Flickering screen

Question

Flickering screen

Occasionally, the screen on my late '08 Macbook Pro will flicker. Sometimes it is just the top 1/3 or 1/4 of the screen, sometimes the whole thing. This has only happened around 10 times since I got it, but I'm concerned, seeing as I've seen posts by people online saying that it starts rarely, then gets more frequent. I didn't buy Applecare, so I guess my warranty will expire sometime this fall. Do I have reason to be worried? And should I wait till it gets really bad, or should I bring it in like it is, even though it does it rarely, because it is still under warranty?

Thanks!

Message was edited by: harmlessgoat22

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Aug 27, 2009 6:32 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

S.U.

Level 6

9,595 points

Aug 27, 2009 8:07 PM in response to harmlessgoat22

Yes, you definitely want to report this to Apple before your warranty expires. If it only happens rarely and intermittently, call Apple and report it and get a case number. That will establish that the problem first occurred under warranty, which is very important to do. If a problem first occurs under warranty, Apple will honor the warranty until that problem is fixed, even if the warranty lapses before it is fixed. An Apple product specialist told me that.

Try to note the circumstances when you get the problem and see if you can make it happen. If you can make it happen in front of a genius, then Apple can do something about it.

Incidentally, it's not too late to buy Applecare, and since you are having a problem, I would recommend you get Applecare before your one year warranty is up. Once the first year warranty is up, it will be too late.

Good luck!

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 27, 2009 8:26 PM in response to S.U.

Can I get a case number just online? Or do I have to call?

Reply

Answer 3

Aug 27, 2009 8:46 PM in response to harmlessgoat22

Also, I'm past the 90 days, do I still get phone support?

Reply

Answer 4

Aug 27, 2009 9:10 PM in response to harmlessgoat22

I got a case number. I'm going to call them tomorrow. Is it likely that they will help me until the problem is fixed? Or might they just be like "ah, oh well, get over it" ?

Reply

Answer 5

S.U.

Level 6

9,595 points

Aug 28, 2009 2:23 PM in response to harmlessgoat22

Great! The case number is really important to have. Don't lose it.

With the 1 year warranty, you only get free tech support for 90 days. However, if you have a hardware problem covered by the warranty, you can call and talk to them about that for free. If you decide to opt for 3 year Applecare, you will get free tech support as long as the Applecare is in effect.

Apple has a record of being very responsible about fixing issues. If this is a known issue with this model, the repair shop may well know how to make it occur to verify that it is there and then go on to fix it. So I would expect that they would help you until the issue is fixed.

Good luck!

Reply

Answer 6

Ben J.

Level 1

0 points

Aug 28, 2009 3:44 PM in response to harmlessgoat22

Ive been having the exact same problem. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Reply

Answer 7

Sep 12, 2009 9:09 PM in response to Ben J.

This is crazy. I had this problem when I first got my late 2008 unibody but only while under the 'better battery life' performance setting (lower graphics card). It took two visits to the apple store, to where they tried to replace the display (didnt' work) and then replaced the logic board. After they replaced the logic board I NEVER AGAIN SAW THE DISPLAY FLICKER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! It was fixed! I use my MBP about 4 hours a day and I never once saw it again for over 6 months. The day that I installed Snow Leopard, it is now happening again. What is going on!? I was convinced it was a hardware problem (with the logic board obviously) but now it's happing again with the OS install. Do I go back to the Apple store or what?

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 9, 2009 6:23 AM in response to FlatlanderIA

Just a followup, after 3 repairs of the display and logic board, the last one still having the flicker issue (and they did a poor job of installing the new display, it rubbed against the back edge of the computer when closing) the Apple store kindly replaced my machine with a brand new one. No issues at all with the new one! Be patient and Apple takes care of you eventually! Thanks Apple.

Reply