New MacBook connected to external VGA display screen flash.

As I outlined earlier, having done all of the experiments swapping out each of the components, Its the mini-display adaptors that are at fault. Some work, some don't.

Hi everyone,

I have resolved my problem by downloading this software http://www.madrau.com/switchres/SwitchResXControl.zip and using it to set a definition for my external Samsung SyncMaster 2253LW LDC for precisely 1680x1050-60Hz. This have stoped the monitor flash for me.

Before this change my resolution was 1680x1050-59,9Hz.
I founded this software on http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5011552#5011552

Hope this works for you too.

So I went and bought a mini display to dvi adapter because my dell 17in monitor supports both vga and dvi and I dont get the random screen black outs while using the dvi adapter but i do using the vga one. However, while using my sony 40 lcd tv using the vga adapter i dont get the screen black outs either.

Hi,

I´ve got the same problem here.
LG 226W display connected to the macbook via mini displayport adapter to vga. resolution is 1680x1050

every 5 minutes or so the screen blanks out for a second and comes back again... sometimes if works even longer.

it also occurs that the screen goes black and does not go back on again - i have to unplug the display port adapter then and plug it back in in order to use the external display again.

very annoying.
interestingly if i turn the resolution to 1440x900 the screen stays on all time.
but this is no solution for me as it is not the native resolution of the screen and i am working a lot with photoshop. so i need to have the pixels where they are meant to be.

question is: is it a driver problem, a hardwareproblem, or just a problem with the display adapters?
i dont understand why apple does not comment on the problem....

I also have this problem which is very annoying. Apple 30" cinema screen and the cursed mini displayport dvi dual link adapter. Apple now ... please resolve.

I use Windows XP with my Macbook.

I used the NVidia control panel to set up a custom resolution of 1680x1050, with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. I had to go to the advanced options, and make sure the "actual" refresh rate was exactly 60, not 59.67 or anything like that. When I use that resolution, then the flashing stops for me, and everything works correctly. Try it out for yourself, with SwitchResX or whatever.. I wonder where the problem is then, that it can't handle slightly different refresh rates.

Just to be boring, Ive got the same problem too (vga adaptor - lg 22" monitor). The cynic in me says Apple is deliberately dragging its heels in not producing a fix, in order to boost sales of its own overpriced screens. There are apparently few problems with the minidisplay connection to its new screens (an interface yet to be widely adopted by other manufactures). If there are hundreds of posts on this thread alone, then there must be tens of thousands of people with the same problem. It's hard to believe that apple have only just heard about the issue. Will they just act coy until someone calls foul play? Fix please.

I can't test it myself right now, but does the new NVIDIA Graphic Update solve the problem?! http://support.apple.com/downloads/NVIDIAGraphics_Update2009

I hope so!!!

Not for me it wont. I'm on a 24" iMac with this very problem...with the ATI 2600 GFX.

I'm going to give the SwitchResX a try 🙂

Did not fix my problem. I'm trying to connect my Macbook to a 52 inch Samsung LCD TV. I get a flash on the screen of my Mac and the TV says there is nothing connected!!!

That's probably because your issue is a different problem. (See the symptoms described above)


Over here (new-macbook 2GHz / Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW+ via DVI), it actually looks fixed to me.

I actually haven't seen a flicker since the last system update, not including this NVIDIA patch.

Hope others are looking better as well!

Side note - also ran switchresx. That's an important detail!!

For me the SwitchResX solved the random flash problem. My display is a Samsung SyncMaster 2243NW.
I've put the refresh rate to 60 Hz (was 59.9 before) and a positive,positive sync (or negative,negative don't remember). Didn't change resolution.

It's 2 days without flashing, before it flashed every hour or less.

I'm afraid to say since downloading the NVidia update this evening the problem of my external Samsung SyncMaster 2232BW display has gone from black screening for 3 seconds to now staying a black screen for 10-20 seconds only flicking on for 1 second! This is appalling from Apple!
I have called AppleCare this evening and spoke with second level support and whilst the guy was helpful he said there was nothing he could do to fix my problem and he would get back to me within a week. He completely agreed that the current situation was unacceptable.
So using my Macbook for photo and video editing needing to use an external display is useless. I'm so glad I wasted £1000 on a piece of useless metal!
This was my first transition to Apple hoping to dump Microsoft, but I am wishing I had not bothered as all I have go so far is problems (far more than I ever have in 10 years with Microsoft!)
I'm not prepared to install SwitchResX as I think Apple should be making their systems run properly out of the box. Isn't that what they claim they do?!
Come on Apple I thought Macs were suppose to just work without the hassle!

Hey prayme,

If it makes you feel better, I switched over about 7 years ago, and this is the first trouble I've ever had. I'd give switchresx a shot - you don't even need to install it. Just download, and run from your desktop.

Installing and uninstalling's not the hassle it is on windows, at least for well-done programs!