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Strange Mac Pro graphics issue

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

(note for admin: I’m not sure if this is right forum to post this. Please feel free to move it if it’s not appropriate.)

I have strange issue which has started popping up with my Mac Pro. Quite occasionally (now constantly if I open any application) screen becomes like this. This seems to happen more often when working with zBrush.

The machine does keep operating normally during the issue, and it appears to be that only the screen is going crazy. Logging to the machine with Screen Share from other mac shows exactly same crazy screen.

Restarting the Mac removes the issue for some time until it will eventually return, requiring another restart. Logging out does not solve the issue.

I have run Apple Hardware test which was in the install disc and video card test returned no error. I have not been able to repeat the issue in Windows 7 (bootcamp) by running 3D games etc.

My Machine is Quad Core Mac Pro with 8 gigs of ram. The graphics Card is NVIDIA GeForce GT120.
OS is SL 10.6.8 (all updates with Software Update installed)

This is highly irregular…I’d love any advice.

Attachments

screenissue.jpg

#2

Moreover, dragging windows leaves trails like this during the issues

#3

I can’t say for certain but usually strange artifacting generally points to a graphics card on the edge of dying. Hopefully thats not the case here but I wouldn’t rule it out even though your hardware test says its good.

#4

Yes, most likely your video card is dying. Sometimes it can still pass the Apple Hardware test and still be on its deathbed. Sometimes it’s just an overheating issue or a combination of heat and hardware failure. If you’ve got another similar video card available, like from another machine, you could try swapping it out and see if it’s still an issue. If not you might be able to buy a new card to try out and just return it if you don’t want it or doesn’t fix the issue. Just make sure you’re clear on the return policy from wherever you get it.