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

When you start to take the different hardware parts out of the equation as to what the problem could be related to you are left with only a handful options in my opinion:

1. Logic Board
2. Video cable from Logic Board to panel
3. Damage in transit. I noticed that my 21.5 one was filthy in the bottom right hand corner or at least something else was going on where the yellowing was most apparent. It looked like a bunch of dead pixels but by using screen wipes and rubbing OVER and OVER again it turned out there were no dead pixels in fact.
4. Assembly issues?

I don't believe it is the panel (unless LG made a whole string of unreliable 21.5 AND 27 ones and the components to build these are actually to blame which I doubt) or graphics cards themselves.

Dino,

you got a German sense of humour - something mankind didn't know to exist at all ;-))

I like to find humor even in dire situations like these. What else are you going to do? You gotta' have a little fun, no matter what! Right?

Hello all,
I've been monitoring this topic for weeks. Most of the posts have been very helpful and I appreciate what has been shared thus far. I will admit to an addiction to this thread - opening it anxiously each day hoping to see news of a confirmed fix. I have never posted to any forum before, but I decided a while back that I would post to this one when I got my new machine to share my experience, good or bad.

Ordered my 27" i7 on Nov 27 from authorized reseller (LJS) in The Hague, Netherlands. Original estimated delivery was Dec 28. Called to check on my order a week after it was placed and was informed that I should probably not expect my machine until the end of January b/c Apple was sorting out problems with the display. As much as I wanted the machine, I was actually pleased to hear news of a delay if it meant that I would get a working one on the first try.

So I was surprised to get a call yesterday from LJS to let me know that my machine was ready for pickup - almost a month earlier than expected. Sounds crazy, but I was actually disappointed that it was here b/c I knew the problem was still lurking. Fired it up last night. Everything checked out okay with the possible exception of the yellow tinge test...bottom bar seemed a bit lighter, but the display was gorgeous in actual use so I decided if this is what was meant by yellowing that I wouldn't bother with a return. Loved the machine! i7 is very snappy and more than capable of handling whatever I plan to throw at it, so I was a very happy customer...until tonight.

Flickers started slowly. Thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me at first. But they got worse and when the screen totally blacked out for a second there was no doubt. Haven't done the PRAM reset, etc. yet, but in my opinion the fact that it happened once means that this unit is defective unless it is a software issue, which seems unlikely at this point.

I am very disappointed but not a bit surprised based on what I've seen on this thread. This is my fourth Apple computer purchase - also have an older iMac, MB Pro, MB Air, not to mention multiple iPhones and iPods. I'm no fan boy, but I don't mind paying a little more for high quality and a great user experience, neither of which I have enjoyed with this latest purchase.

Not sure what to do now. Will wait as long as I can before exchange/repair in hopes there will eventually be a fix. Can't imagine the multiple let downs that many of you have experienced. I won't go for a refund. The machine is wonderful otherwise ("Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?")

Sorry about the long post. I guess misery loves company. Best of luck (and continued patience) to all of you.

David

PS - wrote a novel and didn't even include the build week...mine is from week 52

Message was edited by: David Carrere

David,

What week was your machine made?

Nexus600,
Apologies. It's a week 52 build.

D

Disappointing to hear David, especially after you received a call about the postponement due to fixing the general problems. I really do think Apple should acknowledge this as it is happening all over the world. They should make a general statement on their site saying they are looking into it, recalling faulty products and won't be selling more until resolved. That may sound harsh but it certainly would be my move. Nothing in life is perfect though I fully appreciate their intentions with the new Imac range being just that were. But denying the problem simply does not make it go away. Fair enough they are dealing with the returns/refunds at the moment but so they should. Everyone is well within their warranty and many have opted for the apple care too.

Message was edited by: AndrewGD

Thank you AndrewGD for your clear words! We're all good customers from this great company and we expect now an official statement. Apple is losing a lot at the moment.

Andrew:

You do not need to submit your fault to that site......The site developer states that he took this info from this, and other forums around the web in order to get a better idea of how widespread the problem is.
He also requested that users who were having problems post directly to the site.

After scouring the web, and inviting posters, that's all he could come up with........588 units that showed the flickering defect, and 288 that have the tinged screens, many of those may be duplicates that have both problems.

I would not argue that there are many more out there that have problems, but how many?

Even if Apple only sold 1 million 27" models....... 1% would be 10,000 defective units......... and only 588 of them posted on the web.......not likely.

The truth of the matter is, there is not any information, on the web, or elsewhere that even begins to indicate that the problem even begins to approach the 1% failure rate.

Those of us posting here are just among that unlucky minority who have received defective products, I truly believe that some people are just born lucky, and thus, the rest of us have to make up for the law of averages.

As I have posted before, in my little universe, Murphy's Law reigns supreme, and if there is a defective unit out there, my chances of getting it are 1 in 1.

Hopefully, your odds are better than mine.

No need to apologize David.

Thanks for the information.
It's a week 52 so that tells us there is still hope that machines made in 2010 are fixed.
We will see...

Sorry for your problems.

Thanks again.

I guess I'm double Unlucky the. Yellow Tinge& Screen Flicker.

then im quadruple unlucky, yellow tinge and flicker twice!!b lol

Yea but maybe we'll free Upgrades. 2 TB Drives, 8 GB Ram 27" Screen & I7's. I'm dreaming! Not in this Life!!

ha ha no chance mate

Citrus101,
This is for you only because you asked.
I wish i could PM you on here because all the Nay Sayers will call me insane.
Ran Disk Utility Verification & Repair: Still Flicker
Ran Onyx in Automation Mode: "Rebuilding" Section All Checked: Stopped Flicker (no reboot)
At least it works every time on MY iMac.

Here is a Look at the Automation Screen
http://www.mediafire.com/i/?djxynyym1q1