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Been using and taking care of Macs since 1985, and I've never seen this before. Can't find anything online. Anyone? Graphics card going south?

Reboot fixed the problem, but it returned 2x the next day.

Have zapped the PRAM, waiting to see if that helps.

Like, wow, man. This computer is STONED.

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  • 1
    Just curios - do i see it right that the mouse cursor is displayed correct?
    – bdecaf
    Commented Apr 21, 2015 at 6:14
  • 4
    Clearly it's graphics card issue. if this a 15" MBP 2011/2012/2013, better take a look at the below link. apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues
    – Pratik
    Commented Apr 21, 2015 at 6:29
  • any magnetic fields near ?
    – Ruskes
    Commented Apr 21, 2015 at 6:47
  • @Buscar - magnetic fields?
    – ScunnerDarkly
    Commented Apr 21, 2015 at 10:49
  • Pointer can be seen.
    – 100 Watt Walrus
    Commented Apr 21, 2015 at 11:31

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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Chances are, it's hardware.

Download and burn a copy of Ultimate Boot CD Insert the disk and boot your Mac by holding down the "C" key. It's a Linux OS and will boot up in text mode (not graphics intensive)

There are a number of video related tests you can run. Since it is outside of OS X, you are removing the OS from the equation.

Chances are, you are going to run across something hardware wise.

If you don't get errors reported back, it may be a connector or the display itself. If you have an external monitor, hook that up and see if the problem manifests there. If it dosen't, then you know it is something between the logic board and display.

If you do see errors, then you know for a fact it's your chip.

Don't dispair. I have used a service that will replace graphic chips on Apple logic boards and they have been quite reliable. I can give you the name privately, if you like. The cost was (give or take) about $100 including shipping.

I have personally used the above techniques and vendor with zero failures thus far.

I hope this helps.

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  • Thank, @Allan. I may take you up on your offer to connect with that service if the problem persists. And I will look into Ultimate Boot CD.
    – 100 Watt Walrus
    Commented Apr 23, 2015 at 21:36
  • Just let me know...if I can help, I am happy to.
    – Allan
    Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 3:32
  • Is this service who's name shall be kept private, a secret service? ;)
    – Todd
    Commented Apr 28, 2015 at 0:51
  • @Todd The company is Top Notch Macs. The phone number is 727-488-9248. Sorry, I don't remember the guys name that I dealt with. I am still using a MBP that they serviced for video issues and it is still going strong; 18 months now!
    – Allan
    Commented Apr 29, 2015 at 15:46
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Try booting it into Recovery and see if the problem persists there too. If it doesn't, you'll want to reinstall OS X from there. Be sure to back up all of your data before reinstalling as it will wipe the disk.

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  • Thanks for the tip. Will try that too, if the problem persists.
    – 100 Watt Walrus
    Commented Apr 23, 2015 at 21:30
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I reset the NVRAM on my Mac (aka "zapped the PRAM") and so far it seems to have resolved the problem.

This is a simple procedure of restarting the Mac, and holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys once you hear the startup sound. You hold them until the Mac reboots again, then release them. This clears hardware settings that are stored in non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), resetting them to the system defaults.

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