Level 1

10 points

New MacBook connected to external VGA display screen flash.

Just got the 2.4Ghz yesterday. For home use I've got it connected to a Samsung SyncMaster 2032NW display via the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter. Occasionally the display will go dark for a half-a-second or so and then come back on. It happens randomly, not for hours sometimes and sometimes multiple times over a shorter period of time. There does not seem to be any repeatable action that causes it to happen, it appears to be completely random. This does not happen when I'm using the built-in screen. And I didn't have any problems using the Samsung display with my older MacBook.

Should I take the computer back? Is there something I can do to check the hardware for issues?

Many Macs and 1 XP PC, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Oct 17, 2008 7:29 PM

350 replies

gingy22

Level 1

0 points

Dec 21, 2008 11:32 AM in response to delsvr

short answer.... no... Just look at all the evidence on this forum (If you read all the posts you would not deem DVI the solution). As well if all you had to do was use DVI, when I called Apple and told them what I was doing and they asked the engineers, they would have said. "Hey go ahead and use DVI if you got it" However they are not. They tell you to keep up to date.... that's it. As well even 24 inch new mac screen that goes through no conversion using mini display has the issue. There are other arguments why it is not just the VGA but I won't get into them.

rkachel Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 21, 2008 11:41 AM in response to gingy22

I had the flashing issue with my Samsung 22" widescreen when using it at the highest resolution. I received my 24" LED CD Thursday and it has not flashed once. I've read that some are having flashes with the LED CD, not me (yet, 3+ days and counting).

gingy22

Level 1

0 points

Dec 21, 2008 11:43 AM in response to rkachel

I am happy for you. Send some of your luck this way! 🙂 Wish the rest of us luck !

rkachel Author

Level 1

10 points

Dec 21, 2008 11:52 AM in response to gingy22

To me it's sign that there is a fix out there somewhere (software or firmware). If it was an overheating chip issue, as some have speculated it would still show up with a larger, higher rez screen. So hang on out there a fix will show up someday.

Dec 21, 2008 12:29 PM in response to rkachel

I hope you are right and it doesn't end up like the G4 Mini issue with VGA that never was fixed until the Intel Mini came out. The G4 Mini did not put out enough current/voltage to meet the VGA spec, and therefore many monitors would not display whites as white (and some would not display at all).

Dec 21, 2008 12:41 PM in response to gingy22

The flaashing problems dissapear when I work at 1024x768 and begin when I use 1280x768.

As you can imagine 1024x768 it is not acceptable to work with a 23'' LCD display.
I guess 9400 it is not a final product. It is unacceptable.
Please I need an answer before warranty expires 😉

Mennosli

Level 1

0 points

Dec 23, 2008 6:31 AM in response to rkachel

Oh man this *****!

I have (of course) the same problem, connecting my Macbook Alu to an Samsung LCD TV. Also I bought this Macbook because I give a lot of presentations, connection with a beamer, I havent tried yet but I am having a bad feeling about it.....

Very disappointed in Apple........

Dec 23, 2008 11:48 AM in response to rkachel

Same here.

miniDP to VGA adapter and FLATRON W2234S screen.

A little relieved to see I am not the only one with this issue. Hopefuly Apple will acknowledge it and deliver a fix.

(flashing happened thrice when writing this post)

iaw4

Level 1

9 points

Dec 25, 2008 10:56 AM in response to greubeuld

it seems very common. I have it with a Gateway 30" LCD monitor on VGA, 1920x1280.

I would like to know whether it is a faulty macbook, a faulty adapter, or faulty software. right now, I am clueless. I hope the dual-link DVI adapter will not have it.

here is an interesting sidenote: the sound goes out, too, when the monitor goes blank. this suggests that it is not just a faulty adapter.

d.n.a.

Level 1

8 points

Dec 26, 2008 4:37 PM in response to rkachel

I have a MacBook 2 Ghz, just got a Samsung 2053 display for it, and having this same problem. I'm using the VGA connector.

The native resolution for the Samsung monitor is 1680x1050, and when I use that, the flickering problem occurs. By running it at 1280x800 (same resolution as the MacBook's screen), the flickering has gone away. Of course it's kinda fuzzy.. hope this is fixed soon ! This is my first Mac product and it was impressing me until this !

Dec 27, 2008 8:09 AM in response to rkachel

I have the same problem with my new t220 22" samsung monitor, even though everything worked perfectly fine before using my older 4:3 17" Sony, hooked the exact same way to my macbook, with the VGA adaptor. Thank's for any help!

yogui

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2008 2:26 AM in response to POFQuebec

Please follow the following instructions and tell me if it works for you as it's worked for me.

1. Open System Preferences
2. Go into the "Energy Saver" section
3. Select "Higher performance"

This will reboot you session as it needs to connect the second video card ... This card is more powerfull and should solve the problem

aglzen

Level 1

10 points

Dec 31, 2008 3:12 AM in response to yogui

The poster (and most of the people in this thread) have MacBooks.

We don't have a second video card, and therefore don't have that option.

Dec 31, 2008 2:30 PM in response to jwestveer

Thinks that perhaps 10.5.6 has acutally fixed the problem for me. At least I have not had the problem lately.

gingy22

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2008 2:34 PM in response to jwestveer

If it did.... then you did not have the same issue....

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

New MacBook connected to external VGA display screen flash.