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Question

Macbook cursor makes lines of connected black tiles

May 21, 2012 10:57AM PDT

Have a 2009 Macbook recently updated with Lion, 10.7.4 and all updated software, This includes a very recent update of Lion that Mac support helped me install. I was having several problems with my Macbook (which just came off of Applecare policy.) All has been well for about a week. Then one of the original problems started again. Once I engaged the cursor it made a small black tile on the screen that continued a linear track where ever I moved the cursor to. I could make an arrow or ball or whatever with it. But It also wiped out anything it touched on the screen and eventually all would become black. Once I pushed the off/on button to turn it off, and removed the battery for a minute or so, and turned it on again it's o.k. But I'm concerned this will happen again. Suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
So to be clear
May 21, 2012 8:43PM PDT

So to be clear, these lines do not disappear on their own after a second or two, but persist indefinitely until you do something like shut the unit down?

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(NT) Correct. They build on each other like using a black marker
May 22, 2012 3:34AM PDT
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Correct. It's like a black marker all over the screen.
May 22, 2012 3:53AM PDT

I"m not sure I pushed the right place for this to appear so I'm trying again. These are tiny, tiny boxes that form a contiguous line everywhere I move the cursor. I cannot move the cursor from one spot on the screen to another without the line following it.

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Answer
"I'm concerned this will happen again."
May 22, 2012 2:23AM PDT

Sadly, no one can assuage fears or predict it such things happen again.

Did you ask apple to see if this machine had any recalls? We know that Nvidia 8400 based unit had issues.
Bob

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Yes, I talked with apple.
May 22, 2012 3:48AM PDT

I had several other issues going on at the same time. One was simply my not completely closing out of software windows when not using them. But another had to do with issues regarding Lion. As of 2 weeks ago there was a new Lion update that fixed these problems. So for others using Lion go check through preferences-software to see if there is any recently updated version of Lion. I REALLY thought this update and other fixes I did with Apple support would solve the problem. But, alas, I was wrong.

This is a 2009 laptop computer I bought new early in 2010. I use it as my main computer (I'm retired). And yes, I am sitting here comfortably in my recliner with this laptop. My real worry is that it has an incurable, terminal disease.

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That's an interesting issue.
May 22, 2012 3:52AM PDT

I've read where folk don't close apps but minimize them.

I know of no cure for that one. That is, unless the owner closes apps to lighten the load, free up resources many OSes and machines do get odd.
Bob

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I am closing apps more regularly.
May 22, 2012 4:04AM PDT

Keeping my fingers crossed. I have MacKeeper and will also give it a try. Thanks.

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There is that other issue.
May 22, 2012 4:10AM PDT

No system is perfect and if a reboot clears it up, you know it's usually a bug or us doing something the authors didn't expect.

Bob

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Do NOT give MacKeeper a try,
May 22, 2012 9:57AM PDT

it is a worthless scam at best, a trojan at worst.

Put it in its rightful place, the trash can, and empty it.

P