Lester GrimeNose

Q: New 27" Thunderbolt Display Flickers when attached to new 27" iMac

I'm using a new 27" iMac. I require a dual-monitor configuration so yesterday I purchased a new 27" Thunderbolt display and plugged its built-in Thunderbolt cable into the Thunderbolt port of the iMac. I now have a huge desktop space that spans two monitors. With that in mind…

 

At least once every few minutes the new Thunderbolt display blacks out (i.e. flickers) for approximately one second. The symptom is very similar to what a Windows-attached display does when the screen resolution is changed. A quick Google search indicates others are experiencing the same problem although most complainants are using a MacBook or Mini, not an iMac.

 

Apple posted a firmware update for the Thunderbolt display a few days ago. I installed it successfully but the problem remains. Any advice?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Sep 24, 2011 4:40 PM

Close

Q: New 27" Thunderbolt Display Flickers when attached to new 27" iMac

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 4 of 13 last Next
  • by Natejj,

    Natejj Natejj Dec 16, 2011 10:41 AM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2011 10:41 AM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    Well, my display had been fine since that original firmware update.  I ran software updates today however and there was another firmware update.  I told it to go ahead and install.  It ran but then said the update failed.....and now the **** flicker is back!  And of course, when I check for updates now, it says there are none.

  • by orchetect,

    orchetect orchetect Dec 16, 2011 10:57 AM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (11 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 16, 2011 10:57 AM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I put in a support ticket and ended up dealing with a nice fellow high up in the ranks with the LED dev team.  He shipped me a new 27" TB display but the flickering still persists.  Also taking into account other people's experience, I think it's almost definitely proven that it's a software or hardware incompatibility in general, and not particular displays failing.

  • by iTech23,

    iTech23 iTech23 Dec 16, 2011 11:15 AM in response to orchetect
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Dec 16, 2011 11:15 AM in response to orchetect

    I'm still dealing with the flickering issue after applying all the firmware updates and after getting a replacement.

    I've been very patient but it's starting to get a little frustating.

    So far I was not able to relate this issue to a specific software since it always happens in a different situation (using the email app, iTunes, Xcode, Safari).

  • by orchetect,

    orchetect orchetect Dec 16, 2011 2:19 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (11 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 16, 2011 2:19 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I agree.  This is grating on the nerves more than just a bit.

     

    This is what blows my mind - how many Macs are there that even have Thunderbolt?  We're not talking about engineering a display to have to work with umpteen billion PCs and their melting pot of hardware.  There's probably less Macs than I can count on one hand that would have to be employed in testing the compatibility of this product, and they still f*** it up.  Mind boggling.

  • by Lester GrimeNose,

    Lester GrimeNose Lester GrimeNose Dec 16, 2011 5:00 PM in response to Natejj
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 16, 2011 5:00 PM in response to Natejj

    Nate, are you using a 27" iMac? That's what I'm using and the Software Update didn't offer me any new firmware updates today.

     

    If the 2nd to last firmware update fixed the flickering, you should be able to re-install it and be back to normal state. I'm thinking maybe your monitor reverted back to the original factory firmware in response to the failed application of the latest patch?

     

    This whole situation is so messed up. This Thunderbolt display shoud've never been released. It clearly wasn't tested.

  • by GooberGrape70,

    GooberGrape70 GooberGrape70 Dec 18, 2011 6:06 AM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Dec 18, 2011 6:06 AM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I do believe that the MEMORY upgrade may have something to do with this.  I have been really feeling lucky becasue of all of the COMPLAINTS about the thunderbolt display.  I have a 2011 mac mini server that I ordered from APPLE day one with 8 MB ram factory installed.  When I ordered my THUNDERBOLT i did not have the flicker issue.  I did have the issue of it going to sleep and not waing but that was fixed by turning off the auto brightness adjustment. 

     

    I have had no problems since then and have had the Thunderbolt since it first came out.  I have installed OWC 16 GB samsung kit and now my monitor is having the FLICKERING issue.  I am going to take out the memory and go back to the factory installed 8 and see if that fixes it.....  IF it does back with the 16GB samsung from OWC.  Anyone having the flickering with other 16GB kits.  I went for the more expensive OWC kit becaust I thought I would be better off than with CRUCIAL or Patriot.  Anyone else upgrading having issues with another kit?

