MacBook Pro screen blinks
MacBook Pro (Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.5), tv, iPhone, iPod Touch, et al
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MacBook Pro (Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.5), tv, iPhone, iPod Touch, et al
My late 2008 15" MBP 2.4Ghz has been doing this. They replaced the logic board, the display and the thermal module and it's still flickering black every so often. (still under apple care for a bit)
They've had it twice since then and they claim it's just switching between the video cards (even though it's not doing anything graphically intensive).
Basically, they said switch it to higher performance in the power preferences and that should solve it.
Apparently my choice is:
Horrible battery life, or
screen flickering.
hey, my late 2008 2,53 Ghz is doing the same flickering after my logic board has been replaced last week (on last day of apple care 😉) due to some other problems I had/have with my MBP. So I'm thinking about going to my Apple Store and annoy them again and again till they replace the logic board again (still 3 months of warranty for my "new" board) or just keep it as it is and accept that apple isnt the kind of company I loved anymore...
what would you guys do? I'm kinda tired of running into our local store and talk and discuss with the genius'. On the one hand I could annoy them just as OldSparky did and get a new MBP. on the other hand it's just an premium reseller so they wont be able to do me such a favor and give me a late 2011 MBP.
My actual question is: is there anyone having more or worse problems after one year, two years...? I mean, can I just live with it and it will just flicker again and again or is it going to screw up my MBP in the end? It would be pretty sad if that happens after half a year or so. I would definetly regret that I didnt replace the logic board earlier...
(Sorry for my bad English, Im German ^^)
Message was edited by: mario181088
Late 2008 MBP here. I started getting the flickering after switching to the better graphics card and then back to the integrated one through the power settings. It's just a harmless flicker so far, about two years, so I doubt it will ever be a serious problem. My apple care ran out, so I'll just get a new MBP eventually (this one is getting dated anyway). It seems like a software issue that they could sort out, but apparently replacing tons of logic boards or giving out new MBPs is more cost effective than assigning a senior software engineer to this task for a day or two.
From following this thread for a couple months, it seems the best approach is to just go through their hoops (replacing the logic board a couple of times) until they give you a new MBP. I didn't opt for this because I use this machine for work and don't want to be without it for even a week.
It's possible that the screen doesn't flicker on the other graphics card.
An enterprising lawyer could start a class-action lawsuit that might spur them to fix the problem. Whatever.
Side note: if your single-button trackpad is sticking, the problem is the battery has warped -- you can get a free replacement. Mine had 600 cycles; free replacement, no questions asked. To test this, take the battery out, put it on a flat surface, and it should not wobble.
Did you have anything replaced. i just ahd my logic board replace and the screen started to flicker on the better battery perfomance mode. how many times did you bother apple to try and resolve your issue with you MBP.
I had the logic board replaced twice - maybe 3 times, since one of those times it was in for over a week while they waited for another part, but I'm not sure what that was exactly. I also visit the genuis bar several other times to discuss the problem, the usual response being that they know about the issue and were working on a software fix for it, so replacing hardware wouldn't help. On the last time, there was a mix up with telling me to bring it in for a display replacement, then arriving and being told there wasn't any point replacing the display since it wouldn't fix the issue. It was after that visit that they offered a replacement, which I readily accepted, and which demonstrated the outstanding support we should expect from Apple on a premium product.
SUPER UPDATE (3 months without my mac):
Well after 2 logic boards, 2 displays, one track pad replaced and a lot of tests and nightmares, Apple finally authorized a full replacement. Now I'm going to have a brand new 2011 15" MBP.
My question for those who had a replacement too is, which model did you get? I have the top of the line MBP and I expect that they will give me the top one or they will give me one with the same specs?
Thanks for your help!
My 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo model was replaced with a bottom-of-the-line (for today) 2.2GHz i7 quad-core, but I was allowed to "return" that for a $1,799 credit and upgrade to a better specced model (wanted the high-res display, and got an anti-glare model w/ 2.5GHz i7 + 750GB HD, which was all they stocked in high-res - not sure if that was a good idea yet). Upgraded it myself to 8GB RAM for ~$60 vs. the silly money Apple charge.
