Apple Releases Firmware Update to Address Screen Flickering on 27-Inch iMacs

MacRumors · Dec 21, 2009, 02:12 PM

Apple today released 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0, addressing recent complaints of screen flickering on the company's newest iMac models.

Quote:

About 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0
Updates the graphics firmware on ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 graphics cards to address issues that may cause image corruption or display flickering.

Installation instructions for the firmware update, which weighs in at 683 KB and requires Mac OS X 10.6.2, are available in the associated support document for the release.

Apple's new 27-inch iMac models have been plagued with reports of issues since their launch beginning in late October. Early reports of Flash performance issues were fixed with the release of Mac OS X 10.6.2, but more recent reports have revealed machines being delivered in a non-functional state or with cracked screens.

Article Link: Apple Releases Firmware Update to Address Screen Flickering on 27-Inch iMacs

dfunct · Dec 21, 2009, 02:16 PM

I first noticed the flickering this morning when I woke, a quick reboot later and it seems to have disappeared…

That said this update is welcome, if only it could also remove the speck of dust under the glass...

thevofl · Dec 21, 2009, 02:18 PM

If only the flickering happened behind an anti-glare screen. . . .

spencers · Dec 21, 2009, 02:20 PM

Can't wait to try this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfunct

I first noticed the flickering this morning when I woke, a quick reboot later and it seems to have disappeared…

That said this update is welcome, if only it could also remove the speck of dust under the glass...

So take the glass off and use some canned air!

iWoz · Dec 21, 2009, 02:21 PM

lol good timing, Only returned my previous screen flickering iMac back 2 months ago

patseguin · Dec 21, 2009, 02:21 PM

This is the best news I've heard all day. I'm so glad I didn't return my new i7 iMac.

KnightWRX · Dec 21, 2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spencers

Can't wait to try this.

So take the glass off and use some canned air!

This will usually result in more dust under there when you put it back, unless you do it in a closed environnement that is completely dustless, such as a government secret research laboratory under the Nevada desert.

I very much doubt anyone has access to those except few key government employees.

sva · Dec 21, 2009, 02:23 PM

"image corruption", would that be the yellow tint?

slicecom · Dec 21, 2009, 02:25 PM

If only they could release a Firmware Update to fix the yellow tinge...

SwiftLives · Dec 21, 2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicecom

If only they could release a Firmware Update to fix the yellow tinge...

Tell me about it. I just arranged for iMac #3 to be delivered to me yesterday. All because of the yellow tint at the bottom of the screen. Ugh.

jedijoe · Dec 21, 2009, 02:37 PM

now fix the flickering + snow/noise + screen scrambling with your 30-inch display via the $99 mini-displayport to dual-link dvi adapter!

brianadkins · 02:57 PM

Here's an interesting question...

I have a buddy that bought a 27" imac and wiped it clean and installed Windows 7 on it. I'm guessing that firmware updates will only come through for OSX users...

So... what is the best solution? Maybe set up an external USB drive with OSX installed on it and just boot to that drive occasionally to get the firmware updates?

-Brian

johnmcboston · Dec 21, 2009, 02:38 PM

Since we're chatting about the issue again: Had anyone else had sound issues on the 27" imac? If nothing else is playing, the speakers can emit a low electronics like noise. If you put headphones on, you can hear the frequency of the sound change a bit when you (say) scroll in a browser window. Maybe graphics card interference?

Just curious if anyone else has 'heard' this, and if it will go away when I update firmware tonight....

aristobrat · Dec 21, 2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnightWRX

This will usually result in more dust under there when you put it back, unless you do it in a closed environnement that is completely dustless, such as a government secret research laboratory under the Nevada desert.

I very much doubt anyone has access to those except few key government employees.

Well, considering that the Genius Rooms in Apple Stores (where they do iMac glass removals daily) aren't closed, completely dustless environments, I think the average person has a decent chance of being able to do it well themselves.

product26 · Dec 21, 2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianadkins

So... what is the best solution? Maybe set up an external USB drive with OSX installed on it and just boot to that drive occasionally to get the firmware updates?

yup! but use a firewire drive.

Eidorian · Dec 21, 2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianadkins

Here's an interesting question...

I have a buddy that bought a 27" imac and wiped it clean and installed Windows 7 on it

. I'm guessing that firmware updates will only come through for OSX users...

So... what is the best solution? Maybe set up an external USB drive with OSX installed on it and just boot to that drive occasionally to get the firmware updates?

-Brian

A USB hard drive will work just fine for the occasional hop back to OS X.

forty2j · Dec 21, 2009, 02:44 PM

Maybe they'll put out a firmware update for cracked screens next.

dfunct · Dec 21, 2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aristobrat

Well, considering that the Genius Rooms in Apple Stores (where they do iMac glass removals daily) aren't closed, completely dustless environments, I think the average person has a decent chance of being able to do it well themselves.

Ok so how the chuff does one remove the glass to do this?

dmackerman · Dec 21, 2009, 02:49 PM

I downloaded and applied this update even though I didn't have any issues with flickering or blackouts.

I wonder exactly what it changed...would be interesting to know.

shanmugam · Dec 21, 2009, 02:49 PM

does the 21.5" ATI 4670 Version do not needs this?

I tried the software update, nothing showing up?

