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

totally agree dino

they MAY just redeem themselves!!!

can someone translate the times for me please? whats 11am for you dino, for me?? about 5pm?

Yes, I think you did miss something in the summary, which to me is more alarming and troubling than the fact that the problem exists in the first place: namely, that the results of my communication with Apple over this issue have been far LESS than satisfactory.

I expected a fairly typical Apple response: apologetic that my iMac is faulty, and immediate response to replace the defective machine. This machine has been up and running for LESS than one week, and the problem I am experiencing appears to be, based on what I have seen in this forum and others, a known issue. Instead Apple told me that I could ship them my machine for a repair, but that they cannot replace it, and furthermore they don't seem to be familiar with the problem at all. I did not expect to receive an attitude which, quite frankly, sounded hostile towards my request for a replacement and made me feel anger and fear that they were not going help me at all.

What do I want? I want a new machine, in perfect working condition, no yellow screen, flickering display, nor dust under the glass, shipped to me to replace this lemon, AFTER the problems have been resolved -- whether that is available now, or in weeks to come. I will then return this iLemon to Apple once I have completed the transferring of all my files (again).

I want Apple to send a notice to all Apple resellers and service providers to educate them regarding the problem and how to handle returns and repairs. It's not fair for other unfortunate purchasers to have to go through such problems relating the issues and getting a replacement.

I want the imac purchasers, who have already paid their money AND spent countless hours being fruitless with their machine set-ups and troubleshooting attempts, to be put on the top of the list for receiving brand new WORKING machines. An added bonus would be for Apple to do this kindly, respectfully, and without any attitude. We should not be out of pocket, taking time off work and energy to lug these heavy ibeasts across town looking for a repair; it's a lemon, Apple -- you made it, so please replace it. And please do it kindly, respectfully, and communicate to us the process, so that we can all stay in love with all things Apple.

I don't see how this problem cannot be widespread, if so many people are getting repairs/replacements that STILL exhibit the same symptoms? What are the chances of getting two in a row, or even three? The coincidence rate seems too high, and is scaring many of us out of taking any action at the moment. It makes me fear there is a systemic issue with quality control and parts, perhaps forecasting the future of mac products. This is NOT why I have been using macs for years and praising everything Apple. I believe Apple should be assuring their customers that they are taking our concerns seriously, and are taking action to remedy this, before our crumbling trust damages the foundation of what makes Apple a success in the first place.

Dino1956 wrote:
Thanks Stephanie. Very good & useful information.

Which begs the question - Which cable(s) are they replacing?

Steph

From what I read, I would assume it's the cable from Screen to Video Card. But you know what happens when you assume. Maybe someone on here who got theirs replaced will chime in.

Hi,

I have a week 53 i7 imac and it works fine on the OSX side but on the Windows 7 side it flickers, shifts down and distorts and blacks out and tells me the video driver failed. It always refreshes itself which is common for a PC. I have since, updated the video driver with a hack program that allowed me to install the drivers fully in bootcamp. It appears to be much more stable now.

After extensive troubleshooting on this machine with Apple care techs, I am fairly convinced that video flickering is also software related. I do believe that the issue will be totally resolved in an OS update. Drivers for ATI and Nvidia are tricky. I have had video drivers fail in many pc's I have built.

On the bootcamp side having the video distort and flicker and black out only to have the OS tell me that the video driver failed is a pretty BIG CLUE.

I have no yellowing on the screen and will keep this iMac. I think alot of folks are used to Apple products that just do not break. Those of us who have built PC's know how easy that is to do with the wrong drivers installed or wrong settings.

Just my two cents worth!

I love my iMAC 27!!

-Linda

Yea sparkie 1984, in England it is on 5:00 AM.

Ciao! See you tomorrow.

sorry 5:00 PM

11 am is 11 am for me. Central America. Florida.

skullcat:

It is unfortunate that your experience with Apple Customer Care has gone so badly, that is not the typical experience that most posters on this forum have encountered.

Maybe we need to further clarify this issue.

It has been posted on here numerous times that some posters have received as many as five defective machines. I have spent a lot of time going over the previous pages, and have found none who have made such a claim first hand.
I do recall someone mentioning that they have received as many as three, although, again, I have not been able to find one that made that claim first hand, only that someone had "heard" that.

There are several who have received a second defective machine, myself included, but that is the luck of the draw. Most seem to be receiving "perfect" machines on their first replacement, and as such, they do not post again.

