Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

Thanks for that info.

Yup, at this point, according to the tech today, AppleCare has covered about $1300 worth of repairs for this computer (exploded battery, topcase replacement for a bad trackpad, logic board replacement and now a display replacement).  If this latest round doesn't fix the problem then I will call and press them for a replacment.

Back from the Apple Store.  New logic board and display.  Still blinking, but the blinking is very intermittent now (maybe twice in the last hour).  It also seems to be just the top third of the screen. 

Does anyone know something is particular that triggers a blink and could be used to show the Apple store folks that there is still a problem? Or is it too intermittment and unlikely that they will ever see it themselves?

My 1st Gen UniBody (late 2008) started showing this problem a few months ago and I read a load of simiar forum posts that came to the same conclusion, but I took it in to the London Regent Street Apple store because it has Apple Care. They 'tested' it overnight, returned it saying there was nothing wrong and that the flickering was Expected Behaviour and that the solution is to use the high power card.

My response was; "..so you design a machine to have two graphics cards and if you use the one designed for less power use you expect the screen to flicker several times a minute." - Nice

Of course, now that my machine is nearly three years old the battery is nigh on dead so using it without a power supply is impossible.

The argument that you should vote with your wallet is moot because a lot of us are stuck in the Apple ecosystem. My company uses Macs and I need a fairly beefy laptop, so my choice is MacBook Pro or er... MacBook Pro.

That stings. I am glad I bought that Apple Care.

I would get a 2nd opinion or call Apple directly. I was told something similar by AppleCare for flickering at low brightness.

This has apparently been an issue for several years. I have a refurb MacBook early 2008. Just got it back from A/c they replaced the heatsink, fan, airport, top case, and cover. Hmmm. Wouldn't it just have been easier to send a new one? They have sunk more money into it than it is really worth. I should also point out I had the AirPort issue almost since purchase and several trips to the bar and I was told nothing was wrong because the issue could not be duplicated. Oh and the other fun thing, they sent it back with the wrong OS on it.

I've had my 15" MBPro since Dec 2008 aaannnnd a screen flicker since early to mid-2009.  I can't decide if i'm relieved or disappointed to find this thread in my google search & see that it's 84 pages long & dates back to...2008!!!  Obviously this is a huge issue (here all this time i've been feeling sorry for myself- like everyone else got great Apples & I got a LEMON!) ha  Now i don't feel so alone AND i won't be running out dumping $1500 into fixes that don't work!!

I'm stuck though-I cant part with the machine because i need it everyday to work (I'm 100% commission only graphics & use it to work in clients offices, etc...) but the flicker is getting worse & worse...not only is it mad annoying-i'm also worried that the screen will black out forever...

This morning I tried the internal switch from the 9400 graphics card to the 9600 one & after like 10 minutes I switched it back & it hasn't flickered in about 2 hours so maybe I've got at least a temporary fix???  I never had tried that route before- & I haven't left it on the 9600 setting long AT ALL because it already has trouble cooling down (the fan on this model *****) & i don't want to run it hot or fry anything internally...

Anyway- hopefully this works for a while until they come up with a more long term fix because Jason is right on- when it comes to graphic design- what else can we choose you know?  Apple knows they have us between a rock & a hard place...I still feel a little gypped that MAC has such a great reputation & all those other systems seem to work fabulous & mine is pretty crappy & was A LOT of money!!  :-/

Keeping my fingers crossed that a solution is around the corner for us all!

I posted a fix that is for a loooooong time... the problem with the latest macbooks its the "nano technology" inside them.... the logic board is way smaller than normal laptops mother boards. The logic board has a connection problem on the monitor cable connector on the logic board. The fix is just for techs or people with experience fixing electronics. You have to "reball" or fix the solder connections on the logic board. In the connector of the monitor. Is very simple project but very delicate one. I have fixed some macbooks pros with this procedure all of them have come back to life, with solid monitor connection it wont flicker anymore. If you want i can post a tutorial.

MrFruitGuy...

Yes pleassssse!!! 

Especially 'cause switching back & forth between the 9400 & 9600 didn't last long AT ALL...it was good for a couple hours, which WAS a welcome relief, but as soon as i walked away & the machine hibernated, it started up again...

A tutorial would be AWESOME!

Thanks!!!

:-)

I called the AppleCare phone number to complain that after three "repairs," my Macbook Pro is still doing the half-screen flicker.

The Senior Manager who finally got on the line said, "If the screen flicker in the Macbook Pros was a widespread issue then Apple would certainly do something about it...  This is the first that we have heard of such a problem; it is certainly not a 'known' problem."

Ridiculous.  When you set up an appointment to talk to AppleCare then the menus asks if it is a question about your screen flickering.

My experience with AppleCare has been lackluster at best. I think they quit sending me surveys because they know it *****.  I suspect it isn't provided in house. Much of it is outsourced I think.

So I took mine in for the 3rd time today (1 screen, 1 logic board change already) to a london store, and they seemed to know about the issue, 3 staff members tried to convince me that it was a known issue that could be solved by just using the high performance card. I pushed my case that this would drain the battery faster and that making the 9400 null and void in effect was not solving the problem, I also stated that if the issue persists beyond my apple care cover and the gpu chooses to die i am stuck with a broken machine so I would prefer a resolution before that happened, the "Genius" assured me that as it was a known issue, and that even out of cover it would be fixed, which i found perplexing, if it's a known issue surly u attempt to fix it rather just ignoring it, after a while of saying "there was nothing they could do", they offered to take it in for testing, and on my work sheet listed another logic board replacement, I know this will probably do nothing as the blinking will return, however if after a third repair there is no change i will try and discus the matter with a manager.

Just adding myself to the list of those experiencing screen blinking...I have a MacBook Pro purchased in December 2008, manufactured in November 2008. I have worked extensively with AppleCare Support to try to resolve this problem for the past year. So far, approaches have included replacing the built-in notebook display, replacing the logic board, doing a full erase and install, and resetting the PRAM. The computer has undergone extensive diagnostic testing at the local Apple retail store, and the issue has not been replicated in-store and the cause has not been identified by any of the AppleCare Experts or Apple Store Geniuses. I have another appointment at the Genius Bar this coming Friday, with instructions from an AppleCare Expert for them to inspect the LVDS cable and run more diagnostic tests. Wish me luck!

If you have a video camera then grab some footage of it blinking.  When I went in for the third repair then they said that it was impossible that it could still be happening since they had already replaced the logic board, screen, etc.  The video got them to do another repair.

Good luck to you on Friday! 

Good luck to me that the fourth repair is the charm.

Great idea, ravivmg! However, the blinking is intermittent and not that frequent - though I do notice it several times daily - so I'm not sure I will be able to capture it...

I'm wondering - what other repair(s) did you have done? Thanks, and I hope that you have finally resolved the issue on your computer!

It seems that the London stores have this all sewn up. When I took mine in the reception bloke actually said 'is it screen flicker?' when I pulled my MBP out of the case. After which I got the 'expected behaviour' remark I said in my last post.

Though some in the 'States have had their machines replaced I have never heard of them doing the same in London. My machine is driving me bonkers. I have two modes:

1. No flicker and a super hot lump of aluminium that sounds like an 707 taking off on my lap

2. Flicker every 15-30 seconds with a 'normal' laptop

I can't believe I am considering buying another two macs but there is no way out when you have to work on them.