New MacBook connected to external VGA display screen flash.

did you restart your computer and switch to that resolution?

to change to that resolution, you can't use the prefpane, you must use the menu bar resolutions menu. pick the appropriate item and it should work (unfortunately, there are now 2 items with the same title, i picked the upper one and it worked:

http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bild2ro6.png

I am so disappointed with this MacBook. I kinda had to but a new computer because my ibook G4 was just to slow... I was torn between a thinkpad and this MacBook... I went with the macbook and I somewhat regret it.

This flashing with the external VGA essentially renders my computer pointless in my view. It's ironic that the older (*just flashed*) technology such as that in my ibook G4 had absolutely no problems with my LG L226W external VGA monitor, but (*just flashed*) this newer MacBook with "better" graphics doesn't work correctly.

I have called apple support (twice) and they have no solutions for me. I've also tried that SwitchResX program (or whatever it's called) and I'm not sure if it worked or not because when I set the refresh rate to 60Hz the screen shifted right by about 1 inch - also unacceptable.

I've had the computer 3 days, and if Apple hasn't resolved the issue by the time my 30 day refund warranty approaches (bought from J&R online) then it's getting shipped back and I'm switching (*just flashed)* to a thinkpad.

I love Apple but the quality has really been slacking lately (having weird Leopard issues too... came from Tiger on my Ibook, which I prefer).

This is exactly the issue I have with my LD L226W. Black bar on the left with wrong sizing.

Is this all software or hardware related? If it's hardware then I need to return it while I can. If it's software then I can hold out for a fix.

For those with the "Black Bars" problem: Have you tried doing whatever your display calls an "auto adjust"?

I suspect there are a bunch of displays out there that do not take kindly to 60Hz being defined as 59.9, hence the flashing as they try and lock to the "wrong" frequency. When you fix this (SwitchResX) back to 60Hz the display will have to sync it's timing signals again. Usually on any flat panel with a VGA input it's a button labeled "Auto". Timing signals are what determine the "position" of the display area on the physical display. The display and the MacBook should "remember" this configuration once you've done the pairing once. Yes, you'll wind up with two entries (e.g. 1680x1050) because one's at 59.9 the other's at 60. You can de-install SwitchresX and leave the new definition behind.

This is really not unexpected as 1680x1050 and other "widescreen" resolutions were not a standard for almost all of VGA's long life. This issue crops up in Linux, OpenSolaris and XP, where the diagnosis and fix is much worse, trust me!

Does anyone know where Leopard stores its display timing definitions so we don't have to install SwitchresX to fix the problem?

BTW I like SwitchresX, if you're going to be connecting your MacBook to multiple displays of unknown origin it's worth the purchase.

James

So my retailer is going to replace my old MacBook Pro (which is apparently unrepairable) with a new unibody MBP next week!

I use an external monitor all the time, so the VGA problems on the new MB and MBPs has me scared sh*tless!

I had a MacBook uni briefly and it had some of these probs (I returned it).

Has anyone heard whether this external monitor problem occurs in 100% of all MB and MBPs? Would a recent manufacturing date be less likely to have this problem? I can check that via serial numbers which should be on the outside of the computer boxes of my retailer's stock (they're gonna LOVE that, me sleuthing for a newer machine).

Soundz like the moment my old reliable MBP (at least when it comes to VGA) is replaced with the unibody monster I'm tossed into the lion's den with the rest of you guys (and the LION is an apparently uncaring and denying APPLE..)! And since this is a replacement there's no 14 day return or whatever.

Any suggestions out there?? Clearly the Nvidia update was a mega-disaster...

I've got a unibody MB, purchased within a week of release, and everything is working fine for me here (no flicker, flashes, etc). (Note, I did have random flashes every ~30 min before, pre-nvidia /10.5.6 update)

So while some people are still having problems (and some more significant than before), it's also important to realize that there are a lot of us for whom things are now working fine. (And thus, we aren't yelling loudly anymore).

That's no guarantee for you, but hopefully it puts your mind at ease a bit. Apple's released two updates that address external displays, so they do know about it, but it's just not fixed in some cases. I still maintain that it's very definitely a software issue, so even if yours doesn't work now, it should work eventually.

Not sure if that's much comfort, but thought it'd be good to hear some feedback from the non-broken side!

Also, if you're getting a MBP, I believe that setting the graphic card to the high-power setting fixed the problem for everyone (haven't seen a post here or in other threads of someone who switched it and still had flashes).

Could be wrong on that, don't have a MBP, but that's my impression from watching the issue for the last few months.

Thanks for that aglzen, good to hear a positive story at last.For me, and many others, the latest update just made matters worse. I wonder why it has worked for you? is it the external monitor you are using perhaps? what is it? Mine is a smasung 2253bw

cheers
allan

*3 months waiting for a fix!*
This is not acceptable. Even when the problem is massive. This is not a finished product. I don't care if it is about a hardware or a software issue. I don't want to be playing with switchres or similar. UNACCEPTABLE.

