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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

Oct 14, 2017 2:41 PM in response to munchnstuf

The update won't install on my computer, and it's still flickering... any suggestion?


Thanks,


Matteo



Model Name:MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:MacBookPro2,2
Processor Name:Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:2.16 GHz
Number of Processors:1
Total Number of Cores:2
L2 Cache:4 MB
Memory:3 GB
Bus Speed:667 MHz
Boot ROM Version:MBP22.00A5.B07
SMC Version (system):1.12f5
Serial Number (system):RM7450GTX6A
Hardware UUID:00000000-0000-1000-8000-0017F2C9FDC8

Sudden Motion Sensor:

State:Enabled

Nov 29, 2008 10:24 PM in response to munchnstuf

I'm having this problem too and I'm pretty sure mine is related to retrieving a lost mailbox off of Time Machine. My comp had a hard time digesting all of the new messages being added in Mail. Everything slowed down temporarily and Mail disappeared and was inaccessible. When it finally reappeared with the new emails, I noticed the intermittent blinks. I'm thinking about taking into the Genius bar, but I'm concerned that it happens so infrequently that I'll be unable to reproduce it on site. Any idea what could be causing it?

Nov 30, 2008 2:48 AM in response to munchnstuf

I'm seeing the same problem on my macbook pro late 2008 that I just bought this weekend:( The screen just blanks out very quickly(for about 300ms) from time to time.

I can not relate the problem to any specific application, the macbook pro was running just find for maybe 2 hours in the morning before this started to happen. Now its occurring with a frequency of maybe 10 minutes or so:(

This is my first mac and I really like the machine and the OS so far except for this issue.

I will call Apple on Monday to check if there is any resolution to this problem.

Nov 30, 2008 11:14 PM in response to munchnstuf

Yes, I am having the same issue aswell, seems to be getting worse. The big question here is if there is a software solution which can be resolved via an update or if there is indeed a issue with the graphics cards? Maybe the dual graphics card construction wasn´t such a great idea? or is this just a faulty batch of early machines. if this keeps persisting then maybe I will have to get a replacement.

Also om my screen there are "sparkling" artifacts over the screens at times.

Dec 1, 2008 6:45 AM in response to munchnstuf

This article just came out, scary reading:
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/11/29/nvidia-heat-causing-macbo oks

Who knows if this is true or not, but it sure feels like there could be some truth to this since the problem goes away when using the 9600 GPU.

If the 9400 GPU's are barely with-in spec this could explain why not everyone are experiencing the problem.

I gave Apple here in Sweden a call this morning. Seems like I will have to go through the normal software check-up procedure tonight with the Apple support, and then see how to proceed from there.

Dec 1, 2008 11:00 PM in response to worldsound

Hi,

you can change the graphics chip via the systempreferences under the "energy saver" lightbulb icon.

In addition to earlier postings in this thread, I changed over to the faster graphics chip and the blinking and visual artifacts dissapeared. The good news is (at least for the moment) that when i changed back to the native chip the problems seem to have gone.

Another thought is that, after reading the link/article on malfunctioning N chips, the problem seemed to have to do with over heating, which to my mind seems illogical as i had usually had the problems directly after a (cold) start-up.

So considering that the problems dissapered after switching back and forth between chips and that the original problems occured while the comouter was still cold, does imply some sort of soft ware problem. Come on Apple, let´s have a fix.

MacBook Pro screen blinks

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