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

How long are you going to wait Megallis? I'm also waiting (and I think, quite a few others). Software update?? Hm, maybe hardware update...
Good luck.
No change for an (iSlate) I think:-)...and I would prefer a solution for the 27"iMac anyway

I´m waiting to hear from my support contact att Apple. He has photos, movies, files e.g. from my computer. We have done all the tests mentioned here.

I purchase my iMac in a certified store. That´s my little problem. If I need to send it back I have to go thru them. After contact early with the store they just directed me to Apple support.

I need to hear Apple supports decision. And I hope that they are nice. If not I´m going to go "basurk" in the store.

Hi guys, I'm new to this thread and I'm experiencing the same problem with my new 27" quadcore iMac - flickering screen / band of "noise" across the middle of the screen etc...
I've only had this Mac for 6 days..... and I'm at a loss at what to do next.
I've scrolled through a handful of the 217 pages(!!!) of this thread - and there still doesn't seem to be any viable answer to this problem.
Frankly, I'm becoming a tad annoyed - so far I've experienced far too many problems with my new iMac (ranging from the Magic Mouse AND the Apple remote losing connection.... and now the flickering screen issue).
And after shelling out £1600 I guess I have every right to be annoyed!!!

(By the way, I bought the iMac online here in the UK).

I haven't subscribed (paid) for any Apple Aftercare service - as I was expecting my machine to be in tip-tip working order when I received it!!
(Whatever happened?? I always thought Apple was a brand you can rely on?!!!)

Should I quickly send my iMac back (while I'm still within my 14 day period) and demand a refund?
Or, in the hope that a solution will still soon be found, would I still be eligible for a FREE repair (should it come to that) once my 14 day period has expired??

Maybe I should get a replacement and downgrade to a high-end 21" model. Has anyone heard of any similar glitches / issues with that model?

Does anyone know of any FREE UK Apple helplines, where I can at least register this problem so that my 14-day cooling off period can be acknowledged / extended / whatever...??

Anyway, frankly I'm really disappointed, (panicking a bit!) and not sure what to do next - so any help would be greatly and sincerely appreciated.

Many thanks.

I sympathise with your disappointment as I had the flickering problem which I have had fixed under warranty (new screen and v-sync cable).
Even though you haven't bought AppleCare extended warranty yet (and bear in mind you can always purchase it anytime within the first year) you are still covered by Apple's 1 year warranty for any fixes.
There's many on here been waiting in hope of a software/firmware fix and although Apple did release a firmware update on 21 December it seems that it didn't help many people.
You do realise that you can phone AppleCare for free during the first three months to register your problems and discuss ways of trying to resolve them? They may even mark it as Dead on Arrival and send you a replacement or as you say you can get them to give you a refund, so don't worry you have plenty of options.
Finally, some of the 21.5 inchers have had similar problems, so there are issues there as well.

Message was edited by: Paul_31

According to a guy at the Swedish AppleCare the software update solved the flickering/shutoff problem for more than 95% of the computers with problems. However that sounds like a complete lie if you have read through this thread

Excuse me for not quite having the time to trawl through 200+ pages! I'm interested to know the latest on this. Is the fix DEFINITELY the cable replace? And do we know then if Apple have corrected this at the source (i.e. production line) or are new iMacs still shipping with the prolem? I'm waiting to buy a 27" but want to know the problem is solved.

Thanks everyone

I don't think we can say this fix is 100% definite. About 5 or 6 on here have had the repair (me included) and it's worked for us so far. Unfortunately there are three or four others who have had the screen and cable changed and it hasn't worked, although a couple of those were early on in this saga. It's possible bad parts may have been replaced with bad parts. That's the trouble, all this is a bit of a lottery.

Please tell me. What is the V-sync cable?

These are the parts I had replaced:

Display, LCD Panel, 27" and Cable, V-Sync, LCD.

I assume the cable connects the screen to the video card (just a guess) but I'm no computer technician.

Hi all,
Haven't got my replacement iMac yet, but thought I would add a few comments anyway for those who are considering keeping their iMacs vs replacing them.
I LOVE my 27"....it's really an incredible machine, everything about it, EXCEPT for the flicker. I am awaiting the replacement's arrival at the Apple store. All this time I have been in two minds about whether to replace it or not, thinking that perhaps I could endure the occasional flicker since it only happened every few days...until Apple could find out what the cause of this really was and could issue a fix, maybe even an easy one.
However, despite the firmware update and zapping the PRAM (which did help for a few days), the problem has gotten MUCH WORSE in the last week. I have NO doubt about seeking a replacement now, and I am going to keep on replacing it until I am finally satisfied. There is no way I am ever going to 'the dark side'...and as much of a HUUUUGE hassle as it is to keep replacing these (trust me, like most of us, I have NOT got the time for this!!), I am going to keep pestering Apple until they get this sorted out. I have always loved and used Macs and really want to continue to do so:) Once we get a working machine, it really IS an incredible machine to have!

As always, holding thumbs for all of us that this gets worked out soon! Good luck all!

I´m not to take party for Apple. When they deliver a product it should work.
But I´m at this point convinced that Apple is working hard to solve all related problems to the new iMac. I´m selfevident in that impression after talking to Apple support/care.

I´m not yet going to be upset because I don´t think it helps. I fully understand that somebody wants to return their machine if it´s not working properly. But all the trouble of setting up maybe one, two, three machines. I´don´t have that time or energy.

My faith in this is that Apple will provide an solution. Perhaps in the software even if it´s not feels like the problem is there. I´m not into the core of the system.

To sum up. I´m sitting easy in "the boat" waiting a call or e-mail from my Apple representative. In the mean time I got my screen in Apple RGB mode instead of "iMac". A long shot I know. But I`m trying

Good luck to you all. My hope is in the best.

To the people who asked how long we should wait until we push on the purchase button?

Well, I know that I personally will wait until Jan 26 when Apple is having some announcements about iSlate (Tablet), and maybe an update to the MackBook pro lineup.

So my advice is to wait until Jan 26 and see if Apple tells us anything about the iMacs problems, or Apple maybe even tells us before Jan 26 if they got a clue by then,
who knows....

Message was edited by: J~G

I agree with you: it is worth to wait at least until Jan 26 before pulling the trigger. By that date week 2 and 3 2010 iMacs will be eventually shipped and we'll be able to understand whether the problems are solved or not. I do not think Apple is going to release any official statement over the 27" saga, but who knows....maybe I am wrong !

Slickrick, Glad to hear the good news. I'm sure your going to be fine. I'm glad. B&H received my iMac last Friday. They haven't sent me a new one yet. They are slow in Shipping exchange, this time of year. I could only hope I'm as lucky as you with my exchange. Fingers Crossed! Thanks for checking in.

faxao, it's not just a 27" saga. It's the iMac saga period! I had 21" NVidia with Yellow Tinge & Screen Flicker. And a lot of other people with the 21 " have these problems as well.