Why am I Getting lines across my screen?

I noticed about 3 weeks ago that I started getting these strange lines across my screen, looks like it could possibly have something to do with my graphics/video card but I'm not sure. I've even tried doing a fresh install of Leopard but I was still seeing the lines.

What vintage of MacBook Pro is that?

Some MacBook Pros powered by the NVIDIA 8600M chip are effected by a known defect. Apple has extended the warranty to cover this defect.

Not sure what you mean by that but this should help answer your question

That looks like a first generation machine. In that case, you have an ATI X1600 GPU and shouldn't be effected by that defect.

It could be a bad flex cable, or the GPU may be running too warm (it might not be a bad idea to open it up and blow the fans out with some compressed air). How handy are you with hardware?

Not too experienced with opening up computers. Might just have to take it over to the Apple store and have them take a look at it.

Hate to say it but those are the first signs of a GPU (graphics processor) loosing its solder joints.. Funny thing is (not funny ha ha but irony) Apple is not the only manufacturer that has these issues HP, Compaq and the like all have laptops with GPU separation "anxiety" issues

See what an Apple Genius says they might be able to help. and hope ist not a full system board replacement at your cost.

*********** Do this at you own risk and I take no responsibilities ***********
*** side note if its out of Warranty and you have no other options and it gets worse.. if you feel comfortable doing this
Lift the keyboard up between the 2 fans you can see the traces and solder joints that got to the cpu and gpu.. turn the
computer
on press option so it does not go in to the OS use a hair dryer and just hold it over that area and watch the screen. If the lines
go away or get worse you know that the gpu is the problem..... don't get it hot enough to melt anything plastic or otherwise
this will sometimes reflow just enough of the solder to see if it works.. if you not comfortable doing this DON"T
***********Do this at you own risk and I take no responsibilities************

I was just working on my computer and all of a sudden my external monitor shut off then froze my whole computer and then my main monitor started changing to a weird purplish color. I've taken a pic here. What could this possibly be??

Here's another snapshot of what it looks like when Im just browsing the internet.

yup that is video card failure. When a GPU is too hot or hard hardware problems it will create artifacts like that, if its heat, it'll go away after it cools down, if not then u are looking at a new video card replacement, and i doubt its very easy to do on these macbook. Good Luck

Could this also cause my computer to freeze randomly? because it has been doing that as well.

Yes the video chip issues will also cause your system to freeze up ...

Was a big issue with the G3 ibooks and some G4's seems the problem is
Back .. as said before .. not just an Apple issue

Video card failure right there in a nutshell. That or its getting close to overheating and is becoming unstable and artifacts. I've had a video card die on me and thats what started happening at first. I hope you have warranty!! Goodluck!

Crap thats not good, what if I just got one of those cooling pads maybe that Would help? I took it in to the apple store to get an estimate and they said they would have to replace the whole board which would be a total of $310 since my Apple Care is expired. Maybe there's a cheaper way if I could somehow get the parts and repair it myself?

Unfortunately if its at all times it seems your gpu is on its way out. A cooling pad only decreases the temps by about 5-10*c, Have you tried running istat for your dashboard? it will tell you what your GPU CPU and everything else temps are running at. let us know what numbers you find. Under heavy load my gpu sees a max of 65*C

That link will show you the way
--Click ME--

Drumkey,

you can try the cooling pad... and if it works its only temp, eventually it will
destroy it self... the chip is soldered to the logic board.. there are some
companies that say they can reflow the BGA(ball grid aray) but you have
to remove the logic board and send it to them... check ebay think its 50$ to
75$ plus shipping..

or replace the logic board your self .. either way your diggin in to your MBP and can cause other issues.

Hey, thanks for the tip I already had the iStat pro widget didn't even think to look in there to see what my temperatures were. They are extremely high, take a look...

rippingviper said:

Unfortunately if its at all times it seems your gpu is on its way out. A cooling pad only decreases the temps by about 5-10*c, Have you tried running istat for your dashboard? it will tell you what your GPU CPU and everything else temps are running at. let us know what numbers you find. Under heavy load my gpu sees a max of 65*C

That link will show you the way
--Click ME--

Click to expand...

drumkey87 said:

Hey, thanks for the tip I already had the iStat pro widget didn't even think to look in there to see what my temperatures were. They are extremely high, take a look...

Click to expand...

OMG is that Celcius?!!!? No wonder!!!

Pretty sure that's Farenheit. The temps are definitely on the high side.

I'll bet you've got some gunk clogging up your vents and fans. It might over be over-application of thermal compound. Both of which are relatively easy to fix, assuming you're handy with hardware.

Yes, that is Fahrenheit, not Celsius. I have a friend who is better at hardware than I am. I'll have him come over and open it up. Im to afraid to mess with that kinda stuff.

this is what im running at right now in F, sorry I live in Canada so we don't use F, we use C.

I hate to say it but , unless your doing stuff under load and it gets really really hot. If you see it artifact see what temperature your running at. Unless its happening when you took that shot.. If so then i'd have to say your card is done.