[windows_sucks]

I was just wondering if there is a way to run checks on the hardware using Tiger on Intel. The reason I ask is because my monitor randomly starts showing green pixels whenever I do work with intensive graphics. I am thinking it could be the monitor but I just want to make sure there is nothing wrong with the graphics card. I have the ATI Radeon x1900t...any suggestions or possible causes of the problem. The problem goes away if I unplug and plug the monitor...what gives?

[Tuoder]

hmmm. That sounds suspiciously like overheating graphis card to me. Any other ideas? It could also be dying pixels on an LCD, if it always the same pixels. What kind of monitor do you have and is your case properly ventilated?

[AppleEngineer]

In relation to green pixels on external monitor, it is as stated by previous person, a possible GPU on its way out or overheating, 2 ways to test this, one is to disconnect the monitor and see if the machine itself displays the same effect when running the same GPU intensive apps on the machine itself.
Secondly, try another DVI cable as sometimes the cable is cracked inside and can result in random and often multiple colours to be displayed.
ASD/AHT tests never show a gradual failure or lead up failure of the GPU.

Hope this sheds some light.

[windows_sucks]

Originally Posted by Tuoder 

hmmm. That sounds suspiciously like overheating graphis card to me. Any other ideas? It could also be dying pixels on an LCD, if it always the same pixels. What kind of monitor do you have and is your case properly ventilated?

well...the green pixels are always around the same area...the montior that I am using is a Viewsonic VX 2235...its one of the newer models...I am hoping its not the Graphic Cards...I have switched the cable and have not noticed the green pixels yet...but then again I haven't really don't any intensive graphics work..so I'll try that and see what happens...oh I FORGOT TO MENTION (pardon the caps)...but the pixels started to show up when I was capturing video using Final Cut Pro 5.1...it was just standard definition video.

but the fact that the pixes show up on around the same area are leading me to believe that its a problem with the monitor.....in addition, i tried both dvi outputs and both show green pixels in the same area when working with graphics....when the green pixels were showing up, I unplugged the monitor from the dvi interface behind the cpu and plugged in a 19" monitor and I wasn't able to see the green pixels.....is it safe to assume that its a monitor issue and not a graphics card issue

[windows_sucks]

Originally Posted by AppleEngineer 

In relation to green pixels on external monitor, it is as stated by previous person, a possible GPU on its way out or overheating, 2 ways to test this, one is to disconnect the monitor and see if the machine itself displays the same effect when running the same GPU intensive apps on the machine itself.
Secondly, try another DVI cable as sometimes the cable is cracked inside and can result in random and often multiple colours to be displayed.
ASD/AHT tests never show a gradual failure or lead up failure of the GPU.

Hope this sheds some light.

I hooked up another cable, but i have yet to see any green pixels on the screen...but then again I haven't really done intensive graphics work..so I can't say that for sure, but kindly explain what you meant when you said "one is to disconnect the monitor and see if the machine itself displays the same effect when running the same GPU intensive apps on the machine itself."...i don't know if that was a typo or maybe I am just not understanding what you are trying to convey..thanks

[Tuoder]

I would run a graphics benchmark with different monitor, if at all possible. If there were no problems after a few hours of continuous benching, the card could be elminated as the point of failure. If the monitor occasionally produces the same problem in a different computer then the problem could be in the monitor or cable. If the cable is replaced, and error discontinues, it is the cable. Simple logic, right?

Openmark is a good app for graphics benchmarking. It runs continuously while the program is open.