Second Life Forums Archive - New 20" iMac and Second Life?

NightCat Crispien

Registered User

Join date: 27 Jul 2006

Posts: 5

08-08-2007 11:44

Hello, this is my first forum post. Yippie!!

I am going upgrade my G3 to the new iMac in September. I have not been on (in?) Second Life because my current machine can't handle it.

The new iMacs spec out very well. I hope some of the problems with Mac and Second Life that I have read about on these forums are not an issue with the new machines.

2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory (I am going to upgrade this to at least 3GB)
320GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory

When people start receiving these new machines I would really like to hear how they work with Second Life.

And yeah, I know they just came out yesterday....... I'm not a patient cat!

Mr. NightCat Crispien
AKA - Ross

Prawnyloks Parker

"Prim Fiddler"

Join date: 6 Oct 2006

Posts: 420

08-08-2007 12:32

Hi NightCat, welcome to the forums.

Before you make your final decision about your upgrade, just do what someone on the forums suggested I did. Get your local Apple store to download SL and run it on the new iMac for you. That's what I ended up doing a couple of months ago. I was very pleased with the results and then bought my new iMac.
I was tempted to hang around and wait for the new iMac to appear but I was too impatient, lol. I'm still pleased with the results anyway.
My spec is very similar to the iMac you're looking at so I would say you'll be pleased too

_____________________

PP Designs - The Home of Low Prim Designs - low prim prefabs & furniture

http://slurl.com/secondlife/nuclear/236/240/21 (main store)
or http://slurl.com/secondlife/huntsman/162/112/115

NightCat Crispien

Registered User

Join date: 27 Jul 2006

Posts: 5

08-08-2007 13:32

I'm afraid my local Mac store hires rather dim bulbs. I'll ask though...

Thanks,
NightCat

Christi Maeterlinck

Registered User

Join date: 25 Jan 2006

Posts: 126

He's right, NightCat

08-08-2007 13:48

Go to a place where they're prepared to download SL. 10 minutes of their time... and saves you over £1200 (in UK... $2000 in USA?) on a lemon if it turns out not to run SL well! No contest. So okay, pay $50 for a rail or bus fare to a larger town where they _are_ prepared to download SL.

BTW, something that doesn't seem to have been mentioned. I had awful problems with walking and movement when I was trying to run SL on a Wi-Fi network at home. Went back to Ethernet cable and all problems disappeared.

(MacBook Pro 2GHz Intel Core Duo original model with Radeon X1600 graphic card, OSX10.4.8, 2GB Memory.) Apart from the Wi-Fi issue, the best single thing you can do for SL performance is to max out on memory. Don't buy it from Apple cos their prices are a scandal: go to a trustworthy independent.

Byee!
Christi

Prawnyloks Parker

"Prim Fiddler"

Join date: 6 Oct 2006

Posts: 420

08-08-2007 14:35

From: Christi Maeterlinck

BTW, something that doesn't seem to have been mentioned. I had awful problems with walking and movement when I was trying to run SL on a Wi-Fi network at home. Went back to Ethernet cable and all problems disappeared.

Yes, I heard wireless causes problems for SL too, best stick to the wired option.

Also, if the Mac forum is anything to go by, a lot of people seem to be having problems with 10.4.10. Personally I've stuck with 10.4.8 and have few problems... so far

(iMac 20", 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram & 256MB ATI Radeon X1600 graphics card).

_____________________

PP Designs - The Home of Low Prim Designs - low prim prefabs & furniture

http://slurl.com/secondlife/nuclear/236/240/21 (main store)
or http://slurl.com/secondlife/huntsman/162/112/115

NightCat Crispien

Registered User

Join date: 27 Jul 2006

Posts: 5

08-08-2007 15:22

Since I have other things I need a new iMac for, I would still buy the iMac even if it would never work for Second Life.

I have cable internet and an airport extreme hub. I guess I could go direct in I needed to.

Missy Malaprop

♥Diaper Girl♥

Join date: 28 Oct 2005

Posts: 544

08-08-2007 15:40

weird, i have the original Macbook Pro, and dont have any problems using it on wireless, also don't have any problems using it with 10.4.10... Maybe the wireless problems people are having are not the wireless itself, but some other setting, or their routers.

