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

MarkyJ wrote:
I am returning my machine since everyone who thinks the problem has gone away seems to report back later that it has returned. In the meantime I have switched back to the original power board to see if the flickering returns. If it does, there might be some credence to the power issue.

Even if it does, I think this would only reinforce that there is a hardware issue. If the graphics card is that susceptible to power quality I think that points to a problem with the hardware.

I am hoping my next one won't have the problem, but if it does I am going to keep returning them until I get one that is OK. Unlike some others, I am not blaming Apple for making a mistake since their support in resolving the problem and providing a replacement at no charge is great.

Oh, and the machine is beautiful.

Agreed. My experience has been similar, although my symptoms only seemed to happen initially (Running DiskWarrior, zapping Pram didn't stop it) yet after contacting Apple about it with them offering to replace it with a new build, I haven't experienced any flickering since (been 2 days now). Of course, as many people report, these symptoms can appear to come and go without warning, so I read nothing into that. I'm sure that having it replaced with a new build rather than one which may have come from the same faulty batch should solve everything. Roll on December.

Significant wrote:
To determine if it is a driver issue in Os-x, why doesn’t someone with the problem install Windows in bootcamp and see if the problem also exists there.
If yes, then it is likely a hardware or firmware issue. If no, then it is software problem in Os-x.

Hi there,

I have my flickering 27" iMac for 3 over weeks now, and 2 weeks ago I've installed Windows 7 via Bootcamp. I have not seen a single flicker there since then, and I spend quite a while in Windows 7.

For a while I thought I got rid of the flickering after following some advice from an earlier post in this thread and replacing the graphics drivers. I was flicker-free for over 5 days, but immediately after installing 10.6.2 the flickering was back. So I spent even more time in Windows 7.

As long as I see no flickering in Windows, I am convinced this is NOT a hardware issue. But lets wait and see. As soon as I experience any flickering in Windows, I will report it here.

kawo wrote:
I have my flickering 27" iMac for 3 over weeks now, and 2 weeks ago I've installed Windows 7 via Bootcamp. I have not seen a single flicker there since then, and I spend quite a while in Windows 7.

For a while I thought I got rid of the flickering after following some advice from an earlier post in this thread and replacing the graphics drivers. I was flicker-free for over 5 days, but immediately after installing 10.6.2 the flickering was back. So I spent even more time in Windows 7.

As long as I see no flickering in Windows, I am convinced this is NOT a hardware issue. But lets wait and see. As soon as I experience any flickering in Windows, I will report it here.

That certainly lends weight to it being a firmware issue, but you'd have thought that the testing of it by the Apple engineers in their attempt at discovering the problem would have been a simple matter to complete, and confirm. I can only assume they have done so.

I have to add my name to the list of flickering screen on my new out of the box imac 27". After having nothing but PCs for over 20 years now, I feel like I am an expert bringing machines back before that option expires. I bought mine at best buy in NYC and I have 45 days to return it no questions asked. After reading all of these posts I think I will wait for a replacement until I can be assured that I won't have to spend another $20 in cab fares and hundreds on physical therapy for my back after carrying it up and down 5 flights of stairs.

But you have to love how the internet connects all of us with the same problem. It wasn't that long ago when companies led customers to believe that they were the only ones who had a problem and that everyone else was very happy. The best news is that all of these posts can be used as evidence that there is a problem with the computer and not with you. I've taken 2 PCs back to the store refused to accept replacements even after having them for over 8 months. In one case with HP, I printed forums like this showing that my computer issue was a common one and demanded a full refund or I would simple dispute the charge on my credit card.

Thanks to this forum I'll be returning my imac and hope to receive one that does not have these problems. I still am impressed with the mac and I think I will stay a mac person despite the problems with my flickering screen. The tech support and overall apple product line still has a long way to go before it reaches the disgraceful level of PCs. Thank you all for helping me make an informed decision on handling my imac return.

Update. I packaged up my iMac very carefully and took it back in on day 12. Upon stepping into the store, someone came to help me. I said that I wanted to exchange my iMac because of a screen issue. The guy immediately said, "Does it flicker?"

Long story short, they exchanged it no questions asked (didn't even open the box) and said that they have exchanged a lot of them. He even said that the 27 inch iMac in-store displays had the issue. He said the newest batch they got in have been fine, but to just take it back again if it comes up. He said that even if you had this machine 6 months in, they would take it back if it started flickering.

I've had my machine for 1 day, and it's fine so far. Can I say that it seems even faster than before...?

@DavidsonTsai

Which country / store did you return the faulty iMac?

US. apple retail store in san francisco, ca.

A common theme seems to be using Migration Assistant. Has anyone that has not used Migration Assistant report if they are having issues?

Windows 7 in Boot Camp is also a common theme.

patrickescott wrote:
A common theme seems to be using Migration Assistant. Has anyone that has not used Migration Assistant report if they are having issues?

Windows 7 in Boot Camp is also a common theme.

Mine showed up after doing a clean install of 10.6 -- no Migration Assistant.

Did you install 10.6 from retail disks? By clean, I mean right out of the box, no re-installing the OS.

Hey guys, I just got in from the Apple Store. They exchanged my flickering machine with a brand new i5, no questions asked. I explained the issues I had experienced, mentioned this thread and showed him a couple photos from my iphone and the Genius tech didn't even bother to turn the machine on to find out for himself. He told me it is a known issue and Apple is just replacing the machines. So I'm crossing my fingers on this one, I asked if the new machine he was giving was from the same batch as the original, I was told that they have received newer shipments since Monday but ensured me that it shouldn't be likely that I get another flickering machine as the problem hasn't effected the entire line. My guess is this issue is most likely hardware related, I highly doubt Apple would be exchanging these machines so easily if it was a software thing. So my advice is bring it back and get new one, Apple has acknowledged the issue and is making the return process very simple. Good luck guys!

@patrickescott

I did not use Migration Assistant. Booted up out of the box, let MobileMe restore some things, and loaded all my apps fresh after copying data over. i7 27" 8GB 1TB

2 days in am seeing ever so slight flickering - nearly imperceptible. So far it's a minor annoyance a few times a day.

Temps are:
CPU 37, Ambient 22, GPU Diode 61, GPU Heatsink 62, Mem Controller 45, Optical 38, Power Supply 51.

Hoping this is a firmware or driver update issue.

kawo wrote:
As long as I see no flickering in Windows, I am convinced this is NOT a hardware issue. But lets wait and see. As soon as I experience any flickering in Windows, I will report it here.

Ok, that indicates a driver problem in Os-X. Has anybody experienced the problem while running a non-native resolution? I have two Mac mini's, the latest one experience the same type of problem when hooked up to my tv in it's native resolution of 1920x1080 60hz, other resolutions works but doesn't give the wanted 1:1 pixelmapping. It doesn't have any problem with 1920x1200 60hz on my Dell monitor however. The old one is using the exact same chipset and graphics core from Intel, but is rock steady on the tv in it's native resolution. They are running Lepard.

I send a mail to Walt Mossberg at the WSJ to make him aware of this thread and youtube etc.

He came back and said he had one slight problem. He has bought a 27" iMac and had no such problems! So at least we know some have been ok then!

The flickering problem has returned.

I did the software update (whatever Apple sent thru the software update on 11/17). Coincidently perhaps no problems for two days. I have OS version 10.6.2. As someone stated there were no updates for OS.

The MAC specialist swears he observed nothing for a week. He plugged into wall, had wireless internet as well.
I brought it home. Used same wall outlet. this time didn't use surge protector.
I think I will call Apple now for a replacement.