could it really be this simple? fuzzzy screen update

[julieda]

i'd started getting this random fuzzy screen and wierd "noise" on the screen which sometimes froze-up completely. I did a search, and found threads of users needing to replace the motherboard, so I kinda freaked out.

My mother, who is close to 70 and sometimes acts senile, said: "Shut down, unplug the cable modem, replug it in, and restart."

I rolled my eyes and scoffed at her (then went and tried it).

I have had no fuzzy screen problems since. Should I just consider all is well? Or still take it in for service? Is there any correlation to screen image and being connected? (BTW, the modem is new, only had it a month now)

thank in advance, Julie

 

[CanadaRAM]

Restarting is what made the difference (good on ya', mom). The cable modem is unlikely to create crashes.

The screen going fuzzy and the machine restarting at random points indicates a hardware problem.

If the failure was tied to a certain action -- like "it restarts every time I open a document in Program X" then it would be more likely to be software related.

If your machine is still under warranty, get it in ASAP. Even if they can't reproduce the problem, this guves you a measure of protection against it failing for good 3 days after the warranty expires.

Hardware problems don't fix themselves. Intermittant problems can be triggered by heat, fluctuations in electrical power, and other factors. Restarting the machine clears the memory and resets the circuitry of the machine, which may influence some of these, but if it is hardware, it is likely to recur.

 

[julieda]

thanks, I'll bring it in. I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to ignore this and to not be without the computer.

 

[superbovine]

You didn't say what type of screen it was, a CRT or LCD. either way, a "fuzzy" spot can be caused by a telephone because of the magnet in it. for that matter anything with a magnet or magnetic field. the degaussing option on a CRT menu might help also. This is just FYI.

 

[julieda]

umm, I don't know what CRT or LCD means? This is the flat panel thing -- the entire computer and monitor screen is only 2" thick, with the disc drive on the side and the ports in the back... is that LCD?

I keep looking around for magnets but I'm pretty sure there are none around here. Not even in my desk drawers. Is the cable modem somehow magnetic? That sits right behiind it?

Anyway, I called apple and bought a support agreement (they gave me a student discount -- cool!) and they tried to diagnose me. I'm supposed to work in Safe mode for a few days and call them if it keeps happening or not, then they have me try some other stuff.

 

[superbovine]

umm, I don't know what CRT or LCD means? This is the flat panel thing -- the entire computer and monitor screen is only 2" thick, with the disc drive on the side and the ports in the back... is that LCD?

I keep looking around for magnets but I'm pretty sure there are none around here. Not even in my desk drawers. Is the cable modem somehow magnetic? That sits right behiind it?

Anyway, I called apple and bought a support agreement (they gave me a student discount -- cool!) and they tried to diagnose me. I'm supposed to work in Safe mode for a few days and call them if it keeps happening or not, then they have me try some other stuff.

oops... yeah that is an LCD. A CRT is the more traditional looking monitor with a glass screen.