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gkrykewy · Apr 28, 2004, 10:04 AM

This is in relation to my earlier 'screen/screen saver issue' post. I just got off the phone with Apple, updating them with my latest diagnosis that the glitching I've been experiencing is definitely a 3D card/driver issue (i.e. occurs badly in Tony Hawk when it's present in the screensaver, seems to get worse after longer periods of use (overheating?), etc. After 'consulting with an iBook expert,' the rep told me that this is a KNOWN ISSUE with this particular model, and that they're working very actively on their end for a resolution. He didn't know if it was a hardware or software issue, but it's definitely not just me. Misery loves company! I suspect that they just need to release new drivers or something. But I don't have to send my iBook away, which is good. If I discovered this issue, can I get it named after me? I should have asked.

For reference, here's a screenshot of my glitching (as visible in the screen saver preview panel):

wschultz · Apr 28, 2004, 12:43 PM

Is this the new 12.1" or the 14.1"??

gkrykewy · Apr 28, 2004, 12:51 PM

I have the 12 inch 1.07 GHZ. Not sure if the problem is more widespread than just my model. They both have the same video card and OS build, right? So it might be. Someone in the Apple Support forum told me that the new iBooks have a different ROM for the video card, so the issue might be related to that.

krehbiet · Apr 28, 2004, 04:43 PM

I hope everything is ok..... My 12' is going to be here on friday. I will report in then.

Nerozwei · Apr 28, 2004, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by gkrykewy:
If I discovered this issue, can I get it named after me? I should have asked.

The Gkrykewy phenomena... Confirmed

hooverzilla · Apr 28, 2004, 10:30 PM

I don't know if this helps or not but I get the same effect on my PC when I overclock the Video Card too much. So it might be a problem with the radeon chipset..

gkrykewy · Apr 28, 2004, 11:52 PM

So if that's the case would it be a hardware issue rather than a software issue? I hope Apple comes up with a solution soon (preferably one that doesn't require me to send in my laptop).

polendo · Apr 29, 2004, 10:57 PM

Ok, I will ask.. what is wrong with the screen saver? What do you call glitch?

regards

polendo · Apr 29, 2004, 11:08 PM

Ok.. I saw it. Looks like drivers/video card problems to me. On software mode you won�t see the problem because the video card is not being used, but as soon as you get the video card to work it gets those troubled graphics. I hope you get it fixed.

regards

gkrykewy · Apr 29, 2004, 11:22 PM

Just by way of an update, I called Apple again to confirm that this was a larger issue than just with my machine. A different rep did confirm this, and reinterated that they were working on it. No ETA on a solution yet.

ChasingApple · Apr 29, 2004, 11:41 PM

I find it odd that your 1Ghz iBook is clocked up to 1.07Ghz, is that normal? Sounds like you have a slightly overclocked Mac there, hehe. I wonder if the Radeon is overclocked a little as well, or if that slight overclock on the CPU isnt making things bad.

Anyone else have a 12" or 14" new iBook to let us know whats theirs report as a clock speed?

Cheers.

krehbiet · Apr 30, 2004, 12:15 AM

Got my iBook today. No 3D glitching as of yet. This little puppy kicks butt.

And yes, the speed of 1.07 is normal.

133.33 X 8 = 1066.64

Langdon · Apr 30, 2004, 02:58 AM

Originally posted by ChasingApple:
I find it odd that your 1Ghz iBook is clocked up to 1.07Ghz, is that normal? Sounds like you have a slightly overclocked Mac there, hehe. I wonder if the Radeon is overclocked a little as well, or if that slight overclock on the CPU isnt making things bad.

Anyone else have a 12" or 14" new iBook to let us know whats theirs report as a clock speed?

Cheers.

It is not OC'ed to 1.07
It has to do with the BUS speed and multiplier factor. So mathematically it could not be exactly 1Ghz
8.0 multiplier x 133.333MHz bus speed = 1066.666MHz

gkrykewy · Apr 30, 2004, 09:32 AM

I just tried running Halo, and the glitching is BRUTAL in there. All sorts of white static, basically (because at 640x480, the flashing pixels are quite large). Hopefully Apple comes up with a fix soon. To be honest, the only evidence I have of it being a more widespread problem than just my machine is apple telling me so. Perhaps it's just certain models/configurations?

