MacBook Pro screen blinks

Right, there are different symptoms for this particular subject title. But it looks like most likely in TheMainEvent's and my case it does appear to be power supply related.

In my case it is very subtle but still noticable.

It sounds like there are video IC problems for some people.

BTW, my MB pro is (I think) the last one with a replaceable battery.

boB

Does ANYBODY know what causes THIS to happen?! It just happened to me on the 9600 card (since I have to use it to avoid the screen flickering)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46a8e2wCPFs&feature=related

And an update. I emailed the customer support person I talked to about my screen flickering problem about just skipping the logic board repair (since we all know it won't work), and he emailed me back saying he would like for me to take it in for a repair anyway. What the ****. Seriously, why make me take my laptop in for a repair we all know won't work? =__= I told him about this thread and even sent him a link to it. But he STILL wants me to take it in for a repair. Come on, really?

Hi Egyptlang,

I believe each and every person who has read this thread shares the same level of FRUSTRATION that you do. What I have realised is that the apple support personnel will adhere to protocol even if the solution stares them in the face and you present them with a signed petition of all the Macbook Pro owners from around the world who have this problem.

They will stick to their guns and do this little dance of changing the motherboard/display for a stipulated number of times. And this is becuase Cupertino has not acknowledged this issue officially and the support personnel have not been ''instructed'' to replace the computers outright.

I say this because as we discuss about this obviously defective product, my Macbook Pro is in the service centre for a third motherboard replacement. This is after the second replacement attempt made the problem worse and they had to put back the older motherboard into the computer which presented a lesser number of blinking/flickering. I am supposed to get my computer back tomorrow...

As for what causes the problem, unless it is for pure technical interests, why should we as customers who are using a premium product rack our brains and waste our valuable time figuring out what causes the problem? It is their job to do so, and if they cannot repair it provide an acceptable solution.

56 Days and Counting....

Regards

I have had the same problem with my screen that everyone else has described. For me, the issue began in June 2010. Since that time, I have taken it in for diagnostic testing on five separate occasions; the problem was never accurately diagnosed or resolved. This testing has taken place at an Apple store, an authorized Apple service store, and Apple's main service center. As a result of the diagnostic testing, three logic boards have been replaced.

My primary frustration has been with Apple's lack of response to this issue. I have been told by several AppleCare representatives that this is not a hardware problem. I've also been told that this is not a software problem. (Once in the same conversation, I was told that this was not a hardware or a software problem.)

I've been a solid Apple supporter, but this has been one of the most negative customer service interactions I have experienced.

Well, I just had another hard freeze. Then my screen started going to a light brown and back to normal. While totally frozen. Had to do a hard shut down. Called my support rep and left him a message for him to call me back when he can. Backing up my computer with Time Machine now. I feel a trip to the apple store in Ross Park Mall coming on this week...

Tried to catch it flipping out on my iPhone, but the screen stopped flipping out as soon as I grabbed my phone to record it. I wonder if my 9600GT card is dying finally? The CPU temp before it crashed was at 37 degrees Celsius.

We love apple but does apple loves us

Hi I've been having this problem for about a week now but unfortunetly I'm at a poin of no return. The screen of my Mac has crashed! I can move the cursor but it's now the twirling rainbow thing and I can't click anything. No response from the keyboard. When I put the lid down it sleeps or the sleep light stays on. Tried to hard shut down a few times but it wouldnt work, only a small click from the hard drive. Someone please help!

This is not the flickering-screen problem, so please start a new thread.

Tiny update here. Just got a phone call from Future Shop. My MB Pro came back (within a week, yes!). They won't cover the battery since it can be replaced by the user (ok...alright, kinda expected that). "And what about the screen constantly blinking?" I asked. "It's caused by the battery" they said. Hmmmmm.

Now I'm gonna have to shell out more money for another battery. But let's see if it'll fix the problem.

Assuming you do in fact have the flickering problem which is the subject of this thread, the battery won't fix it.

charlie

What a joke, don't pay a penny... phone Apple and/or change shop...

I did get the battery since I have 14 days to return it, so I thought why not test it out. Not only it was $30 more than getting it directly at the Apple Store, they gave me the 13" MacBook battery. Great. The screen still flickers, but not as much as before.

Called Apple today and the tech on the phone wasn't aware of this particular issue. He of course recommended to take it to an Apple Store. So we'll see what happens.

In my case I was able to make it stop blinking by unplugging the mag-safe charger from the macbook and plugging it back in again. It sure looked to me like the blinking problem has to do with the charging of the batteries and power supply integration. Mine seems to flicker only when the battery is low and the charger is supplying most of the power and the charger/power supply is what is flickering and so the screen backlight can't quite regulate fast enough.

Of course there are obviously two or more screen flicker problems in one apple support forum thread.

boB

Yes, you are on the wrong thread.

Well, if the thread were titled something like "MacBook Pro screen blinks due to faulty display driver chip" or "MacBook Pro screen blinks due to faulty battery", then we would know what the problem was and could just tell Apple themselves.

But we don't know what the problem is.... Only that the display "blinks" which fits any reason for it blinking.

BTW, Is Flickering different than blinking ? I would call my MB problems either one of those two.

You guys may have to call the BBB to get any more help on this if Apple doesn't read these forums or care all

that much about fixing these problems.