Macbook Air Graphic card issue

[Paulino]

I have recently bought an Macbook Air which is installed with Mac OS X Snow Leopard on it. It was working fine but from few days it started acting weird. The performance of the Macbook is glitchy and while running certain high end applications the screen goes completely black. I am suspecting that the problem is with my graphic card of the Macbook Air. So if anybody is facing Issues with Graphic Card in Macbook Air then share some information which would be helpful in solving the problem. Any suggestions regarding the issue are welcome. Thanks in Advance.

[Pugsly]

The problem is not with the graphic card I think but with the Macbook itself. Check if the Macbook is ventilated properly or not. The Macbook is probably getting heated a lot which is degrading its performance while running certain high end graphics applications. Check if the cooling fan of the Macbook is working properly or not. Clean the surrounding of the fan if it is covered with dust, as dust may be blocking the airflow which is resulting in the Macbook getting over heated.

[Simond]

Many of the problems of the Mac systems are solved by doing a PRAM reset. If there are some invalid entries created in the RAM of the computer then it creates problems while certain applications. Hence to remove such invalid entries from the RAM we have to perform the PRAM reset. To perform the PRAM reset, follow the steps given below :-
1. Locate and find the following keys (Apple, Option, R and P)
2. Press and hold the following keys while pressing the power button.
3. Keep the buttons pressed till three startup chimes are heard.
4. When the 3rd startup chime is heard, release the keys and let the system boot normally.

[Lambard]

As the Macbook is new, I suppose that it is powered by an Intel processor. If the Macbook is powered by an Intel processor then performing a SMC reset will solve the problem. SMC reset is required in Intel based MAC systems to clear all the low-level functions. Follow the steps to perform the SMC reset, Shut down the computer and unplug it from the AC source. Remove the battery. Now press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds release the button and let the system sit for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, connect the battery and the AC adapter and boot the computer.

[Theodot]

There is no separate graphic card in Macbook Air. The graphic chipset is directly embedded in the logic board itself. Hence there is high possibility that the graphic chipset is getting heated up while running high end graphic applications. Try getting an extra cooling docks which are available for the Macbook and see if using them improves the performance or not. If using the extra cooling pads does not help, then I fear that you will have to get the logic board replaced as the graphic chipset may be faulty.

[Barclay]

Before replacing the logic board, try installing the operating system on the Macbook Air. The problem which you are facing can be because of the operating system failure and hence you should try installing the operating system again. If you have the install disk of the operating system, insert it in the drive and then boot the system from it. Either Install a fresh copy of the operating system or install the operating system in Install/Archive mode. Install/Archive mode helps you in using the installed applications from the previous operating system on the new one. If reinstalling the operating system does not help then take the Macbook to nearest Apple care center and get it checked.

[sid0972]

did u make sure that the cooling is proper? air flow is not hindered, and machine is not being overheated?