Screen blackout - Mac OSX

ArmandD · 10-15-2002, 11:12 AM

Occasionally, instead of the aquarium starting up, my screen goes black and apparently locks up! The bubble sound goes on and off for about 2 seconds on a 5-6 second cycle. I can see the pointer arrow, but that's all. I'm running Mac OSX on an iMac DV. I found on your FAQ somewhere a suggestion that this problem happens on this machine, and a suggestion to turn colors to the "thousands" mode as a fix, but I'm already in "thousands" mode. I had "conserve video memory" checked, so I unchecked that, but I don't know yet whether the problem has gone away or not, as it's only been a few days, and the problem is only occasional. It only occurs once every dozen startups or so. Has there been any progress in fixing this problem. I like the screen saver, but I'm afraid I may have to disable it, because this interferes with my productivity.

JimO'Connor · 10-18-2002, 09:16 AM

This sounds like the driver problem on iMac DVs. The thousands mode change only causes the driver problem to show up less often, it isn't a real fix.

ArmandD · 10-18-2002, 01:45 PM

Does the "conserve video memory" have any effect? (What does that do, anyway?) And is there anything from Apple that might help?

JimO'Connor · 10-18-2002, 03:41 PM

The "economize video memory" setting is like changing to thousands mode. It doesn't "fix" the bug, but it may help trigger it less often. Apple is aware of the bug, and was able to repro it this past summer (game developers had complained of it for a long time). I haven't received word from Apple that they've fixed it though, or what their plans are.

ArmandD · 10-21-2002, 10:07 AM

OK, but should I have the "economize video memory" checked or unchecked for the best results? Thank you for your help, by the way.

JimO'Connor · 10-22-2002, 05:30 PM

"Economize" should be checked if you are having driver problems.

10-15-2002, 11:12 AM	#1
ArmandD Registered Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3	Screen blackout - Mac OSX Occasionally, instead of the aquarium starting up, my screen goes black and apparently locks up! The bubble sound goes on and off for about 2 seconds on a 5-6 second cycle. I can see the pointer arrow, but that's all. I'm running Mac OSX on an iMac DV. I found on your FAQ somewhere a suggestion that this problem happens on this machine, and a suggestion to turn colors to the "thousands" mode as a fix, but I'm already in "thousands" mode. I had "conserve video memory" checked, so I unchecked that, but I don't know yet whether the problem has gone away or not, as it's only been a few days, and the problem is only occasional. It only occurs once every dozen startups or so. Has there been any progress in fixing this problem. I like the screen saver, but I'm afraid I may have to disable it, because this interferes with my productivity.

10-18-2002, 09:16 AM	#2
JimO'Connor Mac Development Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kenai, Alaska Posts: 678	This sounds like the driver problem on iMac DVs. The thousands mode change only causes the driver problem to show up less often, it isn't a real fix. Jim O'Connor Order N Development

10-18-2002, 01:45 PM	#3
ArmandD Registered Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3	Blackout on iMac Does the "conserve video memory" have any effect? (What does that do, anyway?) And is there anything from Apple that might help?

10-18-2002, 03:41 PM	#4
JimO'Connor Mac Development Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kenai, Alaska Posts: 678	The "economize video memory" setting is like changing to thousands mode. It doesn't "fix" the bug, but it may help trigger it less often. Apple is aware of the bug, and was able to repro it this past summer (game developers had complained of it for a long time). I haven't received word from Apple that they've fixed it though, or what their plans are. Jim O'Connor Order N Development

10-21-2002, 10:07 AM	#5
ArmandD Registered Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3	Screen Blackout - OS X OK, but should I have the "economize video memory" checked or unchecked for the best results? Thank you for your help, by the way.

10-22-2002, 05:30 PM	#6
JimO'Connor Mac Development Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kenai, Alaska Posts: 678	"Economize" should be checked if you are having driver problems. Jim O'Connor Order N Development