Not interested in this MBP anymore I am going to ask for my money back or other reliable product, vaio or similar.

Message to Apple: is great to have brand new graphic cards, but they MUST work. This is an expensive and useless product.

Aglzen,

If you are convinced that there is no problem then go into a Apple store, ask them to setup a MacBook with a DVI adapter and a large monitor. I travel a lot, so I have done this 6 times now. Only once did they configure a example setup. It flashed like on que when the sales person said "I don't see the problem". The other stores all acknowledged the fact of the flash.

I solved my problem by buying a Roku for the Master Bedroom so my wife could watch netflix. I pity the poor folks that present using there MacBook and a projector.

I admit that I have not tried the fix of using SwitchResX at exactly 60Hz. If I remember right mine was set at 59.9Hz.

Mike

OH! I think you are right. As soon as I set the SwitchResX resolution in place my Samsung monitor engaged auto adjust. There is also a button to do it manually. It's because it's VGA that it needs to do that I believe.

I find it really strange some people are getting 256 colors... I think I tried to get it once and I don't think it's supported... check the link http://support.apple.com/kb/SP500..

It only mentions millions of colors... something strange going on for you.

I think i found the timing location on the switchresx site...

If you find a way to fix it without the program let me know.

Q: I've defined a new resolution and rebooted, now my screen is black. Is my monitor destroyed ? How can I go back to the light ?

A: First, try to reboot in safe mode. To do that, turn your system off, then restart. When you hear the startup tone, hold down the shift key. Release the shift key when you see the "spinning gear" on the startup screen.
The file named Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist contains the resolution that the System tries to use at startup. Deleting this file helps generally. If this solves the problem during the reboot, but not in your user account, a similar file named "com.apple.windowserver.XXXXX.plist" exists in your own /Users/yourname/Library/Preferences/ByHost folder. You can remove this file to get back the standard resolution in your user account.
If nothing above works, try to press the "reset" or "factory defaults" button in SwitchResX Control for your monitor. This will delete all changes that you have made for this monitor.
As a last resort, if you can't even start SwitchResX itself, you'll have to delete the monitor profile that you modified when you created a new custom resolution. This file is located in /System/Library/Displays/Overrides/ and is the last modified file, that you can find if you sort by date. You should remove this file, if you can access the file system, either by
1) accessing the file system from an other Mac on the network, from ssh or by mounting a shared folders.
2) OR starting up in single user mode (or safe mode)
3) OR at last resort: reinstalling the OS above the existing install, which will keep your existing profiles, but remove the system modified files.

Check this out from CNET on Jan 29 reporting the pulling of the Nvidia update.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10152687-37.html

"As AppleInsider notes, it's not clear why Apple pulled the update after just two days. It was designed to fix issues with flickering displays raised by some MacBook owners with the use of external monitors over the miniDVI ports on the new MacBooks. A scan of Apple's discussion boards shows that the update didn't seem to fix the problem for everyone and in some cases, made the problem worse.

This issue only affects those with the MacBooks, MacBook Airs or MacBook Pros redesigned in October."

WELL, at least this issue is finally escaping from the obscurity of message boards into the wider press. The end of DENIAL is perhaps around the corner.

BTW, can anyone with a MBP confirm or deny that the no video/flashing video problem NEVER occurs with a MBP when using the alternate graphic chip? If so, then I can rest easier about the replacement MBP unibody I'm getting next week.

And I'm also happy to see ONE poster who has had all problems fixed supposedly. But I must tend to agree with the angry mob that this is not an acceptable path for Apple to take with new products.

New owners of expensive Macs should not be the UNPAID APPLE DEBUGGING TEAM!

Mike, chill.

If you bothered to read my posts, you'd note that I did have a problem. It is fixed for me. It's not fixed for other people.

Also, take a step outside yourself, and think. People whose displays aren't working are not going to go find this thread, read it, and then post that their stuff is working fine.

The issue's not fixed for everyone. It is fixed for some people.

And I'd give SwitchResX a try. It's worked for folks. It certainly has a better shot at helping you out than ******** at me on a thread. 🙂

I know I may be barking up the wrong tree trying to inject some rationality into a message board, but again, people who aren't having problems aren't going to post here. Something to keep in mind.

I think my response (and trust me, I was very ******, and ranted to tech support a number of times) was also tempered by knowing I bought a first-gen product.

Any new product, any one is going to have bugs. The first-gen PB I had years ago had the issues. I've had similar issues with nearly every manufacturer and a first-gen product. It's just reality. People can break things and find problems in far more inventive ways than Testing departments.

I'm also not defending apple and their response here - I agree 100% they should have communicated with owners about the issue, and what was being done to fix it.

I guess my point is this. It looks 100% to be a software problem. Apple is clearly aware of it and working on it. And while those facts don't help you at this very moment if your screen is flashing, they're likely to in the near future.

In any case, I'm de-subscribing from this thread, because getting flamed for trying to share info that some people's stuff is working isn't worth the time or effort. Good luck to all of you still having problems!