Mu Bikcin

Verfied User

Join date: 3 Jun 2007

Posts: 87

08-08-2007 19:50

NightCat,
Go to an offical Apple store, all their computers are on high speed internet and you can play on them all day, download SL and try it in several computers if you want, check the Apple site for locations of their stores.
As for the wireless situtation, I have a Netgear wireless router on a cable internet connection and I have had three laptops on SL at the same time,wireless, two macbooks and one windows machine,no problem, I think it depends on the internet connection , cable is best, and the brand of router.

Zorin Frobozz

Registered User

Join date: 21 Mar 2006

Posts: 84

08-10-2007 11:19

Okay, I went to an Apple Store and tried Second Life on a 24" iMac out of curiosity. (there were huge crowds around the 20" so I couldn't access it.)

The verdict? It runs Second Life pretty well. Decent framerate even in a crowded area (Luskwood). There is one issue I noticed, though; enabling Vertex Buffer Objects locks up the client tight and requires a Force Quit.

However, the performance is around the same as I get on my Mac pro (!!!) with VBO turned off. This is an estimate. Somewhat busy Luskwood, 10 to 12 FPS with quality sliders all the way up.

So, it runs pretty well! Odd about VBO locking up the client, but that may just be a bug Linden Labs has to fix since it's brand new hardware that SL has not been run on before.

So... go ahead. It seems to be a decent SL machine. But play with it in the store first!

Rifkin Habsburg

Registered User

Join date: 17 Nov 2005

Posts: 113

08-10-2007 14:51

I read in another thread that SL crashes instantly on startup onthe new iMacs. But I went to the Apple Store today and tried it for myself -- and it worked! Apple just released a patch for the new iMacs yesterday, that might have fixed the problem.

Whatever fixed it, I was so impressed that I bought one. I've been using a G4 Powerbook to play SL for two years and it's gotten slower and slower. Moving to this new iMac makes it a whole new game. My framerates are anywhere from 2x to 10x what I had on my old G4.

This machine is fricken' sweet.

_____________________

Procyon Games: makers of Can't Stop, En Garde, Take it Easy, Danger Zone and Frootcake.

Zorin Frobozz

Registered User

Join date: 21 Mar 2006

Posts: 84

08-10-2007 15:23

From: Rifkin Habsburg

I read in another thread that SL crashes instantly on startup onthe new iMacs. But I went to the Apple Store today and tried it for myself -- and it worked! Apple just released a patch for the new iMacs yesterday, that might have fixed the problem.

Whatever fixed it, I was so impressed that I bought one. I've been using a G4 Powerbook to play SL for two years and it's gotten slower and slower. Moving to this new iMac makes it a whole new game. My framerates are anywhere from 2x to 10x what I had on my old G4.

This machine is fricken' sweet.

THIS is why the Apple Store employees don't bother you when you download and try stuff. When I tried SL on the Mac Pro before buying one, an employee came up and asked me what I was doing, I just told him the truth; was trying out Second Life on the Mac Pro. He said to ask him if I had any questions.

Most other computer stores would have been like.. "You can't install software on our machines!" but Apple knows being able to try stuff out sells systems.

Hope you enjoy your box. I tried one more out of curiosity than seriously buying one, since I have a Mac Pro, but at least it seems to be working out for folks.

PS - Does turning on Vertex Buffer Objects lock you up?

Rifkin Habsburg

Registered User

Join date: 17 Nov 2005

Posts: 113

08-10-2007 15:54

From: someone

Does turning on Vertex Buffer Objects lock you up?

Yep, in about 5 seconds

But it's so much faster than I'm used to, even without VBO, I don't really mind.

_____________________

Procyon Games: makers of Can't Stop, En Garde, Take it Easy, Danger Zone and Frootcake.

NightCat Crispien

Registered User

Join date: 27 Jul 2006

Posts: 5

08-13-2007 08:59

VERY good news! Thanks!

