Power Mac - Red vertical lines in cinema display

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #1 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 01:15 AM

Hi,

I knew about this when I brought this computer, but these lines were not there. They have since then came back, and are starting to get annoying.

There is only one line, about 2 pixels thick, it was originally black, but has changed to purple, and now red. Sometimes it would show different colors in each row, but is normally the same.

I notice that now, if I put something black under the red, it will turn black (as expected).

This is on my 20" Cinema Display (plastic model), that I believe came with these MDD Powermacs.

I have tried my computer with another Powermac's screen (exactly the same), and the line is not there, so it is not my computer.

What can I do to stop this, or what are my options for repair? Any type of lifetime warranty on these?

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 02:08 PM

It may be the Cinema display itself that is defective. Move the Cinema display with the problem to another machine. If the same color distortions occur, you'll know for sure it's the display that's at fault.

I don't know off hand what the normal warranty is on those displays, but it certainly is not for life.

You may wind up purchasing another monitor.

Regards.

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #3 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 02:28 PM

Ok. I will try it in the other computer soon.

Thanks for your reply.

R3d · R3d #4 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 05:56 PM

You have dead pixels... if it's under warranty take it back.

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #5 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 07:22 PM

Can dead pixels form in vertical lines down the screen?

And I do not think I have warranty on this, as this would have been the one that came with my computer, when it was made in 2003. I do not know if it were under warranty at the time, but that would have expired by now.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #6 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 09:57 PM

If you have the MDD Power Mac, pop in the Apple Hardware Test disc, version 2.0.1, and boot whilst holding down 'C'. The test includes screen and graphics so that should tell you what the problem is, but sounds like dead pixels and time for another screen.

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #7 (**permalink**)

03-14-2009, 12:57 AM

I may now have access to the other screen that I tried my computer on (and was fine), just there are slight issues (I haven't have a look yet), but the screen may be on its way out.

I'll take a look at it, and then do the old switch-er-ino trick.

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #8 (**permalink**)

03-14-2009, 03:19 PM

Ok. Well, I switched the screens. So far, I have not had any issue with this one, it was described as a "wobbly image". I believe I saw it once, and it looked like a small flashing staticy image.

My screen has the line on the other Powermac (as expected), but I did not use it long enough to see if it had the "wobbly image". I am hoping that it is the graphics card of that Mac, as it would soon be replaced with an Aluminum iMac, so its screen and itself will not be needed.

Do you think that that is a graphics card issue, or is that something that happens to LCD screens? If so, does this mean that the screen is near time for replacement?

- Jordan

chscag · chscag #9 (**permalink**)

03-14-2009, 05:36 PM

Jordan:

The same issue is present on the second machine you tried the display on. It's apparent the display itself is defective as there are more than likely an array of dead pixels or stuck pixels, perhaps both. The graphics card itself would not cause that type of defect but if the image on the screen is wobbly, that's another matter.

Regards.

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #10 (**permalink**)

03-15-2009, 12:34 AM

I know that my screen is faulty, I had established that weeks ago. All I want to know, is if these little "static flashes", or as my mum described as a "wobbly image", are the graphics card or the screen.

- Jordan

chscag · chscag #11 (**permalink**)

03-15-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordantheNerd

I know that my screen is faulty, I had established that weeks ago. All I want to know, is if these little "static flashes", or as my mum described as a "wobbly image", are the graphics card or the screen.- Jordan

If the same symptom appears on both machines you've tested the display on, then it's probably not the graphics card.

Regards.

beelzebubby · beelzebubby #12 (**permalink**)

04-01-2009, 10:35 PM

Its not dead pixels (dead pixels dont flicker or change colour...Thats why theyre dead).....This is a very widespread problem with Mac Displays and can happen to any without warning. A quick search of google will confirm this. The fact that Apple has known about it and has refused to address it even going so far s to shut down forum threads that raise the issue, is grounds for a class action.
If you want to fix the the vertical line issue, the answer is to never purchase Apple.

R0GV3 · R0GV3 #13 (**permalink**)

04-01-2009, 11:26 PM

could be the cord that connects to the display, they ussually cause some screen distortions, such as tint, hugh, lines and distortion

JordantheNerd · JordantheNerd #14 (**permalink**)

04-02-2009, 01:50 PM

Hmm, I will be able to test the other screen properly when they replace it with an iMac, but for now I still have the line.

I noticed once, the other screen seems to do its "fuzzy, static" stuff on the Mac OSX booting screen (the one after the grey), it seems to react to the white on there (running Tiger).

Also, the menu bar, the mouse, and some parts of the dock seems to do it.

