Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

don't feel silly, mine does the same thing. it can go a long time & start in or does it right off bootup.

I just feel so frustrated that this guy sold us a computer that bugs after a year..... I wanted to be able to keep this machine for at least 5 years before I got a new one. If this is really a graphics card problem, you'd think that Apple would just get them replaced when people came in complaining about this problem.

I never felt silly really, I feel concerned and worried. Mine sometimes flickers while its on the boot up gray screen... i've seen it do that. And it's been flickering more for some reason, and it's starting to get annoying. I wish we could fix this problem and all be happy.

Hey, Scott. This has NOTHING to do with the topic at hand, but I just wanted to tell you that you are my SAVIOR on the Lexmark X4530 issue. Even with the new software, nothing would make the thing work over wifi, but now it does thanks to you. The topic is archived so I couldn't tell you on the original thread, so I found you here so I can thank you!

Does yours flicker everyday, multiple times a day? I'm still set on the 9400 graphics card. I was wondering because mine used to flicker every couple days, then every other day, now every day. I'm worried that this problem is going to progress to the point where my screen will be completely black.

I have a new MBP 15" 2.3GHz quad core i7 with the AMD discrete card. I think I'm having a variation of this problem too.
Safari will flash, or the whole screen will flash white, or the screen saver will blink, wake then return to screen saver.... all I think related to sudden Automatic Switching between Integrated and Discrete graphics cards. This happens on or off the power adapter. The utility gfxCardStatus shows the laptop repeatedly switching video cards, even when I have no apps running. Activity Monitor says WindowServer is active when it switches video cards. Disabling the Dynamic Switching does work around the problem and increase battery life. I get no blinking when using either Integrated or Discrete cards. It's appears than enabling the Automatic Graphics Switching enables the problem.
I spoke with Apple... they suggested I reload the operating system (after doing a bunch of other stuff that did not work). I'll likely try the re-install soon. I hope something in background software or firmware is causing the issue by making repeated calls to the advanced graphics frameworks. Hopefully, this will clear it out. If it's hardware... well....suffice to say I won't be happy.

I am having the same issue. When I am using the laptop, at random moments it will flicker for 0.2-0.5 seconds, sometimes I do not even notice it but when I do, it happens about 2-3 times a day. I am very concerned about this issue as it could lead to the overall deterioration of my screen and eventually not work at all. Has anyone gotten Apple to do anything about this? Its sad that its been only two years since this machine has been active and already having this problem. Apple should really get in touch with their users and help them out here. Everyone pitched out at least ~1300K for this and we expect it to last for a while. Asides from that, anyone else notice unusually high fan noise?

Apple hasn't tried to even find out the problem I don't think. Anytime I call, they tell me that they have never heard of this issue before. My screen will flicker partially, or the whole screen will flicker. From what people have said it sounds like a problem with the 9400 graphics card. I say if thats the real issue, why no have it replaced?

I didn't know that this was such a big issue. I'm about to get my mac back from switching the logic board because of flickering that actually happens quite sporadically, usually when I reeally don't need it. DJ'ing with a flickering screen is pre-tty disturbing.

I really can't be without the MBP. It costs me money just the short time it's been in this last time. Thank god for Apple Care tho. jesus. What with some of the stuff you other guys have been through.

I can't even have my laptop away from me for a DAY. I am a Graphic Design college student, and I use this thing to work on my assignments all the time. I just recently got the gfxCardStatus, and switched over to the 9600 graphics card. So far, no flickering, but my machine runs hotter longer.

It is a big issue, a lot of people are having this problem and either getting their machines replaced, or apple isn't fixing it at all. Working on the 9600 is just a workaround.... resetting the PRAM doesn't really do anything for me, it'll start flickering about an hour and a half later. Its really annoying, especially when you are trying to work on an ad.

egyptlang wrote:
Does yours flicker everyday, multiple times a day? I'm still set on the 9400 graphics card. I was wondering because mine used to flicker every couple days, then every other day, now every day. I'm worried that this problem is going to progress to the point where my screen will be completely black.

yes to the above. gets worse then one day: nothing

Mine flickers EVERYDAY. Multiple times a day. I just switched over to the 9600 graphics card thanks to gfxCardStatus. No flicker so far. But this is growing ridiculous.

sbcsheldon wrote:
I am having the same issue. When I am using the laptop, at random moments it will flicker for 0.2-0.5 seconds, sometimes I do not even notice it but when I do, it happens about 2-3 times a day. I am very concerned about this issue as it could lead to the overall deterioration of my screen and eventually not work at all. Has anyone gotten Apple to do anything about this? Its sad that its been only two years since this machine has been active and already having this problem. Apple should really get in touch with their users and help them out here. Everyone pitched out at least ~1300K for this and we expect it to last for a while. Asides from that, anyone else notice unusually high fan noise?

1300? I think I paid about $2500 after tax (maybe more).. this is insane, come on apple.. do the right thing.

I think I solved my problem.
I found two, seemingly unrelated, processes running in the background using the "Console". I removed all "HP" related "Login Items" from my User Account. I also deleted all old, unnecessary items from the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder, including "com.seagate.notificationexec.plist". For some reason now, without these background processes, my computer no longer tries to frequently switch graphics cards.... I have no idea why. For the last 24hrs... no blinky!


The "Console App" indicated a couple background processes happening that seemed unrelated to graphics. Below is the log:

3/14/11 8:23:28 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.503[190] (com.hp.devicemonitor[888]) Exited with exit code: 1
3/14/11 8:23:28 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.503[190] (com.hp.devicemonitor) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
3/14/11 8:23:31 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.503[190] (com.seagate.notificationexec.plist) Throttling respawn: Will start in 10 seconds
3/14/11 8:23:38 PM com.apple.launchd.peruser.503[190] (com.hp.devicemonitor[890]) posix_spawn("/Library/Printers/hp/hpio/HP Device Monitor.app/Contents/MacOS/HP Device Monitor", ...): No such file or directory

I don't know what kind of problem that is, but its not what I have. I checked mine, and its got nothing like that so.... but I did notice that when I switched over to the 9600 then swtiched back to the 9400, it didn't flicker for a long time (had to switch back, for some reason the 9600 was not loading an interactive flash application from gaia called gaia towns on my google chrome.... but it loaded the music, so i switched back to the 9400) Though, the flickering for it has just started back up again.

I agree. It may not be the same issue.
On my MBP, it was easy to watch in action.... gfxCardStatus menu item showed the frequent repeated unprovoked graphics card switches, as the console showed these processes repeating in the background. My screen only flashed when the cards quickly switched. After removing these items and several other old unused ones in that folder... no more issue.

Wish this could have helped you too.
Hope you find a solution.
M