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Q: 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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Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

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  • by digitalax,

    digitalax digitalax Jan 29, 2009 1:45 PM in response to lekani
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 29, 2009 1:45 PM in response to lekani
    Same thing, but I experienced it only once. Blinking is noticeable on a stripy high contrast backgrounds like an alternating black and white horizontal lines 2-3 pixel height.
    Macbook Pro 15" 2.4 GHz MB470, 10.5.6, all updates installed. Macbook was made in China November 10-16, 2008.
  • by johnnyradiant,

    johnnyradiant johnnyradiant Jan 30, 2009 10:47 AM in response to digitalax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2009 10:47 AM in response to digitalax
    So I wonder - what happens if you are plugged into, say a projector of the 1024 X 768 variety, does the 'second monitor' also flicker in conjunction with the primary screen?

    I wonder if the new 17" will be featuring the same blink. I've been holding out for a new 17" as I'm long past due for an upgrade, but don't want one with extra features such as blinking screens.
  • by callmewhatyawant,

    callmewhatyawant callmewhatyawant Jan 30, 2009 2:04 PM in response to munchnstuf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2009 2:04 PM in response to munchnstuf
    I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one having this problem. I have only had my Macbook Pro for about a month. From day one I have been getting an annoying little screen flicker every 10 minutes or so. No bueno.
  • by gabriel chan,

    gabriel chan gabriel chan Jan 30, 2009 6:57 PM in response to munchnstuf
    Level 2 (250 points)
    Jan 30, 2009 6:57 PM in response to munchnstuf
    I know I am not the only one, but mine got blinking screen as well on 9400M only but nothing happen when i switch to 9600M. Hopefully this is a sw issue and Apple will give us some feedback soon.

    I may try to test if i use 9400M with external display only tonight, wish this doesn't effect.
  • by zeroio,

    zeroio zeroio Jan 31, 2009 1:36 PM in response to munchnstuf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 31, 2009 1:36 PM in response to munchnstuf
    Just yesterday I switched to the integrated video because I'm traveling. Well, today my display went to a horrid quick flicker with the menu bar having corrupted horizontal lines in it... I had to reboot because everything was frozen.

    I did install the software update the other day, but never had this problem before.

    Good luck.
  • by donnyb,

    donnyb donnyb Feb 1, 2009 12:04 PM in response to munchnstuf
    Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 1, 2009 12:04 PM in response to munchnstuf
    I'm having the same problems on my New MBP 2.8Ghz.
  • by gabriel chan,

    gabriel chan gabriel chan Feb 2, 2009 8:14 AM in response to gabriel chan
    Level 2 (250 points)
    Feb 2, 2009 8:14 AM in response to gabriel chan
    I have tested the 9400M with only external LCD display, NO BLINKING at all for whole night. Try to switch back to dual display mode, nothing happen at all. But after I unplug the Mini Display Port adapter, the blinking start coming back after couple seconds. This lead me to feel this is a software issue more than a hardware......

    Anyone else try this can prove?
  • by IndustrialEcho,

    IndustrialEcho IndustrialEcho Feb 3, 2009 10:45 AM in response to donnyb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 3, 2009 10:45 AM in response to donnyb
    Reporting another flashing screen on a new, (Late 2008), MBP 2.4 It was working fine, until yesterday. I installed the 10.5.6 combo update and and did the firmware update and after that the external Cinema Display started to flicker.

    I am currently trying the temporary solution found @ MacFixIt:

    +"Currently the problem seems to disappear when users run off the dedicated GeForce 9600M processor, and it is recommended to do this unless battery conservation is of the utmost importance. Using the dedicated graphics processor will also increase the computer's performance. To do this, go to the "Energy Saver" system preferences and check the option to enable "Higher Performance" graphics. This will only take effect after a logout and login again."+
  • by just.alex,

    just.alex just.alex Feb 6, 2009 6:24 AM in response to IndustrialEcho
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2009 6:24 AM in response to IndustrialEcho
    Im using an older white Macbook 2.16. 4GB Ram. Build 9G55

    When using an external display, the external display blanks out for a second or two, then comes back on. This can occur a couple of times a minute. The Macbook LCD stays on at all times.

    I've noticed the problem when using Safari and Photoshop but it does not appear to occur when watching films using VLC.

    WHY?

    Software? Hardware? Combination?

    Is the processor being overloaded/overheated using an external display?
  • by volvr,

    volvr volvr Feb 7, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Roman1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Roman1
    Just found out, that my flickering of the actuall 5th macbook pro i got has something to do with flash.animations!!!

    how can this be????

    apple! where is the problem????
  • by volvr,

    volvr volvr Feb 7, 2009 3:47 PM in response to volvr
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2009 3:47 PM in response to volvr
    Just have this problem when i run the mbp with battery...
  • by groovetank,

    groovetank groovetank Feb 8, 2009 4:18 PM in response to munchnstuf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 8, 2009 4:18 PM in response to munchnstuf
    munchnstuf wrote:
    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?

    My newish MBP has the same problem... Just blinks randomly...not that often, but often enough.
    Slightly peeved to be honest, i have had macbooks, powerbooks etc etc etc for years and have never had this sought of problem out of the box... Did they rush to get this out before xmas... I did treat myself just before xmas.
    I went to the Apple store the other day to return a pair of faulty new headphones (the earbuds) and asked someone about it.. *He mentioned that it may be a faulty connection between the logic board and the display.*

    Worse thing is i have thrown away the box as i travel constantly. ! Sought this S* out Apple or face the wrath of a couple of thousand angry customers ...
  • by lekani,

    lekani lekani Feb 11, 2009 1:38 AM in response to groovetank
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 11, 2009 1:38 AM in response to groovetank
    How can it be a faulty connection between logic board and the display when it dissapears after a fresh install of 10.5.5 ? The blinking problem occurs when the update to 10.5.6 is installed so its more than clear that its a software problem..
  • by Melissa Holmes,

    Melissa Holmes Melissa Holmes Feb 11, 2009 4:50 AM in response to lekani
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 11, 2009 4:50 AM in response to lekani
    Mine has behaved like this under both 10.5.5 and 10.5.6, so how do you figure it's a software issue?
  • by gabriel chan,

    gabriel chan gabriel chan Feb 11, 2009 4:55 AM in response to Melissa Holmes
    Level 2 (250 points)
    Feb 11, 2009 4:55 AM in response to Melissa Holmes
    can you guys try to test with an external monitor with the 9400M. If not blinking, that's mean GPU is fine and that probably is sw issue. I have tried mine and no blinking at all whole night. Test yours and voice out the result. ( I have tested both external monitor ONLY and also dual display mode)
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