iMac Core Duo problem - Flickering after Display Sleep Mode

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Level 2

265 points

iMac Core Duo problem - Flickering after Display Sleep Mode

Hello

There are two Firmware Updates

1. The SMC 1.0 for System Management Controller
2. The Firmware Update 1.01 for the Boot-Rom

They Update to following Versions:
Boot-ROM-Version: IM41.0055.B03
SMC Version: 1.1f5

After the SMC Update was everything fine, but after the Firmware Update 1.01 is a Flickering visible on the Display, if the Display Sleep Mode was on, and let wake it up. It reminds on the interlace effect, known on CRT.
It disappears after a few minutes, take more time after a few hrs of sleep mode.
Received my iMac on Monday, but dont think its a a Hardware failure, because it happened right after the Firmware 1.01 Update and Display sleep mode.
It was fine after the SMC Update.

The Firmware Restoration CD works only if the Firmware Update was interrupted or failed.

I think a new Firmware with a bug fix will be the solution. Or if they offer a downgrade Firmware Update as temporary solution.

Posted on Jun 2, 2006 4:05 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 2, 2006 7:20 PM in response to Thorne^

I'm getting exactly the same symtoms on my 20" iMac dual core. I had a problem earlier, which had them replace my display, but even this new one exhibits the same "interlacing" type effect you're getting on wake up (or even just coming back from extended period of screen being off from energy saving settings)

Other people getting this, or is it another faulty display that should go back?

Thanks

Dale

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Answer 2

hcshih

Level 1

0 points

Jun 2, 2006 8:47 PM in response to colourpixels

I have exactly the same problem.

Only happens if wake up from monitor-off mode. However I hit problem a couple days after SMC update, while then I haven't done the firmware update. I tried the firmware update later but still in vain.

I still feel it's firmware/SMC problem. It the logic board is faulty it should have consistent behaviour, not just happens after monitor sleep.

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Answer 3

Thorne^ Author

Level 2

265 points

Jun 2, 2006 10:27 PM in response to hcshih

Hello hcshih

My iMac was delivered on Monday this week, the SMC Update came together with all other Online Updates, decided to do a SMC and VRAM/PRAM Reset after the Updates.
Didnt see this behaviour after Sleep Mode till i updated the Boot-Rom to the offered Firmware 1.01, and after a Display sleep time of 2hrs in the evening, some hours after the Firmware Update.

If you think about the problems with Frontrow, it was a Software Driver bug, which was solved by Apple very soon. Thats why i think its simply a Firmware bug, should be easy for Apple to fix it.

Apart from the flickering after the Firmware Update, is the Display of my iMac very good, no pixel errors, it shows everything very good, brilliant and naturally. And he is very quiet and surprisingly fast with 512MB Ram.

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Answer 4

hcshih

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2006 2:26 AM in response to Thorne^

Hello hcshih
Thats why i think its simply a Firmware bug,
should be easy for Apple to fix it.

Apart from the flickering after the Firmware Update,
is the Display of my iMac very good, no pixel errors,
it shows everything very good, brilliant and
naturally. And he is very quiet and surprisingly fast
with 512MB Ram.

I agree with you. That's why I don't bother to return
my iMac to Apple since it is perfect in any other aspect
apart from that could-be firmware problem.

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Answer 5

Thorne^ Author

Level 2

265 points

Jun 3, 2006 3:23 AM in response to hcshih

Hello hcshih

I think still it is a Firmware/Software problem, but my iMac is just a few days old and the risk of a hardware related error is possible.
Talked with AppleCare Support, they didnt have a solution. I asked them for the old Firmware, but they cannot offer me the Firmware.
The current result is, Apple makes a replacment and sends me a new iMac, the current one goes back to Apple. Its better for me than to wait, and have a repair of a brand new iMac.

The SMC Firmware Update was ok, but the Boot-Rom Firmware Update 1.01 was bad.
I dont install a new Firmware on the new (next) iMac, till ive read a offered Firmware, Driver or Mac OS X Update solved the Flickering problem.

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Answer 6

emanuele

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2006 3:37 AM in response to Thorne^

I got my new iMac three weeks ago ca. I bought it for video editing, 256 MB graphic card, 2gh, 2gb memory and so on...

Two times happened to me the same problem with display. After quit Final Cut Pro, the computer and not only the display went in sleep mode. As I returned and wake up them the display was funny and I just was able to shut down by pushing the start button. Apple told me to make a PRAM, but after few days it happened the same. I got no idea of Firmware and updating it, but in this forum I've learnt that it has to be updated, so that the problem 'probably' came from that. I've done this, I also in the preferences have said just the display to go in sleep and not also the computer, and since then the display it's going ok.

