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I WAS the One · Jan 16, 2008, 05:17 PM

I was surfing the web with SAFARI in my new iMac and suddenly all I was looking at was this NOISE SCREEN FROM HELL with a EVIL SPINNING BEACH BALL in front of my face. I grab my Camera and took some pics and hope somebody tell me what to do. Right now I'm using it without problems after a forced restart but do I need to make a rease and install Leopard to be sure..?

seanc · Jan 16, 2008, 05:25 PM

You don't have an eyeTV or other TV device do you?

Otherwise, that is extremely bizarre. The beachball should be fuzzy too.

ibook_steve · Jan 16, 2008, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by seanc

You don't have an eyeTV or other TV device do you?

Otherwise, that is extremely bizarre. The beachball should be fuzzy too.

Not if it's a GPU problem. The cursor is handled in hardware, separate from the display. This looks like a bad or overheating GPU. If the machine is new, take it in and have it checked.

Steve

I WAS the One · Jan 16, 2008, 06:14 PM

Yes the machine it's new. I bought it at the Apple Store and I need to tell that it came with a free printer HP and I point this becasue I send the bar codes of the box to recieved the rebate. It's that a problem? also, I wanna know if you recommend Intall Leopard Again or do nothing and take it to the Apple Store? I need to know.

mduell · Jan 16, 2008, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

Not if it's a GPU problem. The cursor is handled in hardware, separate from the display.

No way, the cursor is rendered in software just like the rest of the OS.

This looks like an application issue to me.

imitchellg5 · Jan 16, 2008, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by I WAS the One

Yes the machine it's new. I bought it at the Apple Store and I need to tell that it came with a free printer HP and I point this becasue I send the bar codes of the box to recieved the rebate. It's that a problem? also, I wanna know if you recommend Intall Leopard Again or do nothing and take it to the Apple Store? I need to know.

I wouldn't worry about the printer. It would be best to call Apple and ask what to do. Every new Mac comes with 90 days of free complimentary tech support. This is a pretty odd issue, and they would be able to help you the most.

ibook_steve · Jan 16, 2008, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

No way, the cursor is rendered in software just like the rest of the OS.

This looks like an application issue to me.

No. ATI and Nvidia GPUs have separate hardware rendering for the cursor. Trust me on this. The OS can, of course, change the way the cursor looks, but the cursor is rendered separately in the GPU from the rest of the display. The display VRAM is getting corrupted here, probably from overheating.

Steve

I WAS the One · 08:07 AM

I made an appoinment for today at 8 PM. I don't want to put the iMac back in the box and go to Apple, but my wife told me that it's the best thing to do than explain was going on. The thing is that it's not doing it anymore and I don't know what to show them now. Maybe with the pics they will have an idea I don't know. I will make a back up just in case and be there sharp. This is my problems list:

1) Unexpected Shutdowns
2) Random Kernel Panics
3) emptying trash freeze (it keeps emptying endless with no progression)
4) Photo Booth dont save the videos with video backgrounds just audio with black video.
5) mouse dead when wake up sometimes (force restart needed)
6) Dead Noise with beachball splash screen sorprise!

I have the iMac in cool as in cooler/cold office all day and night... Please explain me about the overheating? You can overheat something inside just for using it? or it's a hardware problem? sorry for the dumb questions...

today it's working fine... but I need to go anyway to the Apple Store. Let's see what happens.. Anyone with a question that I need to ask them in case I forgot something??? maybe you know what to ask about something like this..

Gankdawg · Jan 17, 2008, 11:27 AM

Mine did something similar, although you could still see my desktop and active apps but it was very fuzzy. Forced a shutdown and upon restart, it took like 5 minutes to finally get back to the desktop. When I opened Disk Utility, the SMART status of the hard drive was failing. It's back to normal now, but I'm taking it in Saturday to have the hard drive changed out.

mdc · Jan 17, 2008, 12:40 PM

It's a Schooner

ibook_steve · Jan 17, 2008, 01:09 PM

I've edited the title of your thread to provide a bit more detail to what the problem is.