~NightCat

Ceera Murakami

Texture Artist / Builder

Join date: 9 Sep 2005

Posts: 7,750

08-14-2007 14:30

Thanks to those who have 'blazed the trail' on the new 20" iMacs. I'm looking seriously at one myself, with the 256 MB VRAM option. Nice to know they do work.

Now to get busy on a few more building projects, so I can pay for it...

_____________________

Sorry, LL won't let me tell you where I sell my textures and where I offer my services as a sim builder. Ask me in-world.

NightCat Crispien

Registered User

Join date: 27 Jul 2006

Posts: 5

08-17-2007 10:26

It's on its way. 20" iMac stock + iWork & .mac, and I ordered a 1x2Gig card from ramjet memory. Hope that was a good chioce.

Should be here before the end of the month.

Seems like a mangy old ally cat avitar would suit me fine.

~NC~

Alter Chemistry

Registered User

Join date: 27 Aug 2007

Posts: 1

new iMac no problems

08-29-2007 18:10

I've been running SL on my new alum 20 inch iMac since about a week after Apple released them. Absolutely no problems so far.

Osuntomi Melendez

Kiko Life

Join date: 2 Sep 2007

Posts: 10

Screen flickering memory pig....

09-02-2007 05:31

Hello all,

This is my first forum post, I hope it will not be my last.

I got a 20" iMac (the ones that came out a few weeks back), at first my Mac exhibited absolutely no glitches problems, nothing. In fact I used it in TV mode for a party, and showed lots and lots of video, iMovie stuff and loads of files and there were no problems whatsoever!

I installed Second life, and it seriously crashed my machine at first. Bad.. hard, frightening crashes. I couldn't run it and ANYTHING else, and I followed some online instructions and toggled the settings. That improved performance, except now I am getting a weird flickering. And it's happening even when I am not running SL at all.

It's disturbing. At first I thought something was wrong with the machine, but online searches turned up a few reports of installing a game that might effect the graphics card. Since I play no game but Snood, it didn't take much to put two and two together. Now it is constant.

Rebooting the machine does nothing.

I am going to try toggling the settings as suggested in Second Life's wiki article and am hoping for the best.

My question is, as much as it would hurt my heart to do it, will uninstalling Second Life stop the graphics card from spazzing out?

Mu Bikcin

Verfied User

Join date: 3 Jun 2007

Posts: 87

09-02-2007 09:03

From: Osuntomi Melendez

Hello all,

This is my first forum post, I hope it will not be my last.

I got a 20" iMac (the ones that came out a few weeks back), at first it my Mac exhibited absolutely no glitches problems, nothing. In fact I used it in TV mode for a party, and showed lots and lots of video, iMovie stuff and loads of files and there were no problems whatsoever!

I installed Second life, and it seriously crashed my machine at first. Bad.. hard, frightening crashes. I couldn't run it and ANYTHING else, and I followed some online instructions and toggled the settings. That improved performance, except now I am getting a weird flickering. And it's happening even when I am not running SL at all.

It's disturbing. At first I thought something was wrong with the machine, but online searches turned up a few reports of installing a game that might effect the graphics card. Since I play no game but Snood, it didn't take much to put two and two together. Now it is constant.

Rebooting the machine does nothing.

I am going to try toggling the settings as suggested in Second Life's wiki article and am hoping for the best.

My question is, as much as it would hurt my heart to do it, will uninstalling Second Life stop the graphics card from spazzing out?

Read post #10 in this Thread, Have you installed the new update? If not just go to the Apple icon on your screen (upper left) and click on software update. See if that helps.

Osuntomi Melendez

Kiko Life

Join date: 2 Sep 2007

Posts: 10

09-02-2007 10:27

Hi there.... downloaded and installed every update I could find. Seems to have improved things... jury's out. If I make it through 24 hours without flickering, I'll let you all know!

Osuntomi Melendez

Kiko Life

Join date: 2 Sep 2007

Posts: 10

09-05-2007 06:25

The flickering has continued. I have installed every available update for this Mac I could find.

I have searched and search for any firmware update that might solve this issue. I have also, searched for any info about Mac performance with this particular graphics card, and so far have turned up very little useful info.

I have been reading that Leopard MAY fix this problem, but right now, I just wish I could get it to stop.

