11-15-2010, 09:01 PM

I need some help here folks. I was sitting at my computer today when it all of a sudden took a dump on me.

Specs:
MacPro3,1
Dual processor 2.8 Quad-Core Intel Xeon
10gb RAM

Graphics:


I already tested it on different monitors and it comes up the same on all. I took a screenshot and it looks normal.
This is what the screen looks like now:



From what research I've done, it seems like my graphics card is going out. I just thought it couldn't hurt to stop by here and ask you guys before I purchase a new one. Also, if you have any recommendations as to what card to get next I'd appreciate it. I use it for Final Cut Studio, CS5, etc.

Any help is appreciated.

-ap

11-15-2010, 09:19 PM

Sure looks like failing GPU. Have you removed the card and reseated it, and tried with a different PCIe cabling set up?

11-15-2010, 09:24 PM

What display is that connected to? That looks like the old days on a CRT display when the resolution or frequency was set wrong and the monitor could not display it.

11-15-2010, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Sure looks like failing GPU. Have you removed the card and reseated it, and tried with a different PCIe cabling set up?

I haven't reseated it yet, but I opened it up and dusted it out, let it sit for a few hours with no luck. I don't know much about video cards and don't really have a different cabling set. I'm gonna try reseating in a bit.

Originally Posted by dtravis7

What display is that connected to? That looks like the old days on a CRT display when the resolution or frequency was set wrong and the monitor could not display it.

Its connected to a dell E228WFP as you can see in the pic.

11-15-2010, 09:32 PM

I can faintly see the power light on the monitor in the pic in your post.

Can you try the Dell on another system? Just to be sure?

11-15-2010, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by dtravis7

I can faintly see the power light on the monitor in the pic in your post.

Can you try the Dell on another system? Just to be sure?

I was referring to the first pic, where it says what monitor is connected

I've connected the computer to other monitors with no success.

11-15-2010, 10:11 PM

Sorry, the Screen picture caught my eye and I did not even look at the specs that hard.

If it does the exact same thing on different displays, it has to be the video card.

One quick question, how did you get that top pic? Screenshot?

11-16-2010, 12:50 AM

@atlfokus

It's this statement of yours that's throwing me a curve ball:

I already tested it on different monitors and it comes up the same on all. I took a screenshot and it looks normal.

When a screenshot looks normal, that's usually an indication that the graphics card is OK. Are you sure the screenshot you took looked normal? Can you take another and post it here?

I agree with dtravis7, the picture you submitted sure looks like a frequency or sync problem. That's why I'd like to see another screenshot posted here.

11-16-2010, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by chscag

@atlfokus

It's this statement of yours that's throwing me a curve ball:



When a screenshot looks normal, that's usually an indication that the graphics card is OK. Are you sure the screenshot you took looked normal? Can you take another and post it here?

I agree with dtravis7, the picture you submitted sure looks like a frequency or sync problem. That's why I'd like to see another screenshot posted here.

Agreed. I have seen that exact thing (like I said above) on many monitors where the frequency was set wrong. I know I am old school with many Analog CRT monitors, but that is what is looks like. All the Video Card issues I have seen are very different looking. I could be wrong but I have never seen that exact picture where it was the Video Card.

I a also confused!

As an example. I have my Intel Mac Mini hooked up to sony WEGA TV. One day I was in a hurry and messing with the video settings on OSX and accidently selected PAL instead of NTSC. Looked almost exactly like your picture. It was a pain to get it back to NTSC!

Just another note, there is a possibility it's still the card. I am not sure how you are hooking up, whether VGA, DVI or what, but VGA for example has R,G,B and Vertical Sync and Horizontal Sync pins and grounds. If one broke on the card it would cause that picture. Have never messed around with a DVI port to see what signals are present. That is the only issue I can think of.