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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

Tony T1

Level 6

10,238 points

Nov 4, 2010 1:03 PM in response to rob_ART

Looks like Apple isolated the problem and that it will be fixed in an future Software Update:
Apple Internal Only Info About MacBook Air Display Issues Leaked

tmma.a

Level 1

5 points

Nov 4, 2010 1:09 PM in response to DanRyb

Happened again for the second time:
macbook air 11,6" screen suddenly went black (first time it was grey) and machine unresponsive till hard reset.
Can a software update fix it or it's a hardware issue?

Tony T1

Level 6

10,238 points

Nov 4, 2010 1:17 PM in response to tmma.a

Apple readying fix for MacBook Air video issues: http://arstechnica.com/apple/

Nov 4, 2010 1:41 PM in response to DanRyb

Does this confirm that it's a software issue, and NOT a hardware one?

Nov 5, 2010 8:26 AM in response to Potent Potable

"+Does this confirm that it's a software issue, and NOT a hardware one?+"

Not really, it could still be either, have a look at this discussion:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1043228&page=5

Nov 5, 2010 1:40 PM in response to blahdiblah

Luckily I don't have any of the issues described in this thread. Fingers crossed.

Bryan

Nov 6, 2010 1:42 PM in response to Brian Caslis

Sorry for my English I'm Poor Frenchie....

i'have the same probleme, my macbook freeze with grey screen.
I'have the same problem with windows seven on bootcamp so the problem is not only on macosx....
It could append just on boot, no apple juste grey screen....

I hope this is not hardware because there is a lot o persons who have the pb.

Nov 6, 2010 5:00 PM in response to DanRyb

I've noticed that on full-screen video my Macbook Air will reliably freeze every 3 minutes or so. Don't know if this is the same issue or not, but have other people experienced this?

Message was edited by: martsen79

Nov 7, 2010 7:35 AM in response to DanRyb

Reading this thread because I'm considering buying an 11 inch Macbook Air. Strange - I had this very same problem, kernel panics and screen flicker on a new MacBook I purchased in June - Apple replaced it.

Nov 7, 2010 9:41 AM in response to martsen79

martsen79 wrote:
I've noticed that on full-screen video my Macbook Air will reliably freeze every 3 minutes or so. Don't know if this is the same issue or not, but have other people experienced this?

Message was edited by: martsen79

I don't know if your problem is this issue but I don't see freezing after any period of time on either an 11" or 13".

Nov 8, 2010 10:18 PM in response to DanRyb

Has anyone done a quick and an extended hardware test with the USB reinstall drive?

I was advised by Apple Care to do so, and after extensive scanning, ZERO errors were found. I'm guessing this means my MacBook Air is safe?

Nov 9, 2010 10:58 AM in response to Potent Potable

Did a quick test, 0 errors. Haven't had time to do the long test, as I want to use my machine every minute I can:) I will probably try it this weekend (the long test).

Bryan

dwmreg64

Level 1

37 points

Nov 9, 2010 11:06 AM in response to Furi0us.Bee

Guys I hate to burst your bubble, but these hardware tests aren't a catch all. I had a Mac that consistently passed these tests. Eventually Apple had to replace that machine and it KEPT passing those hardware tests consistently without fail. Yet the computer had something wrong with it!! They replaced the logic board three times. Still passed the tests, etc.

Mr.Kane

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2010 11:14 AM in response to dwmreg64

He, I did the long test today with no failure.
Talked to applecare, but so far no result. Mailed my video in and will have a call back the next days.

Nov 10, 2010 12:25 AM in response to DanRyb

Have this problem for the first time today, horizontal lines and screen flicker, on a 13.3" 2.13 GHZ 4 GB MBA. Happened after waking from sleep.

MacBook Air 11" Screen "Flicker" and Freeze