This is going on, when I do not run Second Life. When Second Life is running, I don't have problems with flickering, but once its not running, the flickering can literally prevent me from working.

I am stressed by this whole situation, and very frustrated. If I remove the Second Life application, is there anything I can do to end this flickering?

Like I said, this flickering only began after I installed and ran Second Life for the first time.

Mu Bikcin

Verfied User

Join date: 3 Jun 2007

Posts: 87

09-06-2007 06:04

From: Osuntomi Melendez

The flickering has continued. I have installed every available update for this Mac I could find.

I have searched and search for any firmware update that might solve this issue. I have also, searched for any info about Mac performance with this particular graphics card, and so far have turned up very little useful info.

I have been reading that Leopard MAY fix this problem, but right now, I just wish I could get it to stop.

This is going on, when I do not run Second Life. When Second Life is running, I don't have problems with flickering, but once its not running, the flickering can literally prevent me from working.

I am stressed by this whole situation, and very frustrated. If I remove the Second Life application, is there anything I can do to end this flickering?

Like I said, this flickering only began after I installed and ran Second Life for the first time.

I would uninstall SL if that dosen't fix the problem, then you could reinstall the operating system from your system disk, (you may want to call apple tech support for help on installling the system if you do not feel comfortable doing that). If reinstalling the system does not fix the flickering, then you may have a hardware problem and need to call apple. Also, you could make a genuis appointment at your local apple store and take the compter to them and they will help you with the problem.

Zorin Frobozz

Registered User

Join date: 21 Mar 2006

Posts: 84

09-06-2007 08:47

From: Osuntomi Melendez

The flickering has continued. I have installed every available update for this Mac I could find.

I have searched and search for any firmware update that might solve this issue. I have also, searched for any info about Mac performance with this particular graphics card, and so far have turned up very little useful info.

I have been reading that Leopard MAY fix this problem, but right now, I just wish I could get it to stop.

This is going on, when I do not run Second Life. When Second Life is running, I don't have problems with flickering, but once its not running, the flickering can literally prevent me from working.

I am stressed by this whole situation, and very frustrated. If I remove the Second Life application, is there anything I can do to end this flickering?

Like I said, this flickering only began after I installed and ran Second Life for the first time.

This really sounds like a hardware problem to me. Second Life uses the GPU heavily, so if the heatsink on the GPU was defective, your GPU could have been damaged from overheating when you ran SL.

I suggest taking your machine to an Apple Store and showing the problem. I've never heard of flickering like this on any Mac, and others have been happy with SL on the new iMacs, so it's likely hardware. Apple is very good about replacing defective hardware, usually.

Osuntomi Melendez

Kiko Life

Join date: 2 Sep 2007

Posts: 10

09-06-2007 09:27

Hi there....

Thanks for the comments.

I unfortunately, live in Barbados IRL, and do not have access to an Apple Store... personally I consider the London Regent Street store, my 'local store', as I attended the Church of Apple there every Sunday for many months. (I kid...)

However, I do have a certified Apple employee as a close friend, so he suggested zapping the PRAM, which I did and so far... (now approx. 24 hours) no flickering! YAY!!!

I uninstalled Second Life prior to the zapping, then reinstalled, ran the program and can't say I've had any serious problems so far. Mind you, I only ran the program for about 30 - 45 mins.

So I'll keep you posted...

Osuntomi Melendez

Kiko Life

Join date: 2 Sep 2007

Posts: 10

09-11-2007 12:47

Just to give you guys an update... I did get some more flickering after my last post.

i uninstalled Second Life and zapped the pram again, and the flickering ceased again for about three or four days.

I upped the RAM by one gig yesterday, and subsequently re-installed Second Life, ran for a couple hours yesterday and again today and have not see a reappearance of the flickering.

Weird huh?

Mu Bikcin

Verfied User

Join date: 3 Jun 2007

Posts: 87

09-14-2007 15:53

From: Osuntomi Melendez

Just to give you guys an update... I did get some more flickering after my last post.

i uninstalled Second Life and zapped the pram again, and the flickering ceased again for about three or four days.

