The New iMac Display Problem?

[canyonblue737]

ok i am having the issue with my brand new iMac 27 i7 with the 4850 card. flickering every minute or so at various places on the screen (banding) and then occasional blackouts of the whole screen lasting under a second. it began about 2 hours after turning on the computer the first time and continued even after reboots and this is with all updates including 10.6.2 sadly.

the apple forum thread on thread on this issue suggested clearing the pram by booting holding down the option, command, p and r keys and what do you know... that instantly stopped the issue for about another 2 hours and again it returned. flickering etc. at least every minute or two minutes at most. again a reboot with clearing the pram and now i am running flicker free, but it will return no doubt.

does a temporary fix by clearing pram imply anything as to if this is a firmware / software issue that apple will fix, or does it still point to hardware and mean i need to return this thing? as someone who got it from apple.com online i would hate to need to repack and do the whole exchange thing which is a pain in the rear without being able to do it at a local apple store.

thanks... this seems *very* widespread and i hope macrumors covers it on the front page soon.

 

[robotkiller]

ok i am having the issue with my brand new iMac 27 i7 with the 4850 card. flickering every minute or so at various places on the screen (banding) and then occasional blackouts of the whole screen lasting under a second. it began about 2 hours after turning on the computer the first time and continued even after reboots and this is with all updates including 10.6.2 sadly.

the apple forum thread on thread on this issue suggested clearing the pram by booting holding down the option, command, p and r keys and what do you know... that instantly stopped the issue for about another 2 hours and again it returned. flickering etc. at least every minute or two minutes at most. again a reboot with clearing the pram and now i am running flicker free, but it will return no doubt.

does a temporary fix by clearing pram imply anything as to if this is a firmware / software issue that apple will fix, or does it still point to hardware and mean i need to return this thing? as someone who got it from apple.com online i would hate to need to repack and do the whole exchange thing which is a pain in the rear without being able to do it at a local apple store.

thanks... this seems *very* widespread and i hope macrumors covers it on the front page soon.

This is unfortunate. I would return it. My current i7 is perfect (so far, knock on wood) so it would seem that only a subset of machines are affected.

 

[rustyosaurus]

strangely, i haven't experienced the flickering/banding issue since i posted about it earlier today. it was flickering every few minutes or sooner. i didn't change anything on the imac - i've been using it all day.

the only thing i did was to reformat the time capsule and am now running a TM backup. i can't imagine that would have anything to do with it.

has anyone who experienced this issue had it just randomly go away? maybe it will come back - i hope not.

my other issue is the spinning wheel - getting it quite alot. i am running the TM backup and have been for hours now - maybe the load is too high but that is sort of disconcerting.

 

[J&JPolangin]

...that's expensive hardware to put up with an issue like that, take it back and save your $$ for a Rev B unit...

 

[kfscoll]

My new 27" i7 just started the flickering problem today and I've had the machine since 12 Nov. I did a PRAM/NVRAM reset about an hour ago and so far the problem hasn't returned but I'm sure that sooner or later it will.

Since AFAIK Apple hasn't diagnosed the problem yet, I have absolutely no faith that a replacement machine will be any better. I really don't want to go through the hassle of returning my BTO machine only to have the replacement develop the same issue. I'll call Apple tomorrow to see what my options are -- I'd like to get my name on the list for a replacement and keep this machine until that replacement ships out. We'll see. I really hope that this turns out being fixable via driver or firmware update, but there's no way to know if that's the case until Apple makes a statement.

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

My new 27" i7 just started the flickering problem today and I've had the machine since 12 Nov. I did a PRAM/NVRAM reset about an hour ago and so far the problem hasn't returned but I'm sure that sooner or later it will.

Since AFAIK Apple hasn't diagnosed the problem yet, I have absolutely no faith that a replacement machine will be any better. I really don't want to go through the hassle of returning my BTO machine only to have the replacement develop the same issue. I'll call Apple tomorrow to see what my options are -- I'd like to get my name on the list for a replacement and keep this machine until that replacement ships out. We'll see. I really hope that this turns out being fixable via driver or firmware update, but there's no way to know if that's the case until Apple makes a statement.

maybe i should be happy that mine is yet to ship!
But since its happening on both the graphics card models, this means it must be a driver problem not hardware right?

