MacBook Pro screen blinks

I've got the same problem! Just adding my name to the list.

me too. noticing this happening a lot lately. doesn't bother me too much b/c i use external monitor most of the time. another thing i've noticed is sometimes opening up from sleep after being on external, the display is completely dim, and the only thing that gets it to come back is hard shut down and boot into OS

This just started happening to me 😟

Early May 2010 I brought in my late 2008 15" unibody MBP because it wasn't always waking up from sleep. They replaced the logic board and I started to have the screen blink. I lived with it for 4 weeks, brought it back; they replaced the logic board again but it didn't help. Same deal: 9400 only, still happens with clean OS 10.6 install, more frequent while on battery power, no noticeable pattern (difficult to reproduce).

Here are the most useful links I've found (besides this thread) if you're trying to describe the problem to a skeptical Genius:

http://blog.andrewng.com/2009/09/11/late-2008-unibody-macbook-pro-screen-flicker -problem/
Blog post describing the problem with video. Comment from "Bob" on June 13 2010 is also helpful.

http://jtrotman.tripod.com/mbpro.html
From this thread. Great summary of the problem with examples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxcnwi_mxK8
Another video demonstration.

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11445628#11445628
An earlier post from this thread indicating that this is a known issue (at least at some level).

Since this problem was introduced with the logic board replacement, and a subsequent logic board replacement didn't fix it, I'm going to try to get the machine replaced.

Message was edited by: Noctrine

someone have any news?
It's unbelievable how Apple follow all of us (C-U-S-T-O-M-E-R-S!!!!!!!!!).

Once again Apple...help us...please!

I have the same problem with the top 1/3 of the screen flickering. I went at the Genius Bar 2 fridays ago and after looking on his computer, the genius told me that the motherboard had to be replaced. He comes back from the backstore with the motherboard and the other genius beside tells him that it doesn't fix the problem.

Then they tell me to wait for the 10.6.4 update to see if it's going to solve the problem. He had no idea when it's coming out. If it doesn't fix it, take another appointment and we'll see. Until then, just live with it...

Can somebody explain me how a company can make an update and not know what will be fixed and what won't be fixed?????

Guess what???? It didn't f *ing fix the flickering! What a suprise! I paid 1800$ for that???

I will be calling Apple first thing tomorrow to give them a load of ... I will be asking for either a refund or a new laptop equal to what I have.

Did anybody had the same answer from the Geniuses?

I'll keep you posted on the answer I get tomorrow.

If everybody who has that problem calls them this week they'll have to do something.

I have a late 2008 model by the way.

Message was edited by: Jashby

Been waiting for this issue to be resolved ever since I bought my MacBook Pro last year. This being my first Mac ever, this is not a good first impression of Macs and Apple's dedication to its customers. I feel as if some of the $2500 should be returned to me as one of the major components does not work properly. Every time a major update is released, which is not very often, there is only disappointment to realize that this major issue has once again been neglected, just like today when the 10.6.4 update was released!

Message was edited by: neolancer07

Well, guess what. My Macbook Pro 15" unibody came back the 4th for repairs, and yes. It still flickerz. Exactly as described in earlier post in this thread. It only occurs with the 9400m chip.



The first time I sent it in was for repair of headphone jack. They replaced the mobo and then the party got started!, or problem began



2nd time, the machine would at complete random give kernel panics, making it a gigantic paperweight.



3rd time, again replaced the mobo, and this is when the flickering issues started! At that point in time though, I though it was a software bug, and red thought this thread. So another problem appeared, which was they forgot, to fix the left speaker of my macbook.



4th time, flickering, issue got pretty bad. at low brightness screen would flicker on 9400M. It also had the black bar flickers, as described ealier, but backlight flickering was much more annoying. Also, when this machine came back, they forgot to hook up the backlight cable of the keyboard, VERY VERY SLOPPYY So, they again replaced the mobo.



Last time I called apple before it when it for the 4th repair, I demanded they give me a new machine But no, it had to come in for fourth repair, so that's what I did, to no avail btw.



But, now they will to have replace the thing anyway.. Its gone from bad, to worse. and its taken in for 4 repairs now, and in total, the machine has been in and out for repairs now for 4 months!!!



I've managed to film the flickering display with my iPhone to back up my next confrotation with apple care! I can upload it to youtube if that's beneficial to this thread, just let me know.



BTW, I live in the Netherlands, so it's not specific to just he US. It when in for repairs four time at an Apple Authorised service provider, in de meern, near Utrecht in NL.

I have noticed an interesting thing. I have been having this issue as well. But.... I swapped the HDD some time ago, to 500GB. After seeing all this crap for weeks I thought I would take my computer for service. I thought I'd rather put the old drive back in. Then, I noticed that flickering stopped. It does not do it with the old Hitachi 250 GB drive. I also notice temp is lower with the stock HDD. I wonder, how drive could affect it? I guess it depends on the temp? Any ideas?

Yes, based on my observations, it's definitely temperature related. The warmer the machine, the more frequent the flickers occur. For example, if you run an application that's CPU intensive (like Handbrake), you'll see the flickering much more. On the other hand, if you use a utility like SMCFanControl to make the fans run full speed, the flickering occurs much less often! But then you have to deal with the noise, and reduced battery life...

Good news,

I decided to contact Applecare about the flickering issue, and for the fifth time now. Sent my mail with an video showing my screen flickering five times. 10 mins later, I get a call from an AppleCare rep and they offered to replace my mbp for a brand new current 15" model with the new core i5 chip.

Bit supiscious how quickly they responded, he claimed it wasn't very busy. Usually tech reps don't call you after six, but he did.

I'm very, very, very happy that Apple did the right thing and is replacing my machine!!!

he also said apple would use this video and data of the forums to really look into then reasons why this flickering issues keeps on reoccurring on these machines.

So, do not give up and keep on hammering apple care with this issue. Obviously apple knows about it but they'd replace your motherboard 3 times then give you a new machine. Course that doesn't mean that if they replace the motherboard it will not fix the issue, for everyone I guess it's different. Anyway, Hang in there

Late 2008 2.53 MBP 5,1 512MB Graphics - flickering on integrated GPU. Just started in the last 3 days. Og course the warranty is long gone. I'll be dropping by the Minneapolis Ridgedale Applestore tomorrow to see what's up. I'm not happy to say the least - I use this for WORK.

Hi, I'm from Mexico, for 8 months approximately I have been visiting this forum, hoping that Apple solves the problem.
Apple must take a desicion, more time cannot be taken.

My question: Sebdude: you have Apple care protection?

Lamentable service and the quality of the product.

No, I didn't have Apple Care. But the issues with these machine started just around the time the 1yr std warranty ran out, so I guess I was very lucky in that department. Seriously thinking though about getting Apple Care for this new machine. Officially my machine is now 1.5 years old, so wel out of standard warranty, but not extended warranty for the repairs they did on the machine.

Just like that? You sent the video? That is really good news. The problem is that I can not take my computer to service as I have tons of work to do. I will try to make the video as well.

Since with the original HDD there is not much flickering going on, shall I put my 500GB in and address the problem? Would they point that the drive is not original?