Q: Strange vertical stripes

Mine too:
Bought it March 08: MBP 2.4, GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB, matte screen, 10.5.2, no Parallels.

Happened about 5 times now - bringing it to sleep and wake it up solves the problem.

This is my third penryn - the two first were replaced due to noise (from fans?). On the first the screen acually died after showing the stripes a lot. It happened the day before it was collected, so I didn't bother mentioning it to Apple...

here we Go Another addition from ME!

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1525229&tstart=0

I began having this same problem myself this week. I have a 15" 2.5 MBP with 4 GB RAM, fully updated. This is my second Mac laptop (previous was a Powerbook G4 Titanium, with OS X and Yellowdog Linux), replaced with a Hewlett-Packard 17".

My HP laptop died, and I decided to move back into the Mac world, and the banding is the only problem I have had. Fortunately for me, I am a computer technician, and didn't have to take it in the see one of the Geniuses. I ran through everything the Mac Store knuckleheads would have done, including resetting the pram, messing with the video/power settings, etc.

Finally, I spoke with a client who also happens to manufacture LCD screens (not the ones for Apple, but similar). He explained that the LED backlight is controlled by two or three small controllers built into the PCB onto which the LEDs are embedded. Each controller lights alternating LEDs. In the case of the MBP, I think it must be three controllers, because it appears that about every third LED is off when the banding is present. He believes (and I think I concur) that when the system engages in any kind of power-saving action (in my case, I can reproduce the banding if I mess with the brightness and then put it to sleep - wait for a minute or so and then wake it up by opening the lid), that the individual controllers affected either don't get the signal to turn back on, or get confused and don't turn all the way on.

For me, a simple shutdown followed by a power on fixes it every time. I am not going to bother going in and getting it replaced, as the number of reports I have seen lead me to believe that the problem is systemic and widespread, and that a replacement would do the same thing.

Apple needs to address this issue, IMHO, with a firmware update. I am not about to send my $2,500.00 laptop away for a few days and wait for a replacement that is going to do the same thing. Considering the problems I had with my HP, and before that my Toshiba, I can live with a shutdown now and then to fix a problem while I am waiting for Apple to release a firmware update that solves this issue.

Just my $.02 -

Tom

Thanks for a thorough description. My solution is the same, though a little less radical: I don't have to shut down, just put it to sleep wait about 10 seconds and then wake it up again. (Actually my uptime is close to 50 days with this MBP!)

Tom,

shift-control-eject will reset your screen and get rid of the stripes.

matt

I have been waiting a while to update on the stripes issue as I didn't want to tempt fate...however, after my first MBP showed the stripes problem I got it replaced. The second MBP hasn't shown the stripes problem in 8 weeks (touch wood) and the original MBP showed it within a few days. So, I would say that if you have this problem ask Apple for a replacement, it seems to have worked in my case. In addition, the second MBP doesn't make the weird static noises that the first machine made...in fact it is a great computer.

Hi. Interestingly, I have the Macbook Pro 2.4 GHZ penryn, and if the pics on my web gallery look familiar, http://gallery.mac.com/eliete#100037 , I have the same issue. I noticed that it happens usually after the computer has been on for 30 minutes or so. Closing and opening the clamshell usually temporarily stops, or re-starts the screen issue. One thing that seems to aggravate the situation is having the computer flash the screen's backlight when taking a picture in Photobooth. It is very irritating.

I made the mistake of sending my unit back for repairs or replacement of the LCD screen. I did this because two people (one tech on the phone) and the mac genius told me that the LCD would be replaced and likely solve the problem.

When I called to check the status of my macbook pro, they indicated that they "need more information."

Basically, they can NOT reproduce the stripes and they don't know what the problem is.

Great!!! (sarcastic).

I just wasted one week (and counting) by sending it to them and one of two things will happen. 1) They will replace the monitor and the problem will still occur.
2) They are going to futz around and decide they can't find any problem and I will have wasted 2 weeks without my computer!

So unless you have bought your macbook within 14 days and want to try getting it replaced because it "might" be a hardware issue. Otherwise, just keep hammering the applecare people so that they know this is a BIG problem for us who spent $2000-$3000 dollars on a machine that's defective.

This is very annoying and the mac people need to get on the ball quickly.

Similar situation here. I got the stripes as soon as I switched my MBP for the first time! I contacted immediately Apple support and was told that the computer would be replaced. I shipped my computer to Apple right afterwards ($250 to ship it insured) and they just replaced the screen although I told them that this would not solve the issue. I was ignored. So was this thread. The stripes haven't reappeared - yet - as I only have used it for 4 days since I got it repaired. Results:

1. Problem possibly still not solved.
2. Was a brand new computer and after one day of actual use I got it back refurbished. I bought a $2000 refurbished computer that is.
3. The casing of course is dented.
4. I cannot trust Apple support again.
5. Small fortune spent on defective equipment.
6. New Macbook Pros are on their way (will be presented in the following days - as speculated) and I still feel I am not sure about the future of my machine.
7. Cannot resell. Want to play fair? Should mention that the display is now replaced. How much would you pay for a repaired for no reason Macbook Pro?
8. Apple not being able to address the most critical issues appeared on its latest products.

*Digg it!* This thread has been viewed 27,000 times but only 19 Diggs. Shouldn't we give it a push?
http://digg.com/apple/Appleignoring_display_problems_on_latest_MacBook_Pro2008

I already have a product return scheduled with Apple, but just want to add myself to the list of people affected by this issue. I've had the vertical stripes occur twice (the first time was much worse than the second, oddly) and just now my screen had a blueish tint that only went away after sleeping the display.

MacBook Pro 15" matte/anti-glare, 2.5GHz proc, serial W88**TYK0

See:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7057229

for the blue tint issue. Mine does this as well, seems to be related to being attached to an external display.

I've been on the phone with applecare, and through to the next level, and my issue was passed on to an "engineer".

They emailed my yesterday saying that they hope this will be fixed in the next round of updates, fingers crossed it's only a firmware/software issue, as i'm not too keen to send mine away!

man nice find I tried using photo booth after reading this and within 3 pics I got the stripes. Thiiiiis suuuuuucks. They better git a fix fa dis quick cuz under normal run I barely get it but now I can get it at will with photo booth. any want to test for this issue and show to the peeps at apple stores this seems like a sure fire way to replicate the issue.

appleshop replaced my MBP, and it's all been stripe free until this evening, nearly 3 weeks later.

stripes came back twice tonight.

photo booth initiates the stripes for me too. one pic and i get them.