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

icats2 wrote:

I had the same thing. Occasionally flutter just like the videos on youtube.com. Apple came out last week and replaced the LCD display and the interconnect cable. Everything is working great now. I would recommend that same for anyone still experiencing the exact same problem.

If I had to guess at the cause I believe it is occurring in shipment and because of the poor packaging for the larger display the tabs on the LCD are becoming damaged in transit, but not bad enough to cause failure, just the phenomenon we all have experienced.

Thank you for reporting that. It seems like the most logical answer so far. You'd think if it were something as simple as packaging, Apple would've changed it immediately. One thing I did notice. The replacement was packaged slightly differently to the first one - it had the addition of an extra scrunched up white cover underneath the foot, which someone thought wise for a little extra cushioning. I wonder if the decision to do this required a high-level meeting or whether they just decided to eat into the profits by including this previously unnecessary extra expense?

I just spoke to Applecare about my iMac i7 which developed the black out problem and the only thing they could suggest is the same thing they've been telling people since late October - reset the PRAM, start from the install disk etc.
This is the second time I tried to resolve this problem. The irony is that the first time I rang them they could not even give me a case number because the computers were down!

The reponse just does not seem to be moving on so I've joined the ranks of those who have asked for a refund.
They do win some points for the After Sales department - there was no fuss - I was asked if I wanted a replacement or a refund. When I said refund they gave me an RMA without argument and explained the time table of events.

Hopefully in another few months when I look again at replacing my dependable old iLamp this will all seem like a bad dream.

but it saves hours, which is the intention.

No argument there but having had one traumatic transfer, I thought it best to warn others. On this occasion I did use MA for several reasons. I persuaded myself that MA in Snow Leopard is much improved under the hood and Intel to Intel should behave. Believe it or not, I also thought that experience counts, so trying MA would be useful. Had serious problems arisen, I could have started afresh. I was annoyed with myself that I had not properly cleaned up the 24" using DW before proceeding. Another factor in not doing a fresh install was that I had ordered Aperture pre-installed so someone, somewhere may have booted this i7. Perhaps an unwarranted conclusion to jump to? I do think MA in SL has improved but only one rejected file was in evidence after transfer. There is an Incompatible Software Folder visible.

A little update from me:

Went to the Apple store today, and told them of my problem. They arranged a replacement without even getting the current one of the box (which implies they are aware of the problem).

My original iMac was in batch 46, and my replacement is in batch 44. However, the first machine they brought down had the packaging opened and then resealed so I asked for another one. They brought down another one which had the same packaging condition. This makes me wonder whether they have checked all iMacs for the broken screen condition and then resealed.

Currently installing my software again, and I will update in a few days to let you know whether the flickering screen problem has gone or appeared on this new machine.

jamiebicknell wrote:
A little update from me:
However, the first machine they brought down had the packaging opened and then resealed so I asked for another one. They brought down another one which had the same packaging condition. This makes me wonder whether they have checked all iMacs for the broken screen condition and then resealed.

Cross fingers that you not just received one of the iMacs another customer has delivered back because of the flickering problem ...

The thought had crossed my mind, but they assured me that this was not the case and they don't give out/sell refurbished items. That's what they say, what they actually do is another story.

{quote:title=jamiebicknell wrote:}The thought had crossed my mind, but they assured me that this was not the case and they don't give out/sell refurbished items. That's what they say, what they actually do is another story.{quote}

Terrifying thought...

Resetting the PRAM is a lame suggestion from the support person - ridiculous.

Jerry D wrote:
Resetting the PRAM is a lame suggestion from the support person - ridiculous.

In their defence they probably have a set checklist. I had already run the hardware test and used disk utility to check the hard drive (both showed no problems).
I guess this is just what comes next on the list.
I am however disappointed that they are still suggesting it - despite month old evidence on this forum that it offers only a temporary fix.

There is no defense.

Parameter RAM, a small amount of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) used on Apple Macintosh machines to store configuration information

pors wrote:
Cross fingers that you not just received one of the iMacs another customer has delivered back because of the flickering problem ...

Gosh...As bad/unscrupulous as that sounds, I have to admit that the very same thought crossed my mind as well. I really hope that Apple's integrity is such, that it is beyond secretly recycling these damaged or defective machines, and passing them off as new and unopened -- at the Apple Store level, or higher up -- just so that they can win more time in order to resolve these problems.

Just imagining the picture of a revolving door where one customer brings back or ships back a damaged or defective unit, just to have that same unit sent or given to another unknowing customer is very unsettling. Ignorance is bliss. But now that you've opened the can of worms, I wonder how many other people have considered this very same possibility.

(Bad nightmare is over! Pull the plug! Away evil thoughts! Out bad, in good! Breath deeply. Rel-a-a-x!)

Funny that you guys mentioned the resealed packaging, my second replacement also had double seals, one of which had clearly been previously opened. I had hoped this was due to the fact the machine had been given a once over once these issues became apparent. The machine did preform flawlessly, but was returned because of a scratched screen.

I wonder if it's a good sign that not many new posts have shown up with screen flickering, I just really want to purchase another machine but I would really like to know how the new week 48's are doing.

Everyone start including the complete Serial Number in their entries.

Thrice06 wrote:
I wonder if it's a good sign that not many new posts have shown up with screen flickering, I just really want to purchase another machine but I would really like to know how the new week 48's are doing.

If you read further back in the thread, you'll see that there have been a few people who have already mentioned issues with the week 48's.

Personally, I am looking at this situation as a whole. Flickering screens is just one of the problems that folks are experiencing with these machines. Regardless of which problem(s) manifest themselves, I am not accepting any machine until it is perfect. We pay too much money for them to expect -- or to accept -- anything less. Others here may feel differently, but I've already drawn the line even before my unit arrives. Today marks 19 days since I finalized my order with the AAR.