I upped the RAM by one gig yesterday, and subsequently re-installed Second Life, ran for a couple hours yesterday and again today and have not see a reappearance of the flickering.

Weird huh?

Go check out the WOW forum mac site:

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11111&sid=1[URL]There are numerou posts there of the flickering problem along with technical support information from Blizzard (the company that runs WOW) . Most posts say that update 1.1 for the IMAC fixes the problem but a few people like you still have issues. Good luck!

New 20" iMac and Second Life?
NightCat Crispien Registered User Join date: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 5	08-08-2007 11:44 Hello, this is my first forum post. Yippie!! I am going upgrade my G3 to the new iMac in September. I have not been on (in?) Second Life because my current machine can't handle it. The new iMacs spec out very well. I hope some of the problems with Mac and Second Life that I have read about on these forums are not an issue with the new machines. 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 1GB memory (I am going to upgrade this to at least 3GB) 320GB hard drive1 8x double-layer SuperDrive ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory When people start receiving these new machines I would really like to hear how they work with Second Life. And yeah, I know they just came out yesterday....... I'm not a patient cat! Mr. NightCat Crispien AKA - Ross
Prawnyloks Parker "Prim Fiddler" Join date: 6 Oct 2006 Posts: 420	08-08-2007 12:32 Hi NightCat, welcome to the forums. Before you make your final decision about your upgrade, just do what someone on the forums suggested I did. Get your local Apple store to download SL and run it on the new iMac for you. That's what I ended up doing a couple of months ago. I was very pleased with the results and then bought my new iMac. I was tempted to hang around and wait for the new iMac to appear but I was too impatient, lol. I'm still pleased with the results anyway. My spec is very similar to the iMac you're looking at so I would say you'll be pleased too _____________________ PP Designs - The Home of Low Prim Designs - low prim prefabs & furniture http://slurl.com/secondlife/nuclear/236/240/21 (main store) or http://slurl.com/secondlife/huntsman/162/112/115
NightCat Crispien Registered User Join date: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 5	08-08-2007 13:32 I'm afraid my local Mac store hires rather dim bulbs. I'll ask though... Thanks, NightCat
Christi Maeterlinck Registered User Join date: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 126	He's right, NightCat 08-08-2007 13:48 Go to a place where they're prepared to download SL. 10 minutes of their time... and saves you over £1200 (in UK... $2000 in USA?) on a lemon if it turns out not to run SL well! No contest. So okay, pay $50 for a rail or bus fare to a larger town where they _are_ prepared to download SL. BTW, something that doesn't seem to have been mentioned. I had awful problems with walking and movement when I was trying to run SL on a Wi-Fi network at home. Went back to Ethernet cable and all problems disappeared. (MacBook Pro 2GHz Intel Core Duo original model with Radeon X1600 graphic card, OSX10.4.8, 2GB Memory.) Apart from the Wi-Fi issue, the best single thing you can do for SL performance is to max out on memory. Don't buy it from Apple cos their prices are a scandal: go to a trustworthy independent. Byee! Christi
Prawnyloks Parker "Prim Fiddler" Join date: 6 Oct 2006 Posts: 420	08-08-2007 14:35 From: Christi Maeterlinck BTW, something that doesn't seem to have been mentioned. I had awful problems with walking and movement when I was trying to run SL on a Wi-Fi network at home. Went back to Ethernet cable and all problems disappeared. Yes, I heard wireless causes problems for SL too, best stick to the wired option. Also, if the Mac forum is anything to go by, a lot of people seem to be having problems with 10.4.10. Personally I've stuck with 10.4.8 and have few problems... so far (iMac 20", 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram & 256MB ATI Radeon X1600 graphics card). _____________________ PP Designs - The Home of Low Prim Designs - low prim prefabs & furniture http://slurl.com/secondlife/nuclear/236/240/21 (main store) or http://slurl.com/secondlife/huntsman/162/112/115
NightCat Crispien Registered User Join date: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 5	08-08-2007 15:22 Since I have other things I need a new iMac for, I would still buy the iMac even if it would never work for Second Life. I have cable internet and an airport extreme hub. I guess I could go direct in I needed to.
