Vertical Black Bar on Start Up - MacPro 2.66 Intel Zeon Quad - 6GB RAM

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Hi Guys
Slight problem that seems to be getting worse. Sometimes on start up I get a black bar one inch from the left, approx 4 inches in diameter running from the top of the screen to the bottom.
The Apple 'logo' plus all the finder 'words' appear on the right hand side of this black bar.
The cursor will not go beyond the black bar. It's as though it hits a wall.

here's a pic:

thanks again in advance...

2008 Mac Pro Quad Core Intel Zeon 2.66 6GB RAM

screen.jpg
 

bobtomay

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If that's a screen shot, not a picture, looks like it's time for a video card replacement. Time to give Apple a call if you're still under warranty.
 
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If that's a screen shot, not a picture, looks like it's time for a video card replacement. Time to give Apple a call if you're still under warranty.

I'm not under warranty but are sure that's what it is? is this something i can purchase easily?

regards
michael
 

bobtomay

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Problems like that with the screen, almost always:

If the issue shows up in a screen shot, it's the video card.
If the issue doesn't show up in a screen shot, it's the display.

Never had a MacPro, but can't be any harder than buying a new video card, pulling the old one, popping in the new one along with the drivers. The cards are just more expensive than their windows counterparts, but not too bad. The new ATI 5770 w/1GB is $250 at OWC. You might be able to find the GT 120 or the HD 4870 that shipped with your machine a little cheaper.

You can pop your original OS X disc in the machine and run the Apple Hardware test.
 
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HI
that wasnt a screen shot. that was a comp i made in photoshop. If that were to happen, I wouldnt be able to take a screen shot as the cursor does not go beyond the black bar.

does that change your prognosis?

thanks
 

bobtomay

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Take a screen shot, don't need a cursor for that - hold 'shift' + 'command' + '3'.
 

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HI
that wasnt a screen shot. that was a comp i made in photoshop. If that were to happen, I wouldnt be able to take a screen shot as the cursor does not go beyond the black bar.

does that change your prognosis?

thanks

Displays don't go bad like that. That black bar is nicely placed and even with raster on both sides. I'm with bobtomay on this one - you more than likely need a new graphics card.
 
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G'day and welcome to the forums.

Another vote for graphics card failing.

But first off open her up, undo the thumb screws and remove the graphics card, removed the PCI-e power lead and replace both lead and card, seating the card firmly, Of there is no improvement try with another PCI-e power lead.

Next step is a new graphics card. These have improved out of sight since your Mac Pro was new.
 

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