Eidorian · Dec 21, 2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanmugam

does the 21.5" ATI 4670 Version do not needs this?

I tried the software update, nothing showing up?

It says 27" iMac.

maccauni · Dec 21, 2009, 02:52 PM

i can unfortunately confirm this update does not fix the less common blank screen on wake-up issue. finally time to return my 27" C2D : [

Transeau · Dec 21, 2009, 02:54 PM

So..... has anyone had any results yet? I'm curious as to how thy fixed it. Maybe lowing the memory / gpu speed? I doubt it was a "bug" in the firmware / Driver as not all are affected.

gmcalpin · Dec 21, 2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfunct

Ok so how the chuff does one remove the glass to do this?

Here's how: http://tinyurl.com/y8rgsq8

Transeau · Dec 21, 2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfunct

Ok so how the chuff does one remove the glass to do this?

If I recall correctly, it's held in place by very strong magnets. You use two suction cups to pull it off.

Dec 21, 2009, 02:21 PM	#5
iWoz macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Midlands, U.K	lol good timing, Only returned my previous screen flickering iMac back 2 months ago __________________ 27' iMac Quad-Core i5 iPhone 5 Black-Slate 64GB [ iPad 4th Gen 64GB WIFI + Black Leather Apple Smart Cover
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:21 PM	#6
patseguin macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2003	This is the best news I've heard all day. I'm so glad I didn't return my new i7 iMac. __________________ iMac 27" i7, MacBook Pro 15" i7, AppleTV, iPhone 4s new iPad 4G 64GB
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:23 PM	#8
sva macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wales, near England.	"image corruption", would that be the yellow tint? __________________ iMac 27" - 2.66GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB HD, OS 10.6 - iBook G3 500MHz - OS 10.4.11 - iPhone 3G 16GB - iPhone 4 16GB
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:37 PM	#11
jedijoe macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Collins	now fix the flickering + snow/noise + screen scrambling with your 30-inch display via the $99 mini-displayport to dual-link dvi adapter! __________________ MacPro5,1: 12x2.93GHz/12GB/ATI5870/200GB OWC-RE-SSD RAID-0/2TB HDD RAID-1 MacBookPro5,2: 2x3.06GHz/8GB/X25-M 160G2 (17-inch) iPhone 4 iPhone 3G The World in 35mm
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:37 PM	#12
brianadkins macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2007	What if computer no longer as OSX installed ? Here's an interesting question... I have a buddy that bought a 27" imac and wiped it clean and installed Windows 7 on it. I'm guessing that firmware updates will only come through for OSX users... So... what is the best solution? Maybe set up an external USB drive with OSX installed on it and just boot to that drive occasionally to get the firmware updates? -Brian Last edited by brianadkins; Dec 21, 2009 at 02:57 PM. Reason: poor spllelling
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:16 PM	#2
dfunct macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2008	I first noticed the flickering this morning when I woke, a quick reboot later and it seems to have disappeared… That said this update is welcome, if only it could also remove the speck of dust under the glass...
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:18 PM	#3
thevofl macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2006	If only the flickering happened behind an anti-glare screen. . . .
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:25 PM	#9
slicecom macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	If only they could release a Firmware Update to fix the yellow tinge...
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:38 PM	#13
johnmcboston macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston	Since we're chatting about the issue again: Had anyone else had sound issues on the 27" imac? If nothing else is playing, the speakers can emit a low electronics like noise. If you put headphones on, you can hear the frequency of the sound change a bit when you (say) scroll in a browser window. Maybe graphics card interference? Just curious if anyone else has 'heard' this, and if it will go away when I update firmware tonight....
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:44 PM	#17
forty2j macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ	Maybe they'll put out a firmware update for cracked screens next.
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:49 PM	#19
dmackerman macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia	I downloaded and applied this update even though I didn't have any issues with flickering or blackouts. I wonder exactly what it changed...would be interesting to know.
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:49 PM	#20
shanmugam macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blazer town!	does the 21.5" ATI 4670 Version do not needs this? I tried the software update, nothing showing up? __________________ iPhone 5/4S\| iPad 4 \| iPad mini \| Nexus 7 \| Kindle Nov2012\| Mac Mini\| Core i7 2.3GHz QC \| 330 240GB USB 3 \| Viewsonic 21.5" 1920x1080 Sep2012\|Toshiba 14" \| i5 2.5Ghz 1366x768 \|Win 7 \| x-25M 120GB
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:52 PM	#22
maccauni macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2009	i can unfortunately confirm this update does not fix the less common blank screen on wake-up issue. finally time to return my 27" C2D : [ __________________ 27" iMac. 3.06ghz.1TB. Aluminum Macbook. 13" 2.0GHz. 2GB RAM. 160GB HD. Iphone 4 32GB. deviantART Vimeo
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 02:54 PM	#23
Transeau macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alta Loma, CA	So..... has anyone had any results yet? I'm curious as to how thy fixed it. Maybe lowing the memory / gpu speed? I doubt it was a "bug" in the firmware / Driver as not all are affected. __________________ 2009 27" iMac 2.8GHz Core i7, 32GB RAM, 2TB HDD 2012 15" Macbook Pro, 2.2GHz Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD & 750GB HDD (no optical drive)
	0

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