2015 Macbook Pro Display flash horizontal lines

[Cameron_N]

Hey Ladies and Gents,


I have had 3 retina Macbook Pro's with the ATI gpu, has anyone had them flicker lines across the screen randomly? I have just got a refund as I was extremely fed up but was wondering if anyone has experienced this? All three MacBooks had this issue. I am now with out a laptop and have to really think about my options. I instantly regretted my decision but then I ask myself do I really regret it. I have attached a image of the issue, to the naked eye it just looks like horizontal lines, it's an extremely quick flash so I recorded my laptop until it happened then took a snapshot in post.


Cheers

 

[chscag]

That really doesn't look like a graphics problem; it looks more like some kind of interference. Have you checked around your local area and maybe even where you were using the computer for other equipment that might cause interference? Medical electronics, RF, or something on the same circuit in your home? Three machines doing the same thing should give suspicion that it's not the MacBook Pros. ;D

 

[Cameron_N]

That really doesn't look like a graphics problem; it looks more like some kind of interference. Have you checked around your local area and maybe even where you were using the computer for other equipment that might cause interference? Medical electronics, RF, or something on the same circuit in your home? Three machines doing the same thing should give suspicion that it's not the MacBook Pros. ;D

Hmmm interesting, what interference though? Theres nothing magnetic in my bedroom. However now you say it my ceiling fan sometimes/often comes on randomly, only reason I mention it is because it's on a remote, I'm not sure if it's even worth mentioning.

Thanks

 

[Cameron_N]

Hmmm interesting, what interference though? Theres nothing magnetic in my bedroom. However now you say it my ceiling fan sometimes/often comes on randomly, only reason I mention it is because it's on a remote, I'm not sure if it's even worth mentioning.

Thanks

**UPDATE**

Today I brought another MacBook Pro, the manager at the Apple Store kindly agreed to sell me a brand new Macbook Pro same model at the original price that I paid for my first one $4,099.00 instead of the new price of $4,999.00. Myself and the manager Ben agreed that if this Macbook has the same issue, that myself and the technicians at Apple will work together to find the root cause instead of them just replacing the Macbook like they have been doing, because this is obviously getting us no where. The manager was sympathetic as to why I got so fed up. I am extremely appreciative of what the manager has done. I have been thinking about you're theory of interference and the more I think, read, talk to people and view videos I think you may be on to something. The water heater is next to my bedroom, I spoke to my Dad and he said that sometimes when the pool pump is on it affects the TV. I believe and my Dad thinks this is highly likely that I may be getting interference down the AC line. I have replaced the power board to a modern one with a surge protector in hope for a cleaner AC delivery. Dad has done an electrical engineering course as well. If it is interference it would also explain why I can't recreate the issue even when putting the GPU through ****. All I can do now is monitor it, take note of if it's at a particular time of day, is the water heater or pool pump running at that time, is the laptop connected to AC ect. Try find a pattern. Aye maybe changing the power board will do the trick. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this...

Cheers

Cameron

 

[Nostatic]

Flicker then white screen of death

My one month old refurb 2015 13" MBP w/ 500 GB SSD has died. Thin magenta colored horizontal lines would occasionally flicker like some comm interference but this time it went crazy then it went to wide vertical bars. Now it's a white screen that Apple support can't get past. Took it to an Apple Store today so we will see. Don't know if it's hardware, graphics card or SSD. I took pics if anyone wants to see this. I'm miffed - it's new ... Well sort of

 

[IWT]

@Cameron,

Interference can come from Microwaves; microphones left behind a pile of books at the back of the Mac, even radios. A troll of these Forums will yield all sorts of forgotten or misplaced electrical goodies that could do this.

Ian

 

[Nostatic]

Just got word from the Apple Store that my Retina display has failed. Sooo I guess it was not wavelength interference. But I can certainly understand that's a possibility.

 

[Cameron_N]

Just an quick update on this issue for any future readers.

I have worked out what the issue is, the lines appear when the integrated graphics card switches to the dedicated AMD card and vice versa. How did I work this out? I have a application called GFXCardstatus, the application does a couple of things - 1. it allows me to disable the AMD card to save on battery when needed and 2. it notifies me when the switch happens (when left on Dynamic aka auto) and sure enough I occasionally see the lines when I saw the notification. Doesn't even bother me now.

Cheers