Missy Malaprop ♥Diaper Girl♥ Join date: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 544	08-08-2007 15:40 weird, i have the original Macbook Pro, and dont have any problems using it on wireless, also don't have any problems using it with 10.4.10... Maybe the wireless problems people are having are not the wireless itself, but some other setting, or their routers.
Mu Bikcin Verfied User Join date: 3 Jun 2007 Posts: 87	08-08-2007 19:50 NightCat, Go to an offical Apple store, all their computers are on high speed internet and you can play on them all day, download SL and try it in several computers if you want, check the Apple site for locations of their stores. As for the wireless situtation, I have a Netgear wireless router on a cable internet connection and I have had three laptops on SL at the same time,wireless, two macbooks and one windows machine,no problem, I think it depends on the internet connection , cable is best, and the brand of router.
Zorin Frobozz Registered User Join date: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 84	08-10-2007 11:19 Okay, I went to an Apple Store and tried Second Life on a 24" iMac out of curiosity. (there were huge crowds around the 20" so I couldn't access it.) The verdict? It runs Second Life pretty well. Decent framerate even in a crowded area (Luskwood). There is one issue I noticed, though; enabling Vertex Buffer Objects locks up the client tight and requires a Force Quit. However, the performance is around the same as I get on my Mac pro (!!!) with VBO turned off. This is an estimate. Somewhat busy Luskwood, 10 to 12 FPS with quality sliders all the way up. So, it runs pretty well! Odd about VBO locking up the client, but that may just be a bug Linden Labs has to fix since it's brand new hardware that SL has not been run on before. So... go ahead. It seems to be a decent SL machine. But play with it in the store first!
Rifkin Habsburg Registered User Join date: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 113	08-10-2007 14:51 I read in another thread that SL crashes instantly on startup onthe new iMacs. But I went to the Apple Store today and tried it for myself -- and it worked! Apple just released a patch for the new iMacs yesterday, that might have fixed the problem. Whatever fixed it, I was so impressed that I bought one. I've been using a G4 Powerbook to play SL for two years and it's gotten slower and slower. Moving to this new iMac makes it a whole new game. My framerates are anywhere from 2x to 10x what I had on my old G4. This machine is fricken' sweet. _____________________ Procyon Games: makers of Can't Stop, En Garde, Take it Easy, Danger Zone and Frootcake.
Zorin Frobozz Registered User Join date: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 84	08-10-2007 15:23 From: Rifkin Habsburg I read in another thread that SL crashes instantly on startup onthe new iMacs. But I went to the Apple Store today and tried it for myself -- and it worked! Apple just released a patch for the new iMacs yesterday, that might have fixed the problem. Whatever fixed it, I was so impressed that I bought one. I've been using a G4 Powerbook to play SL for two years and it's gotten slower and slower. Moving to this new iMac makes it a whole new game. My framerates are anywhere from 2x to 10x what I had on my old G4. This machine is fricken' sweet. THIS is why the Apple Store employees don't bother you when you download and try stuff. When I tried SL on the Mac Pro before buying one, an employee came up and asked me what I was doing, I just told him the truth; was trying out Second Life on the Mac Pro. He said to ask him if I had any questions. Most other computer stores would have been like.. "You can't install software on our machines!" but Apple knows being able to try stuff out sells systems. Hope you enjoy your box. I tried one more out of curiosity than seriously buying one, since I have a Mac Pro, but at least it seems to be working out for folks. PS - Does turning on Vertex Buffer Objects lock you up?
Rifkin Habsburg Registered User Join date: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 113	08-10-2007 15:54 From: someone Does turning on Vertex Buffer Objects lock you up? Yep, in about 5 seconds But it's so much faster than I'm used to, even without VBO, I don't really mind. _____________________ Procyon Games: makers of Can't Stop, En Garde, Take it Easy, Danger Zone and Frootcake.
NightCat Crispien Registered User Join date: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 5	08-13-2007 08:59 VERY good news! Thanks! ~NightCat
Ceera Murakami Texture Artist / Builder Join date: 9 Sep 2005 Posts: 7,750	08-14-2007 14:30 Thanks to those who have 'blazed the trail' on the new 20" iMacs. I'm looking seriously at one myself, with the 256 MB VRAM option. Nice to know they do work. Now to get busy on a few more building projects, so I can pay for it... _____________________ Sorry, LL won't let me tell you where I sell my textures and where I offer my services as a sim builder. Ask me in-world.
