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Richhep Author

Level 1

8 points

Display flashes to solid black intermittently

I originally posted this in the wrong category for the MacBook Pro instead of the Monitor catagory. I am wondering if anyone else has the same problem. I posted the following last night.

*Still an unknown issue with Apple Tech Support*? After 2 calls to product specialists and apparently an undocumented issue by any customers contacting tech support this seems to be a widespread worldwide issue. In one form or another with no answer after several months of the computer release displays are blinking, flickering and flashing to name a few descriptions of this problem. Mine flashes solid black for a fraction of a second and comes right back on. I have had this issue in the power saving mode as well as the better performance mode so that kills that theory. To this point there has been no pattern that I have been able to detect. I can go for weeks without a blink and all of a sudden get 2 in 5 minutes. Usually I am pretty good at troubleshooting but this problem has no pattern and is so intermittent I think it's going to be a tough one and I truly believe Apple has no clue as of yet so they are not addressing it publicly or to individuals calling in with the problem. I purchased my computer November 29th. I used it for over a month without ever seeing the issue. When the new monitor came out I still did not experience any issues with either display in the area of blinking, flickering or flashing. There is a video on Youtube that I have located showing the exact same issue as mine. Though the person on Youtube has a non-apple display and mine is the new 24" Apple display and it is the exact same issue this rules out the problem being the external display. Well, I can check that off as well. This is the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-dQIgfIFsI Does anyone else have the exact same issue as mine? I am thinking maybe it is something in the 10.5.6 update. Who Knows?

*BTW this problem is not at all heat related.* It can happen during heavy use or very light use at low temps. I have purchased many newly released Apple Computers over the years and have actually had great luck with them. I hope this is not my first lemon.

MacBook Pro (late 2008) 2.53GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Apple LED Cinema Display (24" flat panel)

Posted on Feb 10, 2009 11:35 PM

515 replies

Nov 6, 2009 9:31 PM in response to janericster

Nothing is this world is perfect. Apple is part of this world. Therefore, it is not perfect either. But they are close. 🙂 And that's why most of us love them, and their products.

The problem of intermittent screen blackouts seems 99.9% certain to be something related to the hardware in the 24" LED CD itself. For those experiencing problems, then having them temporarily go away after unplugging this or relocated some cable there, I think they are kidding themselves in thinking a "solution" has been found. The only solution is to get the hardware inside the unit replaced with a new display unit or fixed.

For those who just bought the display and are having these problems (like I did yesterday): (a) Return a new Display as Dead on Arrival (DOA) and get a new replacement; or (b) If past the initial return policy days (14?) then bring it in for service under AppleCare.

Sure, as others have posted, it would be perfect if Apple could tell which range of serial numbers have this problem. But so far either they can't tell themselves, or are not yet willing to discuss that publicly or internally, it seems. That's the sometimes frustrating part of dealing with our beloved Apple. $900 for a new 24" display is LOTS of money. When it works perfectly, many of us deemed that a fair price to pay for such a gorgeous and functional display. If it doesn't work perfectly, the ONLY right answer for the customer, and, ultimately the company too, is for the owner to return the unit and get a new replacement. Once. Twice. Or do so as many times as it takes to get things right. Or give up and choose a different vendor.

It seems those are the only real solutions to this problem. The solution won't be a fix in 10.6.2. It won't be moving cables a few inches over there. And it won't be unplugging usb cables from a hub. The problem is in the hardware of the display unit itself. At least that what's the past 10 hours have taught me. So far.

Nov 16, 2009 9:20 AM in response to Glen Berkowitz

Any news on this? Anyone who's talked to Apple?

Nov 17, 2009 8:10 PM in response to William Bridgeforth

I had the cable replaced, the LED chassis replaced and finally the main logic/power supply board. Didn't fix it. Apple then replaced the monitor. The new one started flashing almost as soon as it came on. I found out by accident that if I briefly disconnect the mini-display port plug and re-insert it, the monitor will not flash again for the entire day. I use my monitor all day long. When start it up the next day, I have to go through the same procedure. I can live with it as it is. I really like the monitor and perhaps it will get fixed in one of the software updates or I will read about the real fix here on this forum.

Nov 18, 2009 1:00 AM in response to woofer2425

I have exactly the same experience: after first flash, just briefly unplug and re-insert the mini-display cable, and your OK, at least for a while...

