Mac OS X 10.4.7 Special Report: MacBook (13"): Vertical multi-colored lines at startup after Mac OS X 10.4.7 update

After receiving the Mac OS X 10.4.7 udpate, some MacBooks' screens appear distorted during startup, characterized by a series of vertical, multi-colored lines. Usually the startup process freezes at this point, necessitating a restart.

Below is an image of the problem:

As previously noted, some users are able to temporarily work around the problem by resetting PRAM, accomplished by holding down the Command, option, P and R keys simultaneously during startup.

It now appears that, for many users, this problem did not appear until updating to Mac OS X 10.4.7. As such, some are choosing to revert to Mac OS X 10.4.6, per the instructions in this tutorial.

One reader writes:

"Shortly after installing 10.4.7 (initially via software update and later as the combo update), my MacBook and that of several others have developed an odd malady. Upon reboot, the screen goes completely white, then gradually more and more numerous, colored, vertical lines appear on the screen. The machine never reaches the desktop or login screen. Pressing the power button to force shutdown and restart does not clear the problem. Zapping PRAM temporarily restores normal function, but a reboot later may still result in the white screen with vertical lines.

"Some speculation is that the NVRAM has been affected by 10.4.7 and this is consistent with my experience. I initially only had a sudden shutdown problem after awakening from sleep. I had not see the white screen with vertical lines problem despite restarting the machine. That appeared after I tried resetting the PMU and zapping PRAM.

"For now I've reverted to 10.4.6 to see if my MacBook becomes stable again. Prior to installing 10.4.7, my MacBook had worked solidly for weeks without any sudden shutdowns or screen of vertical lines issues. There may be something awry with the 10.4.7 Intel update."

Another MacFixIt reader, Matthias, adds:

"I also have the 'vertical lines' problem on my Macbook. It started after I applied the 10.4.7 update and seems to appear on every restart now. Only solution I found is resetting the PRAM.

"I had originally updated using Software Update (with the re-released 10.4.7 update, I updated on July 1st). Then everything worked fine.

"Afterwards I installed the Combo updater because I wasn't sure if the Software Update version was o.k. (because the somewhat strange re-release), but this caused the "vertical lines" problem. My MacBook would only start up after a P-RAM reset.

"Now I applied the Combo updater again and everything seems to be fine again: I restarted several times, and I did not see the vertical lines again."

MacFixIt reader Chris writes:

"I too have had this problem with my white 2Ghz MacBook, ever since I updated to 10.4.7. I'm not saying that 10.4.7 is the definitive cause of this, but it never happened to me before. Every time I've shut down the MacBook and powered it up later, I have to do a PRAM reset in order for the display to come online again. Apple really dropped a bollock on this one."

For more, see our MacBook (13") special report.

Index:

• Release Notes
• Common Workarounds
• Reverting (downgrading) to Mac OS X 10.4.6

• AirPort connectivity issues -- fixes
• Bluetooth: Erratic device behavior, loss of connectivity
• Cellular data modems now natively supported
• CS2 apps (Photoshop, etc.) not launching -- potential fix
• Digital camera problems -- not recognized, workaround
• Don't skip update verification process
• Dozens of SMB processes spawned -- fix
• Example of the dangers in continuing work while update is applying
• External drives not recognized -- fixes
• FireWire device recognition issues
• Increased fan activity -- fixes
• Intel re-release: Determining whether you have the old or new version, more
• Internet access problems caused by DNS errors
• iSync issues
• MacBook Pro screen failures with external display connected
• MacBook (13"): Vertical multi-colored lines at startup after Mac OS X 10.4.7 update
• Microsoft Word crashing frequently -- fix
• Palm synchronization issues
• Printing issues -- fixes
• Problems caused by devices connected during update
• Problems starting up after update -- fixes
• Quark Xpress 6.5: Problems with fonts, temporary fix
• Rosetta problems -- potential fix
• Safari: Problems accessing secure sites, crashes, more
• SoundSticks unrecognized -- fix
• Spotlight will be re-enabled after update
• SuperDrive burn issues -- fix
• Third-party displays causing freezes
• Trackpad difficulties -- input not recognized
• Two-finger click functionality now enabled on 15" MacBook Pros, PowerBooks
• USB problems (device recognition, preventing your Mac from sleeping etc.) -- fixes
• Widget "phone home" function actually a security measure
• Windows sharing and processor hogging (system slowdown)

Resources