New MacBook connected to external VGA display screen flash.

Same issue with screen going black and then back on. New MacBook with DP to DVI adapter and a Dell E207WFP. Got the adapter today, and this issue has been happening since I connected it. To test, I just lowered my resolution, and so far it has stopped happening. So maybe it's a high resolution issue? Who knows.

I've had it on the lower resolution since my first post (normally 1680x1050, but now it's at 1360x768) and it has not flashed or gone out one time. Has anyone else tried this to solve the issue? Can anyone confirm that it's being cause by driving higher resolutions?

I have been running my Samsung 24" at 1920x1200 on DVI without issue for two days, but have the flicker problem when using VGA.

I'm having the same problem with my new MacBook Pro, very frustrating... I'm using the VGA adapter (DVI was not available at the Apple Store) and the screen flashes dark every now and then. My monitor is a Dell 2405FPW and I'm running at 1920x1200.

I am having the same problem connecting a fairly old Dell 1900FP using the DVI adapter, not the VGA adapter. It is more than very annoying, especially considering the fact that I have spent the last two days transitioning to and setting up this machine for use with work, and now it appears I will have to return it.

I'm going to add to this problem, but I am connecting to an Apple Aluminum 20" Cinema display. To make it even more unusual, I get horizontal static lines running the entire surface of the external display. Plus it goes black, then back to on, then black, etc.

I thought it might be the display port, but now after reading this think it is not. Mine starts if the machine goes into screen saver mode. The only way to stop it is to unplug the display port. I called Apple and of course they were clueless.. So was the Genius Bar.

Dell 24" (DELL2407WFPHC) on VGA connector through mini DisplayPort has repeated flickering when the resolution is set to 1200x1920 (vertical). The screen says it's on power save mode -- basically it's getting no signal. It stops flickering when I lower the resolution to 1000x1600.

I've switched to high performance graphics mode (using the 9600M GT) on my MacBook Pro and the external display problem has stopped happening (at least so far). I guess this explains why the MacBook users are having the same problem, it must be the 9400M which is causing it.

This is still not a good solution for me because the MacBook gets noticeably warmer now and the battery life is worse.

I'm having a problem using a new Macbook 2.4GHz with a Spectre 20.1" via mini DP to DVI.. this machine won't recognize the monitor. I tried using the older Macbook that has mini DVI -> DVI and it was able to work fine on the Spectre. I hooked up my new 2.4GHz to a Dell LCD via mini DP to DVI and it worked fine there. For some reason, the old macbook works on both displays, but the new one only works on the Dell display. Is there any way around this?

Any help would be appreciated.. thanks

I am also having bad luck using a 22" Acer LCD via the mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter. I have been able to get it to work a handful of times, but the resolution cannot be changed from 1024x768 and clicking "detect displays" in system preferences turns the Acer off and reverts to the MacBook's internal display. This setup has worked in the past with my old MacBook and the miniDVI to DVI adapter.

"This is still not a good solution for me because the MacBook gets noticeably warmer now and the battery life is worse."

-Not trying to be rude but who really worries about battery life when plugged into an external monitor? I mean if you are plugged into a monitor why not plug into the wall that is unless you are dragging your external monitor to Starbucks with you. Then cheers to you! 🙂

-T

Funny but battery life matters because to switch to the 9400M GPU I have to log out, thus closing all my applications. I'd rather not have to close everything down every time I need to connect to an external display.

I am currently having the same problems as everyone else in this thread. I have the Late 2008 MacBook, and have it plugged into a Samsung SyncMaster 226cw, via the VGA adapter, running at 1680x1050 resolution. The screen just sporadically seems to loose signal. I did see that in the software updates that I downloaded the other day that there was a decent sized download to patch an external monitor problem with the late MacBooks/Pros. But I have downloaded it and installed it and didn't help at all. I hope they fix this soon or I am returning it.

Good luck to all of you others dealing with this problem.

The problem seems to be with the Nvidia 9400M when driving two monitors, when the 2nd monitor is at a relatively high resolution. Two fixes for me when connected to my 20" widescreen Dell using DVI. 1. Lower the 2nd monitors resolution a bit until problem goes away. 2. Leave MB closed and connect all cables including 2nd monitor, then USB last. The MacBook wakes up and runs with just the larger 2nd display and can run it at it's highest and native resolution with no flickering.

Of course Apple needs to permanently fix this issue. With rumors that even Nvidia was showing the MB around their offices before the launch, you would think that someone would have caught this issue.