Q: MacBook Pro screen blinks

Well, I got my laptop back from the 3rd repair, after showing them my videos. I was hoping they would come up with a different solution, but alas, they gave me another logic board. The only problem now (in addition to a blinking screen)...somehow my Airport is now dead. So, I have to go back at least 1 more time to get the Airport fixed.

On a side note, though, I talked to a friend of mine who works on computers, and showed him my videos...he was inclined to think that this was a screen issue or screen cable issue (vs a logic board or GPU issue). Who knows...

Good luck with your repair(s). Hopefully yours go better than mine. I'm going in for a 4th time today, and NOT happy about it. They've had my laptop more than me these past few weeks.

bwg76 wrote:
Well, I got my laptop back from the 3rd repair, after showing them my videos. I was hoping they would come up with a different solution, but alas, they gave me another logic board. The only problem now (in addition to a blinking screen)...somehow my Airport is now dead. So, I have to go back at least 1 more time to get the Airport fixed.

You shouldn't have to. After 3 repairs, you should be eligible for a replacement. I wouldn't necessarily be having an Apple Store handle this, though. Call Apple and ask to speak to a Product Specialist or Product Advisor.

I use my MacBook Pro frequently with a projector at work and with my 24" LED Cinema Display at home, and the external screens never flicker, only my MBP screen flickers. If it was a logic board or graphic card problem, wouldn't the all flicker?

On the other hand, if I switch to the 9600M graphic card, nothing flickers. So if it was a screen issue, shouldn't it flicker on both graphic cards?

It is hard to see the logic behind this.

I have already noted that the problem doesn't occur with an external display (at least not in closed-clamshell mode). I don't think that this is illogical, but I don't profess to understand Mac video hardware. Others have noted that the problem tends to be related to the 9400M video processor, not the 9600 -- they're separate chips, after all.

the screen blinks more often when brightness is maxed out, not so much when you bring it down 2-3 notches.

i've had my logic board replaced. this will be my second time returning this laptop.

you'd think Apple would have found a solution, rather than waste people's time coming back over and over again.

only the completeness sake: I got my MacBook back after 8 days, they changed the display and said that they could no longer notice a blinking problem. I switched it on back home, after half an hour of usage the new screen starts blinking....

Hello, two weeks ago was changed the logic board in my lap, and not blinking yet. I live in Mexico but I travel to USA, there I went to an Apple store where a genius gave me a code SC with which in Mexico repair my lap, I did not explain much, believe me immediately and I got the code, I hope not flashes, in my country are 3 months warranty on the piece changed. Go with the genius. After i install snow leopard and not blinking yet.

odysseus wrote:
You shouldn't have to. After 3 repairs, you should be eligible for a replacement. I wouldn't necessarily be having an Apple Store handle this, though. Call Apple and ask to speak to a Product Specialist or Product Advisor.

Thank you for your advice. I called AppleCare and was lucky to be assigned to a great Product Specialist who worked to get my laptop replaced. While I loved my MacBook Pro, I'm honestly grateful to be rid of that blinking (especially since it was getting worse). Thanks again!

I got my display replaced under AppleCare at my local Apple Store. They actually replaced the whole display and top lid as a unit. Is this how the display repair was done for those of you whom had it done? I've used the computer for several hours and have not noticed any blinking yet. It may return again, but I just haven't used it enough to notice it yet. We'll see what happens.

none have any news about a reparation program?
I can't believe that we are alone with our blinks....

The same replacement of the whole top lid was done at my macbook. After that, it still blinks....

I had my "display assembly" replaced twice, to no avail, and then they replaced the logic board. Since then the blinking occurs several times per month rather than several times per day/hour. And it hasn't got worse since the repairs finished at the end of April, much to my surprise, so I am happy enough.

Hi Everyone
Just like to add that my brand new MBP mid 2010 15" has the famous blinking problem. It came out of nowhere after working great with an external 24" hp hdmi screen for a few weeks.
Also like to add that I´ve testet with 4 different hdmi cables (after appl support request) and with two different hdmi screens. Same results. Also after resetting PRAM / SMC, and also after disabling wlan and time-machine-backup which I thought, for a periode, had something to do with the blinking.
The automatic graphics switching also been tested on/off with no results.
I´m now waiting for a new mini-dp to hdmi adapter to see if that could be the source.
Best regards, Lars

Hello,

I also have this "blincking' problem with my MBP 2010. It started unfrequently, but since today it blincks 20 times a minute, but also sometimes not at all for several minutes. Done SMC, PRAM, new account, AHT, used gfxCardStatus, but all with no positive result.

First I will try a replace of my backup this weekend. If that won't work, I think I have to bring it to my reseller and hope they are able to fix this.

For those with relatively new MacBook Pro's, the defective NIVIDA GeForce 9400M GPU, was used by Apple until April 2010. Affected models were produced from October 2008 to April 2010, about 19 months.