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Unibody Macbook Pro Screen flicker/flash.
- Thread starter jbussiere
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I stumbled upon this thread tonight after the following scenario:
Ever since I bought my Late 2008 Unibody MBP 15", I've always had the graphics card in "high performance mode", utilizing the 9600M GT. This was because the computer rarely left my desk, was always plugged in, so battery drain was not a problem. The "free" performance gain was welcome.
Lately, I've been taking my MBP with me away from home quite a bit more, so I switched over to the 9400. Tonight, I started noticing a quick flickering of the top 1" of the screen from time to time. While not alarming at this point, it sounds like the problem gets worse over time. I've tried switching back over to the 9600M GT and haven't noticed any flickering since. Think I should take it in for a logic board replacement? Is this a well-enough known problem at this point that the Genius Bar attendant won't require a live demonstration of the issue?
Also, are logic board replacements an auto-shipment to the repair facility, or will they try to replace them in-store?
Thanks!
Ever since I bought my Late 2008 Unibody MBP 15", I've always had the graphics card in "high performance mode", utilizing the 9600M GT. This was because the computer rarely left my desk, was always plugged in, so battery drain was not a problem. The "free" performance gain was welcome.
Lately, I've been taking my MBP with me away from home quite a bit more, so I switched over to the 9400. Tonight, I started noticing a quick flickering of the top 1" of the screen from time to time. While not alarming at this point, it sounds like the problem gets worse over time. I've tried switching back over to the 9600M GT and haven't noticed any flickering since. Think I should take it in for a logic board replacement? Is this a well-enough known problem at this point that the Genius Bar attendant won't require a live demonstration of the issue?
Also, are logic board replacements an auto-shipment to the repair facility, or will they try to replace them in-store?
Thanks!
I've started to have the same problem. Been using the MBP for 3 months, just a week ago it started doing it.
Should I just take the power adapter to the store or the whole laptop?
I HOPE they don't give me a new one with the SD card, I like my ExpressCard slot.
Should I just take the power adapter to the store or the whole laptop?
I HOPE they don't give me a new one with the SD card, I like my ExpressCard slot.
I'm by no means the authority on this but in my personal situation they seemed to acknowledge this without actually saying so. If that makes sense?
The genius didn't need to see it reproduced and straight away recommended a logic board replacement. It was carried out in store but not while I waited. I had to wait just over 10 days to get it back. Now this might vary based on how long the queue of repairs etc is at your local store.
The only thing you can do is make an appointment and pay them a visit.
I'd recommend you took the whole lot. To avoid dissapointment or having to go back home and get it
Does the flickering progress over time?....mine will do it like once a day like maybe as i open it up....thats all...should i worry about it getting worse?
I had the pulsating screen at low brightness sent it into Apple and they replaced the logic board. Turn it on and on the 9400 horrible screen flicker (black screen flashes) while doing pretty much anything. Switched to 9600 and it is totally fine. Guess I need to call back----sheeesh.
I found this thread because mine started doing this in the last couple months. I'm usually using the 9400 chip at lower brightnesses.
The video posted above is exactly what happens to my computer too. It flickers to black whenever i'm scrolling or moving windows around.
This is really aggravating. I just ditched my SR MBP because the problems with the "ticking time bomb" Nvidia 8600GT chip and now my new laptop has another video chip defect? Come on!
I really wish Apple would have stuck with ATI. I never had a problem with ATI PBs/MBPs. Strangely, since around the time MBPs switched to Nvidia, my MBPs have always been in and out of repair. It's like the quality control has really suffered. I miss the days when a MBP/PB repair was rare.
Even so, logic board replacement doesn't always fix the issue. I had a logic board replaced in mine and it did no good. I ended up getting rid of that machine and now have the June 2009 model with no flickering whatsoever.
I agree that it's a hardware issue, but it's sufficiently widespread that a logic board replacement is no guarantee of success.
So far, I think the June models are doing much better in this regard.
I had this flickering on low backlight setting issue on my first generation unibody macbook pro but now on my 17" uni mbp, I have no issues whatsoever.
I think that this is another issue called "flickering" when the brightness is set to low
See hereThe issue of this thread is really a "flash". The screen goes black for like 25ms then again normal.
I have a late 2008 Unibody MBP and it flickered/flashed quite a bit in Leopard, but it's REALLY bad now in Snow Leopard (clean install if it even matters).
