MacBook Pro screen blinks

I have got the same problem. And it`s getting more and more persistent. I guess it`s on both graphic chips. But can I get the computer repaired while abroad?

I'm curious if anyone who's had their logic board replaced for this issue could chime in here, and let us know how long it's been since you've had it replaced, and if you've seen any flashes since then?...

I'm experiencing the same thing on my "first gen" unibody (Late 2008) 15" MacBook Pro.

After reading here, I realized I've been using the integrated 9400M chip for a while since I've been traveling and was willing to trade a bit of performance for battery life. I switched to the 9600 "card" and the problem doesn't show up.

Called Apple Care, got a very helpful rep, Thomas, who suggested starting by resetting the SMC - doing so actually caused the machine to boot up using the 9400M, and the problem immediately exhibited itself again (it seems quite random, it will go DAYS not blinking but other times it will happen every couple of minutes or even less than 30 seconds apart, quite infuriating). He suggested as standard troubleshooting to do an Archive & Install or a Clean Install - it just so happens that I'm swapping in a 500GB 7200.4 Seagate today anyway (the non G-sensor one, ST905003N3A1AS-RK aka Retail Kit version of the ST9500420AS).

I'm going to operate on the assumption it's a bad 9400 / logic board as I can't see this being software related, I've done a clean install and have had this issue since 10.5.6 but I can't blame the support rep for following standard procedure, especially since they were very willing to setup a repair/replacement if I called back and it was still doing it after the clean/re-install.

I just hope that the new board doesn't do the same thing, it would seem they have NOT fixed this issue in hardware yet, I wonder if it's somehow related to the poor manufacturing quality issues Nvidia had before (aka http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2008/09/nvidia-sued-over-notebook-gpu-failu res.ars etc). Lets hope not!

You can add another late 2008 Macbook Pro 2.8Ghz to the list. Since having my screen replaced for other issues, it was leaking a lot of light on the LHS of the screen and occasionally had streaks of blue and green running through it, I am now suffering from the blinking which is driving me crazy.

I agree with some of the posts above - it does seem that when I have graphics intensive programs running, photoshop/ illustrator it happens more frequently, but it doesn't seem to make too much difference which graphics chip I am on.

I have taken it back into the Genius bar and was told that it was definately a software issue, and that it 'wasn't a big deal', which not only was irritating but extremely dismissive for a fault on a product that is barely 6 months old.

Have done all the usual fixes re-setting PRam, have now done a clean install to see what happens.

I was wondering if anyone else with AppleCare has run the diagnositic test on the disk that comes with it. I am getting VRam failure on and off. I have run the test three times - It failed twice.

I'm going back to the Apple store again once my deadlines are out of the way. I will have to be without the laptop again for another week.

After I updated my Macbook Pro to 10.5.8, the laptop has gone haywire on a number of problems:
1. cursor is stuck in "highlight" or "double-click" mode, thus selecting every item on the desktop and opening it.
2. The screen suddenly flickers for no reason. I have not changed any Prefs, thus have no clue why this is occurring.
3. Text suddenly disappears when I am typing it. I have to go back and retype about 3-4 times, in hopes it wont vanish.
4. Cursor moves erratically around the screen, even when I'm not touching the touchpad.

I've looked through all of Apple's discussions, and only find people within similar problems, but no solution. Going to Apple Care is out of the question as my laptop is out of warranty.

Mine did great for 3 months then the rapid pulsing AND blinking started. I sent it to Apple and they replaced the logic board. When I got it back it didn't pulse anymore but the black out blinking started happening more frequently so it's back to Apple again. The tech said it may be another bad board OR the ram since it only occurs on the 9400m which uses shared memory. We will see what happens...

Interesting...

FWIW, I installed 4 gigs of OWC RAM into my computer, which is supposed to be great RAM. I've never had a problem with it before, nor have I heard anything but great opinions about this company. My RAM has always tested just fine using Techtool.

I'm very interested to hear what happens with your case. Please post again after you have the computer back for a little while.

Same here.
MBP bought in France in Nov 08.
Top half of my screen randomly turns black in a fraction of a second unless I use the 9600 chip (which really impacts my battery life).
It seems to get more frequent. But I'm really reluctant to go through the hassle of convincing apple my macbook DOES have an hardware issue.
Plus, there isn't a single Apple store in France (yet), so eventually, I would probably have to go to one of these 'certified retailers' and their service usually *****.

The issue seems pretty widespread, but I wonder how many people even realize they have it. I would expect better from a $2000 machine.
Former macbook pros (pre-unibodies) also had major flaws: the audio output was just horrible, with a constant background hiss and 'R2D2'-like noises.

It's about time Apple took action and fixed this.