Nov 18, 2009 3:58 PM in response to d-a_v_i-d

I have the same sort of cludgy fix: when it starts flickering and flashing black, I sleep the system and then reawaken. (I also open the clamshell on my air as this seems potentially heat related, although I'm not sure that matters.) Anyhow, the sleep trip generally works. Cludgy though.

Nov 20, 2009 8:00 AM in response to Richhep

I have had my MacBook Pro with the 24 inch LED display since March 09 without issue it has worked well. After installing the LED iSight Camera Firmware yesterday, the display is starting to go out while the USB connectivity works. Called AppleCare (have it on both display and MBP) and they did not have a solution other than what I had done previously, reset PRAM and SMC. It's working now but it has gone out twice now in the last 24 hours. I fear a trip to the AppleStore (80 miles one way) may be in order. I have no fix either did anyone have this issue after updating their display's firmware?

Nov 23, 2009 10:30 AM in response to MattyMacMan

I am now having the same issue, but only after having updated the iSight Camera Firmware this morning..... so if this doesn't prove to Apple that its a display hardware issue and not the computer its connected to, I don't know what will!

Nov 23, 2009 7:45 PM in response to Big_Dutch

Same issue. Around two hours after installing the isight update the display went completely black. USB and power Ok and my MBP actually finds the display as connected in preferences. Tried it on my mac mini but still black. Is there any way to restore/remove the isight update as it was OK for me before that. Don't really want to return it if it's only a firmware update required

andyrich

Level 1

10 points

Nov 24, 2009 11:32 AM in response to ambushman

I've had exactly the same problems since I ran the Firmware update. In fact, my screen went completely bonkers - so bad that it was flashing on/off to black every few seconds. But I've found a fix (at least it is working for me).

1. Disconnect your MacBook (Pro) from your external display <--- most important
2. Reset the PRAM on your laptop - link: <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://">http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/26871.h tml
3. Reconnect and all should be fixed.

Good luck!

AR

Nov 28, 2009 6:30 PM in response to andyrich

I have had this exact problem with my MB Pro. However, I only experience it on my home Apple LED Cinema Display and NOT the one I use at work (an identical monitor).

The problem display is only a month old, so I took it to the Genius bar today. They immediately offered to replace it. So I did. I got the new one home, and within just a few minutes it started "flashing to black" intermittently.

So, I just now reset the PRAM per "andyrich"'s 11/24/009 post.

Hopeful that will 'solve' the problem.

Nov 28, 2009 8:48 PM in response to twobluffs

Tried the PRAm reset but no luck. I returned it to the Apple premium reseller and they had the exact same problem so it's now back to apple. Just hope the new or repaired unit is OK.

Nov 29, 2009 2:17 AM in response to ambushman

I have had my MBP for just under a month. It's just started the flickering and flashes of solid black. It does it a lot more when I'm using big software like Logic Pro 9. I want to get it sorted, however I'm a university student and I cant afford to lose time by sending it back to apple to get it fixed. I have 7 assignments due just after Christmas. If I don't have my mac then I won't be able to do the assignments. Do you think it will be Ok until after Christmas? How long does it usually take for apple to fix it? If I take it to an apple store will they be able to fix it there any then?

Any help or advice would be appreciated 🙂

Thankyou

James

Nov 29, 2009 3:16 PM in response to Richhep

I bought a 24 inch Cinema Display and the first day it was flashing infrequently but enough to be troublesome. At first I thought it was my Gefen unit, or maybe that it simply wasn't compatible with a device this old.

Then it turns out, with this setup, I couldn't even change the brightness. So, I downloaded Shades, and made the monitor a little bit dimmer. It hasn't flickered since, even though I have since cranked up the brightness to full.

This might be just another lull before it starts to flicker again: I can't imagine that this is easy to troubleshoot.

Does anyone know exactly what's happening internally when the screen goes black?

Thanks,

Michael

Nov 30, 2009 2:50 AM in response to Michael Rogers4

Not sure what is happening inside but I know in my case both the USB and the iChat camera were still both working. Very strange indeed. All this after the isight update.

Nov 30, 2009 10:52 AM in response to twobluffs

Just an update on my situation:

Since resetting the PRAM on my laptop, my LED Cinema Display problem has improved but not been eliminated. Within a day I had another "flash to black", but it is definitely less frequent. I will continue to log when it flashes (for a possible 2nd trip to the Genius Bar).

Display flashes to solid black intermittently