  • by Lester GrimeNose,

    Lester GrimeNose Lester GrimeNose Dec 18, 2011 8:22 AM in response to GooberGrape70
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 18, 2011 8:22 AM in response to GooberGrape70

    That seems to be a common thread amongst most (but not all) of those who are experiencing the flicker problem. I personally had additional memory installed in my 27" iMac at the Apple store on the day of purchase and experienced severe flickering.

  • by iTech23,

    iTech23 iTech23 Dec 18, 2011 12:16 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Dec 18, 2011 12:16 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I also have 16GB installed on my iMac so we may be onto something here, tomorrow I will call the senior advisor that is working on my case and I will send her a link to this discussion so she can see that having 16GB seems to be a common factor here.

  • by orchetect,

    orchetect orchetect Dec 18, 2011 2:34 PM in response to GooberGrape70
    Level 1 (11 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 18, 2011 2:34 PM in response to GooberGrape70

    Like I posted earlier in this thread, I put in 8GB memory and no flickering.  When I put 16GB in, the flickering started for the first time.  Both RAM upgrades were OWC.

  • by davorin,

    davorin davorin Dec 20, 2011 10:53 PM in response to orchetect
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 20, 2011 10:53 PM in response to orchetect

    Yesterday I got my thunderbolt display back from repair...brought it as the USB hub wasn't visible anymore..so no brightness adjustments, no camera, sound and external USB devices were seen..

     

    But when I attached it to my iMac with 16GB RAM still no USB to be seen..so I thought I give it a try and removed 8GB RAM...and voilà...USB is also working again with 8GB RAM on my iMac27...

     

    This is really weired...how can the amount of system RAM influence flickering and USB hub removal?

     

    The support guy yesterday suggested me I call agin this morning and ask for a 2nd level technical assistant...

  • by GooberGrape70,

    GooberGrape70 GooberGrape70 Dec 26, 2011 3:40 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Dec 26, 2011 3:40 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I just wanted to report back some information to the group. I have put back in my original 8 GB factory installed ram and I have no flickering.  I did recieve a call from a TECH on the 23rd that was responding to the info that I had left here and he also asked me to put back in the original memory and see what happens.  I will report the info back to him as well so that he can know that there seems to be an issue still with people that have higher than 8GB in their machines or something along those lines.  Im trying to decide if I should send back my memory upgrade to OWC.  I really can not use it with the FLICKER it is WAY too annoying.  And the more memory I seemed to use with more applications running the worse it would get.  Righ now Im using 7GB if the 8 and no problems but when I was using 9 GB of the 16 it was flickering A LOT.  And more than when I was using 6.5 of 16.  So we will see what they come up with.

     

     

    In the meantime I think Ill send back my memory upgrade.  No use in spending that kind of money to let it sit.

  • by orchetect,

    orchetect orchetect Dec 26, 2011 4:07 PM in response to GooberGrape70
    Level 1 (11 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 26, 2011 4:07 PM in response to GooberGrape70

    Have you tried 12GB?  As in, 4GB+8GB or 8GB+4GB?  I'm just wondering of it's reacting to 16GB total, or reacting to the fact there is at least one 8GB stick in?  And then, which slot causes issues if applicable?

     

    I would hate to give up 16GB total to revert to 8GB total, but 12GB total would be a better compromise in the meantime until (if ever) Apple can sort this mess out.

  • by GooberGrape70,

    GooberGrape70 GooberGrape70 Dec 26, 2011 4:44 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Dec 26, 2011 4:44 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I am running right now with 4GB+8GB and am having no issues with flickering.  I have not tried the other 8GB stick yet with a 4 but will try that shortly.  I have a 4GB in the slot closest to the mother board and an 8GB in the slot closest to where you take the top off.  Im using 7 GB of 12 right now and no issues.

  • by GooberGrape70,

    GooberGrape70 GooberGrape70 Dec 26, 2011 5:21 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Dec 26, 2011 5:21 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    I spoke a little too soon - It does still flicker with the 12 GB it just does it a lot less.  It takes a while between times.  I can stand it at this level because it is so long in between times  Im at 8.5 out of 12 right now and it does it about every 15 min now.  It was doing it about every minute before.

  • by GooberGrape70,

    GooberGrape70 GooberGrape70 Dec 26, 2011 7:04 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Dec 26, 2011 7:04 PM in response to Lester GrimeNose

    Well it has only done it twice in a couple of hours.

first Previous Page 4 of 13 last Next