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

ennuikiller, Did you run Onyx yet? Just curious. I know everyone on here is thinking I've lost my mind! But I would try it & prove me wrong. Or maybe it just might help your issue. Anythings worth a shot at this point.

Michael Weber wrote:
I received my new iMac December 28th. It's a week 52 build and I experienced a full week without issues (and assumed I was lucky to have a "fixed" version). Well today my luck ended and my computer also began flickering and momentarily blacking out. I phoned tech support who sent me a "Capture Data" program to run during the flickering episodes and to email back to them once I have done this. My computer has since not had the issue....

This is a shocker for me. If they send you such a thing that probably means they still have not identified the issues? Not good!

Another thought: Have you actually tried opening the capture with a text editor and checked if there is anything human readable in there?

Not trying to get you to post the capture here, but maybe the capture tells you what the problem is... Just curious.

Hi Dino
I ran Onyx last night but still have the dreaded flickers. I'm still waiting for my replacement screen to arrive at the Apple Service Centre so I can have it and the LCD cable changed - only been waiting three-and-a-half weeks for the screen (they've got the cable). Maybe they're making sure they don't send a duff one, hope so.

Message was edited by: Paul_31

NULCGI wrote:
Hello to All,
I have been watching this topic with some concern.... closely following the nuances, opinions and perspectives - as has been provided by all the affected Users and other interested parties.

I do so because I will be receiving my first 27" iMac (C2D) next week (ex China factory).... this being a replacement machine (supplied under Applecare Warranty) for my 18 month old (and much loved) 24" iMac (C2D) which endured many component failures & replacements; Optical Drive (x2) HDD FAN, HDD and finally the Logic Board & Video Card. (Note: all to no avail... in fixing/resolving a persistant "Kernel Panic")>

I'm pleased to report the AppleCare Order made on 27th Dec, 2009 - for my replacement 27" (C2D) iMac - was prepared for shipment on 30th Dec, 2009 and was finally shipped - on 4th Jan 2010.

I would expect it to arrive here in Australia - within the next two days.

This will be my first 27" ..... so its 'Fingers-crossed' that it will arrive OK - and free of this problem.

Thanks Paul for at least trying. Ok you proved it to me. So they are changing the Screem out & Screen Cable? Is there a reason they are not giving you a brand new replacement ? But thinking again, you may be better off.

Dino
At the moment I'd rather get the iMac I've got fixed as it is perfect in every other regard - no yellow tinge, scratches, dents, quiet as a mouse - and I believe (or should it be hope) that Apple will find a solution in the end. They're obviously working on the problem having released one firmware update and who knows there may be another that fixes it once and for all. However, if the proposed fix they've offered me doesn't work I may change my mind and seek a replacement as by then they'll surely be shipping fully sorted iMacs!

I have a "maybe dumb" question, but i'm curious about it...

When the dock is on the left or right side of the screen...does it also move 2/3rd?

I have a week 49 iMac. Post-patch I still have the flicker issue, albeit less frequently.

This thread has turned into a convoluted mess of pure speculation from every angle.

There is NO fixing of the flicker issue from the end-user perspective. Apple must do it... to speculate beyond pure voodoo magic and incantations is completely pointless.

It would be nice to hear something other than Radio Silence from Apple. Can you imagine if it were Dell or Microsoft conducting this kind of customer (non)interaction? RIOTS!

I have a week 48 machine. 27" Core i7. I don't have Windows, Boot Camp, or anything like that installed. I don't do anything intense with it (yet) like gaming, movie watching, movie encoding, nothing... basically just web browsing.

Like others have reported, it flickers semi-randomly. It will go through hours of the day where it happens once (very briefly) every minute or so. But then for whole other parts of the day, it won't happen at all. I think that's why so many people focus on on thermal causes - it's hard to imagine what could cause it to happen for half of the day - then be fine for another few hours - other than something thermal. It could be as simple as a loose/weak connection that is flexed as things heat and expand slightly, etc.

And my Lord is my machine hot to the touch, especially in the upper-left corner!

As it happens now, it's annoying, but doesn't interfere with my work. However, it really seems like an issue that could get worse over time, which is why I'm very concerned about it.

Call Apple, report your issue & get a Case #! If you have not done that already.

Dino, haven't run onyx yet, downloaded it and now I'm waiting for the problem to recur. For the past 2 days I've been running fine

Ok. Someone else on her tried Onyx & it did not help. Mine is still free of Flickers. It's strange how it comes & goes. Different parts of day & such. No pattern as far as when it first boots up or is running for a long time, that I can see.

pazuita wrote:
If gaming is all you do, it is probably best to wait until the fix is in, however, if you actually have a life, and use the machine in the real world, it is incredible, and well worth putting up with a few flickers now and then.
pazuita wrote:
"Gamers are just a different species of geek......we all know it......some near subhuman, kinda like skaters, don't tell me you're one of those too."

We all know those people who live in their mom's basement, habitually unemployed, living off of chips and twinkies, and the only ambition they have in life is a faster gpu, and the next game revision.

They have no real life

Man up and grow a pair.

ROTFLOL! Wow. Somebody is on a high-horse.

Its amazing, no matter what forum you are on, no matter what the subject is, someone starts arguing about something that has NOTHING to do with the original thread. Humans!

-purchased on 11-19-09, W8940, very slight flicker first 3 days, perfect since, no video update installed.