Hi. I have searched for a product that doesn't seem to exist yet in the Imac accessory world.

I have a very curious and active cat. She is NOT declawed.

MY PROBLEM: Recently I've discovered dead pixels on my Imac screen which can only exist because of "Daisy's" rambunctious interaction with the screen. This occurs when I'm not home.

Is there a manufacturer that produces a pet protector for the Imac LCD Screen, similar to the ones we all know and love for Ipod Video?

Maybe I'm not googling the proper phrase, but I've been unsuccessful in finding this product.

If it doesn't exist, it would be a smart option for apple to produce. I'm sure this is a common problem among pet owners.

Thanks

Why not just throw a dust cover over the screen?

I've already tried that with a towel and when I got home the Imac felt really HOT, so I was worried about overheating. The pokes on the screen indicate claw penetration into the LCD sheath. I had no idea how sensitive the monitor was til now. A dust cover probably won't prevent the poke mark I'm observing as we speak.

I was really hoping for a custom fitted cover that won't allow overheating and hangs over the entire LCD similar to some of the cases offered for Ipod video. Since my veterinarian espouses keeping claws on felines, this would be an item I sorely need.

I have a suspicion that "Daisy" is jealous of all the time I've been spending on the computer, as pets do. I have to leave the machine on for Remote Desktop work and don't have any sound emitting from it that I know of?

Since I'm not home.... could it be SOUND attracting her attention? Maybe I should shut off the volume and see if she stops? Either way, rather buy a screen protector than have to invest in a new Imac if she continues......

LOL, replacing the cat is not an option here.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chris Doerner-McCary,

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Doerner-McCary:
LOL, replacing the cat is not an option here.

Nevermind... this was my first thought as a solution

Do you leave the display running when you are not home? Perhaps your cat is bothered by your screensaver rather than sound (unless it doesn't care for your musical tastes either).

Use a photo of a dog as a screen saver.

HaHa. The secret life of felines when owners are away, the cat will play....

Dave: I have no IDEA what the desktop does when I'm using the remote function. I do however, have it set for Energy Saver, so it's NOT doing anything unless I am activating the hard drive from another source.

The newest generation of Imacs has glass covering the LCD from what I can see, however my older version Intel G5 17" Imac has the LCD fully exposed. This never happened before using the remote desktop. And only occurs on days I've used it, so it's narrowed down to this one situation.

I am assuming that since my Imac was the first of the Intel G5s, pre-glass monitor enclosed units, that there's no market for manufacturers to have created hardshell cover device for an interim product design.

Would a custom fitted dust cover be available that doesn't cause overheating?

When I'm not home, my stimuli deprived kitty is obviously doing the jig to something triggered by the remote activation ...... Short of borrowing a neighbors baby monitor, I can only imagine.... Could be a funny video at the expense of an LCD screen.... We know I won't get any resale ON THIS IMAC for sure when I upgrade to a NEWER model.

NAH....... Bet you don't hear this too often. Silly problem with only goofy solutions.

As for music, LOL, maybe I should turn on the boombox so she doesn't hear the IMAC....

Jamie.... No screensaver... but the desktop may need to change?

Not sure if this cover is cat-proof but I can't find many for the G5 iMac.

When I bought a monitor at Staples for my Mac mini (It' an Optiquest) it came in the box with a protective sheet over the screen, probably to protect it during shipping. It was really a very-thin, somewhat=flexible, sheet of acryllic-like stuff held on at the top with scotch tape. I actually have always left it on there. It is very clear and I figure it protects the screen. I, too, have a cat. But I also have a messy desk with pokey things that could fall against the screen. Maybe you could ask at an office supply store if they have one they took off some floor model monitor when they put the floor model out. Or you might find something similar in an art supply place, or even an office supply by the sheet. Just cut to fit the face of the machine (therefore, not blocking the vents) and tape it on.If it is clear like mine, and you use clear tape, like packing tape, you would not even notice it.

If the machine is on, and the cat walks on the keyboard, something might come on the screen causing her to bat at it. I keep my mini in a room where I can close the door (very cat-proof method) to keep him out. However, with that clear sheet still on, I have had no damage to the screen ever, even when the room has been open and the machine on.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Donna,

To overcome the overheating problem with a dust cover, put the computer to sleep when you're not using it. You can do that manually, or automatically. Manually with the command-option-eject keystroke combination. Automatically from the System Preferences pane for Energy Saver.