I had 3 logic board replacements before getting the free laptop replacement. I considered several upgrades to the base 2.2GHz i7 Quad Core(replaced 2.4 GHz core 2 duo) including the anti-glare hi-res display. In the end I went with what was totally free, thinking I would upgrade the RAM later and could have an iPad for what I was considering spending on upgrades. I will also eventually buy AppleCare for the new one. If you have remaining time on your AppleCare be sure to request a cancellation on the old computer after replacement, they will refund any remaining value. While not much I did get a check for about $18 as mine was about to expire in Feb. I did get a 750 Gb HD because my previous custom order had a 7200 RPM HD and this was the smallest size available at 7200 RPM currently. Apple has called several times to check on my status and the replacement options were explained well. Mine had to be custom built and shipped direct from China which took a little over a week. Overall satisifed with the replacement process.
My late 2008 MBP has been ordered online with Apple. My screen does flicker too since a while, but I have to see if the nearestAPR is willing to do anything about it. I didn't bought it there, so I am not sure if they are willing to put any effort in it...
Unfortunately... Apple NL doesn't confirm this problem on unibody macbooks, so they won't do anything about it...
I am from NL as well, I'm having the same issue regarding Apple NL and this problem.
I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this thread! I'm not alone.
I'm currently dealing with the flickering issues and the local Apple Store is having little luck fixing it. I have a MBP 5,1 that has had nothing but issues. The funny part was that it was a replacement from Apple (via Applecare) for my insanely defective MBP with the 8600mGT. My late 2008 MBP 5,1 has now had the speakers replaced, the fans replaced, the optical drive replaced, the battery replaced because of bulging, the logic board replaced by an Apple Store in Minnesota, the logic board replaced again by an Apple Store in Utah, the logicboard and ram replaced by the Apple Store in Utah a second time and is now back into the Utah Apple Store again. My Applecare warranty expires Jan 9 2010 or 4 days from now and I'm really worried about being SOL with this problem after the expiration of the warrantee.
From what I'm reading now it seems that many people suggest that the flickering is caused by a defect in the MFG process of the 9400m/9600m. I'm struggling to find any admission of this problem by nVidia, has anyone else had any luck? Do you have any suggestions as to how I should proceed to get this fixed or get a replacement?
Please help.
Respectfully,
Curt
I dealt with Apple by phone. Each time my computer went in for repair I sent via FedEx at Apples expense. Unit was usually delivered back to my door within about 3-4 days. I had a single case number with each repair attempt referenced back to that case.
After this many repairs you might try calling apple support and asking for a Sr. Tech and asking for a replacement laptop. Presuming all is documented properly in the system you will hopefully be granted a new laptop due to the number of repair attempts already. Replacements seem somewhat discretionary, but after my issue was initially escalated to a Sr Tech I had direct email access to him and continuity for a resolution. I referenced this thread and others stating this was a known issue. When I had a third repair attempt for the same issue, (each time supposedly being bumped up the line to a higher technical level at the repair facility), I was told that if I had any other hardware failures within a year from that date (which would have been several months outside my applecare) they would replace the laptop. The next hardware failure came within the warranty period (and a new laptop) so I do not know if the pledge was documented in their system as that Tech has now moved on to another position.
He did call to follow up and so did the customer care rep once a new laptop was authorized. Overall satisfied with the response compared to other PC manufacturers I have dealt with. I have several Apple products, but do not know how the store compares to the direct contact for replacement issues.
Apple store at Valley Fair Mall, Santa Clara knows this issue, and they also know how to fix it. I've 2 MBP that has blinking screen and send them for repair. They said they know the issue and both were repaired by replacing the logic board. I no longer have blinking issues.
mi macbook pro de 15" del 2008
core2duo 2.4
presenta parpadeos negros hay algun software para controlar esto o apple no hara nada con modelos antiguos
MacBook Pro screen blinks