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

Rocket Medic, I think that is a great call from Apple, and I would definitely welcome the opportunity to trial the software fix. I have been wondering all along, why on earth is not apple taking advantage of the opportunity to get us "beta testers" to report back our experiences? After all, we have been trying a lot of different things and it seems a waste of resource not to collate all of our experiences at least.

Of course, I would like to also be recognized for being a FULLY PAID beta tester as well

Hi Warren,
I felt the same way. I figure Apple should know what is best for the Energy Settings on the iMac, so I chose Default. I also noticed, when you try & change the Default Setting, it gives you a Warning. So I'm giving Apple the benefit of the doubt. I also noticed even after being on for 3 days, the back of my iMac is still not even very warm when I touch it. Not to go off Subject but after only 3 Days my Magic Mouse is showing 85% and my Keyboard is still at 100%.
Dino

Kurukuru wrote:
All monitors (LCD and, more so, CRT) show colour shift over time. That's why professional photographers recalibrate them at least once a month. It's no surprise that two seemingly identical monitors would appear quite different after an extended period of use, especially if that period can be measured in years.

The problem I had with my 27" iMac was a patch of yellow on an otherwise white screen. No amount of calibration could resolve that. If the entire screen appears too yellow, it should be possible to calibrate it out with a tweak of the white point.

Haven't people with nVidia cards reported problems too?

I agree on that. Even some new monitors may show a yellow tinge as it happened to me once, but that will be solved through settings or calibration. But one thing is having the entire white range with a yellow tinge and another is having just one area with that problem.

To be honest I don't think it's an issue with the graphic card, it might be something just behind the panel in that zone(right bottom) affecting the screen, either heat or something else. Any fan in that area?...

But again, nobody knows...

Wow, is Right! They want you to Beta Test their new Firmware Update. I wonder if the Update is just going to be for the 27", like it was the first time. I hope they address people with 21" screen flicker as well this time around.

Off topic:

BlueTooth just eats up battery life in almost any product. You do have to figure that the mouse is used way more than the keyboard is so it would make sense that the batteries would die first in the mouse. Just my thoughts.

- Rocket

Hello,

I've posted a few times here about my flickering/blackout/yellowing iMac. I called Apple Support just before the new year to get a case ID. At that time I was asked to do the extended hardware test and call back with the results. That was a month ago, and I finally got back to calling again 10 minutes ago.

The very polite, very sympathetic rep on the line had me read him my graphics ROM to see that i had done the firmware update (I had) and that I was still having the problem. Then he said what I have read on this thread a couple of times. He said that they "were working on an additional update that should be available in approximately 3 weeks, and that they would give me a call when it's ready"

He was clearly reading from a bulletin of some sort (it was 3 weeks some time ago, I recall!) and when I asked him specifically what was planned (I said,"is it drivers or more firmware?") he said "they really don't give much more specific information than that"

He also said I should feel free to contact them at anytime to get an update on the process. He also expressed apologies for the trouble.

I feel content that this will be worked out to my satisfaction, and that I can just play and not worry about it! I'm sad to read about the negative experiences some others have had, but speaking for myself alone, Apple has always done right by me.....I'm still a loyal shareholder

David

Hello Paul,

Thanks for the response. As you probably know, like many others here, I have recently discovered that I too have a very slight yellow tinge on the bottom right corner of my screen, which creeps up the right side, and towards the left side of the screen as well. But as I mentioned before, even in the area where it is strongest, I only notice it when I am looking at a page with a white background. While it does bother me now that I know that it is there, at this point, I just don't feel that it warrants a repair or exchange...at least that it what I've been telling myself, or trying to convince myself.

If flickering or blackouts start, that will definitely push me to the replacement/repair corner.

RocketMedic wrote:
WOW...

I just got a very interesting phone call just a few minutes ago. My caller ID said "Apple Computers". On the line was someone from Apple Customer Support. He addressed me by name and stated his call was regarding the issue that I was having with my iMac. He wanted to know if I would be willing to be participate in a trial run of software that was developed to solve the flickering issue. I told him that I would love to have participated in the trial however my iMac as replaced. I told him that I was hopeful but not holding my breath that my problem was solved by the replacement. The flickering had not affected the replacement. I did tell him that I would very much be willing to participate if the problem occurred in the new one though and he gave me his contact information, thanked me for my time and wished me the best with my replacement.

How about that for a phone call! I don't know what to think now. Software? This is the first that I've heard with this issue that someone was actually asked to participate in a "trial fix" of some kind, besides being asked to download updated drivers and such. What does everyone think?

- Rocket

That's interesting RM.

Unfortunately that confirms they still haven't found a real solution for the problems.

The waiting goes on...

Hello Dino,

You might want to consider posting your keyboard/Magic Mouse comments in this thread. I've already begun posting there myself:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10985272#10985272

Fa design
that was exactly my thoughts, as well.

Rocket, I JUST received the same exact call....

kgofswg wrote:
Rocket, I JUST received the same exact call....

So kgofswg, I take it that you still have an iMac with the issue in your possession? If so, please keep us updated on the progress of this beta testing. I'm interested to find out what it is that they have you download, if it's firmware - what it replaces, and what not. Good to know that they're making the calls.

- Rocket

I would like to know if the new Beta firmware is for the 21.5 NVidia iMac as well. Yes, again, the 21.5 has Screen Flicker as well as Yellow tinge. I can attest to that first hand.

The Apple rep said my machine was selected to participate in this new unreleased software update. I was also asked a few random questions about the problem (temp of the room the computer is in; when it started flickering after I purchased it; if there are any specific tasks that caused the flickering). I told him that for me, when I cleared the PRAM (per this discussion thread), it took care of the problem for a few days and also that my flickering/black out issue doesn't seem as bad as a lot of people on here.

They are sending me some paperwork to sign and fax back (I'm assuming some sort of NDA/confidentiality agreement), then they are going to email me the beta software update. I won't be able to install it until I'm home later tonight (7pm PST). Cross your fingers everyone! haha

Like I mentioned above, my screen issue is very minimal, so if you are one of the many out there that have MAJOR problems, I'd contact Apple and tell them you heard about the software beta testing and ask if you can be a part of it. It wouldn't hurt to ask service and support (800-275-2273).

My rep was VERY apologetic and said, "With you guys spending this much on a computer, we feel terrible that these problems are occurring and want to get it fixed as soon as possible"

FWIW-

Long time lurker, occasional poster...

I have a week 50 27" Quad Core iMac. I have had the flicker, discolored screen (grey band not yellow) and a scratchy DVD drive.

I have Apple Care and have had on-site service, twice. The first time they replaced the monitor/monitor cable and sync cable. The second time they replaced the video card and the power supply.

Still have the flicker and the disk eating drive. Apple will only refund me they will not replace, yet. I have also been given the "Three week" story. I am really hoping there is a message waiting for me from Apple when I get home tonight. I would be happy to beta test, if only to show an arbiter that I have gone more than out of my way to work with Apple on this...

Based on my experience both with Apple and other hardware vendors, there will be no single fix. There is more than one failure going on here and each issue may or may not impact the other issues. What can be said, and has been said pretty clearly in these and other forums, is that Apple has a major QC issue going with this generation of product.

What can also be said is that Apple will try to make it right. AND they will not talk about their dirty laundry once it has been cleaned.

$0.02