 

[esseff]

I too am experiencing similar, albeit not as bad as others, as I only get the occasional very brief flash. However, according to Apple, at this moment, it's not a firmware issue and they're treating it as a potential hardware problem. The directive for US and Europe is to replace any iMac that exhibits these symptoms. So, after speaking to one of the higher level Techs, Apple have not only arranged to send me a new one, but they're allowing me to keep the old one until the new one arrives, as shipping times are around 7-10 days. I was completely ready to be told that they thought it a firmware issue and it would be resolved asap. They wouldn't offer to swap out a totally usable, with the odd flash, machine, if they in any way thought it was firmware related. So, guys, if you're like me, you don't have to be without you Mac, and you can still get it replaced.

 

[robotkiller]

My new 27" i7 just started the flickering problem today and I've had the machine since 12 Nov. I did a PRAM/NVRAM reset about an hour ago and so far the problem hasn't returned but I'm sure that sooner or later it will.

Since AFAIK Apple hasn't diagnosed the problem yet, I have absolutely no faith that a replacement machine will be any better. I really don't want to go through the hassle of returning my BTO machine only to have the replacement develop the same issue. I'll call Apple tomorrow to see what my options are -- I'd like to get my name on the list for a replacement and keep this machine until that replacement ships out. We'll see. I really hope that this turns out being fixable via driver or firmware update, but there's no way to know if that's the case until Apple makes a statement.

Have faith. My replacement is perfect. It seems that some machines are simply defective.

 

[timothevs]

Glad I decided to check here before I went off to order a 2500$ iMac Core i7. I will wait till they have these niggling issues solved. Can't imagine having to wait 15 days and then get a faulty unit (seems to be the case as I have been reading) and then send it back again, and repeat.

 

[kfscoll]

I too am experiencing similar, albeit not as bad as others, as I only get the occasional very brief flash. However, according to Apple, at this moment, it's not a firmware issue and they're treating it as a potential hardware problem. The directive for US and Europe is to replace any iMac that exhibits these symptoms. So, after speaking to one of the higher level Techs, Apple have not only arranged to send me a new one, but they're allowing me to keep the old one until the new one arrives, as shipping times are around 7-10 days. I was completely ready to be told that they thought it a firmware issue and it would be resolved asap. They wouldn't offer to swap out a totally usable, with the odd flash, machine, if they in any way thought it was firmware related. So, guys, if you're like me, you don't have to be without you Mac, and you can still get it replaced.

Apple decided to replace my iMac also, but they wouldn't let me keep the old one until the new one arrived...fortunately I still have my 24" iMac. I'm still not convinced this isn't a firmware problem, and I didn't get a warm fuzzy from the senior-level advisor that I spoke to that Apple's got a clue what's causing the issue. I'm very concerned that my replacement is also going to have the problem or (worse) other issues (like dead pixels) too.

 

[esseff]

Apple decided to replace my iMac also, but they wouldn't let me keep the old one until the new one arrived...fortunately I still have my 24" iMac. I'm still not convinced this isn't a firmware problem, and I didn't get a warm fuzzy from the senior-level advisor that I spoke to that Apple's got a clue what's causing the issue. I'm very concerned that my replacement is also going to have the problem or (worse) other issues (like dead pixels) too.

I wouldn't worry. Apple will not want to repeat this and the replacement you receive will be absolutely fine. I'm also not convinced that a firmware update wouldn't solve it, but we have to defer to Apple in this matter. After all, they just wouldn't go to the expense of replacing our machines if they didn't think they needed to.

 

[solman]

Just cancelled my 27 inch i5 Quad

There is far too many issues still. Based on this thread, guys who just got theirs within last 24 hours STILL have issues. Sounds like Hardware for sure if 10.6.2 has not fixed the flickering.

What a ??7^%@@ shame, I really need a new computer.

It really seems like this Video card runs too hot for the machine.

It's just not worth transferring data--->return to Apple--->transfer again---> possibly return again...

Just like automobiles, they say never buy the first of... anything.

I will order in the new year praying Apple figures this out.

 

[camgrant84]

There is far too many issues still. Based on this thread, guys who just got theirs within last 24 hours STILL have issues. Sounds like Hardware for sure if 10.6.2 has not fixed the flickering.

What a ??7^%@@ shame, I really need a new computer.

It really seems like this Video card runs too hot for the machine.

It's just not worth transferring data--->return to Apple--->transfer again---> possibly return again...

Just like automobiles, they say never buy the first of... anything.

I will order in the new year praying Apple figures this out.

After 8 hours of decent use - ranging from HD video, word processing, surfing, gaming, installing apps etc.. my GPU is sitting at 59 degrees.

Don't know if that is high or not, frankly I couldn't care.. It's a good 35 degrees below my gaming pc's temps.

