Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

SUPER UPDATE (3 months without my mac):

Well after 2 logic boards, 2 displays, one track pad replaced and a lot of tests and nightmares, Apple finally authorized a full replacement. Now I'm going to have a brand new 2011 15" MBP.

My question for those who had a replacement too is, which model did you get? I have the top of the line MBP and I expect that they will give me the top one or they will give me one with the same specs?

Thanks for your help!

My 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo model was replaced with a bottom-of-the-line (for today) 2.2GHz i7 quad-core, but I was allowed to "return" that for a $1,799 credit and upgrade to a better specced model (wanted the high-res display, and got an anti-glare model w/ 2.5GHz i7 + 750GB HD, which was all they stocked in high-res - not sure if that was a good idea yet).  Upgraded it myself to 8GB RAM for ~$60 vs. the silly money Apple charge.

I had 3 logic board replacements before getting the free laptop replacement. I considered several upgrades to the base 2.2GHz i7 Quad Core(replaced 2.4 GHz core 2 duo) including the anti-glare hi-res display. In the end I went with what was totally free, thinking I would upgrade the RAM later and could have an iPad for what I was considering spending on upgrades. I will also eventually buy AppleCare for the new one. If you have remaining time on your AppleCare be sure to request a cancellation on the old computer after replacement, they will refund any remaining value. While not much I did get a check for about $18 as mine was about to expire in Feb. I did get a 750 Gb HD because my previous custom order had a 7200 RPM HD and this was the smallest size available at 7200 RPM currently. Apple has called several times to check on my status and the replacement options were explained well. Mine had to be custom built and shipped direct from China which took a little over a week. Overall satisifed with the replacement process.

My late 2008 MBP has been ordered online with Apple. My screen does flicker too since a while, but I have to see if the nearestAPR is willing to do anything about it. I didn't bought it there, so I am not sure if they are willing to put any effort in it...

Unfortunately... Apple NL doesn't confirm this problem on unibody macbooks, so they won't do anything about it...

I am from NL as well, I'm having the same issue regarding Apple NL and this problem.

I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this thread! I'm not alone.

I'm currently dealing with the flickering issues and the local Apple Store is having little luck fixing it. I have a MBP 5,1 that has had nothing but issues. The funny part was that it was a replacement from Apple (via Applecare) for my insanely defective MBP with the 8600mGT. My late 2008 MBP 5,1 has now had the speakers replaced, the fans replaced, the optical drive replaced, the battery replaced because of bulging, the logic board replaced by an Apple Store in Minnesota, the logic board replaced again by an Apple Store in Utah, the logicboard and ram replaced by the Apple Store in Utah a second time and is now back into the Utah Apple Store again. My Applecare warranty expires Jan 9 2010 or 4 days from now and I'm really worried about being SOL with this problem after the expiration of the warrantee.

From what I'm reading now it seems that many people suggest that the flickering is caused by a defect in the MFG process of the 9400m/9600m. I'm struggling to find any admission of this problem by nVidia, has anyone else had any luck? Do you have any suggestions as to how I should proceed to get this fixed or get a replacement?

Please help.

Respectfully,

Curt

I dealt with Apple by phone. Each time my computer went in for repair I sent via FedEx at Apples expense. Unit was usually delivered back to my door within about 3-4 days. I had a single case number with each repair attempt referenced back to that case.

After this many repairs you might try calling apple support and asking for a Sr. Tech and asking for a replacement laptop. Presuming all is documented properly in the system you will hopefully be granted a new laptop due to the number of repair attempts already. Replacements seem somewhat discretionary, but after my issue was initially escalated to a Sr Tech I had direct email access to him and continuity for a resolution. I referenced this thread and others stating this was a known issue. When I had a third repair attempt for the same issue, (each time supposedly being bumped up the line to a higher technical level at the repair facility), I was told that if I had any other hardware failures within a year from that date (which would have been several months outside my applecare) they would replace the laptop. The next hardware failure came within the warranty period (and a new laptop) so I do not know if the pledge was documented in their system as that Tech has now moved on to another position.

He did call to follow up and so did the customer care rep once a new laptop was authorized. Overall satisfied with the response compared to other PC manufacturers I have dealt with. I have several Apple products, but do not know how the store compares to the direct contact for replacement issues.

Apple store at Valley Fair Mall, Santa Clara knows this issue, and they also know how to fix it. I've 2 MBP that has blinking screen and send them for repair. They said they know the issue and both were repaired by replacing the logic board. I no longer have blinking issues.

mi macbook pro de 15" del 2008

core2duo 2.4

presenta parpadeos negros hay algun software para controlar esto o apple no hara nada con modelos antiguos

same problem here: late 2008 MBP after Logic board repair occasional flickering. received a new board with newer sw: only advantage seems lower power consumption.

Hardwareoverzicht:

  Modelnaam:          MacBook Pro

  Modelaanduiding:          MacBookPro5,1

  Processornaam:          Intel Core 2 Duo

  Processorsnelheid:          2,4 GHz

  Aantal processors:          1

  Totale aantal cores:          2

  L2-cache:          3 MB

  Geheugen:          4 GB

  Bussnelheid:          1,07 GHz

  Opstart-ROM-versie:          MBP51.007E.B05

  SMC-versie (systeem):          1.33f8

Guys, I think there will be no fix with 10.7.3 release.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/01/10/os-x-10-7-3-build-11d42-seeded-to-developers /

Yes, because THIS IS A HARDWARE DEFECT.

There will be no software solution.  Anyone who's experiencing this needs to insist that his computer is replaced.  It's that simple.  How many thousands of people have to post in this thread before THAT IS OBVIOUS?

This is a hardware defect.  It can't be fixed with software.

DEMAND THAT YOUR COMPUTER BE REPLACED.  The speculation and toleration of this defect NEEDS TO END NOW.

It's not going away.  Anyone who has this problem has a terminally defective computer.  Demand a new one.  Enough is enough.

What i find hard to understand is that my 2008 MBP only flickers when im on OSX, not when it's in any diagnostic mode...

i too also had my logicboard (2), HD (1), Complete upper clam[LCD] (2) and the supper drive failed on me... and still no luck.

Flicker is so bad that safari cant handle more than 3-4 windows at a single time without crashing and even listening to itunes makes the computer stall/ freeze.

I'm in the exact same position that you are in. Dropped it off on Monday and AppleCare expires tomorrow. Was told they are replacing the logic board, screen, optical drive, and power cord. I contacted the APR on Tuesday and they couldn't get the machine to replicate. I took the drive there to have them witness it doing it to me. Fortunately, we were able to get it to replicate all the problems. Off to Apple it was sent.

My concern now is how long is this going to fix the problem, that is if it does? Reading about everyone else's nightmare's, I'm not so sure it's going to be a reliable machine when I get it back. It's very important to me! It's only been since monday that I haven't had it and it feels like a lifetime.