Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

bwg76 wrote:

Except this time. I told the Genius what was wrong. Simply that the screen blinked, has for at least 18 months, and there are complaints with this model. He asked me simply what I meant by "blinked." I showed him the YouTube video someone posted here, and he looked at me, and immediately told me he was opening an order to send my computer offsite to a repair center and they could diagnose and repair this issue for me, as long as I agree...and that my HD may be erased.

I found this odd.

The only known "fix" for this problem is a motherboard replacement, and not all Apple Stores are equipped to replace motherboards, so it is sent to a repair depot for the repair (I almost always have this sort of repair performed, called a "Mail-In Repair," because I don't have to leave my house). With any repair, it is standard practice for customers to be warned that their computer's hard disk might be erased and therefore it is highly recommended that they perform a complete backup of their data before handing over their computer. It's not likely that your hard disk will be replaced in this instance, but you should be prepared

Thanks. I understand.

I probably should have said, though, that I found this odd only because this particular store has repaired my other Macs, both of which needed logic boards replaced as well as graphics cards, and neither were sent out for diagnosis/repair. They simply ordered the parts, and when they were in, I dropped off the machines, and they were repaired there that day. And, neither of the hard drives were touched (nor was there any mention of it as a possibility). I have everything backed up, so it's not a worry.

Thanks again.

It sounds like your other Macs were/are desktop Macs. Laptops are often sent to the repair depot for repair because they're more difficult to work on.

I had the same problem from the day I got my MacBook Pro. I took it in earlier this summer, and it turned out to be an issue with the integrated 9400M graphics processor. They replaced the Logic Board, and I have not had the problem since.

Whats really dumb of Apple is that one developer all by himself is able to create a app to switch your graphic cards on the fly. Apple can't do it. The second dumb thing, is that when Mr. Blinky is doing his thing driving you crazy and probably causing headaches, completely annoying and makes you look silly for all to see, and simple key combination to reset the card fixes. Apple still can't seem to figure this out. AMAZING!!!

Wow. Blinking nightmares aside, that gfxCardStatus gadget is a really nice find.

charlie

P.S. Researching this thing a little, the theory out there is that when OS X was updated to handle the newer switch-graphics-on-the-fly MBPs, the ability to switch the older MBPs became possible and someone simply took advantage of it - perhaps inadvertently.

Yes its a great find. Also the graphic reset key combination to stop Mr. Blinky when running on better battery mode. Its stupid that we have to do it, but thats how Apple treats their customers. We have to do workaround to get around their bad engineering errors.

I have the same problem. Flickering 17" screen. (MBP Early 2009)
This is my first mac. It will be my last.
Expensive ****! It is the most expensive computer I've purchased. Most annoying computer I've owned. The most important thing when I bought it, was a good screen and long battery life. Lightroom on lacation....

Is there still no real fix for this issue? I have the same issue that everyone else is reporting. Just to add, when running in clamshell mode, I never get "the flicker". From what most people say, a logic board replacement does not seem to fix the problem 100%. There are a few hit and miss times when people say the logic board replacement worked, but I wish there was more consensus. I really don't want to send my machine in to be "fixed" if there is no guarantee that it will solve the problem. Has anyone gotten Apple to give them a replacement system without first having any repairs done to their existing system? I've got an AppleCare protection plan, so I might just wait until the flicker occurs more frequently. I'd say my system lasted a good year and a half before the flicker started. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks.

I took my MacBook Pro in last week for repair; they replaced the logic board within 24 hours. I was hoping it would fix my screen blinking issues, but the blink came back within 36 hours. I initially thought I imagined it, so I sat on it for a few more days, and just saw it again. I guess it's time to take it back in. I really don't understand what is causing this issue. Frustrating for sure...

Well, I took my MacBook Pro back in this week, and the Genius said he thought it was a "RAM" issue, and agreed to check it in for testing. After 48 hours, they call me to pick it up, and I find that nothing was repaired on my machine..."the Genius couldn't reproduce the error, even after stress testing the machine." So they reset my PRAM and sent me on my way. :/

So, here is my question: Does anyone have a way to get this reproduced? I know it's an intermittent issue, but I somehow seem to experience it daily. I can be using 1 program or several...doesn't matter. It blinks for me. I don't understand how the repair facility cannot reproduce this error.

So, after a new logic board, re-imaging, multiple screen resets, PRAM resets, etc, I still have the issue...but without Apple being able to reproduce it, I feel stuck.

Any advice is appreciated.

The intermittent aspect of this flaw is very frustrating as long as Apple and the Genius Bar employees play dumb. It wastes our time and keeps us coming back to waste more of Apple's time.

Mine almost always blinks, but today for example, it's gone the whole day without a single blink. Which doesn't mean it's not a problem which Apple will need to address.

I have the same problem, and brought my MacBook to a service provider at my home town the second time. The first time they couldn't find an error, unplugged and plugged the display cable and said this fixed the blinking problem. Of course, nothing has changed. Now i brought it back to the service, and said that there's a very long thread at the apple forum, and many users have the same problem. They said they don't know anything about a "blinking problem" with the macbook.... :\ Now they need at least a week till i get my macbook back!

Meanwhile i regret my apple switch a few years ago....

I know this may be a dumb question, but here goes:

I was frustrated that after picking up my non-repaired Mac at the store yesterday my screen immediately started blinking when I used it. I started taking video of my screen since the Apple store doesn't seem to believe me. I used both a screen capture tool as well as a video camera on my screen. The blink only shows on one...the video camera. What would cause the blinking to not show on the screen capture tool but show on the video camera? Is this a display issue?

I'm going to make yet another appointment and hope that they will at least take me seriously now.

Message was edited by: bwg76

Doesn't sound dumb to me. It might narrow it down since no one really knows for certain what's causing it. I've noticed the blinking become less frequent after not using the machine for a week. From once a couple of mins to once a day. I get the sense it's related to how hard my machine is working, but who knows. Need to get booking that Apple store appointment.