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27" Cinema display flickers when woken from sleep

I've noticed that my 27" Apple Cinema display flickers briefly when woken from sleep.

I have had the display for 8 months, and haven't noticed this before.

It flickers (or flashes), just once when the display wakes when the computer is woken from sleep. It only affects the bottom third of the display.

Once it has properly woken, and flickered once, it then works o.k.

Has anyone else had this?

Thanks.

Bob.

2010 Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad Core, 27, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 27, 2011 12:53 AM

Top-ranking reply

Robert Farthing Author

Level 1

69 points

Posted on Jun 27, 2011 11:37 AM

O.k., so I'll just give an update here in case anyone else suffers the same problem sometime.

I tried the 27" Cinema Display on my MacBook Pro, and there was no flickering.

........so it wasn't the display..........

I reset the PRAM and SMC, no change.

I removed and re-seated the graphics card, no change.

I re-loaded Snow Leopard from the original discs, and the flickering stopped.

I updated all the software (re-loading from discs reverts to an earlier software version), and everything is still o.k.

Problem solved!

Must have been a glitch in the software somewhere, and a reload of the OSX got rid of it.

Relief!

Bob.

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35 replies

Jul 25, 2011 8:24 AM in response to Robert Farthing

O.k., so I've spoken to Technical support, and sent them video's of the flicker on the Pro/Display in the Apple Store, and my own set up, and they asked for a copy of my System Profile.

So, I now just have to sit and wait..........

Really surprised that more people haven't spotted this on their own setups..........

Bob.

iamvic

Level 1

0 points

Jul 25, 2011 9:43 AM in response to Robert Cramer1

I too am experiencing the flicker and static rgb noise right after startup.

Aug 1, 2011 7:55 AM in response to iamvic

So, Technical Support have just rang me to say that they can't replicate the flicker, and that because it's only present at wakeup, basically I should just accept it.

When I've just spent a small fortune on a computer, I expect it to be perfect. I don't expect the screen to look like it has a fault every time I use it.

Unfortunately, because so few Mac Pro's are sold (compared to other Mac computers), I'm not going to get much traction with this unless every 2010 MacPro owner complains (and that's unlikely to happen).

I'm not letting them close the case, and will try to video other MacPro's in other Apple Stores.

Again, if anyone else has noticed this, please let me know........otherwise this will be a lonely battle.

Also, if anyone has a 2010 MacPro that doesn't flicker, I'd like to know about that too......although that person is unlikely to be reading this thread.

Bob.

iSkid

Level 1

5 points

Sep 6, 2011 2:57 AM in response to Robert Farthing

Same iusse here. Tried to reinstall OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.4 and everithing was ok, no iusse, but if I update it to 10.6.8 after a wake up from sleep I see the flicker again in my Cinema Display 27 (and Mac Pro 2010 - Ati Radeon 5770). Same iusse upgrading to Lion 10.7.1..

iSkid

Level 1

5 points

Sep 6, 2011 5:55 AM in response to Robert Farthing

Ok. I found a temporary solution. First, sorry for my bad English (not really mine, Google) 🙂

I thought video drivers work fine up to Snow Leopard 10.6.7. From 10.6.8 iusse appears, so, why not try to use always 10.6.7 drivers? In /System/Library/Extensions are located some .kext files. I don't know exactly which drivers are to replace, I found here http://www.kexts.com/view/631-original_mac_osx_10.6.5_videokexts.html 10.6.5 original video drivers, with a mini installer 🙂

All what I've done is copy and backup /System/Library/Extensions, install that drivers (selecting only ATI drivers), REPAIR PERMISSIONS and reboot.

Now it seems to work fine, with no iusses in Lion 10.7.1

What do you think?

Sep 8, 2011 7:39 AM in response to iSkid

I'll give this a try and let you know how I get on.

Thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one.

I've got on the "Apple seeding project", so will be able to feed back directly to the software engineers about this issue.

Bob.

