, but my applications require 10.6.8... What comes after Snow Leopard?
We need to download to update and test.
But whatever happens, it won't boot normally.
What else can I do?
Hello,
updates can be done in 2 ways.
Either by going to the Apple menu / Software Update...
or by downloading and applying the combined update 10.6.8
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=fr_FR&viewlocale=fr_FR
This saves time, as we skip the intermediate stages
In any case, you will need to finish with the Apple menu / Software Update...
After Snow Leopard, there's Lion (Mac OS X 10.7, then 10.8 etc...), but there's no point at this stage. It won't solve anything.
At this stage, if possible, therefore after backing up files and apps, I will test a fresh installation after wiping the disk....
updates can be done in 2 ways.
Either by going to the Apple menu / Software Update...
or by downloading and applying the combined update 10.6.8
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=fr_FR&viewlocale=fr_FR
This saves time, as we skip the intermediate stages
In any case, you will need to finish with the Apple menu / Software Update...
After Snow Leopard, there's Lion (Mac OS X 10.7, then 10.8 etc...), but there's no point at this stage. It won't solve anything.
At this stage, if possible, therefore after backing up files and apps, I will test a fresh installation after wiping the disk....
Update completed but the Mac is asking to restart, yet it's stuck on this frozen image... I can't install the update... a little procedure to restart from this image?
Hi,
What you see on the screen are artifacts.
This means that your graphics card is dying.
Most likely the thermal paste is too dry and, of course, overheating the GPU more than usual.
The lifespan is therefore impacted.
A device from 2008, so not so young indeed.
It should have been maintained and dusted off earlier.
Apple is here to make money.
Their interest is for you to buy the last overpriced model.
Welcome to the world of unicorns who think that Apple is a god that thinks about its customers above all.
A good customer is a person who cuts off both arms to buy their products, nothing more.
What you see on the screen are artifacts.
This means that your graphics card is dying.
Most likely the thermal paste is too dry and, of course, overheating the GPU more than usual.
The lifespan is therefore impacted.
A device from 2008, so not so young indeed.
It should have been maintained and dusted off earlier.
I called Apple and they brushed me off because it's too old
Apple is here to make money.
Their interest is for you to buy the last overpriced model.
Welcome to the world of unicorns who think that Apple is a god that thinks about its customers above all.
A good customer is a person who cuts off both arms to buy their products, nothing more.
I can't find the installation CD, so for the AHT test... I'm afraid it's a lost cause.
SMC management: procedure followed and completed with no result. I will try again this morning.
The PRAM: procedure followed, with no result.
It would have been nice to have an AHT testing procedure without the installation DVD.
If you have any ideas or another procedure, I'm open to it. You didn't mention any viruses?
Have a great day, looking forward to your response.
Phil
1 Restart while holding Command S (Single User Startup and File System Check (fsck))
2 ...# fsck -y (type fsck -y after the #) Type …# fsck -f if the volume is journaled.
3 press Return
4 If there are no problems -> # reboot (type reboot after the #)
the AHT is only possible with the original installation DVD on this old Mac. Unfortunately, it cannot be done via the internet like on the latest models.
Seeing the text "FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED" at the end of the process indicates that system repairs have indeed been made, and in this case, the fsck -fy process needs to be repeated until the end of the process indicates
"The HD seems to be OK" or "The volume xxx seems to be OK"
then you need to type "reboot" and confirm.
https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/15279-entretenir-et-reparer-mac-os-x-10-6-et-versions-anterieures#demarrage-en-single-user-mode-et-procedure-fsck-sans-le-disque-d-installation
However, the process may never complete if too many files are corrupted or even missing; in that case, you will need to reinstall Mac OS from scratch. If you no longer have the original DVD, you need to buy a Universal type one. You can purchase it here:
https://www.apple.com/fr/shop/refurbished
Given the low cost of this DVD, I think it's worth testing. A 2008 Mac can still run quite well for a long time. (My old Mac G5 from 2005 and G4 from 2003 are still running... )
https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/30592-installer-mac-os-x-10-6-alias-snow-leopard