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Power Mac - Red vertical lines in cinema display

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JordantheNerd #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39 Mac Specs: Powermac G4 MDD 2003, 2gb ram, 20" Cinema Display	03-13-2009, 01:15 AM Hi, I knew about this when I brought this computer, but these lines were not there. They have since then came back, and are starting to get annoying. There is only one line, about 2 pixels thick, it was originally black, but has changed to purple, and now red. Sometimes it would show different colors in each row, but is normally the same. I notice that now, if I put something black under the red, it will turn black (as expected). This is on my 20" Cinema Display (plastic model), that I believe came with these MDD Powermacs. I have tried my computer with another Powermac's screen (exactly the same), and the line is not there, so it is not my computer. What can I do to stop this, or what are my options for repair? Any type of lifetime warranty on these?
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,970 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	03-13-2009, 02:08 PM It may be the Cinema display itself that is defective. Move the Cinema display with the problem to another machine. If the same color distortions occur, you'll know for sure it's the display that's at fault. I don't know off hand what the normal warranty is on those displays, but it certainly is not for life. You may wind up purchasing another monitor. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

R3d #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 13, 2009 Posts: 9 Mac Specs: Dual 1.8 Ghz PowerPC G4 (Gigadesing Processor), 1.75GB SDRAM, Pioneer DVD, XFX Nvidia 6200 256mb	03-13-2009, 05:56 PM You have dead pixels... if it's under warranty take it back.
	QUOTE Thanks

JordantheNerd #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39 Mac Specs: Powermac G4 MDD 2003, 2gb ram, 20" Cinema Display	03-13-2009, 07:22 PM Can dead pixels form in vertical lines down the screen? And I do not think I have warranty on this, as this would have been the one that came with my computer, when it was made in 2003. I do not know if it were under warranty at the time, but that would have expired by now.
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,058 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	03-13-2009, 09:57 PM If you have the MDD Power Mac, pop in the Apple Hardware Test disc, version 2.0.1, and boot whilst holding down 'C'. The test includes screen and graphics so that should tell you what the problem is, but sounds like dead pixels and time for another screen.
	QUOTE Thanks

JordantheNerd #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39 Mac Specs: Powermac G4 MDD 2003, 2gb ram, 20" Cinema Display	03-14-2009, 12:57 AM I may now have access to the other screen that I tried my computer on (and was fine), just there are slight issues (I haven't have a look yet), but the screen may be on its way out. I'll take a look at it, and then do the old switch-er-ino trick.
	QUOTE Thanks

JordantheNerd #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39 Mac Specs: Powermac G4 MDD 2003, 2gb ram, 20" Cinema Display	03-14-2009, 03:19 PM Ok. Well, I switched the screens. So far, I have not had any issue with this one, it was described as a "wobbly image". I believe I saw it once, and it looked like a small flashing staticy image. My screen has the line on the other Powermac (as expected), but I did not use it long enough to see if it had the "wobbly image". I am hoping that it is the graphics card of that Mac, as it would soon be replaced with an Aluminum iMac, so its screen and itself will not be needed. Do you think that that is a graphics card issue, or is that something that happens to LCD screens? If so, does this mean that the screen is near time for replacement? - Jordan
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,970 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	03-14-2009, 05:36 PM Jordan: The same issue is present on the second machine you tried the display on. It's apparent the display itself is defective as there are more than likely an array of dead pixels or stuck pixels, perhaps both. The graphics card itself would not cause that type of defect but if the image on the screen is wobbly, that's another matter. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

JordantheNerd #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39 Mac Specs: Powermac G4 MDD 2003, 2gb ram, 20" Cinema Display	03-15-2009, 12:34 AM I know that my screen is faulty, I had established that weeks ago. All I want to know, is if these little "static flashes", or as my mum described as a "wobbly image", are the graphics card or the screen. - Jordan
	QUOTE Thanks

beelzebubby #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 01, 2009 Posts: 1	04-01-2009, 10:35 PM Its not dead pixels (dead pixels dont flicker or change colour...Thats why theyre dead).....This is a very widespread problem with Mac Displays and can happen to any without warning. A quick search of google will confirm this. The fact that Apple has known about it and has refused to address it even going so far s to shut down forum threads that raise the issue, is grounds for a class action. If you want to fix the the vertical line issue, the answer is to never purchase Apple.
	QUOTE Thanks

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R0GV3 #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 27, 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 28 Mac Specs: imac 17" Core 2 Duo 2.0ghz 1gb 160gb back from the dead! :) , Ibook G4 14" 1.33ghz 1.25gb 120gb	04-01-2009, 11:26 PM could be the cord that connects to the display, they ussually cause some screen distortions, such as tint, hugh, lines and distortion
	QUOTE Thanks

JordantheNerd #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 39 Mac Specs: Powermac G4 MDD 2003, 2gb ram, 20" Cinema Display	04-02-2009, 01:50 PM Hmm, I will be able to test the other screen properly when they replace it with an iMac, but for now I still have the line. I noticed once, the other screen seems to do its "fuzzy, static" stuff on the Mac OSX booting screen (the one after the grey), it seems to react to the white on there (running Tiger). Also, the menu bar, the mouse, and some parts of the dock seems to do it.
	QUOTE Thanks