Couldn't be happier with the machine

 

[esseff]

After 8 hours of decent use - ranging from HD video, word processing, surfing, gaming, installing apps etc.. my GPU is sitting at 59 degrees.

Don't know if that is high or not, frankly I couldn't care.. It's a good 35 degrees below my gaming pc's temps.

Couldn't be happier with the machine

After playing a good GPU intensive game for at least 30 minutes my GPU temp goes up to 78c. No increase in CPU temp and there's no noticeable increase in fan activity either. The GPU seems to rely solely on its big heatsink.

 

[missm]

I wouldn't worry. Apple will not want to repeat this and the replacement you receive will be absolutely fine. I'm also not convinced that a firmware update wouldn't solve it, but we have to defer to Apple in this matter. After all, they just wouldn't go to the expense of replacing our machines if they didn't think they needed to.

not necessarily, i'm on my third machine now.

 

[zerolight]

Does this problem still only occur when running on very low brightness settings?

 

[mpuck972]

Here is an issue I ran into on my c2d 27"

I am not seeing the flickering issue but I did however last week get a weird issue while watching a PBS documentary online where after about 20 minutes the entire screen shifted horizontally so basically the dock was about 1/4 of the way down the screen from the top. Imagine how the old tv's had the horizontal adjustment, thats what it was like.

I havent watched any more videos online, so I don't know if it's an ongoing issue or not.

 

[300D]

There is far too many issues still. Based on this thread, guys who just got theirs within last 24 hours STILL have issues.

Thats because this is an INTERNET FORUM. For every person that comes online to report a problem, there are thousands more people using their computers like normal.

 

[fahne23]

Here is an issue I ran into on my c2d 27"

I am not seeing the flickering issue but I did however last week get a weird issue while watching a PBS documentary online where after about 20 minutes the entire screen shifted horizontally so basically the dock was about 1/4 of the way down the screen from the top. Imagine how the old tv's had the horizontal adjustment, thats what it was like.

I havent watched any more videos online, so I don't know if it's an ongoing issue or not.

That is exactly what was happening to my 27" i7. Except I had the flickering problem along with it. It's probably a matter of time before it starts happening. I would definitely call Apple and report the problem, they are replacing mine.

 

[esseff]

not necessarily, i'm on my third machine now.

I assume you've had yours replaced from a store? My guess is they've simply been replacing it with another from the same faulty batch. What I meant to say is that in dealing with Apple online, the machine they're replacing mine with is not due to be shipped until 1st Dec, so hopefully it will have whatever mod/adjustment/replacement necessary to be the machine I expect the Mac to be.

 

[JimAtLaw]

Crud. 24 hours since first power up and powered on continuously since then with about 18 hours of use, and just had my first unexplained screen blink/artifacts. Oy vey, hoping this is not the same thing!

 

[solman]

Crud. 24 hours since first power up and powered on continuously since then with about 18 hours of use, and just had my first unexplained screen blink/artifacts. Oy vey, hoping this is not the same thing!

There is a thread, "POLL: Does Your 27 inch have a screen problem". It would be maybe a good idea for those following this thread to vote.

 

[iMacKeung]

Have been using my i7 iMac with joy for the last week...no problem at all

but just now I started to experience the flickering problem...random horizontal band occurs at non-regular intervals, and it even switched off the screen twice, each last for less than a second

I then reboot the machine, and it seems fine now...hope it's not going to come back

CPU temp is 51 degree and GPU is nearly 70...and it's been that all week....don't know why it suddenly occurs out of no where

 

[missm]

I assume you've had yours replaced from a store? My guess is they've simply been replacing it with another from the same faulty batch. What I meant to say is that in dealing with Apple online, the machine they're replacing mine with is not due to be shipped until 1st Dec, so hopefully it will have whatever mod/adjustment/replacement necessary to be the machine I expect the Mac to be.

No, I was told the last two were part of a new shipment with that particular issue corrected.

 

[robotkiller]

Have been using my i7 iMac with joy for the last week...no problem at all

but just now I started to experience the flickering problem...random horizontal band occurs at non-regular intervals, and it even switched off the screen twice, each last for less than a second

I then reboot the machine, and it seems fine now...hope it's not going to come back

CPU temp is 51 degree and GPU is nearly 70...and it's been that all week....don't know why it suddenly occurs out of no where

It's unusual for this to show up on your computer one week later. Typically, from my previous experience and others that I've read, the flickering shows up within a day of starting the computer.