Screen Flicker with External Monitor

Actually I should also add that the Genius Bar tried connecting my MacBook Pro to a TV they had (which apparently isn't 1080p according to the Genius there) but they were unable to replicate the problem. They used the cable I bought too, so it's not a cable problem.

I'm going to try connecting it to another TV downstairs and see what happens... but either way, it's clear the problem still exists for some external displays and TVs.

I called Apple last week and the person I spoke with had no clue, and just said "sorry I can't help you; check with your monitor manufacturer to see if there is a driver update" because I don't have an Apple display.

I'm going to bring the whole kit and caboodle to the Genius bar tomorrow. I'm interested to see what will happen if I try a different display, adapter or maybe even the dual-link adapter.

I don't have a problem using a 20-inch display from the same manufacturer; just the 24-in. So I have a feeling this is related to higher resolutions or maybe HD.

I have same issue, i am with Macbook Pro 2011 17 inch, and with Dell U3011 and the screen flickering all the time, but less with low resolutions, plz Apple fix this issue.

Oh, I forgot to update this thread.

I took my MBP and 24 in Sceptre monitor and adapter to the Apple Store and had the Genius Bar look at it.

Using my setup -> flicker

Switched to using store's adapter -> flicker

Switched to store's 27-in Cinema Display -> no flicker

Finally, we tried my monitor and a DUAL-LINK adapter and ... NO FLICKER.

So, I ordered a non-Apple dual-link adapter for about $65 and now I am happily using my monitor.

If you're desperate to get your setup working, I recommend trying that. Granted, this should NOT be necessary, and I'm hoping it will get fixed eventually, but for the time being I didn't mind spending the money to get an immediate working solution.

Finally some good news!

So a mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter + Dual-Link DVI to HDMI cable is what you used? Or does your monitor have a DVI input? I'm using a TV so it has to be HDMI on the other end.

At least it's a temporary solution I suppose.

Hmm I wonder what the problem could be... I guess the Dual Link cable somehow filters out the problem. Hopefully Apple fixes this soon.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION. I just got off the phone with AppleCare, and the issue has been solved for me. I will now share that information with the rest of you in the hope that it solves the problem for you as well. UPDATE: Crap, I just finished writing this and the flickering has started again. Oh well, you can read what I was instructed to do just the same.

• Open Finder
• Click on your Hard Drive (Default is Macintosh HD)
• Open Library
• Open Preferences (NOT PreferencePanes)
• Click and drag the file "com.apple.windowserver.plist" to your desktop (Do not delete in case you want to restore the file if this doesn't work. I was told that it would be regenerated anyway, but was also instructed not to delete it until I really wanted it gone.
• Click on your home icon under places in the left side of the finder window
• Open Library
• Open Preferences (NOT PreferencePanes)
• Open ByHost
• Move any entry you have that starts with "com.apple.windowserver" to your desktop. It will be followed by a string of numbers and letters, and I was told that there may be more than one that starts with that prefix.
• Shut down your system
• Reset your PRAM by pressing the power button and then IMMEDIATELY pressing the Command, Option, P &R keys and holding them down until you hear your system chime twice, and then release.

Hopefully this will resolve your issue. If it has, then just delete the files you drug to your desktop.

Just tried the Possible Solution by "later2day". Its only been a few minutes, but NO FLICKER or Jolts, or Blank Screens!!!!

I didn't have the "com.apple.windowserver.plist" but I did have references in the ByHost folder.

I deleted the "com.apple.windowserver" refs in the ByHost. Shut down and rebooted using the key commands. I didn't hear a beep on my iMac, but it reset and restarted.

I would have noticed at least a couple of flickers during the time it took to write this so I think this IS A SOLUTION! YAY!!!!

The fix reported by later2day worked for me. Not only it fixed the flickering problem (external Samsung SynMaster 204B with DVI mini-display adaptor) but it also seemed to have fixed the resolution problem that I had, i.e.: the screen's resolution is back to its original crisp 1600x1200 60Hz. Thanks!

Update (2 mn. later). Flickering is back, although limited to bottom 1/16th of the screen. Still needs some work I suppose.

Has anyone upgraded to OSX Lion to see if that solves the issue?

Hi,

I updated to Lion...and the the problem still persists

I didnt try the preferences thing mentioned by "later2day" yet.

I will test it and let u know, if it works.

I tried the fix by later2day and it didn't fix the problem for me. Still on SL by the way.

:-(

Hi Allison,

I tried the fix by later2day on lion!

It doesnt work!! I hope apple comes out with a fix soon

As an update to the fix, I have found that the VGA adapter still gives me problems, but with an HDMI adapter I am able to use my external screen with no difficulties what so ever after the fix was implimented. I am using Lion with it, and have no problem since the upgrade either.

VGA is screwed though, and I am sure it is a Thunderbolt port issue as I have tried more than one cable and VGA adapter.

And finally it works for me!

Okie I would like to explain what all things I have tried.

Mac configuration:

Mac book pro 13 inch i7 (Early 2011).

ASUS VE228H LED Monitor

Interfaces Experimented:

1. MDP - HDMI - HDMI - HDMI

Doesnt work

OS Tests:

1. Snow Leopard with Thunderbolt update of June 27th - Doesnt work

2. Migration to Lion - Doesnt work

3. Windows 7 Professional via Boot camp - doesnt work

4. Preferences / PRAM setup - doesnt help (but it got better sometimes)

Got sick of the above tests and after wasting more than 18 hrs on this, I made a final try and it worked.

2. MDP - Dual link DVID - Dual link DVID - Dual link DVID

It works like a charm

Conclusion:

I spent 1500$ on my first apple laptop, I felt may be I should spend more 100$ to try out this Dual Link DVI interface. Here is the price list for this DVID stuff

MDP - DVID - 350 SEK / 29 USD

DVID - DVID - 250 SEK / 15 USD

Abreviations:

MDP - Mini DVI port

DVI - Digital Video Interface

HDMI - High Definition Media Interface

DVID - Digital Video Interface Dual link

Isn't it a Mini DisplayPort? 😝

Hmmmm I'm using a TV in my setup so it doesn't have a DVI port, but I already have a a Dual-Link DVI to HDMI cable that I used to use with my old MacBook Pro.

Perhaps if I bought a mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter and used that cable mentioned above it may work. I've been using a mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable without success.