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DanRyb Author

Level 1

12 points

MacBook Air 11" Screen "Flicker" and Freeze

Hi everyone,

I ordered a MacBook Air 11" with 1.6 GHz, 4GB ram and 128GB SSD. Every so often while using it, the screen has a ton of weird colors in vertical lines (extends the whole display) and the entire laptop has frozen. I have to force it off with the power button and reboot it. It happens at random times. Is this a symptom of overheating perhaps?
I've done some research online and can't seem to find anyone else experiencing the same issue so I'm thinking I got a bad apple. (;

Before I take it in or send it in, I'm more or less wondering if someone knows what I'm talking about, like having happened on another model Mac and knows if it's due to overheating or something. Thanks!

MacBook Air 11", Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 28, 2010 11:32 AM

170 replies

Mr.Kane

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2010 7:23 AM in response to Mr.Kane

just a picture for the moment, it happened now 4 times this day.

http://www.macuser.de/forum/attachments/f10/86338d1288707361-macbook-air-11-foto .jpg

Message was edited by: Mr.Kane

Nov 2, 2010 10:39 AM in response to Richard.N

I have since updated my OS, so I don't know what build it was on when the glitch happened.

But I'm currently at 10F3061, the latest update. Nothing's happened since.

Mr.Kane

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2010 10:42 AM in response to Potent Potable

it happened with my in the state right now with system build 10F3061

Mr.Kane

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2010 11:13 AM in response to Mr.Kane

here is the video on youtube with the issue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0pfprS1MRQ

Nov 2, 2010 11:33 AM in response to DanRyb

I'm having the same problem on a 13 inch. Only happening with external monitor connected. I've gotten a grey screen, blue screen and an Orange screen.

Nov 2, 2010 4:19 PM in response to DanRyb

An AppleCare representative told me that engineers are aware of this issue and they'll be issuing a software update soon to correct the problem.

I was instructed to take a picture and screenshot and mail it to them to confirm that my issue is the same one that they're aware of. My issue looks exactly like the one in the YouTube video but did fix itself just by closing the lid and reopening it.

rhayne5

Level 1

6 points

Nov 2, 2010 4:53 PM in response to MathIsWrong

I think I fixed my problem. I had a 10 foot Mini DisplayPort to DVI cable made by mono price (one piece), which now seems to have been the problem between the air and my gateway 24 1920 x 1200 60Hz display. I bought a mono price Mini DisplayPort to HDMI connector, which I plugged a hdmi cable into and then ran the other end of the hdmi cable to a dvi to hdmi connector converter on my display -Works perfect! No glitches! Bad cable I guess - in any rate I will not be using the MiniDisplay Port to DVI cable anymore.

Nov 2, 2010 8:59 PM in response to DanRyb

just happened to me 😟
browsing and Bamb! horizontal lines + freeze. Needed a hard reboot.
Scheduled a call tomorrow morning.
ARRRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

junkmail

Level 1

8 points

Nov 2, 2010 11:09 PM in response to DanRyb

11" MacBook Air 1.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD.

The first freeze happened when trying to update Adobe Acrobat. Multi-color horizontal lines; however, there was no flickering - required holding the power button down and restarting.

The second freeze happened after having the computer running all day. Multi-color horizontal lines flickering and still showing part of the desktop - required holding the power button down and restarting.

I did a clean install from the backup USB drive the day that I brought it home, so the system software was up-to-date, including the MacBook Air specific update.

Set up my call to Apple for tomorrow morning.

Nov 3, 2010 4:37 AM in response to DanRyb

DanRyb wrote:
Sorry to hear that! Go to the Apple store or call Apple Care. Since mine is custom configured they're going to do an exchange for me.

Hi DanRyb,

Wondering if you got your new Air yet and if so whether you're still experiencing the same issues.

thanks!

tmma.a

Level 1

5 points

Nov 3, 2010 4:57 AM in response to DanRyb

got my 11,6" 4gb ram since couple weeks and last night I experienced my first and for now last grey screen; it was no kernel panic, it didn't show anything,
just a solid grey and empty screen…
should I worry?

Message was edited by: tmma.a

Message was edited by: tmma.a

Nov 3, 2010 5:03 AM in response to tmma.a

tmma.a wrote:
got my 11,6" 4gb ram since couple weeks and last night I experienced my first and for now last grey screen; it was no kernel panic, it didn't show anything,
just a solid grey and empty screen…
should I worry?

Message was edited by: tmma.a

Message was edited by: tmma.a

Lot of people with this issue but we're still not sure whether (waiting on Apple) whether this can be fixed through a software update. According to macrumors an apple store genius say it may be a logic board issue which would probably mean you'd have to send it back to apple and either fix or get a new one..

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/11/02/new-macbook-airs-experiencing-logic-board-is sues/

Nov 3, 2010 5:23 AM in response to Hobokendippy

I was told that engineers are aware of problem and software update is coming.

Nov 3, 2010 6:41 AM in response to Potent Potable

The latest update not solved that problem - my machine's freezing again after that (Build 10F3061).

Next week I will have a presentation for media. I'm afraid to take my new Air for the show, if it will freeze in the middle of Keynote. Perhaps I will carry my Windows 7 laptop...

Nov 3, 2010 6:45 AM in response to don Stalin

I have the same problem..I have really important presentations and cannot have the machine lock up. Luckily I still have I am using my old 15" mb pro and am using that until this gets straightened out.

MacBook Air 11" Screen "Flicker" and Freeze