Steve

I WAS the One · Jan 17, 2008, 01:23 PM

thanx.. I'm finishing the backup right now. I'm Back with my PowerMac G4 MDD until I get my iMac back... well.... kind of sad. I hope they don't just re-install the OS, I wonder if they really check the hardware and fix it for real.. I remember a third party store that just wipe out and reinstall a new HD and you eventually get stock again in the middle of the road.. this most be something weird. I want my iMac Fixed.

I WAS the One · Jan 17, 2008, 10:47 PM

OK, here's what happens today...
I went to Apple Store and they turn on my iMac and nothing happens, He (the "genius" guy) told me that if he doesn't se anything wrong he or the reapair man can't help me. "OK" I said... here's are the pics of what happens and he was shocked! but again told me that he don't know what may be... so I told him about this post. and he agree with steve about the Graphic card, so, he will put a new one and in two weeks he hopes the iMac works without problems again... any advice?

50leaves.com · Jan 18, 2008, 01:17 AM

wow thats the craziest issue Ive seen. Makes no sense why the beach ball isn't distorted too.

The only advice I can say is I would demand a new computer, not to fix it if its brand new. I just set up an iMac the other day that overheats (the fans never come on), they told me on the phone to bring it to an apple store to have it fixed.... I made a big scene (always works with apple btw) and they shipped me a new one and I received $100 gift certificate and ipod nano for my troubles

PS I doubt its overheating, but you never know.. When it overheats usually it will reset for no reason.

I WAS the One · Jan 18, 2008, 06:10 AM

WHAT??? I didn't know that men! Now I will received the same iMac just with a brand new graphic card... well... I was happy with that until you told me the secret. Anyway I will not make a fake scene if this happens to me again I guaranteed you that. anyway I hope they fix it. oh one thing:
did you know that if you want your machine fixed faster they charge you $100.00??? well, I wanted to tell you that.

50leaves.com · Jan 18, 2008, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by I WAS the One

WHAT??? I didn't know that men! Now I will received the same iMac just with a brand new graphic card... well... I was happy with that until you told me the secret. Anyway I will not make a fake scene if this happens to me again I guaranteed you that. anyway I hope they fix it. oh one thing:
did you know that if you want your machine fixed faster they charge you $100.00??? well, I wanted to tell you that.

Well I'm sure will fix it fine

Of course you can only get away with the scene if the product was just bought, not older ones. It works very well over the phone, little harder to do in the store. They will even ship you a new iMac before they receive the broken one, they will fax you a release form for you to fill out (so you don't steal 2). Just remember to always talk to the next guy up on the phone. Explain your new to mac and you herd so many great things about mac and this is the headache I get etc etc etc.. Works like a charm

I WAS the One · Jan 19, 2008, 05:36 PM

LOL... you guys are crazy! well, let's see what happens

I WAS the One · Feb 1, 2008, 11:39 PM

UPDATE:
Friday night I received a call from the Apple Store so I went to pick up my iMac but when I arrived they were explaining to me why they didn't do anything on it because when they turn it on and use it for five hours nothing happens, so because they couldn't be able to re-create the problem they didn't open the Mac. ---- CAN YOU BELIEVED THAT S***!??? ---- ok, I told them "NO WAY! I refuse to accept that, I know the iMac has a problem and I wanted fixed right away! I've been waiting 3 weeks for it and it's most be some kind of a joke that they tell me they didn't did anything!" so, They called the GM, and the GM called someone else, and after five minutes screaming the GM told me that they know they did make a mistake and that they will replace the graphic card and have it ready next day morning. I accept and today Saturday they called me and yold me that the iMac was ready now. So I went and right now everything seems to be good now. I'm reinstalling Leopard from scratch (erase and install) and Let's see whats happens now. This experience is some how very frustrating for the first time using an iMac.

I WAS the One · Feb 3, 2008, 10:53 PM

OH thanx God. No problems what so ever... my iMac it's running great now! uuf