Now I'm not a technician, but if my case could help you to understand 'something', who are more related with hardware problems, I'm happy.

I'm reading of lot of us having problems with displays and this. Is there something to do as Apple Customers?

ciao
emanuele

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Answer 7

Thorne^ Author

Level 2

265 points

Jun 3, 2006 3:46 AM in response to emanuele

Hello emanuele,

In my case caused the Firmware 1.01 Update the flickering problem after Display Sleep Mode, SMC Update 1.0 was fine. I've learned for myself, dont install Firmware before you are not 100% sure, it wont cause problems 😉
For all possible future Firmware Updates, i wait till its sure, it will work.

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Answer 8

emanuele

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2006 4:03 AM in response to Thorne^

ok, but how can you be sure that it won't cause problems? And if it has to be done? Rufst du die Apple an?

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Answer 9

Thorne^ Author

Level 2

265 points

Jun 3, 2006 5:06 AM in response to emanuele

Well i can be sure if all Mac related Newssites and Forums incl. Apple Discussions report a new Firmware Upgrade solved the errors, and all user comments agree with it. An additional phone call with Apple cannot harm.

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Answer 10

Jun 3, 2006 5:25 PM in response to Thorne^

same problem here, I'm waiting for the new firmware update from apple.

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Answer 11

abecker

Level 1

51 points

Jun 3, 2006 8:37 PM in response to Thorne^

My new iMac is coming in a few days, from what I read this problem does not happen until you update the firmware.

Is there any way to avoid this firmware update, or does it come with the current shipment of iMacs?

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Answer 12

Thorne^ Author

Level 2

265 points

Jun 4, 2006 12:37 AM in response to abecker

My new iMac is coming in a few days, from what I read
this problem does not happen until you update the
firmware.

Is there any way to avoid this firmware update, or
does it come with the current shipment of iMacs?

Hello abecker

Dont think the Boot-Rom Firmware 1.0.1 will be pre-installed.
If you receive your new iMac and you run the Program Updater,
he will offer you the SMC Firmware Update 1.0, which worked
correctly on my iMac.
The Boot-Rom Firmware 1.0.1 is for people who want to install
Windows XP sp2 with Bootcamp, its no default install.
Saw other reports about the Boot-Rom Firmware 1.0.1, where
people said they had no flicker on the Display, but on my iMac
did it flicker and right after the restart was the Spotlight Search Dialog
transparent.
After a few minutes Display Sleep Mode a little flicker, after more than a hour extremely.

To avoid flicker on Display, it could be a good idea to wait for a
newer Boot-Rom Firmware.

Apart of it, the iMac Core Duo is really very good.

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Answer 13

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Jun 4, 2006 12:54 AM in response to Thorne^

"Dont think the Boot-Rom Firmware 1.0.1 will be pre-installed."

Once the new logic boards with the new firmware incorporated into their design begin arriving at Apple from their manufacturer, then yes, ALL new iMacs will have it "pre-installed" as you call it. Actually, it is not software at all.

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Answer 14

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Jun 4, 2006 1:00 AM in response to Link Zhang

"same problem here, I'm waiting for the new firmware update from apple."

This is a posting of mis-information. Please read the "Terms of Use" for these forums. Look for it in the right hand column.

The Firmware Update 1.0.1 - IS the new firmware update. It is the second one posted, and when it was posted the original update was removed and has never been seen at this website since then.

Many thousands of iMac Intel owners have performed the Firmware Update 1.0.1 without issue. It is to YOUR advantage to have your machine up-to-date. Get it over with, so that you know whether you finally have gotten a good iMac. If not, it will just find another way to fail you.

What will you do next year if this firmware update is a REQUIRED MINIMUM for installing Leopard? It is to your advantage to do it now, before your machine becomes mucked-up with third party devices and third party software. Besides, without the firmware update your warranty service will be compromised. Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

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Answer 15

Thorne^ Author

Level 2

265 points

Jun 4, 2006 2:47 AM in response to myhighway

Many thousands of iMac Intel owners have performed
the Firmware Update 1.0.1 without issue. It is to
YOUR advantage to have your machine up-to-date. Get
it over with, so that you know whether you finally
have gotten a good iMac. If not, it will just find
another way to fail you.

What will you do next year if this firmware update is
a REQUIRED MINIMUM for installing Leopard? It is to
your advantage to do it now, before your machine
becomes mucked-up with third party devices and third
party software. Besides, without the firmware update
your warranty service will be compromised. Best of
luck to you, whatever you decide.

Well you might be right, if the Firmware would be bad, it wont work correctly on many other iMac (Core Duo), the Firmware isnt offered as beta to install for own risk, so it should work without Display flicker after sleep mode, if the iMac is ok.

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