It would be a benefit to all of us, if any of you can locate those previous posters who claim to have received more than two defective machines, and list their usernames, and the date they posted that claim. I will then forward that information to Apple Corporate, and "politely" ask for an explanation.

If anyone has received more than two defective machines, please post that information here, please also include whether or not you purchased your machines from Apple on line, an Apple Store, or a reseller. Please include the resellers name.

If these resellers, and even the Apple Store is simply putting these units back on the shelves because they do not think there is a problem, then Apple should know about it, as should any purchasers from those locations.

I would also ask that if anyone has any real numbers that even remotely indicate that this is a problem that affects even 10% of all machines produced, please post that information.
Please note that I asked for "real" numbers, not guessing, or personal experience, those have no bearing in real numbers.
Currently, all I can find, on the net, is one source of compilations that attempts to show the scope of the problem. That site only shows about 600 posters stating that they have defective machines. Many of those posts are duplications, with many counted twice. Many are posted anonymously, opening the door for the troll factor.

There should a better source out there somewhere.

If there is please post the url here.

If this is a widespread problem that affects even a small percentage of units, then we need to establish that fact. It has not been done to this point, in fact, all information that I have been able to find still indicates that it affects far less than 1%.

Skullcat, your demands are reasonable, if this is in fact a widespread problem that affects a majority, or even a reasonable minority of machines, but we must establish that fact with real numbers.

Second guessing and opinion do not account for much, and Apple will make no statements, or even publicly acknowledge the issue without more information.

Until then, keep after them, since you purchased from a reseller, they are the first step. If they sold you a defective machine, then they should either refund, replace, or repair the unit, then they have to deal with Apple.

A lot of us were thinking software. I was using Onyx for a while & Flicker would be gone for days, immediately after running it. PRAM worked for others. All were temporary fixes. Onyx stopped working for me last time I tried it. We know this much. Anyone who got their Screen & Screen Cable replaced, no longer have any Flicker problems.

Thanks linda.

I think most here, and even Apple itself has agreed that this is a hardware problem, however, many hardware problems can be corrected with software fixes, being a pc user, you are no doubt aware of that.

I personally prefer a hardware fix to a hardware problem. That is far more permanent, and less likely that other problems arise in the future.

Apple has attempted one software fix with a firmware update, they may very well try another, but the solution seems to be in the hardware.

Do you spend much time on the Mac OS, or do you use the i7 primarily in windows? It is possible that your machine has the problem in both, and just hasn't been noticed yet, since it is such a random problem.

If it continues, even in windows, I would suggest you contact Apple, and inform them.

Good luck

For the rest of the world...

That's 17:00 GMT or Zulu.

If you're still uncertain, go here:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html

Hi pazuita,

I'm not so optimistic. Did you never thought at the possibility, that we saw just the beginning of the problems. If there is a hardware problem, it could be that all new iMacs are defective and as I already said, it could be a question of time until all new iMacs start to flicker. I really don't hope so, but I think there are a lot of iMac users having this fear. And there is another point: Apple's big silence. What do they know, that we don't?

HiFi Robbie,

thank you for your helpful post. See you tomorrow!

I'm one of the individuals who has had three custom i7 (8Gb/2Tb) machines that I have had to return to Apple. My original order was placed on Nov. 24. The first machine presented with the screen tearing and brief blackouts right on the first day. I was concerned but hoped it was an anomaly. When it occurred again I started searching in Apple Support and came across this discussion thread. I posted and then arranged to return my machine in exchange for a new one. The second i7 shipped within 4 business days and didn't present with any problems until day eight when the tearing and blackouts began. In addition, two inches or so of the bottom of the screen appeared at the top of the screen. I took a photo of this (just in case) and arranged to return the machine to Apple. The third machine took longer to ship from Shanghai and was in a "Prepared for Shipment" state for about four days right around New Years. I received the machine last Thursday and noticed a very distinct yellowing in the right hand bottom portion of the screen. I debated for a day or two whether to return the machine and yesterday got a RMA from Apple. The machine is on its way back and they will arrange for a refund within five business days of receipt of the computer. I really would like a working i7, but have decided that there is just too much uncertainty with this machine, and I'm tired of the hours on the phone with tech support, etc. This morning I ordered a refurbished 3.06Ghz 24" iMac with a 1Tb drive. I'm very disappointed not to be able to get the latest and greatest (and I agree with those who have posted that the machine is amazing). But I need to get back to work. To that end, I've also unsubscribed myself from this discussion thread. I do wish everyone well, but I've had enough. If anyone reading the thread has a question of me, please do use the email link and I will respond. Good luck one and all!