I'm having the same issue here. I had a Macbook Pro unibody bought in January that wasn't blinking, but had a faulty speaker that was buzzing like ****. It was impossible to have a conversation on Skype or watch videos in Youtube but no screen flickering though.

I got it replaced for a new one by the end of January. It came from the Netherlands or Germany instead, I don't remember exactly, but the box was a bit different. The power adapter was placed next to the computer, so the box was wider, instead of having it placed under the computer, like the first one I got. They gave me priority for the replacement, so it arrived in a couple of days since I asked for it.

Nevertheless, the replaced MBP started flickering after one week of use but I didn't give it too much importance. It wasn't happening that often but now it does more than before. It's totally random, I can be working with After Effects with the 9400, intensive use, running on battery... and no problem, it might not happen even for a week or more, whilst other days, just using Mail.app and Safari starts flickering every 15-20 minutes.

Sometimes it happens when the computer is hot, sometimes when it's absolutely cold... There's no pattern at all. I'm a bit disappointed because that's something that shouldn't happen in such an expensive laptop, but like some people said here, I don't feel like bringing it back to the Apple store and start disassembling the whole thing for getting it back with a new logic board and the same problem, that for what I've seen, for some people it even happens a lot more often.

I hope it can be fixed with a software update, but I'd like to hear an official explanation from Apple because it's something that they sure know but don't want to admit. I would definitely buy another mac, but I'd would like to know if it is something I should worry about or not. I don't care if it happens once a week, but at least I hope it can't get worse and suddenly have a black screen when the computer is out of warranty.

Message was edited by: zenona

Today, I first called a certified service center (like I said, there is no apple store yet in France).
They didn't want to deal with my problem because it's hard to demonstrate and Apple might not pay them for the logic board replacement. But they did seem to be aware of the issue.

So then I called the Apple care.

As expected, they made me go through time consuming and useless procedures (SMC reset, booting on install DVD) even though I told them I'd already done that and more several times.
They completely ignored what I said about the flicker being random (so yes, of course it didn't show up within minutes into the phone call, but that doesn't mean it's not hardware related!!).
And they kept suggesting I was lying ("really, you rebooted? I didn't here the bong"... "That's not what you said before...").

And then, when I mentioned these 23 pages on their own U.S. website, they said, quote: "it's not our concern what you find on forums".

In the end I just gave up, told them I'd do yet another clean install and get back to them.

They're really trying to discourage us in the hope we drop it.
Isn't there a class action going on? If not, maybe it's time to make one.

Just read your post.. did you have any luck? I have a brand new (2 wk old) MBP and had the same problem yesterday and now the screen is totally black.

Any comments would be awesome!

I'm taking it into an AppleStore tonight, so hopefully I can get good news..or a whole new laptop...

Hey guys,

I just stumbled over this Thread. I read it thoroughly. And I must say it is driving me crazy.
I bought my Macbook Pro (Late 2008) nearly 6 month ago. I have been using it abroad most of the time and I didnt give too much attention to the flickering and pulsing issue.
After a while, as I came home again, I began to notice flickering (more pulsing) of the screen. Exactly as reported in other posts above. After reading loads of information and posts, I decided to call Apple Care. Same procedure there. SMC and PRAM reset. Didn't help at all. So they suggested to go to a Service Provider. I went there, and I almost just faded. I showed this guy all the stuff and we could easily reproduce the pulsing phenomenon. Not only on mine, on every single machine in his store (MacBooks, Imacs).
So he told me he would do nothing. it seems to be normal and within acceptable tolerances. If it still bothers me I should call Apple again. At least he would witness the pulsing and flickering.

Im gonna call them tomorrow. I afraid that I have to stay without Computer at all, since the Macbook is my only one.

Message was edited by: Grango

Do you guys notice that the flickering mostly happens on the 15inch and not the 13inch macbook pros. I've been following up on this problem for awhile now and apple still thinks this is acceptable which makes me really mad. There is no other laptop that I know does this. Still have to wait for another hardware upgrade.

Grango,

What did you do to reproduce the issue on all macs?
My problem is precisely that I cant' show what's wrong since it only occurs a few times a day...

This thing will end up with a class action, mark my words.
But if it does show up on other macs, it would suggest the issue is strictly related to the nvidia chip/mac drivers, and not just the macbook pro assembly line or connectors.

Let's try to be clear here. As far as I understand it, as the Subject suggests, this thread is not about a "flickering," but rather a black flash (or "blink") that lasts a split second, and occurs sometimes in the upper 1/3 of the screen, sometimes on the whole screen. For me, it will sometimes happen 2-4 times a day, some days, it won't happen at all.

Is that what you mean by "flickering"?

No contention meant, here. Just trying to make sure we're talking about the same issue.