Flickering lines on 2nd monitor (DVI)

I've seen this twice on my new MBP - static and bad sync on to external Apple 20" LCD after leaving the machine idle for an hour. Both cases I was using the power-efficient GPU instead of the performance GPU.

First time I handled it successfully by unplugging the displayport connector momentarily. Second time a machine sleep/wake fixed it. Next time I'll try switching GPUs.

Also hoping it's a driver problem and not a hardware problem.

Third time - similar conditions (leaving the computer idle for an hour or so, such that both screens were off for an extended time). Changing to the performance GPU fixed the static/sync problems; changing back to the efficiency GPU and everything was fine again as well.

During the problem, the 20" screen's ability to sync seemed to be related to the image content that it was trying to display.

I have it too. Not when I use the 9600 (Higher Performance) though. Only the 9400M. It is probably a chipset/ memory issue. Drivers could eliminate it. At first I thought it was my connection or the adapter that was failing. But it does not happen when you switch to Higher Performance. Your temps go up 8ºC+ though since you call upon more heat out of a 3rd chip. Wait for 10.5.6.

I'm still having this problem. Apple won't even acknowledge if they're aware of the issue! Call Apple Care today and let them know this isn't just a few isolated instances, but a real problem.

Is everybody else still suffering from this?

Well, Apple sent me a new CTO unit - seemed to work fine for 2 1/2 weeks. Now, tonight instead of the intermittent, rarely seen UHF flickering, I now have faint flickering of the entire external monitor, all the time. Rebooting, switching graphics cards - no effect. The internal display as always in uneffected. I curious what Apple support will have to say this time. This is obviously a widespread flaw. The fact that mine was fine for three weeks and suddenly appears even though I hadn't patched or added new software makes me think this is a hardware failure. Since I use my MBP with an external display > 90% of the time, this makes it nearly useless for me.

People. It is a DRIVER issue. Stop replacing your equipment before an OS patch fixes it! The problem will be with all of them. 10.5.6 Notes contain specifics for Nvidia drivers to help with this. It is a new chipset design for Nvidia AND Apple and a new display connection. Wait for at least one patch.

BoyHowdyDoo wrote:
People. It is a DRIVER issue.

Hopeful speculation at best. Mini Display Port is new tech and may contain hardware flaws. I hope you're right, but it isn't certain until a software fix proves it so.

I have the same problem with my Cinema Display 23" and my new Mac book Pro i got a few days ago. It comes and goes, mostly after waking up after sleep but sometimes it comes during work. Unplu and plugback the MiniDVI adapter solves it.

Really a PITA

Hope for a 10.5.6 fix if that will cure it.

I'll call Apple tomorrow.


Jan

Just of the phone with Apple support. The guy said that it was not a confirmed problem but he had seen discusions about it here. So the support people apparently knows about it but has no solutions other than to wait for the next update.

He registered my problem so somebody up the hiearchy will get it.

We just have to wait I guess.


Jan

I have this issue on my (new) MacBook 2 Ghz with a 22 inch Chimei external monitor. Happens consistently when my cpu puts its display to sleep. My external blinks or flickers on and off indefinitely. Only fix I have found is unplugging and replugging display port which rearranges all my windows. Only other option is to never put the display to sleep, which wastes energy.

Message was edited by: morganic

I'm starting to believe that is less and less a driver issue as the new firmware and recent Mac OS 10.5.6 updates failed to resolve the issue.

Hello
I have the same problem with the flickering lines but on my Macbook Pros display it happens every time I switch graphic cards and when the mac has been sleeping for about 10 min.
Even after the latest firmware that was released a couple of days ago nothing has changed.
(Is this a hardware problem?)