NightCat Crispien Registered User Join date: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 5	08-17-2007 10:26 It's on its way. 20" iMac stock + iWork & .mac, and I ordered a 1x2Gig card from ramjet memory. Hope that was a good chioce. Should be here before the end of the month. Seems like a mangy old ally cat avitar would suit me fine. ~NC~
Alter Chemistry Registered User Join date: 27 Aug 2007 Posts: 1	new iMac no problems 08-29-2007 18:10 I've been running SL on my new alum 20 inch iMac since about a week after Apple released them. Absolutely no problems so far.
Osuntomi Melendez Kiko Life Join date: 2 Sep 2007 Posts: 10	Screen flickering memory pig.... 09-02-2007 05:31 Hello all, This is my first forum post, I hope it will not be my last. I got a 20" iMac (the ones that came out a few weeks back), at first my Mac exhibited absolutely no glitches problems, nothing. In fact I used it in TV mode for a party, and showed lots and lots of video, iMovie stuff and loads of files and there were no problems whatsoever! I installed Second life, and it seriously crashed my machine at first. Bad.. hard, frightening crashes. I couldn't run it and ANYTHING else, and I followed some online instructions and toggled the settings. That improved performance, except now I am getting a weird flickering. And it's happening even when I am not running SL at all. It's disturbing. At first I thought something was wrong with the machine, but online searches turned up a few reports of installing a game that might effect the graphics card. Since I play no game but Snood, it didn't take much to put two and two together. Now it is constant. Rebooting the machine does nothing. I am going to try toggling the settings as suggested in Second Life's wiki article and am hoping for the best. My question is, as much as it would hurt my heart to do it, will uninstalling Second Life stop the graphics card from spazzing out?
Mu Bikcin Verfied User Join date: 3 Jun 2007 Posts: 87	09-02-2007 09:03 From: Osuntomi Melendez Hello all, This is my first forum post, I hope it will not be my last. I got a 20" iMac (the ones that came out a few weeks back), at first it my Mac exhibited absolutely no glitches problems, nothing. In fact I used it in TV mode for a party, and showed lots and lots of video, iMovie stuff and loads of files and there were no problems whatsoever! I installed Second life, and it seriously crashed my machine at first. Bad.. hard, frightening crashes. I couldn't run it and ANYTHING else, and I followed some online instructions and toggled the settings. That improved performance, except now I am getting a weird flickering. And it's happening even when I am not running SL at all. It's disturbing. At first I thought something was wrong with the machine, but online searches turned up a few reports of installing a game that might effect the graphics card. Since I play no game but Snood, it didn't take much to put two and two together. Now it is constant. Rebooting the machine does nothing. I am going to try toggling the settings as suggested in Second Life's wiki article and am hoping for the best. My question is, as much as it would hurt my heart to do it, will uninstalling Second Life stop the graphics card from spazzing out? Read post #10 in this Thread, Have you installed the new update? If not just go to the Apple icon on your screen (upper left) and click on software update. See if that helps.
Osuntomi Melendez Kiko Life Join date: 2 Sep 2007 Posts: 10	09-02-2007 10:27 Hi there.... downloaded and installed every update I could find. Seems to have improved things... jury's out. If I make it through 24 hours without flickering, I'll let you all know!
Osuntomi Melendez Kiko Life Join date: 2 Sep 2007 Posts: 10	09-05-2007 06:25 The flickering has continued. I have installed every available update for this Mac I could find. I have searched and search for any firmware update that might solve this issue. I have also, searched for any info about Mac performance with this particular graphics card, and so far have turned up very little useful info. I have been reading that Leopard MAY fix this problem, but right now, I just wish I could get it to stop. This is going on, when I do not run Second Life. When Second Life is running, I don't have problems with flickering, but once its not running, the flickering can literally prevent me from working. I am stressed by this whole situation, and very frustrated. If I remove the Second Life application, is there anything I can do to end this flickering? Like I said, this flickering only began after I installed and ran Second Life for the first time.