Sep 9, 2011 12:17 PM in response to Robert Farthing

Hi ,

I bought a mac pro 2010(8 core) by march and a 27 ' ACD.Yea , i have noticed similar issues with my setup as well.was searching Apple forums and finally got this thread.I was wondering none of the apple users noticing this problem.I Never allowed the case to be closed Ever since april .i had my mac pro replaced twice,even the monitor had so many issues.What happened to Apples quality control,a brand new LED display which came with scrathes and dust inside the glass.Got it replaced as well.Its been very frustrating ,Still waiting for my second replacement on my 27 ' LED display.Anyways ,i tired the same thing like yours ,went back to 10.6.4 ,not much of issues,when i update to 10.6.8 ,the flickering happens.Was however sure that it should be a software issue since the issue occured using other monitors as well.I am sure we are not few ,a lot of ppl dont find their way to this thread .Hope it reaches Apples ears soon.waiting for a fix.I have a huge log of videos and pics which clearly shows the issues.wish its fixed ASAP.U can also mail me if u find a solution or a fix.Hope we have a machine working fine soon as possible.satishmoney@gmail.com.

Sep 9, 2011 12:45 PM in response to satishmoney

Will do........

Thanks for adding your name to the list.

Bob.

Sep 10, 2011 11:28 PM in response to Robert Farthing

Hey bob. I got a replacement mac pro Sometime back. It came with 10.6.4,out of the box when connected to the monitor showed the flickering, then the monitor went black for a moment and then straight to finder window . I forgot to mention this to you . looks like some serious issues with the OS :( .

Sep 12, 2011 4:00 PM in response to Robert Farthing

Same issue here, both brand new 2010 Mac Pro with ATI 5870 and a 27" LED Apple Display... flicker on wake... hopefully will be fixed in a later update.... if there ever is one... im still using 10.6.8.

Dr Sly

Level 1

145 points

Sep 12, 2011 4:15 PM in response to Jody Black

Has anyone installed the new EFI firmware version 2.1 for the MBA with Thunderbolt in conjunction with the ACD 24" and/or 27" yet?

I was wondering if that fixes the issue. As soon as I get home, I'll try that.

Sep 12, 2011 10:49 PM in response to Jody Black

Jody Black wrote:

Same issue here, both brand new 2010 Mac Pro with ATI 5870 and a 27" LED Apple Display... flicker on wake... hopefully will be fixed in a later update.... if there ever is one... im still using 10.6.8.

That's interesting that it also flickers with the ATI 5870 (standard is 5770). If you go back one release to 10.6.7, the flicker will stop.

Bob.

Sep 13, 2011 3:43 AM in response to Robert Farthing

has anyone getting issues with applications ?I have got some specific issues with each application.Even apples softwares are creating issues .

Itunes when changing from one playlist to another ,Checked boxes appear on the itunes window.
skype ,when screen sharing ,the machine is slow and when used spaces and hot corners the other application windows slides jerky to reveal the finder.
Safari ,when viewing a large image from google ,when scrolled ,the images are torn and jerky
Zbrush ,creates polygon tearing when moving the objects in the 3D space
Photoshop creates wired pixels while reveling the image area hidden under tools in the window.

Does all these direct us to design flaw with graphic card?

Sep 13, 2011 6:09 AM in response to Robert Farthing

Robert Farthing wrote:

I'll give this a try and let you know how I get on.

Thanks for letting me know that I'm not the only one.

I've got on the "Apple seeding project", so will be able to feed back directly to the software engineers about this issue.

Bob.

Good news, people........10.7.2 fixes the flicker on wakeup problem. Woo-hoo 😁

Bob.

Sep 16, 2011 7:44 AM in response to Robert Farthing

Hi , i have recieved a replacement for my 27' LED cinema display jusdt now.Unboxed it and found a line (like a scratch) running inside the glass of the monitor.However ,when i put it on there was a yellow tinge on the bottom of the screen.I have a emailed the logistic team of apple about it.I wanted to your comments about it.Really fed up with apple now 😟. this is the third monitor that they replaced n found issues with.

Thanks a lot.

satishmoney

27" Cinema display flickers when woken from sleep