Problems with Video Display on a new Aluminum iMac

[drh64]

I have had this happen on two different IMacs and only when we run AC 11.

It seems to be triggered by Itunes running at the same time.

Has anyone else witnessed this before? Any suggestions?


http://www.connect-arch.com/graphics-problem/scatter.mov

[Karl Ottenstein]

Glad that helped. 😉

Peter wrote:
Today I see in in the Inactive section of the Activity Monitor.

Do you see iTunes, or iTunes Helper? A quick Google indicates that iTunes Helper's purpose is to launch iTunes when an iPod (etc) is plugged in and that it can be removed from the startup items if it seems to be causing problems. Did not dig deeper.

If you actually see iTunes (not Helper), and it does not appear in your list of login items, then something mysterious is going on...

(And, the check marks, as in my screenshot, are only for those things hidden at startup - all of the things in the list are launched.)

Cheers,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Karl, Good eye! You are correct; it is iTunes helper.

At the moment I have switched back to the XP just to render this final site, and while it is slow, it is finishing the job.

I will do my research from all you guys before I rebuild the XP, although I like the idea of having my boss buy me one of those G5 16 gig things like drh64 had his boss . . .
WAIT! I am my boss, and I say "You can't afford it now! What are you thinking! We have to . . ." and like any employee, I sail off into my creative empire, finding solutions to even this bump in the road of life. (This is why I try not to have conversations with me boss.)

The forum is so large, do you know a short cut to custom built XPs and Macs? I saw a few profiles, so I'll become a gatherer-er.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Peter wrote:
... I like the idea of having my boss buy me one of those G5 16 gig things like drh64 had his boss . . .
WAIT! I am my boss, ...

Be careful what you wish for. 😉 A lot of people keep call the Mac Pro a "G5", but note that a G5 is a Power PC (PPC) processor and you definitely do not want to be buying any PPC Macs for ArchiCAD at this point (on the used market) - only new Intel Macs. ArchiCAD will no longer support PPC beginning with the next version; Apple will no longer support PPC beginning with Snow Leopard, arriving this year.

Cheers,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Thank you again!
I stand corrected and grateful.
If you were me, would you build a hot XP quad, rammed, tricked, etc, or a MAC PRO with all the bells? My PC guys promise the differences are invisible, but not my MAC genius.
Of course you can't be me, so you're off the hook. It looks to me from other users, the balance is close to the middle.

[Karl Ottenstein]

No doubt in my mind that the Mac Pro is the best bang for the buck out there and the least headache (compared to Microsoft maintenance and conflict woes).

Cheers,
Karl

[henrypootel]

I would say the same for the HP XW4600 workstation series. Very solid performers, and are setup perfectly for ArchiCAD. And if you are looking for Bang-for-buck, the HP comes in at about US$600 cheaper, depending on what you fit it out with.
HP XW4600 Quad core 2.8Ghz, 4Gb RAM, Quadro 1700 512Mb Graphics Card, Vista 64-bit = US$2323
Mac Pro 2.8Ghz, 4Gb RAM, Geforce 8800GT Graphics Card, Leopard OSX = US$2999
I know of a lot of people using the 4600 and the earlier 4400 with ArchiCAD 12 and we've never heard of any problems. Highly Recommended. Juest search for 'XW4600' on www.hp.com

[Karl Ottenstein]

The bang for the buck I usually talk about is long term. Software maintenance issues (DLL conflicts, blue screens, driver problems, etc) are big time sinks on Windows. After 18 years of Windows, I'll never go back or waste hours fixing friends/relatives machines - just doesn't happen with OS X. Look at what is involved in 'repairing' a broken Windows installation, and all that is lost, vs a quick reinstall of OS X...or restoration of an OS X clone as one simple example.

Find me a PC with a mechanical design as good as this:
http://www.apple.com/macpro/design.html
with superior airflow and heat dissipation through multiple fans and transmissive surfaces resulting in minimal noise and risk of component damage, no cables to interfere with airflow, clean installation of additional memory and drives, etc. PC's typically have power supplies that just cope with what is delivered. The Mac's power supply is ample for when it is pimped out.

And, a Mac includes way more software than a PC ... so even at purchase time, hard to compare just price. (Do I sound like a true Mac convert yet? )

Cheers,
Karl

[drh64]

Peter:

Get the Mac Pro.

It will change your life!

Dan

[henrypootel]

I think I will have to agree to disagree as I am heavily outnumbered by the Mac-fond crowd.
I would also say that the 'bang-for-buck' is more long term for the HP. Sure if you buy a cheap windows box you'll spend a lot of time messing around with drivers, blue screens etc.. These machines are where most of the perception of PCs/Windows being rubbish comes from.
But you can forget about this with a solid HP box like the XW4600.
As regards to the power supply, again, the HP comes with an ample power supply. It's the cheap corner-shop boxes that have the 'just enough' ones. Same again with cases. I don't have any pictures of the HP(it's not sexy, but very functional and efficient), but for PC, off the top of my head:
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/
http://www.alienware.com/
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/contact_us/index1.php

Basically what I am saying is that yes, if you pay peanuts you do get monkeys, but if you fork out for a quality system from a reputable manufacturer(like HP), then you will get a very reliable, high performance system.

As to software at purchase time, really? What do you get with OSX that you don't get with Windows?

Sorry, I'm not going anywhere near the 'it will change your life' comment.

[Anonymous]

How suddenly I discover I am caught in a debate when I simply wanted an answer. The MAC vs PC divining line is getting closer all the time, and I love it! One World; One People and 6 billion variations! One World; One Computer, with 6 billion variations! I am overjoyed to think the difference may be only 600 bucks.

So far, everyone is right. I am inspired by B.L. Lindstrom's effencicy with words especially when defining oppositions viewing the same solution; http://soiwrotethisbook.com/?p=159 is a Mac vx PC piece which still strikes a cord within me. I knew this guy who gold plated his . . .

I did get turned away from Apple today. Zach says "The heat of the 8800 GS card exceeds the heat specs. However, you can upgrade. . . " and I learned at the MAC store, upgrade means to sell the old stuff on Ebay for what I can get. It's not like New for Old with a slight up-charge.

Then my wife called Apple Corporate Care in Dallas. She takes no prisoners, and loves to talk with presidents of corporations. (That would be me.)

ALERT
I just received permission from APPLE to take in the Aluminum Frame, and pick up the newest iMAC 24 for just the difference in the prices, less than $400. Zach came thru!

Unfortunately, this will keep me from expanding into bigger machines momentarily, and means I have to spend more as usual with Apple.

Fortunately, I have almost $400 in my change jar, and I still have my skateboard custom case to roll the machine to clients houses, as well as to the genius bar!

The taste of the bad Apple is gone temporarily. Now if I can figure out a way for MAC to pay me to come into the store, I'll know I am in heaven.

Thanks again!