MacBook Pro screen blinks

My new MacBook Pro display screen is blinking or flickering every few minutes now. I've only noticed it when I've switched to the integrated 9400M graphics processor. I don't recall seeing any blinks when using the discrete 9600M GPU. Usually it is only the top half or so of the display that blinks or flickers for a split second. Anyone else having the same problem?

MacBook Pro (Late 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.5), tv, iPhone, iPod Touch, et al

Posted on Nov 28, 2008 5:28 PM

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1,610 replies

Mar 1, 2011 11:53 AM in response to dpfr

After reading this I installed Lion with hopes that Lion would be the solution to this flickering. Unfortunately, after installing a Lion and switching to Better Battery Life, within seconds, there was flickering! The flickering was much worse than ever. A tear ran down my eye...
To everyone speculating that going back to Leopard would remedy the solution, from my experiences, don't bother. At least Leopard 10.5.6 onward. I got my MacBook Pro back in 2009, the one with the 2.66 GHz, and it came stock with 10.5.6. From the day one, running the 9400M, there has always been flickering. So far, I wouldn't be posting this if there has been a solution, none of the updates, both Leopard and Snow Leopard, has fixed or even eased the flickering while running the 9400M.
I do not think anyone pointed this out, but there is even flickering during the grey boot screen after turning on or restarting the Mac, before the OS loads. From that I think that this problem, this defect or bug, extends beyond the software and OS. It could be either the firmware or hardware.
Apple so far is either failing to respond or ignoring this problem. I bought Apple Care for my MacBook Pro, optimistic that they will be able to fix this problem within the three years after buying it. However, so far, they seemingly have done nothing, they could at least respond that they are working on the problem. Over the summer, on break from school, I plan to go to a Apple store and work this out. With the knowledge that sending it in for replacement of the logic board or screen doesn't fix the problem, I will keep doing that, just to show those seemingly ignorant "Geniuses" that won't fix the problem. After some number of "repairs" I will either demand a full refund or a replacement with a newer generation MacBook Pro.

Mar 1, 2011 1:35 PM in response to dutchbb

I have sent my computer in twice, both times they replaced the logic board and various other parts including ram etc. Both times when the computer has been returned to me, nothing has been solved. I contacted apple again, the same day my computer was returned to me, and the response was "We will ship you a box and attempt to repair the problem". When I asked what the next step was, he said, we will cross that bridge when we get there. He also mentioned that the Genius bar was unable to replicate the problem. It seems to me that I am going to be forced to send this computer in for repairs until my applecare expires and then I am stuck with it.

Mar 1, 2011 8:19 PM in response to dpfr

I've been trying to tell everyone that the Magicpad drivers cause the screen to blink or dim briefly. When they released the Magicpad drivers my screen started having it's problems. So I wiped my hard drive and re-installed Snow Leopard. When I got to the Magicpad driver update I declined to install it and hid that update so I wouldn't accidentally run it. Then stupid Apple released the 10.6.5 update which has the Magicpad drivers included. I ran that update and guess what? As soon as it was done my screen started acting up again. Since the Magicpad was designed for use with most desktop Macs, it probably conflicts with the trackpad drivers on MacBook Pros. Maybe the Macbbook Pro can;t distinguish whether you have a Magicpad or a trackpad. I dunno. All I know is that my system was PERFECT! before I installed that update for the Magicpad.

Mar 2, 2011 11:52 AM in response to dpfr

Well I just confirmed that my problems are software related. I installed Lion and my screen hasn't flickered once. It dims properly. In fact the screen dimming is more responsive now. That tells me that Apple is indeed ignoring that problem, most likely because they are focusing on the Lion release and probably assume many users will upgrade and have the problem resolved.

This is in regards to the screen flickering just before it dims. Apparently many people are having similar problem with slightly different symptoms which must be why Lion isn't fixing it for some.

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MacBook Pro screen blinks

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