I have a 1.07 GHZ 12 inch G4 / 256 MB RAM / 40 GB HD / Bluetooth

I'll be installing an extra 512 MB ram and an AE card soon

gkrykewy · Apr 30, 2004, 11:03 AM

Check this out. This is the glitching I get in Halo. Software/driver issue? I hope so!

iREZ · Apr 30, 2004, 11:19 AM

Just think of it as snow, even indoors

BobVB · Apr 30, 2004, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by gkrykewy:
Check this out. This is the glitching I get in Halo. Software/driver issue? I hope so!

Just loaded Halo and updated to 1.04 on my G4 1.07 GHz 728M RAM 10.3.3 with all updates and not having any of these problems. No snow or glitching at all. And if it was software you'd think it would be all the computers wouldn't you?

What was it they taught us in medical school about the difference between empathy and sympathy:

empathy: you feel what the patient feels and will burn out from it in a short time.
sympathy: you look at the patient and say 'that's terrible, sure glad it didn't happen to me'.

I am very sympathetic to your problem

polendo · May 1, 2004, 12:03 AM

If the hardware (video card) is fine, and the drivers are the same as other users (which don't have the problem), I would point fingers to the firmware of that video card in particular. That Halo screen is pretty impressive.

gkrykewy · May 1, 2004, 07:53 AM

Is there any way I can reinstall the firmware for the video card or something like that?

I don't think it's all that widespread, otherwise I think we'd see other posts about it. However, it must not just be me, as two Apple reps have said that it's a known issue and they're working on it. I don't know what to think.

I do know that it does not occur in safe mode at all (at least in the screen saver; halo won't run in safe mode) and that it actually does NOT get worse with increased use/heat. I used my iBook for like 8 hours straight yesterday, and the issue actually was not there at the end. I don't know what to think. I guess I'll give Apple another week, and then I'll insist on having it looked at.

gkrykewy · May 1, 2004, 08:44 AM

Allright, I reset my Power Management Unit (just for kicks), and now the glitching seems to occur only on a fresh boot (when the computer's been off for at least 5 minutes) and NOT on a restart on a shutdown/re-power up with only a few seconds between. Does this mean anything to anyone?

discotronic · May 1, 2004, 08:58 AM

I would return the machine. Call Apple and tell them that you want it fixed or replaced. These problems with your iBook is unacceptable. At least they would be for me.

polendo · May 1, 2004, 10:32 AM

I think discotronic is correct. I would return that laptop and get a new one. It's not fair that you have to worry for a new product.

gkrykewy · May 1, 2004, 11:52 AM

I just called Apple again and suggested that I'd like a new one. The rep first checked my symptoms again and verified that they were identical to the problem being investigated and then told me that they couldn't accept my unit for a replacement while the issue was being investigated (as long as the investigation was expected to produce a fix in the near future). I noted that others with the identical model machine were not experiencing the problem, and that I felt that if I were to exchange for another machine, this would solve my issue. He basically said to give it another week and at that point he implied that they would let me switch it (especially since I've been on record as checking in so frequently).

I guess I have no choice but to do this, as I think I'm past my 10 day limit for an outright return to the store. Is it 10 days, or 10 business days?

gkrykewy · May 1, 2004, 12:05 PM

I found that it is 10 business days (yay!), but I need the original box in mint condition (boo). While I have the original box and all materials, I sent in the UPC for the free printer (after rebate) promotion. I would have to pay a 10-percent restocking fee if I returned it to the store. So if I return it, it'll have to be to the service dept, and it'll have to be when they say I can. Don't worry, if they don't have a fix by Friday, I'll make enough noise that they'll swap it for me.

nJm · May 7, 2004, 02:40 AM

I have a 12" 1.07Ghz iBook and have no problems with 3d graphics in Jedi Academy. Haven't tried halo.

I don't know if this counts for anything, but the 'flurry' screen saver looks normal too...

gkrykewy · May 7, 2004, 09:22 AM

Woo hoo! My problem has been resolved by the following Apple download:

iBook G4 Graphics Update:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...icsupdate.html

Just in case anyone has the same issue, there's your fix.

discotronic · May 7, 2004, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by gkrykewy:
Woo hoo! My problem has been resolved by the following Apple download:

iBook G4 Graphics Update:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...icsupdate.html

Just in case anyone has the same issue, there's your fix.

Great to hear!! I think I would have went crazy. At least you didn't have to wait 6 months for a fix to be released.

polendo · May 8, 2004, 11:28 AM

Great going-- I'm glad for you. I just saw about the download and came here directly to see if your problem was solved.