Q: New iMac 27inch screen flickering/tearing/shutoff

Schwa72 wrote:
Performance-wise, the GT 130 falls right between the 9500 GT and the 9600 GT (desktop parts). Based on what I've read, overall, the 9800 GTX = HD 4850, the 8800 GT is 15% slower, and 9600 GT 45% slower. So, the HD 4850 should crush the GT 130.

Thanks Schwa72 for the additional information. I appreciate it. I anticipate watching some videos in high style then.

spurv2 wrote:
Obviously, the graphics card manufacturers hasnt learnt anything from Apples way of giving names to their products. No iPhone, iPod og Mac Pro here. Why bother, when you can call them GT 130, 9500 GT, 9600 GT, 9800 GTX, HD 4850 and 8800 GT. Now THATS sexy!

I agree. The card-naming practices currently in use really make it confusing for folks like me who are novices in this area. Then again, intentional confusion is a tactic which is often employed by commercial competitors.

It kind of reminds me of how manufacturers will tweak their parts, so that only their parts can be used in their products. It guarantees that purchasers of their products will be dependent on that same company for future parts and repairs...which obviously increases profits.

But still, it would be nice if there was a universal naming convention for computer graphics cards. It should be clear and straight forward, so that a potential purchaser can quickly determine the speed and capabilities of a card, compared to other similar cards.

If the manufacturers of food products are required by law to clearly state on the packaging the contents of their product, shouldn't graphics card manufacturers be held to a similar standard? Of course, food manufacturers STILL find ways to disguise the contents of their products. For example, they'll say "spices" instead of "MSG"...which has long been a hot topic.

Well Cliff, I haven't heard a word from the Apple store. I did call the Apple Tech (Tim) today and left a message. He returned my call and said he had called the Apple store repair shop to insure they were aware of a fix, etc. and they told him they were replacing my screen and a 'cable.' (Perhaps some other things.)

This was before I had seen the Firmware update put out by Apple. So, I don't know, if this will be part of the repair package or not. If and when they call me to pick up the computer I will find out if the updated the firmware or not or if after they 'repaired' it should the update be done.

Your deal sounds 'sweet.' I'm glad for you! This is really the only Mac since 1986 that I have had a significant hardware problem with an during that time I had a number of desk tops and two notebooks.

When I hear from the Apple store and/or get the i7 back I'll update this forum.

If my i7 had more than the screen flicker/blackout problems, I may have been forced to send the one back I have. If when I do get it back it better be 100% OK or I will demand a new one and keep this one until it arrives! I just want a computer that works like it should for $2,000+!

Sorry... I had lost hope for a software fix for this problem. Sorry to read the update has not solved the issue for some people. Anyway, it is working for me, hope it stays like this.

CliffBell87 wrote:
Tom1631,
I called support as well and they told me to bring it to the genious bar. The gentlemen looked over the machine. The audio wouldnt work and he verified that. I also showed him footage on my iPhone of the flickering. He gave me the option to have it repaired, or call Apple Care for a free new replacement. He thought that since the machine was SO NEW, I shouldn't have to get a repaired one. He wrote me a personal letter to apple care and opened me a case stating "customer states flickering and screen anomolies and no audio. confirmed and replicated issue. replace immediately and without questions. next day shipping if possible."

I called Apple Care to initiate. They authorized it and Apple Corporate called me the next day to let me know they have were going to ship me a maxed out iMac i7. My machine originally had 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, and Final Cut Express. THEY UPGRADED me to 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD, Final Cut Express, Logic Studio, iWork, and Aperture preinstalled. They even threw in a wireless remote and free expedited shipping. As soon as I ship my machine tommorow and they recieve confirmation, my order will be processed and I will probably wait 2 weeks for it.

A representative of Steve Jobs has been in contact with me to make sure customer service has been taking care of me. He's been calling me personally to guide me day to day and keep me updated.

This was my first Apple purchase.

I was very dissappointed.

They turned the experience COMPLETELY around. The BEST customer service I have EVER experienced. We'll see how it goes from here.
-Cliff

Wow! When I took my 27" i7 iMac into the Apple Store Genius bar they acted like they were doing me a favor and that I had to mind my manners or they'd give me the boot. I mean I was late to my Genius-Bar appointment but still! I buy a $38 hundred dollar premium computer and the thing doesn't work and I get treated like I bought a $10 toy and that they would rather not have to deal with me! They "Genius" was relatively nice and they were swamped with a store full of people, but I'm not seeing the customer service that others are reporting.

How sad that the firmware update is not resolving all of these issues. But then, it is plainly evident in the file description at...

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3181

...that Apple was not absolutely certain that the update would fix everything anyway. They anticipated continuing problems, which is why they give the advice that they do in the file description.

Perhaps, as one member here suggested, the firmware update is only meant to buy Apple more time, while they find a REAL cure for these current problems.

At any rate, the firmware update does officially confirm two things:

1. Apple is aware of and is now publicly acknowledging that the problems exist.

2. Apple is now seriously working on finding a permanent fix for these problems.

I suggest that everyone here share the above URL with all of the Apple Store employees and Apple resellers that they know.

The word is now official. No one can feign ignorance, or continue to deny that these problems exist, or look at you with incredulity, as if you are out of your head.

And I can't help but say this, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if -- like a typical Pavlov dog response -- some of these Apple Store employees suddenly take a 180 degree turnaround in their attitude and say "Oh yes, we are aware of these problems." Just watch and see!

Cliffbell87,

I too have had a crazy experience with the 27 inch iMacs. Outlined here...

http://sumopro.blogspot.com/2009/12/blog-post.html

I havent updated that post for several days though. I am also working with Apple's "executive relations" they have ordered a a new totally decked out i7 iMac... they also said i have 1k to spend at the apple store... Even though my experience took over 4 months to resolve (fingers crossed) They have really gone to bat for me.

I'm still experiencing flickering and blackouts even after the firmware update - they started about 3 hours after. My computer also seems to get really hot whenever a disk is inserted, even though the temps look okay.

Yes I can confirm that I am still experiencing flickering issues even AFTER the firmware update.
In fact I applied and only 1-2 hrs later thinking it had fixed things the flickering has started again. It's less severe than it previously was but it most certainly has not fixed it..

This is definitely a hardware issue I believe now..

For those of you who are waiting on replacement machines, you really don't want to hear this......

My week 51 iMac flickers.

Got the replacement machine in this morning, didn't take more than two hours of use before the flickering started.
I did not run the firmware updater in order to see if the newer machines still suffered from the flickering and blackouts. It does not seem to be as frequent on this machine, but the problem is still there. All of the stats are the same as my original week 46 machine, so they are still shipping with the same firmware as the originals.

After the flickering returned, I ran the firmware update and so far, it hasn't reappeared, but it hasn't been more than an hour or so.

A little more time may tell.

@pazuita
are you sure that your replacement is week 51 (W8951......)? I haven't seen any and I think that there will be no week 51 and 52 due to the 2 weeks delay.

Same flickering problem here.
The update didn't solved it.

Finally Apple has just released a firmware update.

It's in Italian but I think you can easly find the news on Internet...

http://www.macitynet.it/macity/aA41326/aggiornamentoscheda_grafica_per_i_nuovi_imac_da_27pollici.shtml

Please user let us know if it'll solve the flickering issue!

Here Apple link

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL984

Message was edited by: p.hugo

Yes, same here. The flickering is back and the sudden black screen as well. Oh my...

tallturtle wrote:
Yes, same here. The flickering is back and the sudden black screen as well. Oh my...

No words... It's a sad day for Apple people.