Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

I don't wanna get my hopes up, but I've been running 10.6.3 for about 4 hours now, and I haven't had a single flash since. I've been using the 9400 chip the whole time. I'm trying to put this machine through it's paces, and I haven't had a flicker yet. Feels too good to be true though. Will keep posted.

I am testing 10..3 since a couple of days and I had the same impression after each update (did not try the final release yet). However, after a couple of hours, it started blinking again. Looks like blinking depends on temperature and (at least for me) a couple of sleep / wake up cycles

Seb

Yep, you're right. 10.6.3 definitely doesn't help the screen flicker. ***** to be a Macbook Pro owner. Bad Apple!

No software update can fix this. Unless its a firmware update, if it is caused by firmware issues. Most suspect its a hardware issue that Apple is ignoring. Can you imagine the huge recall that will have to take place for a defective board? Apple is ignoring us, and you can pretty much guess why.

I brought my late 2008 Macbook Pro into the Apple Store last week, described the symptoms (flashing screen, occasional freezes, only when using energy saving mode), and they replaced the logic board under Applecare. I'm sorry to say that the replacement has not fixed my problem. I have since run the test disk (no faults reported) and tried a clean install (still flashes).

Given all the attention his e-mails have been getting lately, I wrote Steve Jobs and spoke of our utter frustration. It ain't gonna work, but what other options do we have at this point. Hoping for a one word response.

"Hey Steve are we screwed?"

-Yup

well add mine to the list. I had my screen replaced last week due to the glass separating from the screen. I never had an issue with my screen flickering. Now after one week with my new screen...bam....out of no where my screen is flicking almost to the point of making my computer impossible to use. 10.6.3 did nothing BTW

10.6.3 did not help. I was hoping for a firmware fix...

Bought mine in '08. Was fine until a couple of weeks ago. Tried a Full OS X reinstallation, resetting the PRAM, and the hardware controller. Nothing has worked so far. I have no AppleCare. Still no word from Apple on this problem???

-Steven

I have been having this same exact problem with my MBP. I have seen it since I bought it last July. Whenever I am playing WoW or syncing an ipod and my macbook starts to get hot, it does it. Will apple fix this? I do have apple care but the problem comes and goes.

After installing 10.6.3 I have more and more screen blinks than before...
I have no words....
APPLE DO YOU HEAR US?????????????? I WANT A FIX!!!!!!!
Or money back!!!!!!!
When I have payed for this macbook pro my money was perfect!!!!!!!!

I have no idea if this has been posted earlier, but I am not in the mood to read through 42 pages of messages. Sorry.

First the problem.
Upper 1/3 - 2/3 of screen flickers black randomly. Even if not a showstopper, it's pretty annoying.

Then the solution ( at least in my case )
Completely reboot the computer, i.e. coldstart.

As it turns out, I use my MBP to play games. In this case WoW.
My powersaving is set on longer battery life, and it has always puzzled me, that despite this setting, WoW runs great, and left back of the computer gets extremely hot, indicating that 3D accelleration is running at full power.
And, when I close WoW down, and goes back to normal desktop operation, the screen often starts to flicker.

In my opinion, this is a problem with the video driver, maybe because some settings aren't fully restored then graphics are switched from 3D back to 2D.
Anyway, a complete coldstart always fixes it.

I filed a bug report with Apple Radar:

Your tracking number for this issue is Bug ID# 7817312. You may check status on this report via the 'My Originated Problems' tab

I just got my MBP from the repair, they put a new logic board and so far (one day) no blinking, but who knows (If the issue reappears I'll send it back to them!).
Cost of the operation 540 €, zero for me under apple care... Apple is charging too much for its stuff, they're no niche market anymore, their prices are unacceptable as far as I'm concerned.

Clearly this is a hardware issue, and it appears to be heat related, which is why not everyone suffering.

I'm currently using smcFanControl 2.2.2 set to Higher RPM which has lowered the overall temp by 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Until Apple acknowledges the defect I would rather tolerate slightly higher fan noise than the screen blinking.