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    short term fix for late 2008 macbook pro screen flicker

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by fastrandstrongr, Feb 10, 2009.

  1. fastrandstrongr

    fastrandstrongr Notebook Evangelist

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    i was working on my thesis in a completely dark room and realized that the screen on my macbook pro flickers even if the background is completely white. this annoyed me to no end since i have sensitive eyes, so i set out looking for a temporary fix before i try and get apple to replace my panel.

    anyhoo, luck has it that there is a fix out there that at least temporarily stops the flicker (i havent seen it posted on nbr before, and my apologies if this is old news): press ctrl-shift-eject to reset the screen. once it goes blank, hit any key and your display should be good to go.

    worked for me and my screen has been flicker-free for ~30 minutes. yay.
     
    fastrandstrongr, Feb 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Empulse

    Empulse Notebook Evangelist

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    Interesting read.

    I thought I was crazy when I saw my screen flicker, but it seems it really does so, but how obvious is it? Do you only see it very obviously when working in a dark area?
     
    Empulse, Feb 10, 2009
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  3. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    havent noticed that on mine
     
    StrongerThanAll, Feb 10, 2009
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  4. fastrandstrongr

    fastrandstrongr Notebook Evangelist

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    it has become more evident in the past few weeks, but probably only because ive been looking for it. when i am using a low-backlight setting, i do notice it during the day time, otherwise the screen is fine.
     
    fastrandstrongr, Feb 10, 2009
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  5. Aunty June

    Aunty June Notebook Guru

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    yep i have it
     
    Aunty June, Apr 16, 2009
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  6. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    You should go ask for a replacement.
     
    Luke1708, Apr 17, 2009
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  7. gavfung

    gavfung Notebook Guru

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    Not sure if this is cause, but maybe try turning off auto brightnesss?

    I know that my ipod touch screen flickers when it is on.
     
    gavfung, Apr 19, 2009
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  8. Aunty June

    Aunty June Notebook Guru

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    thats not the problem
     
    Aunty June, Apr 19, 2009
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  9. orthorim

    orthorim Notebook Evangelist

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    I have the flicker too, but only under specific circumstances: Running on battery, and with screen brightness less than 50%. Never happens on power, or with screen brightness up above 50%.

    It doesn't always happen either, only sometimes. When it does, it's pretty obvious. Even though it's just a small flicker, it's still clearly noticeable.

    Thanks for the display reset tip, I will try that next time it happens.

    PS: No it's not auto-brightness. I have turned that off.
     
    orthorim, Apr 22, 2009
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  10. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    You paid a premium price for it. I advise you to stop your pain and go to an apple atore and have it looked after.
     
    Luke1708, Apr 22, 2009
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  11. Aunty June

    Aunty June Notebook Guru

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    same here , yes same here
     
    Aunty June, Apr 22, 2009
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  12. rydude07

    rydude07 Notebook Evangelist

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    So is this just for macbooks or macbook pros?
     
    rydude07, Apr 26, 2009
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  13. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

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    awesome tip

    this fixed that issue where it looks like I have little shadow spotlights shooting up the bottom of the screen... props!
     
    count_schemula, Apr 26, 2009
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  14. CasertaDesign

    CasertaDesign Newbie

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    This worked for me. Thx!
     
    CasertaDesign, Mar 28, 2010
    #14