You should be putting the computer into sleep mode anyway - for two reasons:
1. To save energy.
2. It saves you from buying a new computer prematurely. The backlight dims with age and use. The hard drive will eventually wear out, if it's spinning constantly (even on air bearings). Memory does have a finite cycle life.

The cat is probably putting dents in the plastic screen, which appear to be dead pixels. If you look carefully from the side (under the dent), you'll probably see the pixel is working.

Chris, how about a clear sheet of plexiglass or thin plastic attached with velcro? You can get the sticky velcro dots just about anywhere. With something like that, you could cover just the screen and not worry about blocking vents.

Chris ... Check this link from 3M Company. They have protectors up to 20 in.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ComputerFil...8VKY4NbeGBZCB2XJ6Wgl

Chris,

Don't blame the cat - since you have so many non-Mac PCs, the poor cat is simply confused! It thinks your iMac is a virus-infected, spyware-hosting, zombie'd WinTel PC and it's trying to kill the malware for you!

You must explain to the cat that it's scratching the wrong computer.

Wow. Thanks for all the great suggestions. You've all been able to find more options than I ever imagined were out there. I'm going to go to Office Max/Microcenter tomorrow and see if they have any freebie monitor discards as Donna suggested. And while I'm there, check the 3M privacy filters.... they look so great Calvin, but I cant determine if the hooks on top are wide enough for my wider older iMac. The size is weird too...... 14.4 in by 9.25 ish. They look great.

I love the idea of those velcro dots too Phyllis. I completely forgot about those. That opens up the options even further.

STEVE STEVE STEVE...... Daisy only LOVES the Imac. She either has good taste or the Imac is emitting feline pheromones that even APPLE doesn't know about. Since Comcast only allows five systems to connect to one broadband modem network, I find it ODDLY peculiar that Daisy has chosen to "ROMANCE" only that mac.

She ignores all the other machines, even when they are used via Remote.

What we won't do for our kitties? After protecting the screen with all these solutions at hand ... if she continues her playful affair with the imac screen, it will leave me only one alternative!

DO YOU THINK Bath and Body Works sells FRUITCAKE scented sachets? NAH....

Cats are smarter than we realize...

Will let you know what happens, Thanks everyone!

By the way: It's 3 macs vs. 2 PCs, so the MACs win. My Vista box won't play well with others, so it's a gaming box until ????

OH WELL. This is a MAC forum, so I won't go into it........... I loved the ScreenSavrs covers too, Jack. Unless I see them, however, it appears as though they cover the vents on the bottom. THEY even made one in Leopard Skin

Chris don't feel bad ,,I have a cat that hates my HP printer and will actually stick his paws into the rollers during printing,,,,,hmmm if the inevitable occurs and becomes the preverbial "cat in a ringer".... will the ink wash off?

The best thing to do when a cat shows too much interest in computer hardware is to use Reverse Cat Psychology:

Tell the cat the computer is a very expensive cat toy you bought just for them.

The cat will then ignore the computer.

quote:

Originally posted by janp:
Chris don't feel bad ,,I have a cat that hates my HP printer and will actually stick his paws into the rollers during printing,,,,,hmmm if the inevitable occurs and becomes the preverbial "cat in a ringer".... will the ink wash off?

You could call it a "Cat"astrophic event.

Jan P.

Ah yes, the HP dance. I use 2 HP Deskjet 6540's primarily because they are designed like a Sherman tank. I like the HP Laser 1600 also for that reason.

I like the plexiglass idea with velcro. The other options either don't fit the Imac or cover the vents. If I can locate such an item, I have a friend willing to custom cut the piece for me. Where does one buy sheets of thin plexiglass? The plastic covering for monitors for some reason is not an item that stores wish to part with. Seems it is saved for those who purchase them off the shelf.

I'm not going to worry about resale anymore, however. My sister has cheerfully expressed desire to take the imac off my hands when I upgrade to the NEWER one next year.

When I get to that point, I will "Daisy-proof" the screen.

Happy New Year to everyone.

I don't know where you are located, but here in ann Arbor, I went to Diamond Glass to have some custom-sized pieced of acrylic cut. You can get them in various thicknesses. I assume any glass place in your area would carry various types, acrylic, lexan, etc., in various thicknesses. If you explained your needs they could advise you. A hardware store might have thin acrylic such as is used for temporary storm window use. You could probably cut that yourself and it would suffice. I'm not referring to the saran-wrap stuff. I got some for some basement windows that was somewhat thicker a few years back that would be a good thickness.Acrylic, plexiglass--its all the same to me--I'm really using the terms generically.