I'm talking about the problem where either the top portion, top one third/two thirds, or entire screen flashes for a split second.
Under Leopard, the screen would flash a couple of times every hour. It didn't matter if the laptop was idle or in use.
Now, under Snow Leopard, the flashing is completely out of hand. My screen flashes AT LEAST 3-4 times PER MINUTE. Again, it doesn't matter if it's idle or in use. Gotta add that watching or playing anything that involves Flash makes the screen flash like the screen is a strobe light.
I wasn't all that annoyed by the flashing before, but now it's just pissing me off. I know there are countless others who have reported this problem since the Unibodies came out and nothing has been done about it.
I'm talking about the problem where either the top portion, top one third/two thirds, or entire screen flashes for a split second.
Under Leopard, the screen would flash a couple of times every hour. It didn't matter if the laptop was idle or in use.
Now, under Snow Leopard, the flashing is completely out of hand. My screen flashes AT LEAST 3-4 times PER MINUTE. Again, it doesn't matter if it's idle or in use. Gotta add that watching or playing anything that involves Flash makes the screen flash like the screen is a strobe light.
I wasn't all that annoyed by the flashing before, but now it's just pissing me off. I know there are countless others who have reported this problem since the Unibodies came out and nothing has been done about it.
Why whine about it? Bring it back and have it repaired. I had the same issue, brought it back to the apple store and they replaced the logic board. No more problems. Don't suffer it.
Yes it does. When I first read about this problem, some people said that switching to the 9600 fixed it. So I tried it and still experienced the same thing. During the times I've used the 9600 in Snow Leopard, the flickering was about on par with the 9400 (as described in my earlier post).
I got bad luck or something
Yes it does. When I first read about this problem, some people said that switching to the 9600 fixed it. So I tried it and still experienced the same thing. During the times I've used the 9600 in Snow Leopard, the flickering was about on par with the 9400 (as described in my earlier post).
I got bad luck or something
Take it back again dude. Don't suffer it. If it really is as bad as you say it is then its a no-brainer for them to replace or fix. Personally I would be a bit more forceful in demanding a replacement.
Ok believe it or not after my second logic board replacement the flickering has ended. When I called after I got it back the first time and the flickering was worse the apple tech I talked to seemed really concerned since it was for the same issue. Sent it in and got it back within 2 days unlike the first time which was 10 days. But I have had no flickering on either gpu for about 2 weeks now. So my advice is just keep sending it back. I think if it got to a certain point maybe like 4 or 5 times I'd see if they could slip me the newer model with the SD slot but we will see how long this lasts.
I have the same black flicker problem with my late 2008 model (only happens with the 9400M). Mine is not "horrible" but it is startling and does happen very randomly. I've got a clean install of SL going... had to have the screen replaced once because of dust underneath the glass.
I'm worried about taking it in to the store because of how sparse the flickers are. I'm afraid that I won't be able to reproduce the problem, but I'm more concerned about the black flashes happening more frequently over time (my warranty ends in February). And downtime is extremely bad for meI need my MBP for my work (design) and any day for me without it will cost me money.
I'm wondering if I could just exchange it for the newer models on the spot. Some people here and on YouTube are reporting that they've gotten such a deal.
I'm worried about taking it in to the store because of how sparse the flickers are. I'm afraid that I won't be able to reproduce the problem, but I'm more concerned about the black flashes happening more frequently over time (my warranty ends in February). And downtime is extremely bad for meI need my MBP for my work (design) and any day for me without it will cost me money.
I'm wondering if I could just exchange it for the newer models on the spot. Some people here and on YouTube are reporting that they've gotten such a deal.
Me too. I'm afraid that the Apple guy will just say there is nothing wrong with my mac. For those who when to an Apple Store, did you have to show them the problem ? i.e. wait that it flashes ?
Tex
They wanted me to show them the problem, but as luck would have it, the problem wouldn't occur as long as the apple store employee was looking at my screen. When he'd look away to talk to someone else or pick his nose, the screen would, of course, flicker. I did show him the youtube video of it happening so he'd get an idea of what the problem is... but he never witnessed it on my screen.
Because of this, he claimed he can't fix it in store, but would send it out to a repair depot. I wonder if the repair depot tech will stare at the screen for however long it takes to flicker, or what... I somehow expect to get my MBP back either not repaired or with the wrong thing "repaired."
Gary
