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Model A1174 with 2 GHz Core Duo or Model A1207 with 2.16 or 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo

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Graphics card replacement necessary to eliminate ghosts/pixelation?

Hello, I am thinking of purchasing (through you guys), and replacing, the Western Digital 250 GB HD on this favorite white, plastic-encased iMac due to heavy pixelation, ghosts tracks, etc. on the screen. My question is, am I making the correct replacement? Should I focus on having the graphics card replaced instead in order to resolve this problem? Is this doable, and if so, what graphics card should I be purchasing from ya'll? Lastly, if the HD replacement is the only option necessary, is it possible to increase the storage of the drive, i.e., purchase a WD drive with higher storage capacity? Thank you.

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just a short info from my side - the iMac has no graphics card as you might know it from a regular pc - it has a onboard graphics chip.

do as mayer said and boot from the install disk

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First, boot from the installation disk to see if the problem persists and let us know the result. Insert the install disk and hold the "C" key down while restarting, you will have to push the disk back in on restart.

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This is either driver or video memory related.

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If you are talking about the 20" iMac 2118 model with the ATI RadeonX1600 Graphix card... then this was a known problem from the get go. It's the card that is defective. I was said there was a Firmware update that fixes it, but mine wasn't fixed by it.

I was under the impression that you could buy a new card for this model though. I found one once that was nearly $300. But I believe that it has to be the exact same card, and that you can't "upgrade" (though that would be sweet!). It's probably best to just buy a new or used Logic board w/ the Graphix card on it. However, you won't know if you're getting one of the bad ones or not, unless the seller specifies.

The ONLY partial solution I and others have found, is to download the free program called SMC Fan Control. It basically allows you to control all three of the fans inside your iMac. Ramp up the fan that cools the graphics card (ODD fan), and it will help a LOT. It makes your fans run faster, which could wear them out quicker, and it makes your iMac slightly more noisy (wind tunnel anyone?). But it does work. Mine is set to about 4200rpm, my HDD is at 3200rpm, and my CPU is at 3000rpm. I wouldn't say my machine is "loud", but you can hear the fans working. My overall temp inside is at about 91F. It used to be higher.

Best of luck,

Jason

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