Mu Bikcin Verfied User Join date: 3 Jun 2007 Posts: 87	09-06-2007 06:04 From: Osuntomi Melendez The flickering has continued. I have installed every available update for this Mac I could find. I have searched and search for any firmware update that might solve this issue. I have also, searched for any info about Mac performance with this particular graphics card, and so far have turned up very little useful info. I have been reading that Leopard MAY fix this problem, but right now, I just wish I could get it to stop. This is going on, when I do not run Second Life. When Second Life is running, I don't have problems with flickering, but once its not running, the flickering can literally prevent me from working. I am stressed by this whole situation, and very frustrated. If I remove the Second Life application, is there anything I can do to end this flickering? Like I said, this flickering only began after I installed and ran Second Life for the first time. I would uninstall SL if that dosen't fix the problem, then you could reinstall the operating system from your system disk, (you may want to call apple tech support for help on installling the system if you do not feel comfortable doing that). If reinstalling the system does not fix the flickering, then you may have a hardware problem and need to call apple. Also, you could make a genuis appointment at your local apple store and take the compter to them and they will help you with the problem.
Zorin Frobozz Registered User Join date: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 84	09-06-2007 08:47 From: Osuntomi Melendez The flickering has continued. I have installed every available update for this Mac I could find. I have searched and search for any firmware update that might solve this issue. I have also, searched for any info about Mac performance with this particular graphics card, and so far have turned up very little useful info. I have been reading that Leopard MAY fix this problem, but right now, I just wish I could get it to stop. This is going on, when I do not run Second Life. When Second Life is running, I don't have problems with flickering, but once its not running, the flickering can literally prevent me from working. I am stressed by this whole situation, and very frustrated. If I remove the Second Life application, is there anything I can do to end this flickering? Like I said, this flickering only began after I installed and ran Second Life for the first time. This really sounds like a hardware problem to me. Second Life uses the GPU heavily, so if the heatsink on the GPU was defective, your GPU could have been damaged from overheating when you ran SL. I suggest taking your machine to an Apple Store and showing the problem. I've never heard of flickering like this on any Mac, and others have been happy with SL on the new iMacs, so it's likely hardware. Apple is very good about replacing defective hardware, usually.
Osuntomi Melendez Kiko Life Join date: 2 Sep 2007 Posts: 10	09-06-2007 09:27 Hi there.... Thanks for the comments. I unfortunately, live in Barbados IRL, and do not have access to an Apple Store... personally I consider the London Regent Street store, my 'local store', as I attended the Church of Apple there every Sunday for many months. (I kid...) However, I do have a certified Apple employee as a close friend, so he suggested zapping the PRAM, which I did and so far... (now approx. 24 hours) no flickering! YAY!!! I uninstalled Second Life prior to the zapping, then reinstalled, ran the program and can't say I've had any serious problems so far. Mind you, I only ran the program for about 30 - 45 mins. So I'll keep you posted...
Osuntomi Melendez Kiko Life Join date: 2 Sep 2007 Posts: 10	09-11-2007 12:47 Just to give you guys an update... I did get some more flickering after my last post. i uninstalled Second Life and zapped the pram again, and the flickering ceased again for about three or four days. I upped the RAM by one gig yesterday, and subsequently re-installed Second Life, ran for a couple hours yesterday and again today and have not see a reappearance of the flickering. Weird huh?
Mu Bikcin Verfied User Join date: 3 Jun 2007 Posts: 87	09-14-2007 15:53 From: Osuntomi Melendez Just to give you guys an update... I did get some more flickering after my last post. i uninstalled Second Life and zapped the pram again, and the flickering ceased again for about three or four days. I upped the RAM by one gig yesterday, and subsequently re-installed Second Life, ran for a couple hours yesterday and again today and have not see a reappearance of the flickering. Weird huh? Go check out the WOW forum mac site: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11111&sid=1[URL]There are numerou posts there of the flickering problem along with technical support information from Blizzard (the company that runs WOW) . Most posts say that update 1.1 for the IMAC fixes the problem but a few people like you still have issues. Good luck!

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